Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach, left, congratulates reliever Rafael Betancourt.

AP / Elaine Thompson

BOSTON — Red Sox fans never had a chance to get to know Kelly Shoppach.

A onetime catching prospect in the organization, Shoppach was dealt to the Cleveland Indians in a seven-player trade that brought outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston on Jan. 27, 2006. At the time of the transaction, Shoppach was at a standstill with the Red Sox.

Ahead of him were catchers Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli. The captain had just signed a new four-year contract with Boston, and as long as Tim Wakefield was pitching, Mirabelli would have a job as the knuckleballer’s exclusive batterymate.

Shoppach needed a new opportunity.

He got it in Cleveland, and for the last two seasons he’s worked as the backup for the Indians’ Victor Martinez. Shoppach possesses all the tools to enjoy a long big-league career and he proved that this season

The one thing Red Sox fans may remember about Shoppach is the 0-for-11 mark he posted during his brief stint with Boston in 2005. His numbers this season, however, tell a better story of his abilities. In 59 regular-season games, he hit .261 with 7 homers and 30 RBI.

He’s been a key component for the Indians and made his postseason debut when he caught Paul Byrd in Game Four of the ALDS clincher against the Yankees on Monday. Shoppach and the Indians now have their sights set on the World Series. The Red Sox are the team that stands in their way. Game One of the best-of-seven ALCS begins tomorrow night at Fenway Park.

“First, we’re just excited about moving on in the postseason,” said Shoppach. “Where it is, we weren’t concerned about that early on, but it’s pretty special playing at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park in order to get where we want to go.”

It won’t be his first trip back to Fenway Park since he was dealt, and even though this time it’s the postseason, he’s going to treat it like just another game.

“I don’t think it would mean as much this time around because I’ve played there before,” he said. “I know what it’s like to play there as a visiting player now. It’s always special to play at Fenway Park with all the history there, but for me personally, it won’t be any more special than it was the first time I came back there.”

He may be in playoff mode, but he also knows it’ll be exciting baseball, especially with the pitching matchups between the two clubs.

Because both teams have aces in the hole in the top spots, it will be the rest of the rotation that will prove crucial in the upcoming series.

“In a seven-game series, the three and four guys, even your fifth guy will see action,” he said. “To win 96 games [as Cleveland did] during the regular season you have to have pitching depth, you can’t do it with two guys. Those (3-4) guys are very critical in a seven-game series. Somebody is going to have to step up. At this time of year there are no rules or reasons or rhythms; it’s about who executes and makes the plays.”

Since Shoppach, Boston’s second-round pick (48th overall) in the 2001 draft, developed in the Red Sox’ organization, he has inside knowledge of Boston’s pitching staff, especially guys like Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen and Jon Lester.

“It’s always special to come back and see those guys,” said Shoppach. “They were kind of my kids as pitchers; maybe not my kids but I got to work with them when they first came up through the minors and were really young. So, it’s really fun for me to see them out there pitching well.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I’m happy he went over there to Cleveland and got a chance to play, and he’s done real well,” said Delcarmen. “I worked with him in Pawtucket and I loved throwing to him. He was good target and he was quick to second. He doesn’t have the strongest arm in the world, but he has a quick release and he throws guys out. He also called a good game.”

It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that Shoppach could one day return to play for the Red Sox. Boston management thought highly of his talents, but it also realized it had to give up something to get Crisp.

If that ever were to happen, Delcarmen feels Shoppach would thrive in Boston.

“I think so,” he said. “He could definitely use that wall in left field with his swing. He must have been a little frustrated being here, knowing [he was stuck]. I think if he was here, he would adjust well.”

jmcdonal@projo.com