Every spring training, a major injury seems to hit somewhere. This year, far from the baseball field, Carlos Quintana became the first victim.
The Boston Red Sox began the spring Monday and found out that Quintana, their starting first baseman, would be out for about four months after breaking his left arm in an automobile accident in Venezuela.Quintana was hurt Sunday in Caracas while rushing two brothers to a hospital after they were shot at a party. The shooting, which a family friend said stemmed from a longstanding argument, left one of the brothers wounded in the hand and the other in the leg. Quintana's wife broke both legs in the accident.
"Right now my first concern is with Carlos and his family. From what I hear, his brothers have had a pretty rough time too and that's going to have an effect on him," new manager Butch Hobson said.
Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman also said the team would try to get Quintana to the United States as soon as possible to begin rehabilitation under the guidance of team doctor Arthur Pappas.
Quintana, a fine fielder, hit .295 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs last season.
Mo Vaughn, who took over for Quintana briefly last season and batted .260, will most likely inherit the spot. Jack Clark, Boston's designated hitter, also is a first baseman. Quintana's injury was not the only upsetting news for the Red Sox. Roger Clemens was a no-show.
Clemens did not call to say he wouldn't be in camp, but his agent telephoned to say the three-time Cy Young winner was working out and would arrive shortly.
Baseball's collective bargaining agreement doesn't require players to report to spring training until 30 days before opening day, but his absence still created a mild stir in Winter Haven, Fla.