Baldelli's return to Trop a subdued affair

Enough time has passed that Rocco Baldelli didn't need much time for reflection before making his first start at Tropicana Field in a visitor's uniform Wednesday night.

That isn't to say the former Rays outfielder was detached about being back on the field where he played parts of five seasons and started Game 2 of the World Series last fall. It's just that he's a fully indoctrinated Red Sox player now.

Besides, Baldelli accompanied the Red Sox to the Trop in May when he was on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. So this wasn't his first time back.

"My feelings are probably no different than when I first came back," he said before going 0-for-3 with a run in Boston's 6-4 loss. "It's nice. I like coming back and I get to see everyone and sleep in my bed down here. I like it."

Baldelli splits time in the offseason between his native Rhode Island and a place he keeps in St. Pete Beach. When the weather is lousy up north, he's in St. Pete Beach. He's in St. Pete Beach a lot.

Although once one of Tampa Bay's most popular up-and-coming players, Baldelli received only a polite applause and a few ringing cowbells when he was introduced as the right fielder, batting seventh.

He popped out to Carlos Pena in foul territory in the second inning, struck out looking in the fourth and reached and scored in the sixth after a two-base drop in shallow right field by second baseman Ben Zobrist.

Because he has battled mitochondrial disorder, a condition that causes fatigue and slows muscle recovery, Baldelli continues to get limited playing time. He missed the final 127 games of the 2007 season and the first 116 last year.

For his perseverance, he received last year's Tony Conigliaro Award, presented to the major-league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage.

He's batting .261 (.287 against lefties) with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 44 games.

Despite those modest numbers, Boston manager Terry Francona says Baldelli, who was signed to a one-year contract in January, has been a good addition.

"He's got power and a professional bat," Francona said. "We knew going in we'd have to manage his health, and we asked him to help us manage it. And he's done a good job of communicating.

"He's a good teammate. Our guys like him, and I love him. He's been a valuable part of what we're trying to do."