Good evening baseball fans, and welcome to the first annual edition of "Mark Bellhorn no longer plays for the Red Sox." Actually, it's not an annual edition, it's a limited edition--a one-shot deal.
Today (20th August, 2005--also Zach's birthday; Happy Birthday Azhcray!) the Red Sox organization designated veteran second-baseman Mark Bellhorn for assignment. Coming off of a rehab assignment in Pawtucket, Theo Epstein (along with various executives, I'm sure) came to the decision that there was no longer a place for Mark with the team (especially after the acquisition of Graffanino as well as Alex Cora).
So...what is to become of Mark? He has ten days to find a spot on a roster for another major-league ball club; if no such deal is made, Mark can option down to triple-a Pawtucket. If Mark does clear waivers to stay with Pawtucket, it is possible that he'll be brought back up to the majors as a member of the Red Sox when rosters expand on September 1st, 2005. The latter might be the best option, considering that by the time a deal is made (or ten days elapses), September 1st will be upon us and Mark might just be able to come back to Boston. In addition to the time frame, another thing to consider is that by the time another team acquires him, the season will be over and he'll become a free agent in the winter anyway...
Basically, all that arises out of this "decision" to designate Mark for assignment is more indecision. We were on pins and needles during the trade (especially around the deadline); we were curious when he went on the DL; we were back to pins and needles when the sox acquired Graffanino, back to curious when we wondered what was to become of Mark when his rehab assignment ended. And now, we're still wondering!
However, I do feel that this needs to be said; Mark Bellhorn, if he is gone, will not be forgotten. He stoicly protected his turf at second base; he has always been a team player. And who can forget the shot against the foul pole during the 2004 ACLS? For lack of a better term, Bellhorn was more clutch on that day then he'd ever been. He saved our asses in that game, plain and simple.
Aside from last season and the path to the World Series championship, there have always been faithful Bellhorn fans. Though we might not arrive in droves; we might not scream the loudest (scratch that; I've definitely blown out an eardrum or two in my day--not my own mind you, but I've blown out a few eardrums!); we may not be renowned. We are here though--we have been, and we'll still be here, even when Mark finds himself somewhere else. And you know what? We're proud to be supporters of Mark Bellhorn...especially because we're Red Sox fans! We've always fought for the underdog; we've always seen the diamond in the rough.
Not that Mark Bellhorn will ever know exactly what he meant to us; that we appreciated his strong, silent approach at second base as well as the plate...but let the record show, no matter who may or may not see, that the supporters of Mark Bellhorn stood for something, and would not go quietly.
Best of luck to you, Mark. We always kept the faith in you. Always.
Damn...I am *never* wearing a team-player shirt again. Once I sport one, the guy gets the proverbial shit beat out of him. I guess I'm the black widow of individual-player baseball team-shirts. That's not very cool.
