Remedy for sleep a relief for Hansen

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – Craig Hansen was getting tired of it. … Literally.

The first and only player in Boston Red Sox history to reach the majors the same year he was drafted just couldn’t get enough sleep.

The Red Sox relief pitcher felt run down much of the time. All he wanted to do after getting home from a day of practice and workouts was take a nap.

“I was even falling asleep in meetings sometimes,” Hansen recalled.

A medical exam revealed that Hansen was suffering from severe sleep apnea.

“Normal people have four occurrences where they roll over, change position, snore or something,” he said. “I was having something like 56.

“I wasn’t sleeping and I couldn’t breathe well. It was basically a life-changing thing.”

It was also something that had been affecting him for several years.

“I started noticing something years ago in high school and college and as the years went by, it just got worse,” the 24-year-old Boston native said. “But I didn’t notice it. People would tell me I was doing it.”

So he saw a specialist and then had surgery in the offseason.

“They fixed a deviated septum and took out my tonsils because they were swollen,” the former St. John’s University star said. “I was pretty much all bandaged up for about a month.”

It was well worth it. After two rather inauspicious partial seasons with the Sox, Hansen spent all of 2007 with Triple-A Pawtucket, where he went 3-1 with three saves and a 3.86 ERA over 40 appearances and 51 1/3 innings.

“Now that I’ve had it fixed, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” said Hansen, now taking part in his third Sox spring training session. “I can actually breathe now. It’s helping out on my energy, plus I’m able breathe easier while running and not get as tired.”

Hansen entered Sunday’s game in relief and allowed three hits and two earned runs in 1 2/3 innings, taking the loss.

“He had a tough outing recently, but he’s also had a good spring,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “He’s a young kid maturing. He’s strong and I think he understood he needed to make some changes, and he’s trying to. We appreciate and respect that.”

“I’m feeling pretty good about my spring and where I am at this point compared to previous years,” the 6-foot-6 Hansen said. “I’ve changed my mechanics a little bit back to where they used to be back in college.”

Hansen is 0-1 with a 14.73 ERA in three appearances totaling 3 2/3 innings. He has allowed five hits and six walks while notching two strikeouts.

“He’s been a very good worker,” Francona said. “Sometimes it’s not just working, it’s working in the right direction and staying within your program because consistency is such a factor in getting to the major leagues and staying there.”

Papelbon makes payment pitch

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was glad to have his contract status for this season resolved Friday.

“This is something I no longer have to worry about and can move forward,” said the 27-year-old relief pitcher, who agreed to a one-year, $775,000 contract with a $25,000 All-Star bonus. “I felt the Red Sox were fair and I was fair and I think we can move forward and continue the good relationship we do have.”

Whether the Sox would simply extend his current deal, which is their right for a player with only two years of major league service, has been a source of frustration and speculation for the last week.

“They could have, but I don’t think any team likes to renew guys because it just doesn’t look good,” Papelbon said. “I didn’t want to renew either. I want to help this organization go out and win championships.”

“Basically, it’s a situation where no feelings were hurt and it’s part of an overall process.”

Boston could have renewed his contract for one year at a salary closer to $500,000.

“Believe me, I understand these guys have the upper hand right now. These are the guys who drafted me, put the time and effort into it, recognized my talent and gave me the opportunity,” said Papelbon. “I felt I deserved what a player like Ryan Howard got last year, but at the same time, you’ve got to pick and choose your battles.”

“I understand the process and hopefully they understand the process. I’m going to play this year out and hopefully next year will be a little different scenario.”

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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