Red Sox Top 5 Most Satisfying Moments of 2015
Jun 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder
(26) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
4) Brock Holt hits for the cycle
Speaking of opening day, here’s someone who didn’t feature in the line-up; Brock Holt.
Originally a throw-in piece with Joel Hanrahan in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Holt didn’t take long in showing that he was the main event. A so called “super utility” player, Holt played in every position but pitcher and catcher in 2014 and did the same again this year, only on a far more prolific level.
Holt can hit and hit consistently well, his defense affords the Red Sox an impressive +2 WAR safety net from anywhere on the park and he has shiny golden locks that mesmerize fans and opponents alike. What’s not to love?
On June 16th in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park, Holt went one step further and helped himself to one of everything. Hitting a double, single and home run off Julio Teheran and finishing with a stunning triple off Sugar Ray Marimon in the 8th to hit for the cycle, the first time a Red Sox has done so in some 19 years. Wow.
For a team (at the time) 10 games under .500, the excitement generated by Holt’s cycle seemed almost to be the catalyst for a reversal of fortunes right up until the All-Star Break. This guy, who was playing for insignificant money in comparison to the already failing offseason free agent signings, had accomplished something far beyond our or even his expectations. This guy would become Boston’s representative at the All-Star Game, coming on, stealing a base and scoring a run while we all cheered and felt proud. This guy would go on to defy talk of post season slumping and finish with some .280 AVG and .727 OPS in 129 games, a career high.
An incredible story, but Brock Holt’s cycle will remain more enduring in memory and in history.
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