Steven Wright Excited To Unleash Knuckleball In Extreme Minnesota Heat
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox righty Steven Wright has enjoyed a surprisingly All-Star-caliber season so far, and he's also avoided pitching too much in treacherous weather conditions - a legitimate consideration for the knuckleballer. However, Wright is excited to play in Friday's extreme heat against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, where temperatures could hover around 90 degrees at game time.
"The only weather that makes a huge difference for me is the rain," said Wright, speaking to WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller. "I definitely pay attention to it, regardless of whether it's going to be hot or cold, just to have an idea when I go out there.
"Obviously, the hot weather is a little better because it's nice - that's the weather you want to play in."
Christian Vazquez will bring his extensive minor league experience catching Wright's knuckleball behind the plate Friday night at Target Field. In addition to using a bigger mitt, Vazquez is taking a simple approach to catching a complicated, unpredictable pitch.
"I need to be relaxed and breathe more, be more soft with my hands," said Vazquez.
"[The knuckleball] is tough, but it's fun."
Wright described both Vazquez and fill-in catcher Sandy Leon as "unbelievable receivers" for the knuckleball and "great pitch-callers." Certainly, one thing Friday night's battery does not lack is confidence in each other.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
