Jacoby Ellsbury surpassed the expectations of Red Sox Nation last year, not only by returning from a controversial rib injury that took him away for most of the 2010 season, but by returning with a new found display of power, amassing 32 home runs and driving in 105.
2011 was Jacoby Ellsbury’s break out season for sure, one that landed him near the top of the AL MVP voting race. His comeback also dispelled the suggestion that Ellsbury didn’t have the physical toughness needed to play the game at a consistent level.
In 2010, most fans were led to believe Ellsbury was taking more time than perhaps necessary to get himself back into the lineup. It also didn’t help that the Red Sox had shown signs of disarray that would ultimately lead to a major management shake up the following season.
But, in the face of controversy and questions about his desire, Ellsbury repelled the criticisms by becoming one of the foundation blocks for the Sox going forward.
Unfortunately, even his accomplishments couldn’t prevent the allegations of player dissent and malaise that led to Terry Francona’s dismissal, or stop Theo Epstein from chasing the dream of bringing a World Series title to the Chicago Cubs.
As we approach spring training, the big question is how will new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine relate to a team that is essentially the same team that imploded last season?
But amidst the front office restructuring and the arrival of the loquacious and high profile Valentine to town, a departure occurred that may have greater ramifications than the more talked about comings and goings during the off season.
On December, 14, 2011, the Sox acquired Houston Astros closer Mark Melancon for two players, one of them, backup infielder Jed Lowrie, Jacoby Ellsbury’s closest friend on the team.
Ellsbury’s relationship with his teammates has come under scrutiny by the Boston Globe. The Globe reported Ellsbury was still angry that Kevin Youkilis and others had also criticized him for sitting out most of the 2010 season because of his rib injury. Though Ellsbury was putting together an MVP season this year, he withdrew from the clubhouse scene and associated primarily with Lowrie,
The atmosphere in Boston has not changed. If anything, the addition of Bobby Valentine has brought things closer to the edge.
With in-fighting, apprehension and frustration over two lackluster seasons in a row hanging over the Red Sox, Jed Lowrie’s exodus from Boston would seem insignificant to the casual observer. To those watching closely however, the recognition that Jacoby Ellsbury is now an island to himself in the Red Sox clubhouse is glaringly apparent.
Jacoby Ellsbury is a not a lonely child attending a new school, but he is an adult that requires the same supportive environment any of us would need to excel in a demanding job. The fact is, his closest, if only ally is now playing elsewhere and those that remain have been tarnished slightly by the mini-mutiny that sank the Sox at the end of last season.
Clearly, the team needs a repeat performance from Ellsbury to compete in a strengthened American League this season.
The question is, can Jacoby Ellsbury succeed alone?