Fenway Park is the home of the original dirt dog, a term coined for such legendary players as Trot Nixon and Brian Daubach. No, they weren't legendary on the same level as Ted Williams, Jim Rice or Carl Yastrzemski, but they brought a whole different level and style of play to the Red Sox. Nixon's batting helmet, caked with pine tar, combined with his no-nonsense style of play make him the ultimate model of a dirt dog.
This season has been highlighted by gritty performances by members of the Sox, grinding out wins in some of the toughest situations. But who has been ultimate dirt dog in Boston this year?
It's widely agreed that Adrian Beltre has been the MVP for the Red Sox this season, but he's also given some all-around dirty performances this season. With every swing of his bat, you know that Beltre means business. Behind each of the third baseman's 27 home runs this season has been a nasty swing that looks to tear the cover off the baseball. He's definitely showed his fighting spirit with the team this summer as well, taking on pitchers and umpires alike.
Suiting up in 138 games for the Red Sox this season — playing many of them injured — Marco Scutaro knows how to grind through difficult situations. No stranger to the infield dirt, Scutaro posts a .965 fielding percentage playing shortstop and second base for Boston this year. What we love about Scutaro is his willingness to play, no matter what the circumstances. He wants to be in the lineup playing for a team he's thrilled to be a part of.
Then there's outfielder Darnell McDonald, a guy who never seems to leave the ballpark with a clean uniform. A relative unknown to Red Sox Nation earlier this season, McDonald has come a long way for the club this year. Starting the season as a guy who had played 68 games in the major leagues prior to signing with Boston, the outfielder came in with a bang. He hasn't disappointed yet, always coming through with dirty plays and clutch hits. And who could forget when he blasted a home run through a Toyota windshield on Landsdowne Street?
Or does the dirt dog title still lie with members of the Red Sox' injured reserves? Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis have established themselves as two of the grittiest, hard-nosed players the team has ever seen. Both of them definitely lived up to that title even while injured this season, trying to play through their ailments for the best interests of the team.
The Red Sox always boast a roster full of dirt dogs, ready to lay themselves on the line for a win. But which team member went above and beyond that title this year, who lives up to the Trot Nixon standard as the ultimate dirt dog of 2010?
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