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Feb 20, 2008 9:51 am US/Eastern
Ellsbury More Comfortable This Year
By Howard Ulman, Associated Press
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) ―
The most important thing Jacoby Ellsbury learned last year is what he showed everyone in the World Series -- that he could succeed in the majors.
After spending just over a month in the big leauges at the end of last season, the rookie center fielder supplanted Coco Crisp as the starter in the World Series and led the Red Sox with a .438 batting average as they swept the Colorado Rockies.
That proved what he wanted to find out, "that you can perform at that level," he said at spring training Tuesday.
"No matter how much confidence you have, no matter how much hard work you put into it, until you do it, until you've got there, you're not necessarily unsure, but you'd like to perform and just go out there and just play to your capabilities," Ellsbury said. "I learned that it takes a lot of hard work coming in."
In his second major league camp with Boston, the fleet, 24-year-old is more comfortable, especially after his success last year.
"This year I kind of know what that routine is," he said. "Now I can just go out there and just perform and get better on a day-to-day basis."
The center field job is the one spot still up for grabs in the Red Sox lineup. Crisp was an exceptional fielder last season and will compete with Ellsbury.
"I think it's good for both of us. It pushed me that much harder in the offseason and I'm sure it did Coco as well," Ellsbury said. "We have a good relationship and we'll make the best of the situation."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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