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Red Sox: Potential team Most Valuable Players for 2017

By Rick McNair

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) reacts after scoring a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) reacts after scoring a run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after loosing to the Cleveland Indians 3-4 in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after loosing to the Cleveland Indians 3-4 in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

A star returns

Ortiz has retired – or has he? Never say never may not be a James Bond movie or a Justin Bieber song, but Ortiz? Yes – a very long shot. Longer that me winning Powerball and I don’t even play Powerball – so that is the ultimate long shot.

Ted Williams retired at least three times in his career and returned each time. The most notable was in 1955 when the 36-year-old Williams decided he’d had enough. By late May, Williams had returned to Boston to slash a very TSW like .356/.496/.703 with 28 home runs and 83 RBI. That was accomplished in just 98 games and 416 plate appearances.

The 1955 Red Sox were stuck before Williams came back. The team record was 17-24 before Teddy Ballgame entered the lineup on May 28th to give the young Red Sox a boost. The Red Sox made a nice run and finished off the season 84-70.

Just maybe Ortiz will get an itch? Maybe a few catastrophic spring training injuries will happen? The call may go out or it may come in and the Red Sox could get a dose of a Papi baseball curtain call – again. If Ortiz hits like he did in his sayonara season you could have a surprise MVP. OK – back to reality.

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