THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE

April 26, 2004 ... No game scheduled ... Twelve years after injuries effectively ended a promising career for Ellis Burks with the Red Sox, his second tour in Boston will be interrupted today by arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus, or cartilage, in his left knee. The Sox placed Burks on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and planned to recall Brian Daubach from Triple A Pawtucket today. Burks, 39, is expected to be sidelined at least four to six weeks. One of the most prolific hitters of his time, Burks agreed to accept a part-time role with the Sox when he signed a one-year deal over the winter for $750,000. But his contributions have been further limited by his inability to play in the field because of discomfort near his right elbow, which was surgically repaired last year, and by the knee injury, which he suffered running the bases in spring training. He has appeared in nine games, including seven starts as the designated hitter, and has batted .133 with one home run and that one RBI.

Daubach will rejoin the Sox 17 days after he was designated for assignment to clear space for Frank Castillo as an extra reliever. Daubach, who could have bolted the organization, instead accepted an assignment to Pawtucket and bashed his way back to Boston. In 10 games for the PawSox, Daubach hit .350 with 5 homers, 11 RBIs, and a .447 on-base percentage. He helped Pawtucket recover from a 3-7 start to enter last night 9-8.