They say time heals all wounds. Judging by Red Sox fans’ visceral reaction to free-agent bust Pablo Sandoval in his return to Fenway Tuesday night, Boston is going to need a little more time.
A two-time All-Star and three-time World Series champ during his seven-year stint in San Francisco, the portly third baseman arrived in Beantown with sky-high expectations. Needless to say, Panda did not live up to his five-year, $90-million contract, limping to a dreadful .237/.286/.360 batting line with 14 homers and 59 RBI across three forgettable seasons in Boston.
Now serving largely (no pun intended) as a pinch-hitter and occasional first baseman, the 34-year-old made a rare start Tuesday night, appearing as the Braves' designated hitter in their series opener at Fenway Park. Thrust into a hostile environment, Sandoval was greeted by a chorus of boos in his return to Boston, though the former World Series MVP would have the last laugh, supplying three hits including a wall-ball single off his former team in a 3-1 Atlanta victory. Tuesday’s outburst raised Sandoval’s season average to a robust .286, which, if sustained over a full, 162-game slate, would be his highest since 2011.
Despite never being embraced by the Fenway faithful (a notoriously tough group to please), Sandoval indicated he has no hard feelings toward Boston and is thankful for the opportunity given to him by the Red Sox, even if it didn’t work out. With Marcell Ozuna banged up—he dislocated two of his fingers sliding into third Tuesday night—Sandoval should be back in the lineup Wednesday against right-hander Nick Pivetta, who is undefeated since joining the Red Sox last summer (7-0, 3.28 ERA in 11 starts).
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