Newly acquired right-hander Josh Beckett and second baseman Mark Loretta, in town for the Boston Baseball Writers Association dinner, are excited about playing at Fenway Park.

01:00 AM EST on Friday, January 13, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- It's not as if Josh Beckett and Mark Loretta hadn't been to Fenway Park before.

They have played in the ballpark as visiting players.

Over the last couple of days, though, Beckett and Loretta have been seeing Fenway Park through different eyes, as two of the newest members of the Boston Red Sox.

"It's neat, a cool place," said Beckett yesterday.

"It's like going to a museum," added Loretta.

Beckett, a flamethrowing right-handed pitcher acquired in a trade with the Florida Marlins, and Loretta, a second baseman obtained in a deal with the San Diego Padres, were in town to attend last night's annual installment of the Boston Baseball Writers Association dinner.

Both professed excitement at joining the Sox' organization.

Beckett, 25, a World Series MVP (2003) who won a career-high 15 games last season, said he is especially looking forward to learning more about his craft from veteran Curt Schilling.

"I don't consider myself in his class yet, so I'm going to be picking his brain on things like consistency," said Beckett.

He already has been learning a different approach to getting ready for spring training. Last spring, Beckett said he threw 14 bullpen sessions at the insistence of Florida pitching coach Mark Wiley, causing him to "peak too early" in camp. Ultimately, Beckett had some shoulder problems.

The Red Sox' training method consists of building up pitchers to the point where they throw only five bullpen sessions before arriving in camp.

Beckett, meanwhile, says his shoulder has not been a problem this winter.

"I think what helped was throwing a football when I got home from the season. That's kept it loose. And the doctors have me on a prehab (throwing) program to get me ready for spring training. My shoulder feels better," said Beckett.

He also feels confident he can thrive under the Boston sports microscope.

"(Pitching in) the American League is going to be an adjustment, but as a pitcher, all you have to do at any level is execute quality pitches consistently. If I can, I'm sure I'll be able to get wins," he said.

Loretta also is coming off an injury. He had surgery on his left thumb for the second time in his career, but was able to return before the season ended. It's quite possible that Loretta could bat second in the Sox' order, ahead of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, presuming that Ramirez isn't traded away.

"That's the core of the lineup, Ortiz and Ramirez," said Loretta, a right-handed hitter. "Those two guys are as good as it gets in driving in runs. And I think Fenway suits me well. I don't pull the ball a lot, but right-center field is spacious, so that should help me."

And if he needs any extra adrenaline, he's aware it will be readily available in Boston. He jokingly said he was on a first-name basis with the loyal fans in San Diego.

"Frank and Bob," he said with a smile.

The atmosphere in Fenway will be different.

"Even as a visiting player you notice how many people are around the park. Any time you can play in front of a sold-out crowd, it always gives you a lift," said Loretta.

"I played a lot of years (for Milwaukee) in County Stadium where we'd have 6,000 fans in a 60,000-seat stadium. You could hear every voice yelling at you," he said. "When it's sold out, there's a buzz that energizes you."

Energy is one thing, production is another. But Beckett and Loretta both expect to be able to help the Red Sox win games this year.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340