Frank Malzone begrudgingly admits he was a Yankee fan.

“But that changed in a hurry,” said Malzone, who was born and raised in the Bronx.

Malzone signed with the Red Sox in 1948.

Except for a stint in the Army and a season with the California Angels at the tail end of

his playing days, he’s been with the Boston organization ever since.

Malzone, now 73, was at

Hadlock Field during the Sea Dogs last homestand in his role as player development consultant.

“When I look at a player, I’m trying to polish him up and get him to the next level,” said Malzone. “I try to give him the little things, maybe just something minor, that will make him a better hitter or infielder.”

And who better to put a little shine on a prospect than a six-time all-star and three-time Gold Glove winner?

Malzone broke into the big leagues in the mid-1950s.

In 1957, he won his first Gold Glove while becoming the first third baseman in the modern era to lead his position in games played, putouts, assists, double plays, errors and fielding percentage.

He also had a career-high 103 RBIs.

Two years later, he homered against Don Drysdale in the All-Star game.

“That was something special,” said Malzone. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to face him again because I probably would have ended up on my back.”

There would be many more productive years, but the Red Sox were struggling and Malzone never really got the

recognition many felt he deserved.

“It was a down time for us, especially after Ted Williams retired,” said Malzone. “I always look back and say, ‘If we had gotten to play in the World Series, it might have been different.'”

Malzone was among the first group of players inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995.

He readily admits that he is partial toward third baseman, calling the hot corner “the toughest position to play.”

In the 1980s, Malzone tutored a young Wade Boggs on the

in and outs of playing third base.

Now he has turned his attention to Sea Dogs third baseman Kevin Youkilis, one of the Red Sox top-rated prospects.

Youkilis, who has struggled at times on the field, talked with Malzone about staying alert and prepared at a position where you might only get three of four plays a game.

“You want the best third basemen telling you how to play the position,” said Youkilis, “so it’s a great thing.”

Sea Dogs manager Ron Johnson also had a couple of lengthy conversations with Malzone out by the batting cage.

“How can you not learn from Frank Malzone?”, asked Johnson. “He’s got a lot of things to offer as far as the infielders and hitters are concerned. Anytime you can take advantage of that, you’re foolish if you don’t.”

Manchester move closer

The proposed move of the New Haven Ravens to Manchester, N.H., took another step forward this past week when Manchester aldermen voted to fund a new stadium and to also refurbish existing Gill Stadium.

The new riverfront stadium would open in 2005, while Gill Stadium would be used by the team next season.

“If everything goes as planned, I think it will be good for the league,” said Eastern League president Joe McEacharn, who visited both sites last week.

The move still needs to be approved by the Eastern League, which could take the issue up during next month’s all-star break.

One of the things discussed then will be the schedule.

A draft of next season’s Eastern League schedule includes New Haven.

“We’re not going to want change it too drastically,” said Sea Dogs general manager Charlie Eshbach. “It could make for some interesting road trips.”

Headley returns

With Pawtucket having acquired former International League Most Valuable Player Chad Mottola, Justin Headley was sent back to the Sea Dogs.

Headley hit .237 in 12 games in his first foray in Triple A.

“You think it’s going to be totally different, but it’s not,” said Headley. “The major difference is that the pitchers are more consistent.”

Headley hit one home run. It came against former Sea Dog Nate Robertson.

Around the minor leagues

Harrisburg pitcher Seung Song has been promoted to Triple-A Edmonton by the Montreal Expos. Song, who was sent to the Expos by the Red Sox last summer in the deal for Cliff Floyd, was 5-2 with a 1.62 ERA for the Senators….Miguel Cabrera is tearing up the Southern League for the Florida Marlins Double A affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats. Cabrera is hitting .367 and leads the league in RBIs (58), hits (91), doubles (28) and slugging percentage (.618).

Bill Foley is assistant sports editor. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]