Introduction and Jacoby Ellsbury, Pt. 1

As a freshman high school student in Massachusetts, I have been a fan of the Red Sox for most of my life.  At least, since I could talk.  I have suffered through the hardships of the 2003 ALDS, then a year later, the greatest comeback in sports history.  Of course, there was also last year when we sealed the deal with a second World Series win in 4 years, proving the 2004 Championship was not just a fluke. 

Last year was an exciting year for the Sox, with such amazing moments as the Mother’s Day Miracle, and Clay Buchholz’s no-hitter.  Fans met such (sometimes disappointing) new faces as Daisuke Matsuzaka, the legendary gyroball pitcher from Japan, new shortstop Julio Lugo, and rising star Dustin Pedroia.

 

In this blog, I will be displaying and discussing all the new players of the Boston Red Sox, and what makes each of them special.  I will try and highlight at least one “rising star” per entry, and each entry will contain stats on each of the new Sox.  Here’s a list of who you can expect to make appearances:

·         Jacoby Ellsbury

·         Dustin Pedroia

·         Clay Buchholz

·         J.D. Drew

·         Kevin Cash

·         Julio Lugo (what a disappointment)

·         And many more!

 

            The Sox are chock full of superstars who give the team its name, like Manny, Big Papi, and Curt Schilling (currently disabled).  But Ortiz doesn’t even play the field, and while Manny is doing great, he is not consistent, as we have seen in the past.  The new kids are often what carry the team.  For example, with Papi’s batting average lower than it’s ever been, J.D. Drew has turned it on, leading the Sox with three homers.  Meanwhile Jacoby Ellsbury is taking Coco Crisp’s place in centerfield for Sunday’s big game against the Yankees.  Also second year pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is taking the mound against the Yanks, with three wins under his belt already this season.  Let’s make it four, Dice-K.

           

            Okay, time for the first half of a player spotlight.  This week I take a look at young Jacoby Ellsbury’s beginnings in the Major Leagues.  Last year when center fielder Coco Crisp was injured, the Sox called up a young Navajo Native American from their minor league team, the Paw Sox.  Jacoby Ellsbury became the newest sensation to affect the Red Sox Nation.  The young man from Oregon had already torn up the minor leagues with his blinding speed, and there was even more to come in the Majors.  Ellsbury was named by the Sox as Minor League Base-runner and Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, the year before he was called up.  In 2007, he was the number one prospect in Red Sox Nation, and Terry Francona clearly noticed.  When Coco got injured late in June ’07, Jacoby was brought up to the Majors June 30^th, and got his first Major League hit.  Right off the bat, (excuse the baseball pun) Jacoby was making things happen.  But there was much more to come….  Stay tuned for the next blog entry for more on Ellsbury.