BOSTON | The sight of the Green Monster does not at all frighten Édouard Julien. When meeting the young Quebec baseball player, directly on the playing surface in Boston, the scoreboard displayed “Welcome to Fenway Park: America’s most beloved ballpark“.
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If it’s true that the Red Sox stadium is one of the most adored in America, it would take more than this mythical place to intimidate Julien, who is there this week with his Minnesota Twins teammates.
“For me, I play baseball and it’s the same thing, decided the 23-year-old Quebecer. I try not to think about the fact that it’s a different atmosphere.”
His approach was similar to Yankee Stadium last week. Nevertheless, Julien does not hear the Boston crowd less humming Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond, in the eighth inning. He also sees very well this section of wall in left field, nicknamed the Green Monster, just like this legendary “Pesky’s Pole” in the right.
“There is always a nice atmosphere, it’s a rustic stadium, but which remains one of the most beautiful in the league, qualified Julien. It’s good to be able to play in this stadium at the start of your career, but at the same time, whatever stadiums you play when you start in the major leagues, it’s something special anyway.
It must be said that Julien, younger, had already come to Fenway Park a few times to attend Red Sox games with his family. The Quebecer had also had the opportunity, a few years ago, to participate in a camp in the famous stadium at the dawn of a summer spent in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Pitchers: “the same deal”
If he refuses to be affected by the atmosphere of major baseball’s biggest stadiums, Julien also shows a certain audacity when commenting on the quality of the pitchers he has faced since his debut in the big leagues. Even Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees didn’t impress him, despite being the victim of two strikeouts against him.
“It’s the same case, said the Quebecer. I’ve faced pitchers who looked like Gerrit Cole before.”
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Despite a batting average of .111 (before Wednesday night’s game), Julien therefore stays the course and remains confident.
“I never put too much emphasis on what happened in the past, good or bad,” said Julien. I don’t worry about what I experience every day. Every day is a new game and every appearance at bat is a new opportunity.
Harder against lefties?
Among the situations that could concern the Quebecer, Julien was used in eighth place in the offensive formation (or left out, like Tuesday night) when the opposing starter is left-handed. We also saw it at the first level with the Twins against right-handed pitchers.
“Obviously before, it was more difficult for me against left-handed pitchers, but once you’ve seen them once, it’s the same,” said Julien. It’s more a matter of advanced statistics.”
Before Wednesday night, the Quebecer, a left-handed hitter, had two hits, including his home run at Yankee Stadium, in 15 official at bats against right-handers. Having obtained very few opportunities, he remained looking for a first hit against “a left leg” (0 in 3).
- If the song Sweet Caroline, in the eighth inning, remains a great classic at Fenway Park, the game’s soundtrack also contains, at the end of the game, the catchy I’m Shipping Up to Boston of the band Dropkick Murphys.
- Not part of the Twins’ starting lineup on Tuesday night against left-handed starter Chris Sale, Julien was used as pinch hitter against right-handed reliever Josh Winckowski in the seventh inning. He was then retired in three takes. The Red Sox also won 5-4 after a 10e sleeve.