Bye to the Bell

It appears that the Mark Bellhorn era has ended with the Red Sox. I guess I could harp on his 2005 stats (.216 avg, 109 strikeouts - oh those swings and misses!) but instead let's get sentimental for a moment. From the Boston Globe's 2004 ALCS Game 6 archives:

"...after delivering the biggest hit in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series last night -- a three-run homer in the fourth inning of Boston's 4-2 victory -- Bellhorn was on top of the world...Bellhorn delivered the hit the Nation had been waiting for. With the count 1-and-2, Jason Varitek on second and Orlando Cabrera on first, and one run already in, Bellhorn, batting lefthanded, planted a low fastball from Yankees starter Jon Lieber just over the left-field fence."

We all know exactly where we were at that moment and I can't forget the eighth inning of Game 1 of the World Series when we heard the sound of your spectacular *clank* off the Pesky Pole. Thanks for the memories Mark. We will miss you. I swear.

Kevin Hench from foxsports.com puts it perfectly:

"I hope Mark Bellhorn will shrug off this abuse and one day return to Fenway as a graying geezer for an Oldtimers' Game. And when he shuffles to the plate I hope he's given the standing ovation he so permanently deserves. Even though he probably will strike out."
Read the full article: Red Sox Fans Should Remember Bellhorn's Past