I'd like to think at some point, Red Sox Nation is going to appreciate what they have in third baseman Mike Lowell and not attempt to drive him out of town anytime a trade rumor appears on Twitter or a blog.
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.
Between the additions of Adam LaRoche, Casey Kotchman, and Victor Martinez, Lowell has recently had players to contend with in an effort to get as much playing time as possible. He's always taken it gracefully, and has been more than effective offensively and defensively.
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.
The team was always intent on shipping Lowell out, rather than switching his position or working things around him. If they couldn't ship him, they'd bench him. While so many players in today's game would have a huge problem with this kind of thing, Lowell has always been graceful in these situations, never showing resistance.
He worked hard and while he's lost a step defensively due to the hip, Lowell has hovered around .300 all season and hasn't been an embarrassment at 3rd base - all while staying above board when the media sharks would rather him do the opposite. As we enter Wednesday, Lowell is hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 323 at-bats while DH David Ortiz is at .220 with 15 long balls and 62 RBI in 378 at-bats. However, Ortiz is hitting just .094 for August with no homers and just two runs driven in - part of a bizarre season for the former MVP candidate.
While Lowell may be shipped out next season, or ultimately benched or released, each season of Mike Lowell has been a pleasure to watch. He will always be a class act in Boston.
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.
Between the additions of Adam LaRoche, Casey Kotchman, and Victor Martinez, Lowell has recently had players to contend with in an effort to get as much playing time as possible. He's always taken it gracefully, and has been more than effective offensively and defensively.
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.
The team was always intent on shipping Lowell out, rather than switching his position or working things around him. If they couldn't ship him, they'd bench him. While so many players in today's game would have a huge problem with this kind of thing, Lowell has always been graceful in these situations, never showing resistance.
He worked hard and while he's lost a step defensively due to the hip, Lowell has hovered around .300 all season and hasn't been an embarrassment at 3rd base - all while staying above board when the media sharks would rather him do the opposite. As we enter Wednesday, Lowell is hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 323 at-bats while DH David Ortiz is at .220 with 15 long balls and 62 RBI in 378 at-bats. However, Ortiz is hitting just .094 for August with no homers and just two runs driven in - part of a bizarre season for the former MVP candidate.
While Lowell may be shipped out next season, or ultimately benched or released, each season of Mike Lowell has been a pleasure to watch. He will always be a class act in Boston.
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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