Welcome to Boston, where baseball is finally fun again – Boston.com

COMMENTARY

They sounded a little silly, those suggestions way back in spring training that Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts might become an MVP candidate during what would amount to only his second full season in the major leagues. The 23-year-old came into the 2016 season, after all, having played in 197 games, and putting up a .291 batting average, 23 home runs, 95 runs batted in, and an .818 OPS.

Betts’ potential was salivating. An MVP award, however, seemed like a bit of a lofty label to put on the kid.

But, here we are.

Betts hit the first pitch he saw Thursday night from Minnesota Twins starter Tyler Duffy into the left-field Monster Seats at Fenway Park for his 19th home run of the season, one more already than he had all of last season in 145 games. He’s now on pace for 33 home runs.

He’s second in the American League in hits (126) to Houston’s Jose Altuve (133), has as many runs batted in (62) as Los Angeles’ all-world superstar Mike Trout, and only Toronto’s Josh Donaldson has scored more runs (85) than Betts has out of his nightly leadoff spot (78).

It isn’t hyperbole to suggest that Betts has turned into a superstar over the first four months of the baseball season.

Oh, but he’s not winning the MVP. For if that goes to anyone other than his 40-year-old teammate, David Ortiz, it will be either because the otherworldly designated hitter suffers a debilitating injury (knocks wood, knocks wood), or a certain segment of BBWAA bobos will maintain some archaic stance of not voting for a guy who plays the game without a glove.

Ortiz hit his 24th home of the season during Thursday’s 13-2 trouncing of the Twins, adding to the already-gaudy numbers he’s putting up in the final year of his storied career. Coming off back-to-back, last-place finishes had to be exhausting for a guy who helped deliver three World Series titles to a town starving to taste only one, and there was no guarantee how 2016 would turn out, possibly to morph into a sad slate of Papi giveaways as he played out the remaining slate of his 20-year career.

But, here we are.

The first-place Red Sox have become something they were the antithesis of since they paraded down Boylston Street and laid the World Series trophy on the marathon finish line three years ago; something to root for.

This team may not turn into a title contender. It may not make the postseason, or could lose in a potential one-game wild card playoff. There could be a heartbreaking October moment of lore looming, or a wounding September collapse to make 2011 feel like a paper cut.

But the team, ballpark, and the game are finally fun again.

There are certain years that stick in your forefront after decades of watching baseball. My list would include 1988 for the improbable run that was Morgan Magic, 1998 for introducing the city to the incomparable Pedro Martinez, 2004 for obvious reasons, and 2013 for the run of character that made up for its lack of talent in order to bandage a city filled with bruises.

This year should be one of them.

No, the Red Sox aren’t perfect, and, yes, I’ve been just as fervent on the “Fire John Farrell” picket lines as any other disgruntled observer, but this team, winners of nine of its last 10, is 12-3 in July, and at 54-39, only two games off the pace that the 2013 Sox had over the first 93 games, en route to a 97-win season.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has blossomed into everything Red Sox fans hoped since they caught a glimpse of him on a World Series run. Knuckleballer and career minor leaguer Steven Wright (12-5, 2.67 ERA), a man in the rotation only because Eduardo Rodriguez suffered a knee injury, is on the sort of magic carpet ride that happens only every so often in baseball. Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has brought an unexpected bat (.924 OPS) to his stellar defense. Hanley Ramirez has re-invented himself as a first baseman and, after Wednesday night’s three-homer display, perhaps a power hitter, once again? Ace Dave Price (5-6 with a 3.25 ERA since May 12) has been better than many are grumbling about. Dustin Pedroia (.816 OPS, his highest since 2011) has been a resurgence, Brock Holt a spark plug (Sox are 32-13 when he plays, 29-11 when he starts), Matt Barnes a soothing eyesight out of the ‘pen, and Rick Porcello (12-2, 3.47) the expensive-but-worth-it  No. 3 starter that stitches the rotation together, though Wright has the better chance of winning a Cy Young Award.

Then there’s catcher Sandy Leon (.435, 1.198 OPS), who, well…you explain it.

This has been an influx of players that have seemingly molded together seamlessly despite the difference in generation. For instance, when Ortiz made his debut with the Rookie League Arizona Mariners in 1994, Betts and Bogaerts were still in high-chairs being conned into eating by airplane sounds.

But this is their team now. Bogaerts. Betts. Bradley.

Oh, it’s still Ortiz’s team this year. But he sure wouldn’t be having this much enjoyment without the kids aboard for the ride.

So, here we are, on the verge of a fascinating stretch during which the Red Sox will play 40 of the next 41 days, and, beginning Thursday, 22 of their next 44 games on the road, where they have only played 40 of their 93 games this season with a 21-19 record.

In September, the Red Sox play only eight of their 27 games at Fenway Park.

Here we are, at the possible crossroad of gratitude and frustration.

Feels good again, doesn’t it?

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