When did the Red Sox get Jon Olerud?

[maveric]

He's suddenly in the lineup tonight!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. a few weeks ago-he was in the minors until yesterday

[WindRavenX]

2. I always liked him

People thought he was going to hit .400 one year. He has a very smooth swing.

[baby_bear]

3. That was a surprise to me, too! Here's some info

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/05/02/olerud_signed_to_give_first_aid/

<snip>
Olerud signed to give first aid
By Chris Snow, Globe Staff | May 2, 2005

Olerud signed a split contract with the Sox, a deal announced yesterday, that calls for a major league salary of about $750,000. He reported to the Sox' spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday and is expected to need about a week in extended spring training before joining Boston's Double A or Triple A affiliate for conditioning.

</snip>

The more interesting information - and a great story - is in Georgy Vescey's column in today's NYTimes sports section.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/29/sports/baseball/29vecsey.html?

<snip>
At age 36, Olerud has just been called up after the first minor league stint of his career. He never needed grooming when he signed with Toronto right out of Washington State University.

With the lumbering Red Sox, Olerud will either be a good-luck omen or he won't, but it was a treat to see him back at first, even for a day, spelling Kevin Millar.

Oh, and Olerud drilled three hits and twice smacked the ball off the pitcher's body for outs.
...
(There is a delightful legend that when Olerud joined the Mariners, Rickey Henderson mused that he once played in Toronto with a dude who also wore a helmet. "That was me, Rickey," Olerud is supposed to have said. The only thing wrong with the story is that it was made up by a Rickey-watcher in the faraway Mets clubhouse. "It's such a good story," Olerud said with a smile yesterday.)

</snip>

I love that last bit because Olie and Rickey are my two favorite former Mariners.

b_b