Right off the crack of the bat, Red Sox players jumped over the dugout railings and onto the field swarming around home plate like a hungry pack of wolves. The Red Sox anxiously awaited for the celebration to begin, and closer Alfredo Aceves even prepared a proper Gatorade bath to greet their hero as he touched home.
Cody Ross came to the Sox rescue once more on Thursday night, hitting a walk-off bomb over the Green Monster — his third three-run home run in two nights — and ensuring Boston's fifth win in seven games since the All-Star break. But while Ross gets to wear the hero hat for at least one more night, the Red Sox rejuvenated attitude is the real story of the night.
For much of the season, the Red Sox were maligned by baseball fans and enthusiasts across the country as being "cold" or "unlikeable" — terms the Sox players came to despise. But on Thursday, there was a feel of fun in the air or even what Ross on Wednesday referred to as "swag."
While the Red Sox have enjoyed the fruits of a few comeback wins already this season, Thursday's walkoff offered a whole different type of euphoria.
Bobby Valentine recognized the changing atmosphere almost immediately after the walkoff win, relishing in the moment as his team celebrated like kids unwrapping presents on Christmas.
"That's as much fun as the guys have [had] in a long time," Valentine cheerfully said after the win. "It's a good feeling."
There haven't been many opportunities for the Red Sox to get excited this season. A 4-10 start, followed by a 43-43 record at the break and a rash of injuries to star players that has David Ortiz convinced that the team is "cursed." That sounds like a pretty damn miserable stretch to me, and one that could make a team seem both "cold" and "unlikeable." So when a moment like Thursday's arises, you've got to embrace the evolving environment.
Certainly, the return of superstars like Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford to your lineup can help to win the close games lost earlier in the season. But it's the character and excitable nature of these players that has made the most noticeable difference with this group.
When Ross came skipping around third base after slugging a much-needed walkoff winner, Crawford was at the very front of the group waiting to greet his fellow outfielder. And Ellsbury was equally as excitable, bouncing around in the middle of the pile and helping "the shredder," Nick Punto, tear Ross' jersey right off his back. It was undoubtedly a sight to cherish for Red Sox fans, and assuredly one that will live inside the Boston players for many years.
Sure, this may have been one isolated incident and it very well could pass by without a second thought, much like Jarrod Saltalamacchia's walkoff blast against the Rays in late May. But for some reason, this seems different. It feels like there's been a fairly drastic change in the atmosphere of that clubhouse, and a noticeable difference in the attitudes of each player.
The players may walk into the Park on Friday and go through their pregame routine in the same way they did on Thursday and even the same way they did in early April. But they've got that glimmer in their eyes, the smirks spread wide across their faces and the feel of club that just wants to have fun.
So while Cody Ross washes away the Gatorade that rained down on his bald head, and Nick Punto rubs together the fingers that shredded Ross' jersey away, the Red Sox will keep the fun times alive and hopefully continue on with their winning ways.
