The town of Bethel was buzzing yesterday with the news that 2008 Bethel High graduate Matt Barnes was heading to Boston as the newest member of the Red Sox.

Barnes has had a strong season for Boston's Pawtucket minor-league affiliate, and won 3 straight starts for the Pawtucket Red Sox in August.  After his Bethel career, Barnes pitched for UConn where he was named 2011 Big East Conference Pitcher of the Year.  The Red Sox plan to use him in the bullpen.

Will this promotion be enough to make Red Sox fans out of Yankee loyalists? Probably not, but you can be sure that all in the area will be rooting for Barnes when he takes the mound in Boston.

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