On Baseball: Fisher Cats skipper says outburst was in support of his team

BY THE TIME Clay Buchholz received a standing ovation Monday night, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats had seen and heard enough about the Portland Sea Dogs.

Days of hype already had worn thin as Buchholz took the mound and proceeded to strike out 11 Fisher Cats in Portland's 5-4 win. A day earlier, public address announcer John Zahr made a mid-game announcement, promoting Boston's No. 1 prospect in the series finale at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

When Buchholz exited in the seventh inning after pitching a gem, a crowd of 6,831 rose to its feet and gave one of the season's loudest ovations along the Merrimack River. The roaring applause underscored the nature of operating a Blue Jays' farm team within the heart of Red Sox nation -- a paradox that reached a fever pitch on Monday.

Some Fisher Cats felt slighted. One player, who requested anonymity, said he felt like vomitting during the ovation.

"When I came to the dugout after that standing ovation, players were not happy. I just think it rubbed my team, and especially myself, the wrong way," New Hampshire manager Bill Masse said yesterday after a day of reflection. "These guys are out there competing every night and giving the fans some awesome games, and they came away feeling like they were the visiting team."

The Fisher Cats were outscored, 35-15, in the series and the manager felt compelled to support his players in controversial comments to the New Hampshire Union Leader published yesterday. File those comments under "Masse being Masse."

Just watch him jump into a celebration at home plate to see his passion.

"I'm very loyal to my players, and I'm very loyal to the feelings they have. I'm kind of the spokesman for the team. When things aren't going right, I'm the guy who's going to say something," Masse said.

Meanwhile, the Fisher Cats played before their seventh straight standing-room crowd, a credit to fans and the hard work of team president Rick Brenner and his staff. Brenner's job is to pack the stadium -- and the appearance of Buchholz was advertised for days on the team's Web site -- while Masse's job is to develop players, wins games and earn his players' trust.

One can't blame Masse for speaking on behalf of his players just as one can't blame Brenner for promoting the Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Red Sox. And, by the way, the Fisher Cats weren't complaining when a record crowd of 8,227 came out for a win over Erie last homestand.

"We're fortunate to have some of the best fans in baseball. I heard loud cheers all weekend on both sides, certainly louder in favor of the Fisher Cats," Brenner said. "I think our fans showed lot of respect and a lot of class applauding a player on the visiting team who did a good job. I can understand being on the home side of the field that it's disheartening and difficult to hear in your own ballpark. What we've got here is a natural rivalry between two cities and a tough decision as a fan to make. I think seeing the fans cheer for both sides of the field is a very unique situation in any stadium."

Brenner pointed out that many Portland fans made the trip from out of town, fueling the non-Fisher applause.

Fisher Cats reliever Tree Thorpe, a third-year member of the team, is one player fed up with Sea Dogs hype.

"As far as announcing in the third inning, 'Fans come to tomorrow's game to watch Red Sox No. 1 prospect Clay Buchholz,' I think that's bullcrap. We're the home team," Thorpe said. "To me, I take those things personally, and I'll do anything to beat (Portland)."

Masse, if anyone, should understand the phenomena of Red Sox nation. He grew up in Manchester, Conn., and cheered for the Sox. His favorite player was Wade Boggs, and he hated Don Mattingly. Masse, who wears his emotions on his sleeve, said "disgraceful" was perhaps too strong a word used in his initial reaction toward New Hampshire fans.

"All I said was I don't think it's right that you root for the Fisher Cats, and then turn around and root for Portland when they're in town. I don't think that's fair to our team," he said. "The logic doesn't make any sense. Clay Buchholz could be traded tomorrow to the Yankees, and you think fans are going to root for Clay Buchholz? He's not a member of the Boston Red Sox. He plays for a member of the Red Sox-affiliated minor league team."

Brenner said the front office will promote "the entire pitching matchup" in the future and not highlight an opposing starter in the same manner. Ricky Romero, Toronto's No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft, took the mound against Buchholz and said he wasn't bothered by all the Portland attention.

"I don't really care who I'm pitching against. As far as (Buchholz) being the star attraction, we're close to Boston, and those fans are going to be on his side. They live and die for Boston baseball."

And the standing ovation?

"Hey, some of the guys were talking about it. It doesn't bother me," Romero said. "He's a good pitcher. There's nothing else you can do but be happy for the guy."

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His e-mail address is kgray@unionleader.com