JD Drew's the Man - Jenn

We just finished taking two out of three from the Phillies, and the main reason - the man in right field, JD Drew.

When David Ortiz went down with a torn wrist sheath back on May 31st, a tidal wave of worry went through Red Sox Nation. What were the Sox going to do? How could they possibly make the playoffs, let alone get another title, with their designated hitter out for at least a month, maybe longer? There's no way anyone could possibly fill the lefty's shoes, but could someone come close? The answer to all these questions came in the form one man - J.D. Drew.

Since Papi left the game on that fateful day, JD has seriously stepped up. The right fielder continues to make phenomenal catches in the outfield, but what everyone is really blown away by is what this guy's doing at the plate. The first few games Papi missed, Francona shuffled the hitters, trying different people out in that number three spot. But starting on June 4th Francona struck gold. Drew stepped into that spot and has been hitting there ever since.

This is the guy we all wanted to see last season. In the month of June Drew is batting .441 with nine homers and 22 RBI's. He actually got his 13th homer (the 9th of June) yesterday in the first inning of the game against the Phillies to put the Sox on top 3-0. That home run even lead off "Baseball Tonight's" Touch 'Em All segment last night.

Now you may wonder why Drew is hitting so well. My response - who the hell cares? But if you're looking for a reason, here it is. The pitchers continue to throw the ball down the center of the plate. If the ball is right in the middle of the strike zone, JD's hitting .800 with three home runs. If it's down but still dead center, his average drops a little - it's only .571. But he still has three home runs.

All this hitting is just one more reason the Phillies fans hate him. But the real reason the fans boo every time JD steps to the plate is because he refused to sign with the team that signed him back in 1997. In this series alone, JD has hit 5-12 with two homers. Yesterday he even tied his career high with four hits and was only a triple short of the cycle. I'm sure that shut those booing Phillies fans right up.

I guess all I can say is JD, the number 3 spot is yours for as long as you like it. Just keep knocking the stitches off that ball and please, do not under any circumstances, pull something that'll take you out of the line up.