Caleb Durbin: A Dream Realized in Boston
CINCINNATI, Ohio – On Thursday morning, Caleb Durbin found himself alone in the sun-soaked visitors dugout at Great American Ballpark, taking a moment to soak it all in. While not his first visit to the Reds’ ballpark, this day marked a significant milestone: his first Opening Day start and his Boston Red Sox debut.
“It’s up there (with my MLB debut), especially with a new team and it being the Boston Red Sox,” Durbin shared with the Boston Herald. “You put it all in perspective on how cool it really is to suit up for a team like the Red Sox on Opening Day. I’m trying to soak it all up as much as I can.”
A New Chapter with a Historic Franchise
Although his debut game wasn’t a statistical triumph – going 0-for-3 with a walk and an error at third base – the Red Sox secured a 3-0 victory, providing a positive start to his Red Sox career. Durbin’s transition to Boston followed a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers early in spring training, and he quickly sensed a unique atmosphere.
Walking into camp in Fort Myers, Durbin was immediately struck by the “Legendary” banner, a sprawling display of Red Sox icons past and present. The presence of retired stars like Jim Rice and David Ortiz, actively working with players, further emphasized the team’s rich heritage.
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced it,” Durbin explained, having previously been part of the New York Yankees and Brewers systems. “That’s kind of the aura of the Red Sox, and the history involved. You look at the Red Sox from an outside perspective, which I have for my entire life up to this point, and it’s the Boston Red Sox. Like, there’s so much respect associated with the name and the organization, and then you are now a part of it, and it’s a dream come true. Because you grow up just admiring all the players in a Red Sox uniform, and it’s weird to say that I’m now one of the players that gets to suit up in a Red Sox uniform.”
Choosing a Number with Significance
Durbin didn’t take the decision of his jersey number lightly. After wearing No. 17 in camp, he desired a single digit, recalling better performance during his minor league days with single-digit numbers. However, options were limited, with many numbers already retired or claimed.
Ultimately, he settled on No. 5, a number previously worn by Red Sox legend Nomar Garciaparra. “I think you look up and down at all the numbers, there’s some Red Sox legend that has worn (it),” Durbin said, “but Nomar is one of the best to do it in a Red Sox uniform, so that’s definitely cool for me to wear the same number as him.” He is the 10th player to wear the number since Garciaparra’s departure in 2004.
Embracing the “Dirt Dog” Mentality
Durbin is also eager to embody the spirit of the Red Sox “Dirt Dogs” – players known for their relentless effort and scrappy play. He expressed admiration for players like Trot Nixon and his personal hero, Dustin Pedroia. Receiving a text from Pedroia and interacting with David Ortiz during spring training were particularly impactful experiences.
“You just see all the history involved with the Boston Red Sox, and he was a guy that was on TV every day when I was growing up, for a good part of my life, and one of the best players in the big leagues,” Durbin said of Ortiz. “So to be rubbing elbows with him on a daily basis in spring training. It’s really cool. But it’s also important, because it gets you kind of settled into the culture, and lets you know that, ‘OK I’m a part of this now. I don’t have to be so shell-shocked looking at these guys.’ They’re here to help us. And I’m a part of something really cool that’s been built over a long period of time.”
