Boston Red Sox Midseason Report: 10 Unsung Heroes and Disappointments of 2011

With the All-Star break fast approaching, the Boston Red Sox have a few obvious heroes to celebrate and goats to roast.  The Red Sox faithful will applaud the excellence of MVP-candidate Adrian Gonzalez and condemn the historically poor performance of the pitcher formerly known as John Lackey.

But who are the unsung heroes of this 2011 Red Sox team?  And who are the unheralded disappointments, sliding anonymously past the likes of the oft-targeted Carl Crawford, Dice-K and J.D. Drew?  This Red Sox faithful slideshow investigates.

Terry Francona: Hero

When the Boston Red Sox lose games, the manager always finds himself buckled up in the hot seat.  When the Sox begin to win, the manager takes a back seat and rolls the window down.

But Francona, the finest manager in Red Sox history, deserves credit for trusting his players and embodying calmness through an 0-6 start that had many of the Faithful thinking the Mayan apocalypse couldn’t come soon enough.

Matt Albers: Hero

Take away one atrocious May 21st appearance against the Cubs (five runs allowed) and Matt Albers sports a 1.35 ERA.  As of July 6th, Albers ranks third on the staff in games pitched (28) and has become a surprisingly reliable seventh inning bridge to Bard and Papelbon.

In a bullpen with many shakier and more expensive pieces, Matt Albers has been as consistent and dependable as they come.

Tim Wakefield: Hero

The knuckleballer began the season on clean-up duty when games became silly (and, early in the season, many did), but as always, Old Faithful is an excellent spot starter and innings-eater.  The Nation eagerly looks to celebrate his 200th victory as Wakefield creeps closer and closer to becoming the winningest pitcher in Red Sox history.

The question becomes: will Roger Clemens use his one prison call to congratulate him?

Josh Reddick: Hero

He may be coming back down to earth following his recent tear, but Josh Reddick still brings more passion to the Red Sox lineup than J.D. Drew, who clearly retired without telling anyone.  Reddick is young and cares about baseball, and Fenway loves to cheer that kind of hustle and determination (see Trot Nixon).

Oh, and Reddick’s .439 OBP (as of July 6th) and ability to hit lefties hasn’t hurt either.  Fans are rooting for you, Josh!

Jason Varitek: Hero

The Red Sox Captain has played more frequently than many thought he would, and after an early slump, his .250/.336/.427 stats are right around his career average.  More importantly, and as is always the case with Varitek, he continues to bring leadership skills to the team and a wealth of knowledge to his pitching staff.

Some think that this is an overrated component of his game, but, whether Varitek was publicly endorsing Jarrod Saltalamacchia (while the young catcher struggled early and mightily) or was lauding the potential of pitcher Alfredo Aceves (when he was thrust into the rotation), his value has extended well past the backstop in the first half of this tumultuous season.

Dustin Pedroia: Disappontment

The self-proclaimed Laser Show is striking out at an alarming rate by his standards.  With 47 punch-outs, he is already approaching his career-high of 52.  In addition, Pedroia’s .277/.391/.409 line reveals an impressive on base average, but batting averages and slugging percentages well below his norms.

Pedroia will improve, but questions abound as to whether his foot is completely healed, or whether some undisclosed injury is bothering him.

Kevin Youkilis: Disappointment

A sweltering beginning to July (.389/.476/.667) have turned this season around quickly, but the numbers don’t lie.  Youkilis is hitting a paltry .185 in 146 at bats over 41 games away from Fenway.  In addition, as a third baseman, the Gold Glover has proven to be a downgrade from Adrian Beltre.

Overall, the Red Sox need more from their cleanup hitter away from the Green Monster if they are going to take the AL East from the Yankees and the Rays.

Jed Lowrie: Disappointment

When will the Red Sox give up on the notion that Lowrie can be a full-time shortstop?  While he showed early promise with the bat, the oft-injured utility player simply can’t stay healthy or field the position (in 58 games, Lowrie has committed 10 errors).  Red Sox Nation continues to monitor the maturation process of slick-fielding prospect Jose Iglesias in hopes that the Lowrie era will end sooner than the Faithful can say, “a second opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum.”

Dan Wheeler: Disappointment

Bobby Jenks’ struggles are better documented, but Wheeler is one of the least reliable pitchers in the Red Sox bullpen today.  As of July, Terry Francona is starting to feel more comfortable using him in important situations, but lefties are hitting .350 against him and his ERA remains too high at 5.27.  Red Sox Nation won’t even begin to comprehend Wheeler’s inexplicable day-night werewolf-type discrepancy (0.00/8.47 ERA).

Theo Epstein: Disappointment

Regardless of contract status (with Dice-K done and Cameron traded), let’s take a look at these Red Sox 2011 salaries courtesy of ESPN.com: $15.95 million headed to John Lackey.  $14.86 million to Carl Crawford.  $14 million to J.D. Drew.  $10.33 million to Dice-K.  $7.75 million to Mike Cameron.  $6 million to Bobby Jenks.  $5.5 million to Marco Scutaro.  $3 million to Dan Wheeler.

I think that speaks for itself.