I'd like to think at some point, Red Sox Nation is going to appreciate what they have in third baseman Mike Lowell and not attempt to drive him out of town anytime a trade rumor appears on Twitter or a blog.
Lowell has been a key contributor to this team since joining it a few years ago. Look at what he did on Tuesday night, with his three run home run in the 3th, followed by a two-run shot in the 5th, winning the game for the team against the Tigers. He's now batting .368 since coming off the DL.
Lowell has always had to contend with potential opposition, as players like Victor Martinez, Casey Kotchman, and Adam LaRoche have all threatened Lowell's playing time, often sending him to the bench. Lowell has never seemed to have a problem with this.
After a stellar 2006 (.284/47 doubles/20 homers/84 RBI and just six errors in 462 chances), all Mr. Throw-In did was finish 5th in the A.L. MVP vote in 2007 with a .324 average, 21 homers and 120 RBI. In the run for the 2007 title, Lowell continued his dream season by hitting .353 in the postseason and driving in 15. But after an injury-riddled 2008 that saw the four-time All-Star play in just 113 games (his lowest since part-time duty in 1999), we were all ready to send the guy packing when visions of Mark Teixeira danced in our heads last winter. Then, it happened again when Adrian Gonzalez was a major point of discussion around this year's trading deadline.
The team was always intent on shipping Lowell out, rather than switching his position or working things around him. If they couldn't ship him, they'd bench him. While so many players in today's game would have a huge problem with this kind of thing, Lowell has always been graceful in these situations, never showing resistance.
Despite his aging and injury issues, Lowell is having a respectable season in the hitting department, batting .297 with 13 HR in 323 ABs. Compare this to the numbers of David Ortiz, and Lowell has outdone him this season.
When it comes to benching or trading a player, maybe our focus is on the wrong guy. We love stars in Boston and especially those that simply play hard, shut their mouths while doing so and want to win, baby, win. We have a great one in Mike Lowell and enjoy him while you can. If last off-season and the trading deadline this year were any indication, Lowell will once again be treated like a piece of coal by those that continue to search for diamonds they already are overlooking.
If only more players were like Mike Lowell... - 30542
Lowell has been a key contributor to this team since joining it a few years ago. Look at what he did on Tuesday night, with his three run home run in the 3th, followed by a two-run shot in the 5th, winning the game for the team against the Tigers. He's now batting .368 since coming off the DL.
Lowell has always had to contend with potential opposition, as players like Victor Martinez, Casey Kotchman, and Adam LaRoche have all threatened Lowell's playing time, often sending him to the bench. Lowell has never seemed to have a problem with this.
After a stellar 2006 (.284/47 doubles/20 homers/84 RBI and just six errors in 462 chances), all Mr. Throw-In did was finish 5th in the A.L. MVP vote in 2007 with a .324 average, 21 homers and 120 RBI. In the run for the 2007 title, Lowell continued his dream season by hitting .353 in the postseason and driving in 15. But after an injury-riddled 2008 that saw the four-time All-Star play in just 113 games (his lowest since part-time duty in 1999), we were all ready to send the guy packing when visions of Mark Teixeira danced in our heads last winter. Then, it happened again when Adrian Gonzalez was a major point of discussion around this year's trading deadline.
The team was always intent on shipping Lowell out, rather than switching his position or working things around him. If they couldn't ship him, they'd bench him. While so many players in today's game would have a huge problem with this kind of thing, Lowell has always been graceful in these situations, never showing resistance.
Despite his aging and injury issues, Lowell is having a respectable season in the hitting department, batting .297 with 13 HR in 323 ABs. Compare this to the numbers of David Ortiz, and Lowell has outdone him this season.
When it comes to benching or trading a player, maybe our focus is on the wrong guy. We love stars in Boston and especially those that simply play hard, shut their mouths while doing so and want to win, baby, win. We have a great one in Mike Lowell and enjoy him while you can. If last off-season and the trading deadline this year were any indication, Lowell will once again be treated like a piece of coal by those that continue to search for diamonds they already are overlooking.
If only more players were like Mike Lowell... - 30542
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