Another familiar face has joined the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park this week as a spring training guest coach. Mitch Moreland, the former All-Star first baseman, 2018 World Series Champion, and clubhouse leader, joined a list of distinguished former Red Sox players, including David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, and Dustin Pedroia, by making his way to Fort Myers this spring.
Mitch Moreland joins club of former Red Sox champions to come to spring training in 2023
Moreland, who didn’t play in 2022 and officially announced his retirement to WEEI’s Rob Bradford earlier this week, played more than three seasons with the Red Sox before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2020; he last played with the Oakland Athletics in 2021.
Moreland slashed .251/.332/.471 and hit 64 homers over 386 games in his 3+ year tenure with the Red Sox. While the numbers aren’t extraordinary, no one can deny Moreland’s impact on the historic 2018 season and his leadership presence both on and off the field.
Spring of 2018 started hot for Moreland, who hit .302/.368/.612 in his first 41 games played that year. But while his defense stayed reliable at first base, his bat fell cold as the season drew on. Still, when the Sox were down 4-0 in Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he delivered.
Mitch Moreland stepped in as a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning and delivered a three-run homer. He made it a whole new ballgame and brought everyone in Red Sox Nation to their feet.
Mitch Moreland saw one pitch.
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2018
He made the most of it. #Statcast pic.twitter.com/pS3P1NS7Xt
While Moreland’s impact on the field will long be remembered, his influence as a community leader cannot be forgotten either. The Red Sox 2018 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, Moreland was a strong supporter of the Jimmy Fund and the Boston Children’s Hospital, organizing fundraisers and spending time with patients.
As the Red Sox continue to prepare for the 2023 season, former players turned guest coaches like Mitch Moreland will help the player learn how to be the best teammates they can be on the field, in the clubhouse, and in the community.