JD Drew
JD Drew got a bad rap from baseball fans, Red Sox and otherwise. There were a couple of things that people pointed to, but usually it boiled down to the fact that it seemed as though he just didn’t care. In reality, that was a misconception as Drew was so skilled and had such a laid back personality that he gave off that impression even though it almost certainly wasn’t true.
He also did have a reputation for being a bit fragile, but when the Red Sox signed him to a five-year, $70 million contract in January 2007, there was excitement at what he could bring to the right field position. He had a bit of a down season that first year, hitting .270 with only 11 home runs and 64 RBI, but he came through when they needed him in the postseason.
Facing elimination in game six of the ALCS, Drew hit a grand slam that helped the Red Sox win the game and eventually the pennant. In that series he hit .360 with a home run (the grand slam) and six RBI. He then hit .333 in the World Series as the Red Sox won their second title of the century.
Drew’s next three seasons were better as he hit 19, 24, and 22 home runs. He had more big hits in the 2008 postseason, hitting the game-winner in game two of the ALDS. In game five of the ALCS with the Red Sox facing elimination he hit a two-run home run to help them come back from a seven-run deficit. He then had the walk-off hit in the ninth inning which won the game for Boston.
After playing in 137 and 139 games in 2009 and 2010, respectively, Drew was plagued by injuries in his final season of 2010 and only appeared in 81 games. He retired after the season, ending his fourteen-year career.
JD Drew wasn’t a flashy player at all, but he was calm and steady and very good. He was an excellent defensive outfielder and delivered numerous clutch hits in big situations. Overlooked during his career, it can be said with hindsight that his signing was actually a very good one for the Red Sox, certainly better than what they got out of his brother a few years later.