Former Baylor star Kelly Shoppach returns to the Red Sox

By Brice Cherry

When the Boston Red Sox drafted Kelly Shoppach out of Baylor in 2001, the young catcher no doubt had visions of cranking longballs over Fenway Park's famed Green Monster.

More than a decade later, Shoppach will finally get his chance.

Shoppach, 31, signed a one-year, $1.35-million deal with the Red Sox in December, returning to his original big-league team after six years with the Indians and Rays.

"It's definitely awkward, but it's fun," said Shoppach, who took batting practice with the Baylor team Tuesday. "Guys have given me a hard time, because I actually never got a hit as a Red Sock. I was traded. I got to the big leagues with the Red Sox, did not get any hits. Guys have been ribbing me a little bit, 'Now you can finally get your first hit as a Red Sock.' It'll just be fun. Something that's really important to me is to win games. That was important for me going through this whole process this offseason."

Shoppach won the Johnny Bench award as the nation's best catcher during his days at Baylor, and he said he always enjoys returning to Bear Country.

Even if he's more of the grizzled Bear variety now.

"I'm very accustomed (to being the old guy) now," Shoppach said. "I can grow facial hair now. That makes me happy."

ABOVE: Kelly Shoppach (right) is greeted by Tampa Bay teammate Jason Bartlett after hitting a home run against San Diego Padres in 2010. (Chris O'Meara / Associated Press)

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