Friday, May 24, 2013
Spears is congratulated after he hit a home run at Hadlock Field in 2010.
Photo by John Ewing/staff photographer
When infielder Nate Spears arrived in Portland for the 2010 season, he was a minor league free agent with no major league experience.
Those guys are normally used to plug holes for a season or two.
But Spears, now 26, remains. He made his major league debut last year (3 games) and looks to be in Pawtucket again this season, as insurance.
Spears made a name for himself with the Sea Dogs, batting .272 with 20 home runs, while playing lights-out defense in the middle infield.
He batted .248 in Pawtucket with 8 home runs, while expanding his defense to all infield positions, as well as corner outfield.
This spring, he has played nearly every position, while batting .345, with a .923 OPS.
He got another hit last night, against the Yankees, on NESN.
Good to see him hanging aorund.
This is packing day for me. Fly out Saturday for Florida for spring training and a week of stories, blogs and tweets. Stay tuned.
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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