An Opening Day Letter to Our 2017 Boston Red Sox

With Opening Day upon us, here is an Opening Day letter to our favorite team and the soon to be World Series champions, the 2017 Boston Red Sox.

Dear 2017 Boston Red Sox,

This is our year. Us fans are all behind you, and we know you have what it takes to raise the World Series trophy in October.

Do it for Boston. Do it for us, and do it for yourselves. From top to bottom the 2017 Red Sox roster is loaded. We’re even keeping some bonus weapons down in Pawtucket for now. For those of you down on the farm, we believe in you too. Inevitably some of you will be called upon to contribute in Boston, inside America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. If the Red Sox are going to parade the trophy around Boston on duck boats, you’ll be just as crucial as the players who spend the entire season in the majors.

As for the big club, let’s do it! You’ll have to find a way to replace or irreplaceable leader, David Ortiz. Big Papi is rooting for you too! It seems you have a new leader, a man full of heart and grit that ever Boston fan appreciates and loves. Dustin Pedroia is that man. When you find yourselves down and in need of a boost, Pedey will come up clutch on the field or in the clubhouse.

You’ve also got some young guns that excite the fans and media equally. Sure, Mookie Betts has already had an MVP-like season, but he’s got plenty more. Solo awards don’t really matter in Boston, but we will be happy when you’re the MVP this season. We know all you want to do is help deliver the final win of the MLB season to the Red Sox. The rest of the Killer B’s will be key too.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is already a fan favorite, and he’ll remain one with his stellar defensive play in centerfield. You’re our best centerfielder since that traitor in pinstripes! Andrew Benintendi, go out there and prove that you’re worth all the hype. The Rookie of the Year candidate we all want you to be. Let’s hope Jim Rice is right about you.

Xander Bogaerts, how is it that you’re so overlooked. I guess on a team as loaded as the Boston Red Sox are it’s bound to happen. Just know this, fans love you and the effort you put into each at bat or ground ball hit your way.

At first base, we’ve got a newcomer in Mitch Moreland. I’ll be honest we don’t know much about you yet. But I believe in Dave Dombrowski and John Farrell, and they believe in you. Let’s see what you can do it there!

Pablo “Panda” Sandoval I hope you rock this redemption tour. The media and fans have been tough on you in Boston but that’s only because we want you to be the best player that you can be. We do still believe in you, and we want to see you succeed. We know you have the ability to bounce back, and Spring Training highlighted that. Play stellar defense and you’ll earn back the love from us. Hit the leather of the ball and we’ll go nuts!

With Hanley Ramirez at DH, we expect big things. Focus on clobbering the ball over the Green Monster in 2017. Don’t cut that hair until we win it all in October.

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There’s a dynamic duo behind the plate this year. Sandy Leon, try to pull off the homer from each side of the plate in the same inning this regular season. You’re simply phenomenal. Christian Vazquez, your defense is second to none. We know you can both handle this outstanding pitching staff so get it done.

Our rotation took a blow already with David Price out, but we have the arms to back it up. Chris Sale you have fans across Red Sox Nation gushing with excitement. “Pretty Ricky” Rick Porcello going for another career year? We hope so. Someone on this staff is going to win the Cy Young again. Steven Wright, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Drew Pomeranz make the most out of your starts. Every single game matters.

Now we get to the bench and the bullpen. Bench players will be called on to make starts here and there or to play a role in big time situations. When we need a steal, we can call on you. When we need a clutch pinch hit against a certain pitcher, it’s all on you. The Red Sox have one of the strongest benches in baseball, and the same can be said for the bullpen.

This year’s bullpen needs to be second to none. The rotation and the outstanding lineup will surely set you up more often than not, but we’ll need you on those bad days. When the starter struggles or we can’t take a lead, the team and fans will count on you to hold steady until things turn around. There may not be a more crucial position on a baseball team than as a reliever or a closer.

We all believe in you. This is a 100 win team. This is a World Series team.

Next: MLB The Show 17 Season Simulation

Please give the rest of the country another reason to hate Boston sports. Raise another trophy in the air in October, and have fun doing it!

Sincerely,

Red Sox Nation

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