Former Red Sox prospect Kelly Shoppach feels a lot more comfortable playing for Cleveland.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 26, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

CLEVELAND -- Ever since the Red Sox selected Kelly Shoppach in the second round of the 2001 draft, he has played in the shadow of Jason Varitek, and he realized he never would be given the chance to prove himself at the major-league level in Boston.

Throughout Shoppach's minor-league career in the Sox' organization, every time the trade deadline arrived his name would be the leader in the rumor department. So when he eventually was traded to Cleveland by the Red Sox in January -- along with infielder Andy Marte, pitcher Guillermo Mota and a player to be named -- for outfielder Coco Crisp, pitcher David Riske and catcher Josh Bard, Shoppach was relieved.

"In Boston, it's all about the business," he said yesterday. "Here, it's all about relationships. There are no cliques. Both [clubs] have the common goal, but there's a different dynamic of getting there. There's a lot of pressure in Boston, and once I got out from under that for a second, it was like, 'Wow, now I can breathe.' I've grown so much in a month and a half here, and I believe in myself a little bit more."

Shoppach, who turns 26 on Saturday, knew once the Red Sox signed Varitek to a four-year deal prior to the 2005 season his days in a Boston uniform would be numbered.

He made his major-league debut for the Sox last season in New York and played in nine games (starting two), but you would never see the catching prospect working with Varitek. Shoppach spent most of his time with Bill Haselman, a former catcher for Boston who was the club's bullpen coach last season and is the first base coach this season.

Varitek is intense when it comes to game preparation, and Shoppach understood that and realized that's why the Boston captain has been successful. But Shoppach's relationship with Indians catcher Victor Martinez is completely different.

"Oh, man, he's awesome," said Shoppach. "He's the type of guy if I'm out there running the bases, he'd get me water if I was tired. Obviously, he's an incredible player, but it's been really nice to work with him. The communication between him and I is really good."

Their relationship extends off the field, and it doesn't end with just the Indians' starting catcher.

"Everyone in this clubhouse has been top notch," said Shoppach. "Not that the guys in Boston weren't, but my comfort level here is much easier to get along with these guys and feel like I am a part of them."

Shoppach also said the communication is completely different between the organizations. He believes Cleveland is far more up front with its players and has given him an opportunity to compete for the job behind Martinez.

And having manager Eric Wedge and bench coach Joel Skinner -- both former big-league catchers -- around has certainly helped Shoppach, too.

"I've had more catching instruction being with these guys," said Shoppach. "It's not because it wasn't available in Boston, but these guys were catchers. They are pretty particular what they want from me, and they're verbal about letting me know what it is."

Shoppach arrived in Cleveland with a 0-for-15 string at the plate, but posted his first major-league hit in only his third at-bat this season, off Baltimore's Eddy Rodriguez.

"None of these guys saw me last year," he said of his new teammates. "I didn't bring that O-fer with me. (The hit) was nice to get it out of the way, but really for me I got it in my third at-bat. I really left my O-fer in Boston. I know I can hit here and I know I can catch here; it's just a matter of getting comfortable."

Boston manager Terry Francona spoke highly of his former prospect yesterday, and the skipper even called Shoppach as soon as he was traded.

"He didn't have to call me," said Shoppach. "He went out of his way, and I really appreciate that."

With Boston in the rear-view mirror, Shoppach can comfortably concentrate on his career.

"I'm in the big leagues helping a big-league team, a good team, make a run," said Shoppach. "Obviously, it's a good situation and I'm very excited."

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