2010 Red Sox In Review

2010 was a year that started out with a lot of promise for Red Sox Nation. After being embarrassingly swept out of the playoffs by the Angels in 2009, the club looked to focus on run prevention for this season, signing free agent P John Lackey as well as several defensive upgrades such as SS Marco Scutaro and 3B Adrian Beltre. However, before the season even began, fans saw a glimpse of the future when OF Mike Cameron aggravated an abdomen injury in spring training. By the time the All Star break rolled around, Boston had six players named, but only two would play as the rest were injured. Beckett, Buchholz, Cameron, Ellsbury, Martinez, Pedroia, Scutaro, Varitek and Youkilis all spent time on the disabled list. It was all Terry Francona could do the keep the Sox playing hard to the very last week, finishing third in the East and playing spoiler to Yankees's hopes of winning the division.

There were highlights throughout the year though, including the All Star selections of P Jon Lester, Beltre, Pedroia, Martinez, Buchholz and of course, DH Davd Ortiz winning the 2010 Home Run Derby bin Anaheim to the boos and taunts of Angels fans and the cheers and support of Torii Hunter. Both Lester and Buchholz had Cy Young worthy years, Buchholz posting a 2.33 ERA and Lester winning 19 games and throwing 225 K's. The MVP of the team was arguably Beltre, who (in a free agent year) hit .321/.533/.365 with 28 HR's and 102 RBI's.

Sox Nation also got a clear look at the young talent in development with all the open rosters spots this year. Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish and Darnell McDonald all made great debuts this season to the Fenway crowds with great offense, solid defense and an eagerness to make the most of their opportunities.

The season ended on another bittersweet moment for the Nation as it brought the retirement of 3B Mike Lowell. Though the subject of trade rumors for the past two seasons and spending time of the DL this season, when Lowell was activated in August, he played hard, like he always does and seemed like the Lowell of old. ('Lowell' Man River, my friend and I liked to call him.) The 2007 World Series MVP almost hit final AB over the Monster, instead bouncing it high off the wall only hours after the Sox held a special ceremony for him before the game.


All in all, 2010 was an exciting season for the Nation, though the club fell short of the playoffs.  But as winter came and the Hot Stove started to heat up, the Nation looked forward to a new season and new faces.  More on that later...