PAWTUCKET — It's always a special moment when a professional baseball player makes his major-league debut. It's a moment he works for for his entire life. When he gets that call, it's something he will never forget.

For Chris Carter, his major-league debut came with the Boston Red Sox last Thursday. But his was a different kind of story, something that impacted his entire family, especially his paternal grandfather, Bill.

Carter's dad, Bill Jr., grew up a huge Red Sox fan. When he was 8, his father took him to the old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland to watch the Red Sox and Ted Williams play the Indians. He wore a Red Sox jersey and told his father he wanted two things to happen on that day. He wanted Williams, his favorite player, to hit a home run. And, he wanted to catch a foul ball.

Bill Sr. told his young son the odds were against him. But it just so happens the baseball gods were listening to young Bill that day.

Williams hit a home run. And only a few batters later, a foul ball was hit in their direction. Bill Sr. jumped out of his seat and grabbed the screaming liner with his bare hand. He was a carpenter by trade with strong hands, but catching the foul ball left his hand hurting for days.

Chris Carter told this story so eloquently last night and with such passion, it was as if his dad and grandfather just returned from that game.

"Every time I talk to my grandfather he tells me that story," said Carter. "I can listen to it all the time."

His grandfather worked two jobs for 30 years and got only four hours of sleep a night, according to Carter. In the last few years he's dealt with some health issues and is now blind. But there he was last Thursday night at Fenway Park when his grandson played left field, the very position Ted Williams played for years.

"When I was drafted (by Arizona in 2004), I never thought I would ever play left field for the Red Sox,” he said. “My grandfather was able to see my first hit, so that was awesome. I'm really glad he was there."

Carter said he felt like a 12-year-old when he walking around the historic confines of the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park when he was first called up last week. The 25-year-old had every reason to feel that way, especially since he was about to make his major-league debut.

It wasn't like he was expecting to play that game, but after a bench-clearing brawl between the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Carter was called to action when Coco Crisp was ejected for charging the mound.

"It was a circumstance I did not expect," he said. "The brawl, and then all of a sudden I was put in. My adrenaline was going and I never got to think about it. I just wanted to play hard and I was not thinking, 'Hey, this is my first major-league at-bat.' It was nothing like I expected, but it was still great nonetheless."

Carter admitted he was trying for a home run in his first at-bat on Thursday. He was hoping for a fastball inside, something he could turn on. Instead he had to settle for curveball that he easily drilled up the middle for his first major-league hit in the fourth inning. The umpire, knowing the situation, retrieved the ball and rolled it over to Carter for his trophy case.

For his efforts, the Fenway Faithful gave him a standing ovation.

"That was incredible," he said. "I didn't expect it, either. I'm very appreciative. I hope there are many more [hits] to come. I was very happy."

After his interesting night, Red Sox manager Terry Francona told him he was being sent back to Pawtucket because Boston needed to recall Brandon Moss due to an injury to Jacoby Ellsbury. Still, Carter understood the situation.

"Of course it's tough," he said. "But it's the business side of baseball and that's how it is. I'll deal with it the best I can and do my best in Pawtucket."

He held true to his word last night. The PawSox returned from an eight-game road trip yesterday afternoon and begin their homestand with an impressive 9-1 victory over the Buffalo Bisons. Carter went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer, his 11th of the season in Pawtucket. Again, his grandfather was in the stands.

The generational circle is know complete for Carter. He's accomplished something he always hoped he would by playing left field at Fenway Park. He stood in the same spot Ted Williams stood. He hit from the same batter's box Ted Williams did. And, his blind grandfather was there for the entire thing.

"It's awesome," Carter said. "I sleep really good now. I feel different now, I really do. Instead of just getting to the big leagues now, I want to stay. I feel great, I really do."