Trotting Off into the Sunset?
A couple of days ago, I wrote a preview for the Milwaukee Brewers, and included Red Sox icon Trot Nixon on the roster as a reserve outfielder. Well, the Brewers have other plans. Trot was released by the team shortly after I posted the preview, leaving an uncertain future for the veteran outfielder.
It’s no secret that Trot was in the midst of a steep decline. The type of decline that is uncomfortable and awkward for fans to witness, when we so clearly remember the player at his peak. Red Sox management, as they have been prone to do on other notable occasions, cut ties with Trot just at the right time. After struggling mightily for the Mets in 2008 (.171/.293/.286), he was hitting just .105 this spring. The writing was on the wall, and Trot is now left to ponder his next step.
He has made it known that he’d still like to play for another team. The question is: will the feeling be mutual?
If it is indeed the end of the line for the original “dirt dog” (a term beaten to death and used mostly ironically these days), a pint will be raised in honor of my favorite Trot moment: that HR off Clemens in 2000.
For me, the home run off the A’s in game 3 of the ’03 ALDS is the Trot moment I’ll remember. They were done! Then he brought them back to life.
He should open a bar in Boston called Dirt Dogs and feature a daily happy hour where he, Darren Bragg, Kevin Millar & others sit around drinking beers talking about the good ol’ days.
You know, I totally forgot about that HR, and yes…that is my favorite moment too. Can’t believe that one slipped my mind since I was actually in the grandstands that night…the biggest Fenway celebration I’ve seen in person, by far.
The last draft pick of Lou Gorman.
He had a pretty decent career, but I don’t think he ever lived up to the hype that was generated by Sox management the day he signed.
Probably one of the dumbest outfielders that I’ve ever seen (way dumber than Manny ever was) but I still liked the guy–even though his legion of fans were beyond annoying.
Yup. Trot developed an obnoxious following, and there was definitely a backlash because of it. He eventually became an “uncool” player to root for (I’m definitely guilty of some anti-Trotmania bitterness), which is a shame. Guys like Nixon, Eckstein, Erstad…overrated “gritty” players who create a huge internet backlash…it’s really through no fault of their own.
Sorry I’m so late to the game here, but since I was at Game 3 w/ you in 2003, I feel personally slighted that you didn’t pick that HR as your favorite Trot moment.
Yeah, not sure what I was thinking. I think the events that followed in Yankee Stadium made me block out that postseason in general.