Vaughn’s Trial Gets Underway In Boston Drunk Driving Charge Hasn’t Slowed Boston Slugger’s Bat

Mo Vaughn was ready to face the consequences as he left for Boston on Sunday night to face a trial in his drunk driving case.

“My concern is just get up there (to Boston) and take your lumps and get on with it,” Vaughn said of the trial that begins today in Dedham, Mass.

“Hopefully, it works out.”

The Red Sox first baseman was arrested Jan. 9 after an early-morning highway accident in Norwood, Mass., in which he struck a car parked in the breakdown lane and flipped his truck. He was not injured.

Vaughn pleaded innocent to charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and failure to stay in his lane. The trial is expected to last two days.

If convicted, Vaughn faces a possible jail sentence, fine and loss of his license for up to one year. He also could be ordered to an alcohol education program.

Vaughn has played in two exhibition games, going 4-for-6 with two homers and five RBIs. He is expected back Wednesday and plans to play in Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven.

He said last week he would not accept a plea bargain.

“I’m a man’s man,” he said. “I’d rather go to trial and take my consequences.”

His attorney, Kevin Reddington, expressed confidence that Vaughn would be found innocent.

Vaughn said he would not testify, but Reddington said he would call a meteorologist to testify that visibility was impaired and a limousine driver who reportedly notified police of the disabled car several hours before the crash.

Vaughn is in the last season of a three-year, $18.6 million deal. Negotiations over a new pact stalled before Thanksgiving, and if no new deal is reached he would become a free agent at the end of the season.

Either way, he doesn’t expect the Red Sox to let the outcome of his case affect their negotiations.