Boston Red Sox: Sandy Leon an Early Season Hero for Sox

Don’t look now, but Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon has delivered in the early part of the 2017 season.

It’s just a week into the 2017 season, but Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon has kept the team afloat offensively, playing a role in all three of the team’s victories.

While key members of the Red Sox offense have either battled the flu or struggling at the plate, Leon has started off the season with a hot bat. He is batting .438, with 12 total bases, five RBI and has a home run.

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More importantly, those hits have been big ones for the Boston Red Sox. He had a key bunt in the team’s Opening Day victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and hit a walk-off blast in the team’s 12-inning win a couple days later.

Leon’s hot bat also played a role in the team’s 7-5 victory against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

With the team reeling on a two-game losing streak entering the game and trailing late in the game, the catcher delivered a game-winning two-run single in the eighth to help put the team back in the win column.

Overall, the heroics of Sandy Leon offensively combined with his work behind the plate has made Red Sox manager John Farrell’s decision to go with him over Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart a winning decision so far.

The more he plays and helps the team, the more confidence he is gaining as he continues to silence the critics.

"“I’m feeling really good, just trying to help the team by keeping it simple and swinging at good pitches, don’t try to be crazy, don’t try to be the hero, just try to get a good swing in and let good things happen,” Leon said Sunday following the game, via the Boston Herald."

Ironically, in trying not to be a hero has made him exactly that. It is just five games into the season, but these early games could play a role in the team’s playoff chances when the season nears an end.

Sandy Leon has earned it

The fact that Sandy Leon is even in the position to produce this early season can be attributed to his own hard work and dedication to the game.

Following Chris Sale’s debut outing, the Boston Red Sox lefty praised Leon’s effort behind the plate as the reason he had such a dominant outing. Manager John Farrell went further following the game Sunday, telling reporters that Leon simply earned his chance and earned the faith he has in him.

"“He’s taken it,” Farrell said about the overall competition at catcher. “He’s earned it. We all have trust in Sandy, particularly the guys that walk to the mound, and that goes a long way with getting the opportunity to start, but he’s handled the opportunity tremendously.”"

Now, he is earning the trust and hearts of Red Sox Nation.

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