Injuries All That Can Derail Red Sox Right Now
BOSTON (CBS) - If winning four championships in seven years isn't enough to remind us how fortunate we are to be living here in New England in the early going of the 21st century, just take a look at the June record of the Florida Marlins. If you haven't had a chance to, let me fill you in.
Twenty games, one win. That's right, a 1-and-19 record. Can you imagine? No, I don't think you can. Heck, Red Sox Nation was damn near apoplectic over this team's 2-10 start. It might have been suicidal at being twice as bad.
The Red Sox have since turned it around and look like the juggernaut everyone expected them to be. Since June 3, Terry Francona's team has won 14 of 16. They have won 42 and dropped 18 since that first dirty dozen.
From dead last to the best record in the American League and just one win shy of equaling the Phillies for the best mark in the Majors.
Read: Gonzalez, Big 7th Inning Leads Red Sox Past Padres
The journey has not been without injury. In fact, of late the injuries have been fast and furious. Carl Crawford, 15 day D.L. with a strained hamstring. Jed Lowrie, 15 day D.L. with a left shoulder strain. Clay Buchholz, 15 D.L. with lower back strain. Dustin Pedroia, bruised kneecap (although it would take something much more debilitating to keep the Boston Bantam out of the lineup). Daisuke Matsuzaka, out for the season after undergoing ligament-replacement surgery.
The latest malady racing through the Sox clubhouse? Intestinal turmoil. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia dealt with it in the Bronx. Now Josh Beckett will miss his scheduled start against San Diego because of the belly ache.
Read: Illness Forces Beckett To Miss Tuesday Start
Injuries and ailments are a part of any season in any sport. Every team deals with them. The Red Sox couldn't overcome last year's physical issues. Let's hope this year is different. Everyone wants another rolling rally in the fall.
You can hear Walt Perkins' Sports Updates weekday mornings on WBZ NewsRadio 1030 am and follow him on twitter @walt_perkins.
