In a 10th inning 8-8 deadlock, Seattle Mariners reliever Cooper Criswell intentionally walked Jarren Duran and Caleb Durbin, who joined ghost runner Wilyer Abreu on the bases. With one out, Criswell wished to pitch to Trevor Story.
Despite being activated from a rehab assignment just the day before, Story was ready. He lifted a hit all the way to the warning track in center field and flung his bat forward on the follow through. Story's heroics opened the series with a win and closed the book on an ugly weekend showing.
For weeks leading up to the home stretch of the season, the Boston Red Sox knew they would eventually have to make some tough roster decisions. Three rehabbing players, Story, Roman Anthony and Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be activated in quick succession, which could disrupt the energy the team carefully built over its winning months.
Story's activation was of particular concern for Red Sox fans. The shortstop had an unsuccessful start to the season (.206/.244/.303 slash line, 57 strikeouts in 41 games) and the players who suited up in his stead, including Anthony Seigler and Andruw Monasterio, endeared themselves to fans by playing well during the club's hot stretch.
Trevor Story is already hitting well and saving games two games after Red Sox activation
Battled back. pic.twitter.com/Y833qe4PsB
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 1, 2026
He's already proving people wrong. Story has logged four hits, including two doubles, three RBI and two strikeouts in his two games back from the IL.
Story spent three months on the IL after he underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, which he'd been playing with since spring training. The veteran has a history of offensive struggles in a Red Sox uniform and his ugly start to the season didn't seem too out of the ordinary, but it was disappointing after he slashed .263/.308/.433 and led the club with 25 homers in 2025.
Boston hoped to rely on Story again as a power threat, but he coulnd't be one while he played through the pain. It's only been two games, but if this version of Story is the one the Red Sox have throughout September, he'll be a game-changer, especially while Willson Contreras is out of commission. Story slashed .302/.337/.458 with three homers and 12 RBI last September.
It's too early to say for sure whether Story's impact will be greater than Monasterio or Seigler's, but he's already off to a great start. If he continues on this path, some Red Sox fans might have to do something everyone hates: admit they were wrong. In this case, we would love to be wrong.
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