E-Mail This Article to a Friend New, old faces bolster Sox’ foes BY CHRISTOPHER YOUNG

Along with the usual American League suspects that dot the Red Sox’ 2005 schedule, Boston also will play interleague contests with Atlanta, the Cubs (at Wrigley), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. During the course of their ventures this season, the Sox will see some new faces who heretofore have never appeared in the opposing dugout, along with some familiar ones, who may or may not have fond memories of their stay in the Hub of Hardball. As we check into the spring-training sites of teams soon to be matching wits with the world champs on America’s playing field, let’s take a look around the horn at some notable names who will fight for big-league jobs — and who likely will see action on the opponents' big-league roster when the teams clash in a ballyard near you.

• Anaheim: Gone is the pint-sized David Eckstein (he’ll turn up farther down), and in his place is former Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera, whose heroics last fall can’t be downplayed. Nonetheless, Boston felt that Edgar Renteria was a better fit, so the free-agent Cabrera found a home in the shadow of Disneyland. Long-time third baseman Troy Glaus is also gone from the Angels' roster. Interesting-sounding names on the spring-training 40-man roster: Chris Bootcheck. Notable non-roster invitees: favorite son Lou Merloni and former Sox reserve Curtis Pride.

• Atlanta: The Braves have been deemed the Sox’ natural rival, since the team originally was based in Boston before moving to Milwaukee and then Dixie. The newest face likely will be former A’s hurler Tim Hudson, who was traded here this off-season, while the oldest no doubt will be 46-year-old Julio Franco. Interesting names: Ryan (I Wish I Had) Langerhans, Esix Snead.

• Baltimore: For the first time since he was a skinny (ahem) outfielder for the White Sox in 1991, Sammy Sosa will suit up against the Red Sox. And with a little luck, former Yanks second baseman Enrique Wilson might make the O’s as a non-roster invitee. (We can always hope!) Names: Napoleon Calzado, Jacobo Sequea.

• Chicago Cubs: This would have been a lot more interesting had it been a matchup at Fenway, but it’ll still be curious to see Mr. Hamm himself, Nomar Garciaparra, taking his customary shortstop position for the hometown Cubbies. Former second-bagger Todd Walker also is expected to return for his second season in the Friendly Confines. Names: Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto, Will (Death of a Salesman) Ohman. N-R invitees: former Sox bullpen artists Chad Fox and Scott Williamson.

• Chicago White Sox: Along with former Yank Jose Contreras, ex-pinstriper Orlando "El Duque" Hernández is back in Chi-town, along with former A’s outfielder Jermaine Dye and former Soxers Carl Everett and Dustin Hermanson. Names: Paulino Reynoso, Tadahito Iguchi, Gustavo Molina, Enemencio Pacheco.

• Cincinnati: Ex-Sox Kent Mercker and Josh Hancock are on the roster, but the big news is that the Reds will come to Boston for the first time since the ’75 World Series. Barring injury, Ken Griffey will make his first non–All Star appearance at Fenway since winning the Home Run Derby in 1999. Names: Jung Bong, Wily Mo Peña. N-R invitee: former Sox phenom-in-the-making Brian Rose.

• Cleveland: Philly free-agent bust Kevin Millwood has landed here, as has former Sox dud Scott Sauerbeck. Oh, and somebody named Aaron Boone, who missed all of last season because of some kind of basketball injury — perhaps you heard about it. And welcome back, Juan Gonzalez! We've already cleared a spot for you on the disabled list. Names: Fausto Carmona.

• Detroit: The rumor never did come to fruition that Derek Lowe would end up back in his hometown, so we won’t see the newest Dodger face the Sox this summer. We will, however, see former Angels closer Troy Percival and Nomar-trade-bait Magglio Ordóñez, who left Chicago to sign a ridiculous free-agent deal in Motown. Former Sox closer Ugueth Urbina (content now that Mama’s free of her kidnappers in South America) is expected to retain his closer role for the Tigers this season. Names: Fernando Rodney, Nook Logan.

• Kansas City: Former A’s outfielder Terrence Long, who was part of some memorable playoff moments against the Sox, has ended up in this godforsaken baseball town after a decent year in San Diego. Former Bostonians Calvin Pickering and Matt Stairs also are on this not-so-princely roster. Names: Ambiorix Burgos, Runelvys Hernandez. N-R invitees: Kevin Appier, and a pitcher by the name of Billy Buckner.

• Minnesota: Same cast of characters as last year’s AL Central champs, but some interesting names on the fringe: Boof Bonser, Corky Miller, Terry Tiffee.

• Oakland: A housecleaning bonanza in the Bay Area; gone are aces Mark Mulder (St. Louis) and Hudson (Atlanta), and in their places are . . . good question. Names: Keiichi Yabu, Kiko Calero.

• Philadelphia: Reliever Terry Adams, acquired by Boston in a trade from Toronto last July, can show off his World Series ring to his new teammates — particularly former Bronx Bombers Jon Lieber and Kenny Lofton (grab your camera!). Names: Eude Brito, Amaury Telemaco. N-R invitee: Sox pariah José Offerman.

• Pittsburgh: Former Sox rising star Freddy Sánchez missed all but 19 games last year to ankle surgery, but he’ll have last year’s premier Boston benchwarmer, Cesar Crespo, to tell him all about what went down after Sánchez’s ill-fated trade to Pittsburgh in 2003. Names: Humberto Cota, Rajai Davis.

• St. Louis: It’ll be interesting to see what kind of reception the reigning champs get when they return to America’s heartland this summer for the first time since taking the title on the Cards' home turf. The Redbirds lost a lot of players from last year’s NL-pennant winners, but they did upgrade the pitching somewhat with the acquisition of Mulder. Still, former Halo shortstop Eckstein hardly is an adequate replacement for the departed Renteria, and Sox ring-bearer Mike Myers in the bullpen will also likely be inconsequential. Names: Rhett Parrott, So Taguchi.

• Seattle: Perhaps no team in the AL (other than you-know-who) has revamped its roster for the better as much as the Mariners have. Sluggers Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre are the key free-agent signees, and good ol’ Pokey Reese also has found a home in the Emerald City. Former Yanks villain Jeff Nelson is giving it one more go here, as is former Sox hurler Aaron Sele. Names (galore!): Cha Seung Baek, Shin-Soo Choo, Wladimir Balentien, Yuniesky Betancourt.

• Tampa Bay: After proving to be a certified bust in the vastly unbalanced Curt Schilling trade, former D-Back and Soxer Casey Fossum is back in the AL, having been traded from the desert to the figurative wasteland of Tampa–St. Pete. Fossum’s 4-15 (6.65 ERA) record should fit in nicely within the Rays’ beleaguered staff. Names: Seth McClung. N-R invitee: Hideo (How the Mighty Have Fallen) Nomo.

• Texas: Pedro Astacio, who started the regular-season finale in Baltimore among his five appearances for Boston in 2004, has landed here as a free agent. He’ll be able to hear tales about the good ol’ losing days in Boston with former Red Sox Ron Mahay and non-roster invitees John Wasdin and Manny Alexander.

• Toronto: Oh boy (as Flounder would say), this is gonna be great! Manning the hot corner for the Jays is former disgruntled Bostonian Shea Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand, who burned an interstate’s worth of bridges after his trade to Arizona in 2003, probably figured that as a member of an NL team he’d never again have to face his old mates and organization. Surprise! What a warm welcome he’ll get at Fenway during his 10 visits to town . . . a chorus of boos that will rival that for only one other third baseman in the league, and he’s a member of the. . . .

• NY Yankees: As we save the "best" for last, the Empire Staters not surprisingly will boast a significantly revamped roster after finishing ringless for the fourth straight season. Added to the high-profile rotation are Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, and Jaret Wright, while former Cardinal Tony Womack plugs the only infield spot (2B) that didn’t post big numbers last season. Along with former Soxers John Flaherty, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, and Pavano, alumni Colter Bean, Mike Stanton, and Rey Sánchez are also in pinstripes to renew the rivalry. Names: Chien-Ming Wang, Jon-Mark Sprowl (well, they can’t all be big-money All-Stars).

As George W. would say, bring ’em on!

Sporting Eye runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com. Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com