Christian Arroyo sends perfect end-of-season message to Red Sox Nation

Aug 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Christian Arroyo (39) reacts after hitting a ninth inning two run double against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Christian Arroyo (39) reacts after hitting a ninth inning two run double against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing worse than a bad season for a Boston sports team is when the people involved – players, coaches, front office, ownership – pretend otherwise.

Thankfully, the 2022 Red Sox were so disappointing in so many ways that no one would dare suggest otherwise. So, when Christian Arroyo posted an end-of-season Instagram, he gave it a self-aware caption:

“A lot to reflect on and a lot to improve on for ’23. Thank you Boston as always.”

On an individual level, the 27-year-old did not have a disappointing season. Far from it. He played a career-high 87 games and hit .286/.322/.414 with 16 doubles and six home runs. He set new personal bests in almost every category, though it’s difficult to compare to previous years, as he’d never played more than 57 games in a season before, and that was last year, also with the Sox. Still, the number of games played is a significant achievement for the former first-round pick who’s had to overcome several injuries in the first six years of his big-league career.

Arroyo’s message shows what a team player he is, that amidst a career year, he understands that their collective goal was not met. And ultimately, that’s what matters in baseball.

Still, Arroyo deserves credit for a great individual performance in 2022. At some points throughout the season, he was the hottest hitter on the team.

Hopefully, with a better roster around him next season, he can build on what he accomplished this year.