Christian Vazquez is no A.J. Pierzynski...Red Sox Nation rejoices
Jennifer Warner
Contributing Writer
Since A.J. Pierzynski, aka the player unanimously hated by all, was designated for assignment, probably to a bar-league men's softball team somewhere, the Red Sox have been on a bit of a roll. How much of a roll, you ask? Well, since amputating the gangrenous appendage that was Pierzynski, the Red Sox have won four of their last six games. Some call it a purging. Others are putting their faith in the divine intervention of one, Christian Vazquez.
The 23-year-old catcher was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket last week, when AJP was sent packing. The Red Sox are currently 3-0 with Vazquez behind the plate, and this has raised some heads in Red Sox Nation, who, have become accustomed to the lazy, self-centered, "Meh, so we lost again" attitude of AJP.
Vazquez went hit-less in his first major league game last Wednesday, had an off day on Thursday, but came back with a vengeance on Friday in the Red Sox's 8-3 win over the Astros. Vazquez went 3-4 with a single and two doubles and helped to oil the hinges on a rusty door of offense, which the Red Sox have been seemingly plagued with all season. In last night's 11-0 thumping of the Astros, Vazquez went 2-4 with 2 RBIs. He was hitting a solid .279 with Pawtucket in Triple-A, and is currently hitting .455 in his first week in a Red Sox uniform.
When interviewed by NESN's Ricky Doyle following Friday night's game, Vazquez stated, "I'm very excited. First hit in the major leagues. It's an honor to be here and win the game - that's important." Yes, it is, Christian. And this is something that fans are also enjoying and excited about seeing again.
The infusion of the fresh, young talent of Brock Holt, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, and Christian Vazquez seems to have breathed new life into the team. Manager John Farrell commented, "It's talent, more than youth. They're young guys that are talented. That's going to be a successful combination. Sure, there's going to be some getting established here at this level. But they're talented guys and they're playing to their capabilities."
With mid-season and the All-Star break now upon us, a current offensive blitzkrieg by the nine games below .500 Red Sox may just be the battle plan this team needs to turn the second half of the season around. With the likes of Vazquez behind the plate, framing beautiful pitches and contributing to the offense, I, for one, am not quite ready to shove my head in a gas oven and call this season over just yet. Hang in there, Red Sox Nation. Something tells me the second half of this season will be much more entertaining and much more reminiscent of our 2013 World Series Championship team.
Follow Jennifer Warner on Twitter @Soxfan012
Contributing Writer
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| Photo Courtesy of Jim Rogash/Getty Images |
Since A.J. Pierzynski, aka the player unanimously hated by all, was designated for assignment, probably to a bar-league men's softball team somewhere, the Red Sox have been on a bit of a roll. How much of a roll, you ask? Well, since amputating the gangrenous appendage that was Pierzynski, the Red Sox have won four of their last six games. Some call it a purging. Others are putting their faith in the divine intervention of one, Christian Vazquez.
The 23-year-old catcher was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket last week, when AJP was sent packing. The Red Sox are currently 3-0 with Vazquez behind the plate, and this has raised some heads in Red Sox Nation, who, have become accustomed to the lazy, self-centered, "Meh, so we lost again" attitude of AJP.
Vazquez went hit-less in his first major league game last Wednesday, had an off day on Thursday, but came back with a vengeance on Friday in the Red Sox's 8-3 win over the Astros. Vazquez went 3-4 with a single and two doubles and helped to oil the hinges on a rusty door of offense, which the Red Sox have been seemingly plagued with all season. In last night's 11-0 thumping of the Astros, Vazquez went 2-4 with 2 RBIs. He was hitting a solid .279 with Pawtucket in Triple-A, and is currently hitting .455 in his first week in a Red Sox uniform.
When interviewed by NESN's Ricky Doyle following Friday night's game, Vazquez stated, "I'm very excited. First hit in the major leagues. It's an honor to be here and win the game - that's important." Yes, it is, Christian. And this is something that fans are also enjoying and excited about seeing again.
The infusion of the fresh, young talent of Brock Holt, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, and Christian Vazquez seems to have breathed new life into the team. Manager John Farrell commented, "It's talent, more than youth. They're young guys that are talented. That's going to be a successful combination. Sure, there's going to be some getting established here at this level. But they're talented guys and they're playing to their capabilities."
With mid-season and the All-Star break now upon us, a current offensive blitzkrieg by the nine games below .500 Red Sox may just be the battle plan this team needs to turn the second half of the season around. With the likes of Vazquez behind the plate, framing beautiful pitches and contributing to the offense, I, for one, am not quite ready to shove my head in a gas oven and call this season over just yet. Hang in there, Red Sox Nation. Something tells me the second half of this season will be much more entertaining and much more reminiscent of our 2013 World Series Championship team.
Follow Jennifer Warner on Twitter @Soxfan012
