Sullivan: J.D. Drew Closure: Remembering Him in the Appropriate Light

Or as my kid said when first seeing the J.D. Drew Rookie Card...“THAT’S the new Mickey Mantle?”

To paraphrase, for (Bill) Simmons, there were a couple “solid” seasons “from a saber standpoint” but he lacked Trot Nixon’s fire and Drew’s personality was probably never meant for Boston (Boston’s a really special place, you guys!) but a big part of the reason that Adrian Gonzalez’s deal is working out so well is that his personality fits here. That’s the lunacy that passes for real analysis while actual evidence to the contrary is right there to check out for anyone inclined to take the time. How is Bill Simmons explaining which “lessons” Theo Epstein can learn about baseball personnel any different than Kige Ramsey lecturing Simmons on the finer points of building a strong internet brand?

...Nothing against Mike Lowell, of course, but the contrast of Drew and Lowell ties together why their incongruous treatment by the media matters. Lowell can come back to Boston any time, sign some autographs, make some money, do some television and never purchase a meal of his own. Really, he is something of a local hero. On the other hand, despite both his team and personal successes, the media climate has made for a difficult five years in Drew’s case. If he chooses to retire, I wouldn’t blame him for never returning to Boston again. In short, media treatment impacts lives, and their unfair treatment of Drew has undeservedly made his life worse than it otherwise could have been. That might not resonate with some readers because Drew’s wealthy, but there’s more to life than money. Drew accepted a contract offered to him and honored that contract by playing it out with professionalism. The boos and the media hit jobs were never part of the deal.