Confidence is the 26th man on Sox' roster

SEATTLE -- The games haven't yet begun, but already there's something undeniably different about the Red Sox' 2000 season. Where once there was doubt and pessimism, now there are hope and optimism.

Tuesday, April 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SEATTLE -- The games haven't yet begun, but already there's something undeniably different about the Red Sox' 2000 season. Where once there was doubt and pessimism, now there are hope and optimism.

Where past Red Sox teams were projected -- expected, even -- to fail, this one has been earmarked for success. After two straight playoff appearances, greater things are forecast for this season, which begins tonight against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

"We expect a lot from each other," said shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who quickly added that this was not a new development. "Now, we just have to go out and do it."

To a team that won 94 games and advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1986, the Red Sox added center fielder Carl Everett and left-handed starters Jeff Fassero and Pete Schourek.

But what makes the Red Sox that much more formidable isn't necessarily their talent, but their approach.

"We've got a little bit of an air of confidence now," veteran Mike Stanley said. "It's not cockiness. But we know how to win now, we know what it takes to win. Once you get to a certain level, you want to take it to the next level."

By that standard, anything less than a trip to the World Series could be considered a disappointment for these Red Sox. But the team's isn't about to get caught up in the projections of others, or fall victim to media hype.

"We didn't buy into all that stuff last year," said Garciaparra, who noted many expected the Sox to drop off after losing Mo Vaughn. "So we're not buying into it now."

Disregarding their 11-19 spring training record, tied with the Florida Marlins for the worst of the 30 teams, there were troubling signs for the Sox in the final weeks.

The loss of pitchers Rod Beck (temporarily) and Juan Pena (at least a year) robbed them of valuable pitching depth. And the work of Ramon Martinez and Fassero, the team's second and third starters, may have been omens for the six-month long season ahead.

To a man, the Red Sox concede that the single most important variable is one they have no control over.

"Health," Pedro Martinez said. "We have enough talent. All we need is our health."
"Staying healthy is the key," Garciaparra echoed.

The lineup is better balanced, with a third switch-hitter (Everett) added to Jose Offerman and Jason Varitek. Varitek and Trot Nixon should continue to improve after the benefit of a year's playing time. Even the team's stolen base output -- last in the American League in '99 -- should be boosted with the addition of Everett.

Martinez said this wasn't the most talented team with which he been associated. That distinction belongs to the 1994 Montreal Expos, who were deprived of a chance to prove their greatness when the strike cut short the season. But he left little doubt that this team is capable of more.

Of course, much of his team's success -- now, and in the playoffs -- is dependent on Martinez coming close to his magical performance of a season ago.

"There's nothing to say (about last year)," he said, "and there's a lot to do. That season is gone. It's up to me to start another season."

Martinez has a track record of early season dominance. Last year, he sprinted to a 10-1 start in April and May. For his career, he's 37-10.

"It's not any one thing," he said. "It's a lot of little things together. I have to work in the offseason. I have to put my time in in spring training, and I have to manage to stay healthy."

As star-driven as the Sox are -- boasting the game's best pitcher in Martinez and one of the best position players in Garciaparra -- Stanley pointed out that it's the team concept that drives their success.

"We have a bunch of guys here who don't care what they did in the game as long as it resulted in a 'W,'" he said. "Everybody checks their egos at the door. We know we're all wearing the same uniform and that makes it fun."

Fun and promising. For a change.