Red Sox: The top 5 positive stories from the 2019 season
#1: Xander Bogaerts Joins the Elite
If I had to point to the perfect definition of cause and effect it would be Xander Bogaerts signing his extension this winter and the season he’s had to follow. RIght before the season was about to kickoff the Red Sox announced that they had inked Bogey to a new 6-year/$120M contract.
This not only locks down one of the best young players in the game today but it also makes him Boston’s longest-tenured shortstop since Nomar Garciaparra.
The extension was more than deserved to this point and I think it’s safe to say that Xander has done nothing but repay every penny since the ink dried. He has become a leader in the clubhouse as well as on the field and can often be seen mentoring the younger infielders. He’s practically Devers’ big brother at this point.
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Considering Bogaerts came onto the scene in 2013 and would quickly play a part in the Red Sox winning the World Series that year, it’s great to see him paying it forward. Xander’s play has been on the freakin’ charts this season and he’s really propelled himself into the elite stratosphere of players.
Last week he made history by becoming only the second shortstop in history to hit 50 doubles and 30 homers in a season. That other shortstop was some guy named Alex Rodriguez, that’s some pretty good company. 2019 has also afforded Bogey the chance to hit his 100th career home run and nab his 1000th career hit. Safe to say, it’s been a good year for personal milestones.
With his future fully set with the Red Sox, he has a great chance to go down as one of the all-time Boston greats.
Next. Vazquez is repaying the Red Sox for their trust. dark
Bogaerts is already on a trajectory that could send him to the moon as far as the type of player he is. Every year he finds new ways to grow and improve on his game. The Red Sox showed their faith in the shortstop and he’s paying off that trust with interest. Xander Bogaerts’ 2019 season is without a doubt my top positive story of the year.