01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 23, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Third baseman Bill Mueller, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in early February, said yesterday he hopes to be ready to play in games the second week of the exhibition schedule.

Mueller had arthroscopic surgery on his knee last May, causing him to miss about six weeks of the season. He felt discomfort in the knee again in August, but kept playing through the World Series triumph against the Cardinals.

Mueller tried rest and then exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, but when he stepped up his workouts this winter, he felt enough discomfort that he questioned whether the knee would hold up for a 162-game schedule.

So he opted for another procedure, which called for the shaving of the bone and the removal of some cartilage. Now, Mueller is champing at the bit in anticipation of the season.

"I'm very optimistic about 2005," said Mueller, the American League batting champion in 2003. "My goal is to play the most games in my career."

Yesterday, Mueller was able to run, throw and hit, but the Sox didn't want him taking ground balls, so he caught for coach Dale Sveum, who was hitting fungos to the infielders during yesterday's first full-squad workout.

Mueller, who batted .283 with 12 homers and 57 RBI in 110 games last year, is in the last year of his contract. The switch-hitter, who will turn 34 next month, isn't worried about an extension at this point.

"I signed a contract that ends this year, so that's when it will end," said Mueller. "I'm just going to worry about playing hard and helping my team. I don't have an ego that I have to get something done (this spring). That will take care of itself."

Mueller, of course, had two of the Sox' most dramatic hits last season. He homered off Mariano Rivera to give Boston a momentum-shifting, ninth-inning win over the Yankees on July 24 in the game that featured the Alex Rodriguez-Jason Varitek brawl.

He also drilled a game-tying, ninth-inning single off Rivera in Game 4 of the ALCS, with the Sox three outs away from a sweep at the hands of the Yankees.

Welcoming words

The Sox had a team meeting prior to yesterday's workout.

Owner John Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino spoke briefly. Chairman Tom Werner was on hand, along with the rest of the organization's management.

General manager Theo Epstein spoke, as did manager Terry Francona, trainer Jim Rowe, traveling secretary Jack McCormick and clubhouse manager Joe Cochran.

The primary theme was that this is a new year, so while the Sox should savor what happened in 2004, it's now time to go to work to try to repeat the success.

Henry later said that a final decision still hasn't been made as to whether the Red Sox will hand out their World Championship rings on Opening Day, with the New York Yankees in town for the April 11 contest. Francona, for one, didn't seem to be up to speed on the debate.

"Once the season starts, whether it's Opening Day or the sixth game, I don't really care. I'm just worried about the season," he said.

Henry, meanwhile, also said that a tentative plan has a Red Sox contingent of players and management personnel traveling to Washington, D.C., on March 2 to visit with President Bush.

There were loud cheers from the players prior to the full-team workout when Jason Varitek was officially announced as the team's captain.

Jostens, the company that designed the World Series rings, set up shop in the clubhouse yesterday to size the players and other members of the organization.

A good way to start

Francona was thrilled with everything about yesterday.

Everyone reported on time, the players were in good shape and there was a large turnout to watch the workout.

"It was a real good first day," said Francona, in his second year in charge of the Sox. "I didn't think there would be a hangover effect (from winning last year), so I wasn't surprised."

He singled out David Ortiz and Johnny Damon.

"They showed up looking ready to go," said Francona.

Fan favorites

The first player out of the clubhouse to go stretch for the first official workout was left-hander Lenny Dinardo. The loudest cheers from the big crowd were for Damon, who has taken on a rock-star's persona amongst the fans.

David Wells, Manny Ramirez, Ortiz and Curt Schilling also were greeted by loud cheers.

That might wear thin

Trot Nixon was wearing one of Kevin Millar's jerseys during the workouts yesterday.

"I'm just going to use everybody's jerseys," said Nixon.

So he could go about his business without being bothered?

"No," laughed Nixon. "There's no way you can be incognito when you play for the Boston Red Sox."

Around the horn

Schilling may make his first appearance on the mound tomorrow, Francona said . . . Closer Keith Foulke is being bothered by a blister on his pitching hand, so he may be limited to long toss for a while. He's not likely to throw his signature changeup for a few days because of the blister . . . First baseman/outfielder David McCarty said he was scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow . . . Prized shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez, who likely will start the season in Pawtucket, took grounders next to All-Star Edgar Renteria yesterday.