Booser puts up 0's in return to city that helped him actualize MLB dream

BOSTON -- Cam Booser had quite a weekend in Boston, even if a 4-2 White Sox loss to the Red Sox Monday morning into afternoon left his squad with one win in four games at Fenway Park and a 5-17 record overall.

The left-handed reliever pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Saturday and Sunday, lowering his ERA to 2.00 during his first year with the White Sox. Booser’s last seven outings have been of the scoreless variety, with the last four coming against the Red Sox.

Prior to Saturday’s loss, Booser was presented the 2024 Tony Conigliaro Award by the Red Sox. Since 1990, the award has been given to a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.”

Booser thoroughly appreciated the moment, much like he appreciated everything about his time with the Red Sox.

“Any time you can be mentioned in a conversation with somebody like that, truly, it’s kind of hard to put into words,” Booser said. “It’s a great honor and it means a lot to me and I’m thankful the Red Sox selected me.

“It’s a bittersweet moment. I’m trying to take it for what it is. It’s hard not to get a little nostalgic about it. It’s cool to be here, but I’m in a different uniform now. Different goal in mind.”

Before Booser could focus on winning, he simply had to get to the Majors. That journey was detailed by MLB.com’s Ian Browne when the 32-year-old Booser arrived with the Red Sox last year and posted a 3.38 ERA over 43 games. He retired from baseball on Nov. 17, 2017, after dealing with Tommy John surgery, labrum surgery, a broken back following a bike accident and a 50-game suspension for testing positive for marijuana.

He traveled through the Independent baseball circuit, including a 2021 stint with the Chicago Dogs located in Rosemont, Ill., near O’Hare Airport and not far from his current home of Rate Field. When he received a chance from the Red Sox in 2023, he posted a self-admitted brutal month with a 9.58 ERA for Triple-A Worcester in April.

So it’s of little wonder when Booser isn’t trying to get Red Sox hitters out, he’s quietly hoping they do well on the field.

“I have nothing but love and respect for every guy on that team and every person on that staff and that organization. So it was cool to see them. I wish them nothing but the best moving forward,” Booser said. “They took a shot on a 30-year-old guy coming out of Indy ball. Nobody else wanted to.

“They gave me an opportunity nobody else presented, and then in the first month of my career with them, when I had one of the worst months in professional baseball, they stuck by me. They gave me the tools and the confidence to continue to be myself. Last year they gave me an opportunity at 31 years old to make my dream come true. So I have no animosity, no hatred. Nothing but respect for that organization.”

That stint in Independent ball pushed Booser to meal prep, where he now even takes food on the road. And what does he bring on these travels?

“Kind of the same thing every day,” Booser said. “Rice, and a blend of ground beef and organs.”

Organs? Yes, organs.

“Kidney, heart, liver,” Booser said. “Just kind of heard about a lot of benefits of eating bovine organs and dipped into that, so I’ve been kind of doing that for a couple of years now.

“A lot of the stores around here or any major city you go to [have them]. It’s pretty easy to find. I wouldn’t recommend it by any means. I found something that works for me. I don’t advocate what I do for anybody.”

The overall plan clearly is working for Booser, who has emerged as the White Sox closer or a high leverage, late inning option at the very least. It all took root with the Red Sox, which made this return weekend extra special. That time also earned him national attention after the fact, with his big league callup being a special part of an episode on "The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox" on Netflix.

Booser won’t watch that episode until the offseason, focusing on the present with the White Sox.

“I know for a fact I will get emotional watching that,” Booser said. “I’ll always secretly be rooting for my friends on that team. I love those guys. They will always hold a special place in my heart for sure.”