Along with joining a youth chorus for the singing of the Canadian National Anthem, Adam Stern contributes a key hit in Boston's big second inning yesterday.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 12, 2006

BY PAUL KENYON
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Adam Stern had an eventful day in the Red Sox home opener yesterday, far beyond getting one of the game's biggest hits.

The Red Sox center fielder took some major ribbing from his teammates after he joined the Boston Children's Chorus in singing the Canadian National Anthem in pre-game ceremonies. Stern is from London, Ontario.

"They asked me a couple of days ago if I'd be willing to stand out there. I'm like, heck, yeah, anything to do with Canada. Heck, I've got a tattoo. Yeah, sure, whatever you want," he said.

The idea apparently came from the hazing rookie players receive.

"When you're a rookie, you have to sing something, you're school fight song or anything," said first baseman Kevin Youkilis. "He did it on the bus. He sang the Canadian Anthem.

"He's actually pretty good. He throws stuff in there, instruments, like the drum," Youlikis said. "He really is pretty good. He definitely has fun with it."

When it came time to sign with the Children's Chorus before the sellout crowd of 35,491, Stern backed off a bit.

"It was the most monotone you've ever heard. It was so brutal," he said. "I think the kids in front of me were asking me to stop. I think they were thinking 'this guy is really bad.'

"I didn't want to be too loud. I didn't want to come across and have someone hear me. I'm hoping Coco (Crisp) will sign me with his record label."

When the anthem was finished, many of his teammates, including David Wells, another big music guy, gave Stern some razzing.

"Who didn't?" Stern said. "I think everyone up the line did."

When the game began, Stern had a key two-run double during Boston's decisive four-run second, a shot just inside the bag at third.

"There were runners at second and third. In that situation, you just want to do whatever you can to get the run in." said Stern, who is excellent defensively and has great speed. He also had a stolen base yesterday to help set up a run.

"Tito (manager Terry Francona) has given a lot of guys the green light," he said. "I thought it was a good time to run." He easily beat the throw from catcher Benjie Molina on his steal of third in the big second inning.

The fact his big day came against Toronto, on a game being telecast in Canada, only made it better.

"I grew up watching them. They were my favorite team," Stern said. "It was kind of cool going out there and playing against them."

The day also marked the first time in Stern's brief big-league career that he has started back-to-back games. With injuries to Crisp, and now Trot Nixon, he could see more time.

"There is a comfort factor there," Stern said of being able to play more. It had been expected that Stern would be sent to Pawtucket at the end of the month when requirements for Rule V draftees expire. Stern, who was one of the heroes of Canada's upset win over the United States in the World Baseball Classic, is not thinking about that.

"You don't have to be anywhere. You're never forced into anything at any time," he said. "Whatever happens, happens. . . . I go out there and play and see what happens. You can't concern yourself with what's going on around you.

"I don't know what the plan is. As long as they keep me around here, hopefully I can contribute. If my time comes and I need to go down, then that's what I need to do. Obviously you want to get at-bats wherever you can get them."

Because of injuries and being on the big-league roster, the 26-year-old taken from the Atlanta organization had only 94 at-bats last season between Boston and Pawtucket. He does not think he's rusty.

"I just consider that I'm fresh," he said. "You get all the cobwebs out in spring training. Obviously, you miss at-bats last year, which is crucial for development. But now it's time to play, and when you're called on you've just got to go out and execute. . . . Any time you get out there you've got to help the team win."

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