The Boston Red Sox recently added another celebration to their repertoire.
From second-base hand waving to dugout laundry cart rides, the 2021 Red Sox sure know how to manufacture energy amid the grind of a 162-game Major League Baseball season. But why stop there?
Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on Wednesday explained to WEEI.com the genesis of Boston’s newest gesture, in which players look toward the dugout upon reaching base and use their index fingers to motion a check mark.
“We just have a little game. It’s quality plate appearances. Quality at-bats,” Verdugo told WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “The check mark just means that’s one quality at-bat. There could be times you strike out it is still a quality at-bat because you see a certain amount of pitches. You’re grinding and you see everything the pitcher has got. Well, you saw nine pitches. It started more of a team thing, just wanting to get the boys extra locked in and not give away outs.”
Whatever works.
The Red Sox have been scratching and clawing lately while battling through a COVID-19 outbreak, so anything that helps maintain a spark and further builds camaraderie should be embraced with open arms.
Plus, it’s a solid premise. Boston’s offense obviously is potent at full strength, and stringing together quality at-bats should be a point of emphasis as the Red Sox push for the MLB postseason.
