The above pic was made last year to try and get J.D. out of his slump. (SawxBlog Illustration)
Even though it's only the 19th of the month, the player of the month honors have to already be in the bag for J.D. Drew. His response to being moved into the number three slot in the Red Sox batting order has been breathtaking. J.D's now hitting .441 for the month and has a Slugging % that is now over 1.000 (1.085). This isn't just a good month, this is a career month, and while I never expected production like this from Drew, it certainly couldn't have come at a better time.
With the ominous news coming out about David Ortiz and his hand injury things looks as if they may take a turn for the worse for the defending champions, however J.D. and his bat have not allowed the Sox to slip one iota. Drew's smooth swing has been a powerful swing thus far as he has already eclipsed his HR mark from last year and currently sits at 13.
Like I wrote a few days ago, I really hope J.D. finally starts getting his just due from the fans in Boston. People seemed to take a vehement attack on him last year that hasn't been seen around here (Gagme not included) since rent-a-wreck. And while Drew's offensive numbers will make you raise all your eyebrows, he's been equally valuable in the field with his glove, as he seems to be approaching Dwight Evans like computability in RF at Fenway Park. There were reporters, fans, and a certain fan site that loved to rip on Drew, even when he was smoking the ball in the World Series, and it feels good to have stuck by the man now that he's hitting his stride. It won't be like this the rest of the way, that'd be impossible, but I'm sure he won't falter like he did at times last year, and as Sox fan, that has to have you licking your chops.
J.D. Drew has a Posse.
I have been behind JD since last year. He did have an off year, and that was disappointing, but he has a lot of talent, and does not deserve the level of criticism he has gotten. Sticking with him was the right thing to do. It paid off in the playoffs, and it is paying off now. He's healthy, home problems seem to be behind him, and he can focus on just letting his talent speak for itself.
Keep it up JD!
Posted by: RationalSoxFan | June 19, 2008 at 11:17 AM
"and he can focus on just letting his talent speak for itself."
Couldn't have said it better Rational
Posted by: Derek Hixon | June 19, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I love me some J.D. Drew!!!!! Whoo-Hoo, hitting like this could not have come at a better time and to a better guy. Way to go dude, you have really seriously taken the reins left by Papi and taken the challenge in the 3rd spot.
Great defense too, Gold Glove Caliber defense.
Posted by: Melissa | June 19, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Eh... still not 100% convinced. We'll see where he is come August.
Posted by: JS | June 22, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Eh... still not 100% convinced. We'll see where he is come August.
Posted by: JS | June 22, 2008 at 05:11 PM