"Everyone's lookin' at you, Kid."

As the temperatures plummeted in Chicago, so did the batting averages of the Red Sox. Hits and runs were at a premium as the team limped into Chicago. After the first game, Boston matched their longest losing streak of the year at three games, punctuated by a throwing error by Xander Bogaerts which led to an ugly 2-1 walk off loss.

Much had been made of the fact that Drew went unsigned with the Sox brass showing little or no interest in the price tag that came with Drew's services. The defense that Drew provided in the World Series win was spectacular. His bat was a non - issue, but I always say that "Pitching, defense, and two out RBIs will win a lot of ball games." (in that order). After Drew went all "Mark Belanger" on us, it was hard to look the other way with an unproven 21 year old rookie.


"Bogie" has been connected to some legendary Sox players throughout the early going. Try this one out: Bogaerts is the first player 21 years or younger to get on base 25 times in the first fifteen games since Ted Williams set the bar with 32 in 1940. He also has the most hits in the first ten games (11) since Tony Conigliaro back in '65.He currently sits second only to Mike Napoli in OBP at a tidy .397 and second on the team with runs scored.

So what's the problem? There is none really except for the demands of impatient fans with regards to suspect defense and a lack of run production. Bogaerts collected in first RBIs of the year in the Chicago series to push his total to...two. One was collected on his first homer of the year in magnificently pitched 3-1 win by Jon Lester. His fortunes at the plate had taken a downturn since the opening series in Baltimore as he had slumped to a .195 with a double, 4 walks and 12 strikeouts. Along with his errant throw in the opener, fans on the boards were also carping about his missing tag which led to the tying run in the sandwich game that neither team seemed interested in winning.

Really, we are dealing with a very small sample with regards to Bogaerts defense at this point. Everyone just needs to relax. In the long run, he'll provide capable defense and be a force in the batting lineup. It's sink or swim time as he really has no safety net this year with Drew gone. I feel the Sox brass made the right call here as Drew only blocks Bogie short term and prevents him from developing.

I know I'm really going to enjoy watching his progress this season. Both he and Jackie Bradley Jr. will have a lot do do with the success of the team moving forward. Some, however, see Bogie in a bit of a different light and that's OK too.

"Of all the Twitter accounts, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."