As a sports fan, this is one of the most important decisions you can make. Multiple factors are taken into account in this day age. Contract length, free agency, position, etc. Most importantly you need to like the guy! Also, you don't necessarily want to go with the top guy and blend in with all the other fans. Your jersey should stand out.
First off, I'm never going to get a pitcher's name and number. Pitchers are too scrutinized and can fall out favor faster than Charlie Sheen quotes. Some might say, well what about the closer? No fucking way. Sure Papelbon saved 40 last year, but we all know he's on his way out this or next year for Bard. Most importantly, I never pitched. The only pitcher I would get is El Guapo.
These type of jerseys are great, the character/role player jerseys. I'm still trying to get my hands on a Celtics Brian Scalabrine jersey for this very reason. You will get lauded with compliments for these. True sign of a fan. But I don't have any player jerseys for the Sox so I the debate continues.
Ortiz? Too old, on his way out. JD Drew? As much I like him, he's the most hot or cold player for the Sox ever. Youkilis? He's kind of a dick and not in a good way. Ellsbury? I don't think he's signed long term and is trade bait. Also important? The Red Sox are not wearing this away jersey currently, so I've got to make sure it's a player that played during that time. So I've narrowed it down to two people. First up, Dustin Pedroia.
Total dude. Total bro. 2008 AL MVP. Total loudmouth. This guy encapsulates me. In my younger days I played 2nd base and the outfield so this is probably the most similar guy to me. But alas there are quite a lot of Pedroia jerseys floating around Red Sox nation that it almost makes me think that I can't get it. The only logic choice is clear.
Brian fucking Daubach. Hero of my youth. Utility player to the extreme. THE most streaky player in Red Sox history. Consummate Dirtdog. There would be days they would walk him to face Manny. Others when they could soft toss a softball and he would foul it off. Brian Daubach is my choice. It was he who gave me my best memory at Fenway. Guy went 4 for 6 in July of 2002 including a home run to tie the game up in the 8th and then a walk off in the 10th to win it. Was sitting next to my now deceased grandfather who made his own Red Sox fame making National Geographic's look at Fenway Park as the portrait of a Red Sox fan one month after he died. Powerful stuff:
Anyways, I don't care if Daubach never hit .300, made an all-star team, or anything like that. I've got a great memory of the dude that nobody can take away from me. After he hit the extra inning game winner, he took a curtain call. The next day on the cover of the Boston Globe was a picture of this. Amongst the fans near the dug out looking at him tip his helmet, I am clearly on the cover, front and center. Now if the Globe weren't such tight wads when it came to back articles, I'd be able to post that picture here. Oh well, I work on that, but Daubach it is.
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