Throughout the entire offseason, it was widely viewed as a travesty that the veteran infielder was being overlooked in the Red Sox' plans for the 2010 season. He was traded to Texas, and fans were rightfully upset that a career .280 hitter was being dumped in favor of Adrian Beltre, who was coming off a dreadful eight-home run season with Seattle.
The trade was called off due to Lowell's injured thumb, and things got downright awkward (at least from the outside looking in). Lowell had no role with the team, and he vented that frustration in mid-May. Beltre was raking at the plate, eliminating his chance of getting much time at third base. Likewise, Kevin Youkilis was his usually stellar self across the diamond, limiting any opportunities to get work in there.
During David Ortiz's serious struggles in April as the designated hitter, many fans and media members were clamoring to let Lowell play. Terry Francona resisted the temptation, stuck to his guns, and as we all know now, made the right call to leave Ortiz in the lineup.
Lowell essentially became an afterthought because the Red Sox were winning games, so when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list in late June, it wasn't thought of as a big deal.
Then, Dustin Pedroia went down with a broken bone in his foot. Two days later, Victor Martinez was gone.
Lowell likely would have gotten his chances to contribute to the team had he been healthy, but his hip had other plans.
While the corner infield positions have been filled by Beltre and Youkilis, it was clear heading into the All-Star break that just about everyone on that roster needed a day or two off. When Youkilis left a game in Tampa last week, you could even say that Lowell would have definitely made the difference in the outcome of the game, as Ortiz was intentionally walked three times with Niuman Romero batting behind him.
In the first-half finale, it was Beltre who left due to injury. Eric Patterson replaced him as the Sox squeaked out a one-run victory in Toronto. Clearly, the Red Sox' injury situation is nearing the breaking point, and Lowell has a chance to help.
For now, though, he's resting at his home in Florida, trying to regain some strength. He won't be a starter on this year's team, but given the fact that a new player goes down with an injury seemingly every other night, it's almost certain that he'll get his chance.
The Red Sox are fortunate to still be alive in the ridiculously competitive AL East. They've earned their 51-37 record with the help of some unproven players — guys whose luck has to turn sour at some point. After all, this is a game predicated on averages, so when a player performs so much higher than he usually does, it's generally only a matter of time before he comes back down. It will be then that the team will need something from someone who's done it before, someone who can start four games at first base and four games at third base without making an error, someone who knows what to do in every situation and someone who's proven to come through when a game is on the line.
This is why the Red Sox refused to release him or designate him for assignment in June. It's why he is still a member of the Red Sox.
Remember Mike Lowell.
