Gonzalez putting Red Sox on the defensive Shortstop expected to stabilize infield

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – On his way into the clubhouse, Alex Gonzalez pauses on the top step of the dugout and points toward a youngster in the stands holding a baseball. The boy tosses the ball, then a Sharpie marker, to Gonzalez who signs his autograph.

Gonzalez points again and, as another ball floats toward him, simultaneously tosses the first ball, catches the incoming ball, and in the same motion flicks the pen back to the first fan.

Though less subtly, Gonzalez will utilize those same soft hands and concentration skills this season to snare tailing line drives and sharp ground balls as the shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.

The slick-fielding Venezuelan is among four new components of the Red Sox infield and he already is turning the heads of not only fans but his coaches and teammates.

“He plays the position like no one else,” said new Boston third baseman Mike Lowell, who was a teammate of Gonzalez the past seven seasons with the Florida Marlins.

Gonzalez’s speed and range have enabled him to make acrobatic plays that have drawn comparisons to Venezuelan shortstops such as Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepcion and Omar Vizquel.

“I love to play defense,” said Gonzalez, who listed countryman Ozzie Guillen, manager of the World Champion Chicago White Sox and a former shortstop, as his inspiration.

“For me the key is to go out there, do the best I can for the pitcher, for the team, make the routine ground balls, make the plays.”

In Monday’s spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at City of Palms Park, Gonzalez showcased his defensive wizardry.

One of those gems was a ground ball on the second-base side that appeared headed for center field. Gonzalez ranged behind the bag, backhanded the ball with a sliding stab that took him to his knees, then popped up and one-hopped the throw to first to rob Ramon Martinez.

“I don’t know how he did it,” said manager Terry Francona. “Alex ends up eliminating the start of two innings with two tremendous plays.”

Red Sox fans applauded wildly, while those in the Boston dugout could only shake their heads in amazement. Lowell has seen it all before.

“In the [2003] World Series, he made a couple plays where he saved a couple runs and we won by one run,” Lowell said.

“[Monday’s] was an outstanding play, but I’m not surprised that he was able to execute it, because I’ve seen him do it before,” added Lowell, who believed a lot of his teammates were surprised by the play.

Gonzalez was brilliant again on a play in the fifth inning of Thursday’s game against Minnesota. With Shannon Stewart at first, speedy Luis Castillo hit a hard come-backer to pitcher Josh Beckett, who wheeled and threw to second base.

Gonzalez took the throw and leapt off the bag into the air to avoid Stewart’s slide while making a strong relay throw to complete the double play.

“I don’t know how you do that. It’s like M.J. [Michael Jordan] driving for the hoop,” Francona offered. “It’s not just that once-a-week thing, he does it every day. That’s an unbelievable play.”

The Red Sox acquired Gonzalez, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, after trading Edgar Renteria to the Atlanta Braves in December. Gonzalez signed a one-year, $3 million contract in February.

Gonzalez, 29, spent his first eight major league seasons with the Marlins, where he compiled a paltry .245 batting average. He earned a spot on the National League all-star team in 1999. Last season, he batted .264 with five homers and 45 RBIs.

He is aware the Red Sox will be looking for some offensive production to go with his stellar defense. The knock on Gonzalez is he is enamored with trying to hit home runs rather than spraying the ball around the field.

“I need to stay relaxed at home plate, wait for my pitch to hit. I know the guys in this league they throw a lot of breaking balls,” said Gonzalez, who is expected to bat in the No. 9 position for Boston.

He welcomes the change, since hitting eighth in front of the pitcher in the National League didn’t yield many good pitches to hit.

Gonzalez hasn’t been very productive thus far during spring training. He is hitting only .100 (2-for-20) with a homer and two RBIs.

He is thrilled to have the opportunity to play for the Red Sox organization.

“I feel so proud to be on one of the best teams in baseball,” Gonzalez said. “It feels like home to me. It’s nice to be with one of the top mangers and the best coaches.”

National pride has been high this month for Gonzalez, whose Venezuelan national team went 3-2 and reached the second round of the World Baseball Classic. There are approximately 120 of his countrymen playing for teams affiliated with the major leagues.

“Every year you see two, three, four [Venezuelans] called up to the big leagues,” Gonzalez said. “You have to be proud for your country. We have a lot of good players coming up in the minor leagues. The guys from Venezuela work hard to get here.”

Gonzalez said he is developing a good rapport with second baseman Mark Loretta, whom the Sox acquired from San Diego during the offseason. They are likely to be backed up by veteran Alex Cora, or possibly Tony Graffanino.