Teach a New Dirt Dog Old Tricks

by Ben Barker

by Editorial. Photos by AP News

Boston loves that dirty water. And they love those dirty dogs. Over the years though, Red Sox fans have seen their fair share of them come and go.

Sure, we’ve seen our franchise shortstop traded, our flame-throwing ace let go and even our long-haired leadoff man make his way out of Bean Town. Simply put, Sox fans have become familiar with separation anxiety.

Of course, it’s going to be hard to handle when a perennial All-Star packs up and leaves. These are the guys that won us the close games. The guys whose names we wore proudly on our backs. Heck, these are the guys that we wanted to be when we were younger. So naturally, these would be the guys most loved by the fans, right?

Wrong.

Boston fans have a heart-warming knack for loving the underdogs. Each year Red Sox fans come to some kind of unanimous agreement on who the new “fan favorite” will be.

We’ve heard the Fenway Faithful cry out for “Louuuuu” Merloni, when he never even eclipsed 230 at-bats during a single season in Boston. We’ve seen curtain calls for Pokey Reese and his .248 career batting average. We’ve even seen a freakishly fit Gabe “The Babe” Kapler give up his playing career (temporarily) to coach within the Red Sox organization.

Of course, sometimes these fan favorites do turn into All-Stars. We certainly wouldn’t call Kevin Youkilis an “underdog” in terms of his status with the team.

The guy hit 27 homeruns and drove in 94 as Boston’s cleanup hitter in 2009. However, the “Youuuk” cries started far before Youkilis had established himself in baseball.

We also all know that Louis Tiant was one of the better pitchers of his time. But it was his unorthodox pitching style that captured the hearts of the nation, and had a red sea of Sox fans swarming the bleachers every time number 23 stepped foot on the mound.

Even back in the 1960’s the Fenway Faithful was in search of their new cheering subject. Tony Conigliaro broke into the Red Sox organization at 20 years old and was immediately cherished by the fans. “Tony C” became a house-hold name in Boston during his playing days, which unfortunately would be cut short because of a severe eye injury.

Which leads us to our next golden boy - Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson. The Hawk began his stay in Boston as just an injury replacement for Conigliaro, but the very next year became an All-Star. Sound familiar Mr. Brady?

So now the question stands. The year is 2010. The Red Sox have a new look team. A new look offense. A new look defense. And a new look franchise.

But who will take over the reigns as Boston’s 2010 fan favorite?

The answer: Bill Hall.

If there is one thing that Boston fans love, it’s a guy who will run through a wall for you. That’s Bill. Barring any injuries or freak performances from young “up and comings,” Hall should solidify the role of “back-up whatever the heck you need.”

The guy can play third, second, and short, not to mention every outfield position, and he plays them well too. Hall has a career .962 fielding percentage, almost .10 points higher than two-time gold glove winner, Adrian Beltre.

His defense alone would probably be enough to win over the hearts of Red Sox Nation. The thing is, he’s got some pop too. While his last two seasons have been rough to say the least, he’s had a history of streaky offensive outbreaks. In 2006 Hall hit .270 with 35 homeruns. That’s more or less the production that Boston got from Jason Bay last season.

Of course, Hall won’t come close to those numbers ever again. But hey, then again, the Green Monster never hurt anyone.

While we won’t know until the heart of the season whether or not Bill Hall will join the elite company of Red Sox fan favorites, we do know that someone will. It’s up to the Nation to decide who will be the Brian Scalabrine of the local nine. So far, Hall’s resume certainly makes him the leading candidate.

It’s just too bad his name can’t be transformed to rhyme with the letter “U.”