Red Sox Magic Number - 25

The Red Sox magic number is currently 25.

The number 25 is currently worn by Red Sox 3rd baseman Mike Lowell. I have long been of the opinion that the Red Sox should re-sign Mike Lowell for another year or two. In spring training they probably could have extended him for just another year but now it will probably take a minimum of a two-year contract to get him to come back.

Mike Lowell has said that he really wants to stay in Boston and the value of a player who not only can handle the pressure of playing in Boston but thrives in that environment should not be underestimated. Lowell is a leader both on the field and in the clubhouse and even if his offense declines over the next two years - he still brings Gold Glove caliber defense to the table. Red Sox fans want Mike Lowell to come back - they don't want A-Rod.

To older Red Sox fans - the number 25 means Tony C - Tony Conigliaro. I'm too young to remember Tony C. but I realize that to many Tony C was really something special.

In terms of wedding anniversaries - 25 is the Silver Anniversary. Looking at the Red Sox - even though they have the best record in baseball - I think the team will earn only one Silver Slugger award this year. At 2nd base - Dustin Pedroia has an uphill battle trying to wrest the award from the likes of Placido Polanco, Brian Roberts and Robinson Cano. Manny Ramirez has won 8 consecutive Silver Slugger Awards (in 2002 as a DH) but that streak is in jeopardy. The awards this year probably goes to Magglio Ordonez, Ichiro Suzuki and Vlade Guererro. David Ortiz has to be the leader to win the Silver Slugger at DH but you never know.

There was about an hour and a half period yesterday when the Red Sox magic number was 26. I was going to use that opportunity to mention that the Red Sox will not be retiring the number 26 to honor Wade Boggs. Since Boggs left the Red Sox - 11 players have worn the number 26. It is a token of the esteem not felt toward Boggs that players like Lou Merloni and Freddy Sanchez have been given that number after the selfish bastard Boggs took his act on the road. Boggs was inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago. If the Red Sox owners felt inclined to honor Boggs - they would have announced it by now.