NEW YORK — Even as an attendant unloaded his belongings into a locker in the Yankee Stadium clubhouse and he answered questions from a small group of reporters, Braiden Ward felt in limbo Monday.
On Sunday night, he had traveled with the Red Sox from Tampa, having been summoned from the team’s training complex in Fort Myers, where he spent the previous week with some other players in the organization in “get-ready” mode, Ward was unsure of his status.
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Is he a part of the Red Sox‘ postseason roster? Or will he remain an extra when the team’s wild card series with the Yankees begins Tuesday night?
For Ward, the uncertainty couldn’t cloud the euphoria he felt.
“They told me yesterday I was going to come hang out with the boys,” said Ward. “They didn’t know if I’m on the roster yet; still don’t know if I’m on the roster yet. So as of right now, I’m just here for the vibes. Hopefully, we find out when (reporters) find out and get to do something cool.”
Ward has never appeared in a major league game. Now, he faces the prospect of making his debut in the middle of a Red Sox-Yankee postseason series.
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“It’s like a dream; it’s a fever dream,” said Ward. “One day, I’m in Worcester, the next day I’m in Florida, the next day I’m at the nicest hotel I’ve ever stayed at, in New York City, with the greatest view, the greatest team and getting to hopefully play in the greatest rivalry and hopefully this year we can turn the tide and win this one.”
Ward, obtained in a trade with the Colorado Rockies last winter, spent the season in Worcester where he set a franchise record 61 stolen bases (in 70 attempts). During the season, he didn’t receive a call-up from the Sox, but patiently bided his time.
“At the end of spring training, especially with this team with the stacked outfield we have, even if I killed it at Triple A,” said Ward, “the chance of actually getting up (to the parent club) without an injury (to someone else) was going to be really hard. I remember (Alex Cora) told me I was the kind of guy for a postseason run who could be really helpful. I always knew that about myself, too. Like I said, I did enough this year to hopefully get my name out there and give myself a chance and do whatever I can to help us win.”
But the loss of outfielder Eli White, who would have served as an extra outfielder and pinch-runner but suffered a season-ending foot injury in late September, cracked the door open at least somewhat for Ward. Should he be added, it would be for the sole purpose of serving as a pinch-runner in the late innings.
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“I mean, it’s the craziest thing in the world,” said Ward with a big smile. “It’s the best rivalry in baseball with the greatest fans going at each other. I joked with the team, ‘How cool would it be to have your debut be in Game 3, ninth inning, and have it be, Hey Ward you’re out there. Have fun. No pressure.’ “
Even without knowing whether he might be included, Ward has allowed himself to dream a bit.
“If they put me on the bases, especially first base, ninth inning,” he mused, “even if a guy’s 1.1 to the plate and a 1.8 pop time (from the catcher), it’s ‘Hey Ward, go steal it. Go figure it out.’ That’s why they put you out there — to go try to steal the bag. If I get the opportunity, obviously I’m going to try to steal it. The other team knows that. It’s no surprise why I’m going to be out there.
“Obviously, they’re really good at holding guys. It’s a professional team. It’s the Yankees, it’s the major leagues. But like I said, I’ve practiced this entire year, hopefully for this moment. So if I get the chance, if I get put the roster, hopefully I can do it. And if not, I’ll be right here saying, ‘Let’s go boys!’ “
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