One of the most valuable contributors to the Red Sox team of the past few years has been Mike Lowell. Few fans and personnel within the organization seem to recognize this, though.
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.
All he's done is stay quiet and not complain despite having his playing time cut due to ongoing recovery from off-season hip surgery and the recent additions of Victor Martinez and Adam Laroche-then-Casey Kotchman that has resulted in a regular rotation of the corner infield positions. Since being acquired as a throw-in to the Josh Beckett-for-Hanley Ramirez and prospects deal prior to the 2006 season, the 35-year-old has been a consistent force at the hot corner, both with his glove and the bat. He could have felt slighted at how he was viewed coming into Fenway Park, but it didn't take long for Lowell to get over with the faithful.
Lowell had a great season in 2006, and nearly won the MVP award in 2007, as he drove in 120 runs and hit .324. 2008 was no friend to Lowell, as he missed almost 50 games with injury and the team nearly traded him away when they knew they had a shot at Mark Teixeira. Once again, visions of Adrian Gonzalez surfaced recently and Lowell was the trade bait.
It was always about trading Lowell away for one of these players, or to bench him in the event that they couldn't trade him after acquiring someone else. Many players would pain this situation in a negative light, and it might effect their attitude about their team. Lowell, however, has always been as classy as can be, going on with his duties and playing his best.
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.
Boston's management may dangle Lowell around as trade bait and show little appreciation for what he's worth to the team, but fans need to recognize how valuable he's been, and will continue to be to the organization for as long as he's here. This may be his last season in Boston, but he'll give it his all no matter what.
Regardless, you'll find Lowell working hard somewhere and doing the best he can. It's the only way he knows how.
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.
All he's done is stay quiet and not complain despite having his playing time cut due to ongoing recovery from off-season hip surgery and the recent additions of Victor Martinez and Adam Laroche-then-Casey Kotchman that has resulted in a regular rotation of the corner infield positions. Since being acquired as a throw-in to the Josh Beckett-for-Hanley Ramirez and prospects deal prior to the 2006 season, the 35-year-old has been a consistent force at the hot corner, both with his glove and the bat. He could have felt slighted at how he was viewed coming into Fenway Park, but it didn't take long for Lowell to get over with the faithful.
Lowell had a great season in 2006, and nearly won the MVP award in 2007, as he drove in 120 runs and hit .324. 2008 was no friend to Lowell, as he missed almost 50 games with injury and the team nearly traded him away when they knew they had a shot at Mark Teixeira. Once again, visions of Adrian Gonzalez surfaced recently and Lowell was the trade bait.
It was always about trading Lowell away for one of these players, or to bench him in the event that they couldn't trade him after acquiring someone else. Many players would pain this situation in a negative light, and it might effect their attitude about their team. Lowell, however, has always been as classy as can be, going on with his duties and playing his best.
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.
Boston's management may dangle Lowell around as trade bait and show little appreciation for what he's worth to the team, but fans need to recognize how valuable he's been, and will continue to be to the organization for as long as he's here. This may be his last season in Boston, but he'll give it his all no matter what.
Regardless, you'll find Lowell working hard somewhere and doing the best he can. It's the only way he knows how.
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