The Band's Back Together

_{Seeing Jacoby and Papi back in the lineup was a beautiful sight. (AP Photo)}

Three Things:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury - I can't say enough about the player he's become. As I stated yesterday, and this is no disrespect to Adrian Gonzalez and the wonderful season he's having, but Jacoby should be getting all Red Sox related MVP votes this year. His resurgence from 2010 is only matched by Josh Beckett, and his affect on the game is whole and complete, there's literally no hole's - save for maybe a lack of plate discipline, but when he's hitting, who cares. His number's after last night read like this: .315 AVG, .893 OPS, 93 R, 23 HR, 81 RBI, 35 SB - He's legitimately entering Ricky Henderson land, a place not often visited by anyone.
2. Carl Crawford - It was only one game, but the glimmer has already blinded me. If Crawford finds his confidence and starts playing to his true ability the Sox are nearly unstoppable. We could have El Guapo be our Game 3 Starter and still win. With Carl and Ellsbury bookending the Sox lineup with guys like Papi, Gonzo, Pedroia, and Youk sandwiched in-between there's constant stress being applied to opposing pitchers. Crawford set a career high with 5 RBI last night, and as a Sox fan you just pray the smelling salts finally hit his nose in Texas - and no, that was not a Ron Washington joke.
3. Big Papi - First pitch Ortiz sees in 10 days he hits for an RBI single. Instant Impact. Much like Jacoby's return the night before, you could tell Papi's presence sent a charge through the rest of the Team. He appears healthy, rested, and ready to mash - just in time for my fantasy playoffs :)

Comments

[Raoul Duke]

I don't know what it is about Crawford. Maybe it's the fact that it's a lot less likely that we'll be able to keep Ellsbury because all the money we paid him, or maybe it's just because he hasn't come close to his potential in his first year with us. But, I can't seem to get behind him. Even when he has a good game like last night I still expect him to come out tonight and strike out 3 times. He's just not consistent enough for me to let myself think that maybe he'll play the rest of the year like we all know he can.

On a side note, if we can somehow keep Ells I am definitely getting myself a #2 jersey. I don't care how good looking he is or how many chicks love him. He's got to be my favorite Sox player this year along with Gonzo.

[Derek Hixon]

Two Things:

1)It's good to be wary of Crawford, people have been surprisingly soft on him in town - but it's only a matter of time before he turns it around, he cares too much, works too hard, and is just too good of a player.

2) In 2003 I bought a Damon jersey, needless to say that jersey isn't worn anymore. The lesson I learned? Only buy retired players JERSEY OR a player you know will around (IE - Pedroia). Jacoby's a risky investment there, :)

[Raoul Duke]

Yea I wouldn't get his jersey until he signed for at least 5 years. Speaking of jersey's to a fellow HST fan. I went to go buy a custom jersey on mlb.com, I just wanted an Adrian Gonzalez jersey that was his number 28 and I wanted the name to say "GONZO". It's his nickname, plus it would go along with my gonzo tat... mlb wouldn't allow it. Couldn't believe it.

Yea I hear what you're saying about Crawford and you're right there's no way he won't turn it around. But, all current contracts aside say you could only keep ONE outfielder, who would it be? Ellsbury or Crawford?

[Derek Hixon]

Those swine - not being able to put Gonzo on the back makes zero sense, what's the point of customizing it?

Greedheads.