I’m not sure why I listen to sports talk radio. Maybe because my forearms get a decent workout when I yank hair out of my skull.

There’s always one guy on the Red Sox who gets stamped with a bullseye in April, and wears it throughout the entire season. This player becomes the focal point of critique from nearly all outlets, from the writers of the Boston Globe down to the most inebriated potatohead caller on WEEI, regardless of the other things that might be contributing to a loss.

Two years ago, it was Edgar Renteria. Last year, it was J.D. Drew. This year, the lightning rod is back at SS: Julio Cesar Lugo.

Yes, he’s the weakest hitter in the lineup. He’s a #9 hitter. Every team has at least one weakness in their lineup. As much as I would love to see the Sox field a team of 9 guys who have a .900 OPS, it simply isn’t going to happen.

Yes, he leads the AL in errors in May. Typically, a SS will lead his league in errors. Last year, slick-fielding Jason Bartlett led the league with 26.

Let’s ignore the fact that he has decent range (reportedly quite a bit more than Jed Lowrie), and is actually hitting right around his career averages. Let’s ignore the fact that Boston pitching allowed 10 runs on 18 hits last night. Let’s ignore the fact that Edgar Renteria may have beaten the throw even if Lugo had fielded the ball cleanly.

I wish my mind worked in such simple algorithms, like the people I’ve been listening to and reading today. It must be such a stress-free lifestyle. Focus on one problem and block out everything else. Lugo make error. Sox lose. Lugo cause loss. It’s that simple.

Boston Globe headline: “Fumble Leads to Sox Loss. Shortstop Lugo Hands One to Tigers.” This is an actual headline from people who are paid salaries to write headlines.

Ignorance is bliss, and these are happy days.