Fight Club: Rejuvenated Red Sox Going to Go Down Swinging

John Farrell holds back Adrian Beltre, saves Jensen Lewis' life. (AP Photo/SawxBlog Illustration) I've been calling 2010 the year of the strange, and yesterdays events did nothing to sway me from this position. Aside from Big Papi, Kevin Youkilis has been one of our most consistent and healthy players. He's also taken on a more visible role as a clubhouse leader. He's always the first the both congratulate a teammate, watch any walk-off win and this is plain to see, and criticize a teammate (even though these guys are supposed to be robots with no opinions). Look no further then his skirmish with Manny in the dugout last year, and him calling out Jacoby Ellsbury's disappearing act this year. So when it was announced yesterday afternoon that he would be the latest Red Sox to ride on the good ship DL - it was a huge blow to the team.

I was in such a dire mood that I was muttering to Kris before our softball game about how "the season was over". It just seemed like the straw the broke the baseball teams back. But then the game was played, and before I knew it, they had pulled me right back in, and once again - I believed. While 2010 has been strange for the Red Sox, it's been the strangest for Iron Mike Lowell. He's almost been traded 15 times, is the richest cheerleader in the league, been injected again & again with cortisone just so he can round the bases, wasn't traded at the deadline, and has been moved from third over to first. Worst of all for Mike is that he's had to swallow a lot of pride, in what he knows is his last MLB season. Not a storybook finish, and not a reflection of the great stand-up ballplayer he's been his entire career. But last night, true to strange form, he belts a two run HR in the very first pitch he sees. Is it possible that losing Youk for a few weeks could be a positive for the Sox? Getting Mike AB's and making him a part of this team could go miles - and it's just great to see him in the line-up. Simply put, if you're a Red Sox fan, you love Iron Mike Lowell.

So OK. We lose Youk, but gain Mike Lowell. We also learn prior to the game Jacoby's coming back today. Allright...I'm still not doing back flips but you have my interest now. Then the Florida Marlins connection kicked in - and Josh Beckett stepped on the mound. The Indians are by no means the '27 Yankees, but Josh was smoking it last night, and he quelled any fears the Nation may have had about his health. Plus he was most likely the craziest in the scrum that happened in the eighth inning (did you see Lackey in it too?!?!? I can't believe I'm beginning to like that guy). Beckett's best when he's an angry deer killing Texan pirate - and he was waving his bloody Jolly Rogers flag at full mast yesterday. The skirmish may be yet another kick in the ass to get this team closer together and playing with everyday urgency. With our pitching staff set-up and playing as they are, there's no reason to count your Sox out. 5.5 games and 2  months of ball is a hellofalotof time, believe on that.

So the day that started bad ended up giving me hope - and now I believe yet again. Strange indeed, strange indeed.

Comments

[Erik]

When are you going to raise the terror level to SEVERE? I mean... it's not worthy of it yet?
Ok how about this lets make a deal. If you guys gain NO ground during this 4 game series. Meaning 2-2 at the least... you change it to severe. I really want to see that Red level reached badly. I think you are fighting it with every shred of your soul... but we know it's red.
I mean your team has been destroyed by injury... A boring team... and now Bookalis is out for the year with a shreded thumb? Oh it's most definitely red. Shark in the water... blood red ded red. ;)

[Derek Hixon]

Erik, we're 4.5 out of the W.C. with 2 months to go, and still have one of the best records in baseball despite having what seems like every player being on the DL. chill out there bro. And dude, team's been far from boring, I actually have been watching them this year, unlike you.

I think it's awesome how much you obsess over a team you hate.