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Carl Crawford News & Rumors

Ben Cherington defends Carl Crawford diagnosis
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"Three days after Carl Crawford underwent surgery on his left wrist, likely causing him to miss Opening Day, the question remains: Could the left fielder have had the procedure sooner? Not likely, according to Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington. Cherington said Crawford's wrist was "asymptomatic" when the season ended, so there was no reason for the Sox' medical staff to recommend surgery. It wasn't until Crawford resumed hitting two weeks ago that he felt more discomfort in his wrist."
Wrist surgery sidelines Carl Crawford
January 18
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford slammed the door on 2011 the best way he knew how — by ramping up his offseason workouts. But it turns out 2011's not quite done with him yet. Just days into intensified hitting sessions that started around New Year's, Crawford felt soreness in his left wrist typically associated with the end of a long season. A doctor's visit last week and ensuing MRI revealed cartilage damage, and yesterday Crawford underwent surgery in Arizona. He'll likely be sidelined for the start of the season. It was exactly the kind of news Crawford didn't need to hear, though the silver lining, if you can call it that, is the timing. At least Crawford has a shot to be ready for Opening Day, whereas"
Wrist surgery for Carl Crawford
January 17
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford had surgery on his left wrist in Arizona today. GM Ben Cherington said Crawford should be recovered to play "the bulk" of the season. The surgery was done in Arizona by Dr. Donald Sheridan. It was Sheridan to operated on Crawford in 2008 to fix a tendon issue in his right hand. Crawford felt soreness when he started his offseason hitting workouts around Jan. 1. He had an MRI that showed cartilage damage and arthroscopic surgery was recommended. Crawford has had wrist issues in the past but the discomfort had always passed. Having such pain at this time of the year was a red flag."
Skipper speaks with Carl Crawford
January 15
Boston Herald
 
"Bobby Valentine finally had his conversation with Carl Crawford. It happened last week, by phone and with both Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, on the line. Crawford hadn't answered messages from Valentine and reportedly was irritated by comments the new Red Sox manager made last year while an ESPN analyst. Valentine questioned Crawford's open batting stance and other issues. "He sounded good," said Valentine, a guest at the annual New Stars for Young Stars charity event to benefit the Jimmy Fund yesterday at Jillian's. "He seemed very determined and understanding of the fact that things got spinning a little fast for him last year in a new"
Bobby Valentine, Carl Crawford to restore order
January 12
Boston Herald
 
"Eventually, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and Carl Crawford will talk, at which time they will leave behind the comments Valentine made as an ESPN analyst that insulted the left fielder and move on to more timely matters. One such topic: Crawford's spot in the Red Sox lineup. For nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Crawford was a dynamic top-of-the-lineup threat. He typically batted second or third, and his success led former Red Sox manager Terry Francona to often describe him as a "game-changer.""
Ben bullish on Crawford comeback
October 26
Boston Herald
 
"John Henry may not have wanted Carl Crawford, but Ben Cherington does. The new Red Sox general manager made it clear during his introductory press conference yesterday that not only did he push as hard as anyone to sign the outfielder last winter, but he believes Crawford's going to bounce back in a big way in 2012. "I'm betting on Carl Crawford moving forward," Cherington said."
Red Sox Owner was anti deal for Carl Crawford
October 15
Boston Herald
 
"In the wake of Carl Crawford's underwhelming first season with the Red Sox [team stats], principal owner John Henry revealed in a radio interview yesterday that he wasn't in favor of signing the high-priced left fielder. Speaking to 98.5 The Sports Hub, Henry said the decision to sign Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million contract last offseason was made by general manager Theo Epstein and wasn't driven by concern for declining television ratings. "Definitely a baseball signing," Henry said. "In fact, anybody involved in upper management with the Red Sox will tell you that I personally opposed that. They all knew that. Why? Because we had plenty of left-handed hitting. I don't have to"
Carl Crawford's fitting end
September 29
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford's season could not have ended in a more appropriate fashion. In a year that saw Crawford never live up to the hype that accompanied his $142?million acquisition, his failure to make a difficult sliding catch in the ninth inning last night allowed the Orioles to walk off with a 4-3 victory and the Red Sox to pack their bags for the winter after the Rays stunned the Yankees to claim the AL wild card. "I don't think I've ever been a part of something like this," Crawford said. "This is a devastating blow to us. We go down in history as one of the worst collapses ever. It definitely doesn't feel good to be a part of that.""
Carl Crawford moves up
September 25
Boston Herald
 
"Credit Carl Crawford for one thing: Throughout his wretched first season with the Red Sox, he hasn't complained about being dropped to the lower half of the lineup. Yesterday, though, he admitted the demotion has been "very frustrating." Crawford returned to his more familiar No.?2 spot yesterday for the opener of a pivotal three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Before the game, he said being back at the top of the lineup would allow him to better utilize his speed on the bases, something he hasn't felt as free to do when batting seventh."
Crawford was a real positive
September 22
Boston Globe
 
"Carl Crawford can't save his season at this point. But he did his best to save the Red Sox last night. The beleaguered left fielder was 3 for 4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, and a run in last night's 6-4 loss to Baltimore at Fenway Park. The Sox have dropped 14 of 18 games but Crawford remains optimistic that they will hold on and claim the American League wild card."
Jason Varitek refutes Carl Crawford controversy
September 22
Boston Herald
 
"It's late September and the Red Sox [team stats] are tanking, so naturally it's time for some controversy. Except in the case of Carl Crawford vs. Jason Varitek [stats], there's nothing there. The Internet and airwaves were abuzz yesterday with the possibility of some kind of confrontation between the embattled left fielder and the longtime catcher and captain. At the center of the story was Crawford's refusal to answer questions after Tuesday's 7-5 loss by saying, "Go ask the captain.""
Crawford sits with a stiff neck
September 20
Boston Globe
 
"Carl Crawford was a late scratch from the Red Sox lineup before Game 1 of yesterday's doubleheader against the Orioles at Fenway Park and did not play in Game 2 because of a stiff neck. The injury came a day after Crawford did not start against Tampa Bay, although he hit a pinch double in the eighth inning off lefty J.P. Howell. He was left out of the starting lineup because of his 0-for-9 history vs. former teammate David Price. Manager Terry Francona said Crawford hurt himself on his first swing in the batting cage yesterday. He was originally in the lineup batting sixth, but Darnell McDonald took his place when he was scratched. McDonald lost two balls in the sun in left field in the"
Carl Crawford: Rays winning wild card would be 'devastating'
September 20
Tampa Tribune
 
"Boston left fielder Carl Crawford says he would be "devastated" if his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, passes the Red Sox to take the American League wild card. Crawford, in an online diary he writes for ESPNBoston, also vowed to remember the "haters" at Tropicana Field who "heckled" him this season. After a slow start in Boston, Crawford is batting .255 with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs and 18 stolen bases, disappointing numbers after signing a seven-year, $142 million deal with one of the Rays' main rivals. In the online post, he apologized to Boston fans for his season and particularly for his performance in this past weekend's four-game series against the Rays. The Rays won three times to"
Sitting Crawford vs. Price costly?
September 19
Boston Globe
 
"In the biggest game of the season, the Red Sox' top free agent signing, Carl Crawford ($142 million worth) was left out of the lineup because he was 0 for 9 against David Price. Not sure what the message is there. We are not suggesting the Sox lost to the Rays yesterday, 8-5, because Crawford didn't play. It's no secret the left fielder isn't having a good season. He would be the first to admit it. But aren't you supposed to win or lose with your best players?"
Crawford a positive for playoffs
September 13
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"First things first, the Red Sox need to make the playoffs. But assuming they get there, the new season could be one of rebirth for Carl Crawford. The $142 million left fielder has had a season with the Sox to forget, but he has come up big in the playoffs in the past. While his overall numbers (.253 average, three home runs, nine RBI, eight stolen bases) in four postseason series with the Tampa Bay Rays are pedestrian, he was a monster against the Red Sox in the 2008 AL Championship Series (.345, four RBI, three stolen bases) and then slammed two homers in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. "Carl was a stud," Rays manager Joe Maddon said last weekend in St. Petersburg,"
Streaky Carl Crawford focusing on fine finish
August 29
Boston Herald
 
"In 2008, Carl Crawford missed 44 of the Tampa Bay Rays' last 46 regular-season games because of an injured finger, leaving his final numbers short of his lofty standards. But when the Rays reached the World Series, his subpar season was forgotten. The same thing could happen this year. By his own admission, Crawford has had a disappointing first season for the Red Sox [team stats]. He endured a career-worst slump in April, missed a month with a hamstring strain and has yet to sustain a stretch of prolonged excellence. Each time he appears poised to break out, he recedes into another funk. To wit: Crawford went 9-for-12 in a three-game series against the New York Yankees earlier this month,"
Crawford too good to stay this bad
August 22
Boston Globe
 
"Be careful with your words. Bust. Mistake. Over the hill. Carl Crawford may make you eat them. He's a pretty even-keeled guy who doesn't seem to have a vengeful bone in his body. Red Sox fans have been very good to him so far, but he certainly is aware of the negative comments in the media. Would he love to shut people up about his terrible season? Of course. Just as John Lackey would. Just as Jacoby Ellsbury has done. Crawford is sick of talking about his season, so he doesn't. He understands that he hasn't been himself, and now he has a quarter-season and a postseason to show why the Red Sox are investing $142 million in him. Crawford, who entered last night's game in a 2-for-23 skid,"
Under the microscope: Carl Crawford
August 22
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"The Red Sox [team stats] started one of their worst lineups of the season yesterday. No Jacoby Ellsbury [stats]. No Kevin Youkilis [stats]. No David Ortiz [stats]. If ever a time screamed to move Carl Crawford up in the order, this was it. He batted seventh. It has been that kind of season for the $142 million man, who has struggled to find a comfort zone since Day 1 and is running out of time to make his first season with the Red Sox a productive one. Yesterday, with left-hander Danny Duffy on the mound, Red Sox manager Terry Francona eschewed batting Crawford second — no doubt in large part because he started the game batting .179 against lefties — in favor of right-hander Darnell"
Crawford too good to stay this bad
August 21
Boston Globe
 
"Be careful with your words. Bust. Mistake. Over the hill. Carl Crawford may make you eat them. He's a pretty even-keeled guy who doesn't seem to have a vengeful bone in his body. Red Sox fans have been very good to him so far, but he certainly is aware of the negative comments in the media. Would he love to shut people up about his terrible season? Of course. Just as John Lackey would. Just as Jacoby Ellsbury has done."
Carl Crawford's woes continue vs. ex-mates
August 18
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford appeared to have finally figured it out. After his unfathomably wretched April, the Red Sox [team stats] left fielder quietly had built his batting average to respectability. Crawford reached his high-water mark of .260 on Aug. 7 after he went 7-for-8 in a two-game stretch against the Yankees. Everyone, including Crawford, thought that was a breakout performance. Instead, he's nosedived back to his April form, going 4-for-31 since the Yankees series. Crawford has gone hitless in his last 15 at-bats and has seven strikeouts during that stretch, many coming on hapless flails at breaking balls. "I was feeling good and this series, for some reason, I just wasn't myself," Crawford"
Carl Crawford takes right turn on left
August 8
Boston Herald
 
"It was only one game. But considering how bad Carl Crawford has been against left-handed pitchers this year, it was real progress. Crawford's three-hit performance against Yankees ace CC Sabathia on Saturday was at least partly the result of hours of practice with hitting coach Dave Magadan, who worked with the left fielder on recognizing sliders in an attempt to boost what had been a woeful .144 average against southpaws. "We talked about recognizing the ones he can swing at and swinging at them and then the ones he has to take that are in the dirt," Magadan said before last night's series finale, a 3-2 Sox winning in 10 innings at Fenway Park. "He was really good." Magadan estimates"
Crawford has hit on something
August 7
Boston Globe
 
"Carl Crawford said the fourth hit of the game was nice, but the first three meant more. Those came off of Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who entered yesterday's game with a 2.55 ERA and a league-best 16 wins. "Whenever you can get three hits off a pitcher like Sabathia, you feel good about yourself,'' Crawford said. Sabathia is a lefthander, which makes hitting against him, for a lefthanded batter such as Crawford, more of a challenge. It also makes hits more rewarding. Crawford's three hits off Sabathia went to the opposite field, something Crawford has focused on since he's returned from a stint on the disabled list. "That's part of trying to get your swing back right, trying to go the other"
Carl Crawford's time is now
August 7
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"The first thing Carl Crawford needs to understand about the 2011 season is that it's going to be a statistical disappointment. The second thing Carl Crawford needs to understand about the 2011 season is that it's not over. No matter what Crawford does between now and the end of September, he's likely to post his worst numbers in nearly a decade. But as he showed yesterday, that doesn't mean the Red Sox left fielder can't make an impact. Crawford went 4-for-4 and stroked three hits against New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia, including an RBI single to kick-start a five-run fourth inning that helped lift the Sox to a 10-4 victory at Fenway Park. In the process, Crawford provided a glimpse into"
Crawford out with elbow strain
July 28
Boston Globe
 
"Carl Crawford said this morning that he has a strained left elbow and had a cortisone injection on Tuesday night. He hopes to return to the lineup tomorrow night in Chicago. "It has been bothering me for a little while, more when I throw than with my swing. But a little there, too," he said. "Hopefully this will clear it up.""
Struggling Carl Crawford takes seat
July 28
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford struggled against Kansas City pitching in the last two games and Red Sox manager Terry Francona didn't see matters improving with lefty Bruce Chen on the hill last night at Fenway Park. After watching Crawford go 1-for-11 with six strikeouts, Francona shuffled the outfield, starting Darnell McDonald in right in place of Josh Reddick and Yamaico Navarro in left for Crawford. In 24 at-bats against Chen, Crawford is 4-for-23 (.174) with two home runs and four RBI. Reddick has never faced Chen "He hasn't had much success against this guy and we have a quick turnaround and I think it makes sense," said Francona as the Sox play this afternoon in the series finale. "The last couple"
Crawford contributes any way he can
July 25
Boston Globe
 
"This is what Carl Crawford signed up for. He wanted to be a part of a lineup that could put up 12 runs on a beautiful afternoon at Fenway Park, a fitting end to yet another series sweep. He wanted to play for one of the best teams in baseball. That's why he signed a seven-year, $142 million contract with the Red Sox last winter. "Definitely - days like this, the way the guys are playing,'' Crawford said after yesterday's 12-8 win over the Mariners. "It's nice to be a part of this. You see it when everybody's hot, and we're winning games. Everybody's smiling and giving high-fives. It's real fun.''"
Carl quick to recover
July 25
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox manager Terry Francona yesterday made note of the steady improvements left fielder Carl Crawford has made since coming off the disabled list last Monday. "Actually, I think he looks a little bit better," Francona said prior to his team's 12-8 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. "He got rewarded and got a couple of hits the first game (against the Baltimore Orioles). I thought that relaxed him at the plate. But I think on the bases he's been really aggressive. He's taken off on the first pitch maybe three times, which maybe he wasn't necessarily doing before. "So it is obvious that he feels good physically. I think he's in a good place." Crawford is 9-for-24 with"
Carl Crawford is set to return tonight
July 18
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox shocked the baseball world by adding two huge pieces to their offense last December in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. The accolades have flowed for Gonzalez, who has been one of the top three players in the game this season. The storyline on Crawford has been far different. But tonight, Crawford has the opportunity to begin reversing some of the disappointment when he rejoins the team in Baltimore after missing a month with a hamstring pull."
Crawford makes quick work of rehab stint
July 17
Boston Globe
 
"First, the good news. Carl Crawford completed his two-game rehab assignment last night with the Pawtucket Red Sox without reinjuring his left hamstring. Crawford will meet the big club in Baltimore tomorrow for a three-game series."
Crawford needs to pay off in second half
July 16
Boston Globe
 columnist Christopher L. Gasper
"Riding high at 55-35 in first place in the American League East, the Red Sox start the second half of the season tonight on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, Carl Crawford's former team. But Crawford, the Red Sox' lavishly-paid left fielder, won't be in St. Petersburg, Fla., to take in his old hardball haunts. The $142-million man, who has been out since June 18 with a hamstring strain, will commence his second-half in Pawtucket, R.I., tonight making the first of two rehab appearances at Triple A before he (hopefully) returns to action Monday in Baltimore. Too bad. Familiar surroundings may have been exactly what Crawford needed to make sure he played like an All-Star, post-All-Star"
Crawford aces his first test
July 16
Boston Globe
 
"Of all the things Carl Crawford was concerned about last night, one stood out above the rest. "The most important thing was being able to break out of the box like I normally can . . . to be able to move quick without worrying about my hamstring,'' Crawford said after playing five innings in a rehab game for Pawtucket against the Durham Bulls. "I had a few moments tonight where I was able to test it.'' One of those moments occurred in the third inning after Crawford drew a one-out walk from Lance Cormier and Ryan Lavarnway followed with a hit-and-run single. "That felt good. That was a time I had a chance to test it. I also had a chance to test it in the outfield,'' Crawford said,"
Josh Beckett set for Sunday; Carl Crawford to start rehab on Friday
July 15
Boston Globe
 
"Terry Francona said that Josh Beckett is on track to make his start against the Rays on Sunday. His not pitching in the All-Star Game was a precaution. Carl Crawford worked out at Fenway today and will play for Pawtucket on Friday and Saurday then join the team in Baltimore on Monday. None of the All-Stars were required to show up at tonight's workout. But Jacoby Ellsbury did. In terms of other news: • For the first time since he strained the lat muscle on his left side on July 5, Jon Lester threw a baseball. His workout at Fenway consisted of throwing in the outfield from 60 feet away. "All went really well," Francona said. "As long as it doesn't hurt, I think it will come quick." The Red"
Sad end to one good gesture
July 9
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford has new reservations about a practice he's engaged in throughout his major league career. The Red Sox left fielder said last night prior to a game against the Orioles at Fenway Park that he's never thought twice about tossing a souvenir ball into the stands. It is a goodwill gesture that players routinely make and always is appreciated by the lucky fan on the receiving end. That fan-friendly gesture has come under new scrutiny after a fatal incident at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday night. Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton had retrieved a foul ball hit by Oakland outfielder Conor Jackson and instinctively looked to the left field lower-reserve seats."
Red Sox targeting July 18 for Carl Crawford's return
July 7
SportingNews.com
 
"Boston Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment following the All-Star break and could return to the major league lineup July 18, The Boston Globe reports. "It's not etched in stone," manager Terry Francona told the newspaper. "As important as his legs are, I think this gives us a chance to really not mess this up. He actually wanted the at-bats (in the minors)." Crawford, who is hitting .243 with six homers, 31 RBIs and eight stolen bases, has been sidelined since suffering a strained left hamstring on June 17."
Crawford, Buchholz injury updates
July 4
Boston Globe
 
"Clay Buchholz and Carl Crawford will be checked out by Dr. Thomas Gill today. Buchholz, Terry Francona said, is definitely out until after the All-Star break. Crawford is progressing and will run the bases tomorrow."
Crawford in holding pattern at home
July 2
Boston Herald
 
"After a return to action tomorrow by Carl Crawford was ruled out yesterday, the prospect of him returning before the All-Star break is not looking real bright either. Crawford reported yesterday he is "running at probably 40, 50 percent" of where he needs to be with his strained left hamstring. By any accounting method, that means he is a long way off from being 100 percent. Yesterday was the two-week anniversary of Crawford pulling up lame after beating out an infield hit on June 17. Eligible to come off the disabled list during this final stop on the road trip in his hometown, a return here was always the sentimental date of choice for Crawford and everybody else. The real date is"
Theo Epstein takes hit on Mike Cameron's flop
July 1
Boston Herald
 
"Say this for Theo Epstein, he's accountable. When the inevitable became reality yesterday and the bell tolled on Mike Cameron's Red Sox career, Epstein didn't blame bad luck for Cameron's subpar performance over the last two years. "We've been scratching our heads," Epstein admitted yesterday after designating Cameron for assignment. "I'll take the hit on this one." The winter of 2010 is not going down as Epstein's finest hour. The Red Sox got into a case of medical he-said, she-said with free agent outfielder Jason Bay and let him walk. They used his money to sign right-hander John Lackey, who is showing signs of coming around, but remains a disappointment. They also replaced Bay with"
Sox taking time with Buchholz, Crawford
June 29
Boston Globe
 
"Clay Buchholz is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday. But it could be well after that before he pitches for the Red Sox again. "I can still feel it," said Buchholz, who is out with a lower back strain. "I don't want to pitch until it's 100 percent out of there." The initial plan was for Buchholz to pitch against Toronto on July 4. Pitching in that series remains a possibility, but the Red Sox are going to take a conservative approach."
Carl Crawford swings bat for first time since hitting DL
June 27
Boston Globe
 (scroll down)
"Carl Crawford, out with a strained left hamstring, took some swings for the first time since going on the disabled list. He is eligible to return next Sunday and hopes that will be the case. The Sox will be in Houston, his hometown. "I'm making progress,'' he said. "I'm starting to do more things.''"
Tito left with big decisions
June 19
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox outfield, especially the left field position, is going to be in a state of flux well into July after Carl Crawford went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring yesterday. Darnell McDonald was in left field last night, but for the next few weeks, matchups, who's hot, who's not and any number of variables could come into play when manager Terry Francona decides whom to play there. Besides McDonald, options include left-handed hitting Josh Reddick (whom the Sox recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace Crawford), Mike Cameron (who played right field last night) and Drew Sutton. "We'll piece it together," Francona said. Crawford hurt himself while beating out an"
Red Sox place Carl Crawford on DL
June 19
Boston Globe
 
"A loud cheer went up when Carl Crawford beat out a single in his first at-bat Friday night against the Brewers at Fenway Park. But those cheers were quickly muted when Crawford pulled up, clutching his left hamstring. The initial fear was that the Sox left fielder, whose speed and athleticism are a big part of his game, would require time on the disabled list. Yesterday, those fears were confirmed when manager Terry Francona announced Crawford had been placed on the 15-day DL with a hamstring strain and that outfielder Josh Reddick had been recalled from Triple A Pawtucket."
Crawford strains hamstring
June 18
Boston Globe
 
"On a day that began with news that shortstop Jed Lowrie was being placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Red Sox with a shoulder injury, it appeared he might be joined by left fielder Carl Crawford. Crawford was forced to leave last night's series opener against the Brewers in the bottom of the first inning because of a strained left hamstring, suffered while legging out an infield single to third. "He got an MRI during the game,'' said manager Terry Francona. "He's got a Grade-1 hamstring, and we certainly need to reevaluate that and see what we'll do.'' Francona indicated it was the least severe of hamstring strains. After Crawford was called safe by umpire Phil Cuzzi, he immediately"
Carl Crawford gets mixed reception in return to Trop
June 15
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If there's one thing Carl Crawford has learned in his brief time in a Red Sox uniform, it is that taunts from fans on the road can be brutal. And though Crawford was returning to Tropicana Field — the place where he spent his first nine major-league seasons and left as the best player in Rays franchise history — he still expected his reception to be icy. When Crawford, who signed a seven-year, $142 million contract with Boston in December, stepped to the plate in his first at-bat Tuesday, most fans at the Trop greeted him with a standing ovation, but much of cheering was muted by loud boos that grew louder with each at-bat. "It was smattering of negativity I thought out there, which was"
Carl Crawford reflective in return to Trop
June 15
Tampa Tribune
 
"Nine years of memories rushed back at him as Carl Crawford walked into Tropicana Field on Monday afternoon, his first visit as something other than a member of the home team Tampa Bay Rays. He thought of his very first game, the managers he played for, the unbelievable 2008 season and the trip to the World Series. "I had a lot things going through my head," said Crawford, making his return as his new team, the Boston Red Sox, and the Rays kick off a three-game series. The big question is: How will Rays fans greet the best player in team history, a four-time All-Star who developed into one of the best left fielders in the game before their very eyes? It's a question Crawford has been asked"
Anything but a normal day for Red Sox's Crawford
June 15
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Joe Henderson
"Carl Crawford's return to Tropicana Field had all things you look for in a Really Big Story. There was the former hero coming back to the place where he made his name and once was adored, but now is a centerpiece for the enemy. Not just any enemy, either: The Boston Red Sox, half of the Axis of Evil in the American League East. Perfect. So there we were at the Trop, gathered to record it all Tuesday night. That is, until I ruined it by asking Rays manager Joe Maddon how he felt about Act 1 of Craw-pa-looza. "Honestly, I hate to disappoint but it really is not that big of a deal to us. When I saw him in spring training I told him, 'Congratulations, I'm really happy for you.' I meant it"
Carl, Sox come up empty
June 15
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford insists he isn't one for reminiscing. Typically, the Red Sox left fielder doesn't sit around and get misty-eyed while thinking about bygone days. But nine years is a long time to spend with one team, and so, try as he might, he knew that returning to Tropicana Field for the first time with an opponent of the Tampa Bay Rays would feel anything but ordinary. "I can't lie," Crawford (0-for-3) said before leaving the visitors clubhouse last night. "It didn't feel like a normal game." For one thing, the Red Sox actually lost, snapping their longest-in-the-majors, nine-game winning streak. For another, they were shut out, 4-0, by Tampa Bay starter James Shields, after scoring 83"
Do Tampa Bay Rays fans cheer or boo Carl Crawford upon his return to Tropicana Field?
June 14
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Gary Shelton
"First, you cheer. Don't you? You cheer for the man, and you cheer for the memories, and you cheer for the sweat and effort and years. You cheer for the hits and all of the catches. You cheer because he became something special, and he allowed the franchise to do the same. You cheer because it is the classy thing to do, and he always was a classy player. Tonight, you should cheer for Carl Crawford. Once. After that, you are on your own. The natural tendency, of course, will be to boo on first sight. After all, Crawford will be in the wrong uniform, and a Boston Red Sox uniform at that. It might be easier if Crawford were with, say, the Angels or the Astros or the Dodgers. But the Red Sox?"
Crawford deserves cheers on his first return to Trop
June 14
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Martin Fennelly
"To boo, or not to boo, that is the question. Actually, it's not much of a question. Showing up to boo Carl Crawford tonight will necessitate Tampa Bay Rays fans having to show up in the first place, always a tricky proposition, even with the first-place Red Sox in town. Then there are the large numbers of annoying Boston fans, another constant reality, sometimes to the point of slight majority. There will be a fair number of Rays No. 13 Crawford jerseys in left field. There will be reaction when his name is announced as he digs in at the batter's box during the first inning, or maybe the second inning, since Crawford currently bats sixth for Boston, or maybe it will be in the first, since"
Welcome mat for Crawford?
June 14
Boston Globe
 
"That Carl Crawford is the greatest player in the relatively brief history of the Tampa Bay Rays is hard to dispute. He has the most games, at-bats, runs, hits, RBIs, stolen bases, doubles, and triples in franchise history along with the highest batting average. He is their Ted Williams. But he also left town in the prime of his career to sign a seven-year, $142 million contract with the Red Sox. That decision could lead to Crawford receiving a rude reception tonight when he returns to Tropicana Field for the first time."