01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, July 22, 2004

BOSTON -- Outfielder Karim Garcia, who played a pivotal role in the bench-clearing, bullpen-brawling shenanigans in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series while a member of the New York Yankees last Oct. 11, returned to Fenway last night for the first time since that eventful day.

Garcia had been hit by a Pedro Martinez fastball that whizzed past his head and grazed his shoulder. He had words with Martinez. Then his hard takeout slide irritated second baseman Todd Walker. And there was the fight in the bullpen with a Red Sox security guard that also featured New York's Jeff Nelson.

Garcia, who was obtained earlier in the week by the Orioles from the Mets, said it was "no big deal" to be back at Fenway.

"I'll go about my business the way I always do. I'll go out and do my job," said Garcia.

"It's a beautiful park. I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of cheers," joked Garcia. "It's a new season. I'm on a different team now."

The Sox' fans remembered. They booed him when he got to the plate to face Martinez in the third. And the fans cheered loudly when Martinez blazed a fastball past him for a called strike three.

STEVEN KRASNER