Take rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks. With a four-day reprieve from the grind of a baseball season, the 23-year-old hopped on a plane last Monday and flew back to his hometown of Texarkana, Texas.
“I mixed in some rest and some of mom’s cooking back home, my couple days back home in Texas with the family,” Middlebrooks said before Monday’s game. “I’m feeling great.”
The time off offers players the chance to physically and mentally unwind, especially after playing 86 games in the first half of the season. For them, it’s also an escape from the scrutiny of their daily performances on the field.
Like Middlebrooks, Jarrod Saltalamacchia also capitalized on the brief breather with some traveling. After belting 17 homers and 41 RBIs –– and being snubbed from the All-Star Game –– the Red Sox catcher enjoyed a vacation in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“It’s a break, it’s that time to rejuvenate,” Saltalamacchia said. “Sit, relax a little bit and spend time with the family and hit the road running when back. Just spending time with family is the most important thing, I got three girls running around so I’ll be busy.”
Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez‘s traveling distance wasn’t as far as his two counterparts. But either way, the slugger brought his family to Cape Cod during the All-Star break, using the opportunity to enjoy the scenery.
Boston skipper Bobby Valentine stuck to his mysterious nature when it came to disclosing his plans. While he never publicly revealed his plans for the break, he hinted that traveling was involved.
“I [could’ve gone] south or I’m sure to the coast or even north,” Valentine said. “I had a lot of invitations out there.”
Clearly, for the majority of the Red Sox, traveling alleviates the stress from the daily competition.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is offering 100 healthy tips to celebrate Fenway Park’s centennial. Visit 100pitches.org to learn more.
