While my heart will forever be in Minnesota first, it's hard to deny the fact that I have a special place for the town of Boston.
One of the biggest reasons for my love is the Red Sox (though it really is much deeper then that). In my two trips there (1998 & 1999), I was fortunate enough to attend five BoSox games (two vs the Yankees). I even strongly considered moving there for the summer of 2000.
Since 1986, when I first started following the BoSox, I've had two favorite players. For about a decade each, those players were Mike Greenwell and Trot Nixon. Both were mid-level talents on teams filled with superstars. Neither are your prototypical favorite player. But, I don't think anyone is surprised by my choices either. To paraphrase Secondhand Lions, both players always went out with their boots on (i.e my kind of player). Trot's nickname is even Dirtdog and he is as old school as any player today with his high stirrups and by being the only player I know of who still puts his ball cap in his back right pants pocket during his at-bats. I LOVE IT.
I'm saddened by this for two major reasons: Trot will always be a Red Sox to me and I now have no one on the team that I am personally attached to any longer. Not only that, but the team as a whole is no longer a group of players I am overly excited to follow...as it has been in years past.
Who knows, maybe I'll get excited about the Greek God of Walks or someone else that I am not expecting to. But on the surface, it appears to have the makings of a blah season in Beantown for me.
One of the biggest reasons for my love is the Red Sox (though it really is much deeper then that). In my two trips there (1998 & 1999), I was fortunate enough to attend five BoSox games (two vs the Yankees). I even strongly considered moving there for the summer of 2000.
Since 1986, when I first started following the BoSox, I've had two favorite players. For about a decade each, those players were Mike Greenwell and Trot Nixon. Both were mid-level talents on teams filled with superstars. Neither are your prototypical favorite player. But, I don't think anyone is surprised by my choices either. To paraphrase Secondhand Lions, both players always went out with their boots on (i.e my kind of player). Trot's nickname is even Dirtdog and he is as old school as any player today with his high stirrups and by being the only player I know of who still puts his ball cap in his back right pants pocket during his at-bats. I LOVE IT.
It has recently hit me that Trot's thirteen years (he was drafted by Boston in 1993) with the team are now over. The oddest part of all this is that I am going to have to see him in a different uniform for the first time in his career.
Who knows, maybe I'll get excited about the Greek God of Walks or someone else that I am not expecting to. But on the surface, it appears to have the makings of a blah season in Beantown for me.
Done deal.
ReplyDeleteTrot signs with Indians
It's almost like he was waiting for me to write the post. When I submitted it late last night I had no idea he was close to signing anywhere.
Good news is I can think of a lot worse places for him to sign. Other than the fact that the Indians are in the AL Central and their left-handed ace is a jerk, I like the team.
I hope this doesn't end up Willie-Mays-on-the-Mets-style. :-) I think Trot's got a few good years left in him, and at least now you'll have more opportunities to see him play in-person. Is Sabathia the jerk you're referencing? Is it because he's fat?
ReplyDeleteThat's mostly why, yes.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually because of the comments he's made about the Twins over the years.
Willy-Mo-Pena!
ReplyDelete