There's been talk around Major League Baseball that the 2022 regular season has shown signs it could be a long summer for batters. Offensive numbers are down again, and one of the more notable examples from a team perspective has been the Boston Red Sox.
Despite boasting a lineup that includes J.D. Martinez, Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts, the Red Sox entered play on Friday ranked 24th in runs scored (90), 27th in home runs (16) and on-base percentage (.279), and 29th in walks (57). Their big offseason pickup, Trevor Story, was supposed to add to what was an already scary lineup on paper. Instead, the former Colorado Rockies shortstop has been the Beantown poster boy for ineptitude at the dish through one month of play.
In 21 games played and 92 plate appearances thus far, the two-time All-Star hasn't homered, has collected nine RBI, stolen one base and has struck out a stunning 29 times. Story's slash line is .210/.293/.296, all of which would easily be new career lows.
Things were arguably at an all-time low for Story on Thursday during the team's 8-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels when he wore the "Golden Sombrero" (striking out four times) and reportedly avoided answering postgame questions from the media. The 29-year-old two-time Silver Slugger Award winner discussed Thursday's episode on Friday.
"Of course you hear it but that's part of it. I strike out four times like that, that's to be expected a little bit. Come up in a couple of big spots and didn't come through, yeah, that comes with the territory. It's not something that caught me off guard." Trevor Story on boos.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 6, 2022
Story said that he’d been unaware of media interest in talking to him postgame yesterday, apologized for what he called a miscommunication, and said he welcomes player accountability and media responsibilities.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 6, 2022
Story and the rest of the Red Sox (10-16) open up a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!