Where Are They Now? J.D. Drew

(The following was originally
published in the February 11, 2027 edition of BostonGlobeOnline. It was the 7th installment of the "2007 Sox: Where Are They Now?" series.)


J.D. Drew always felt a little out of place. It just seemed like he wasn't where he was supposed to be. While he was fairly successful as a Major League player, his considerable physical abilities indicated that he was capable of much more. Nagging injuries often kept him out of the lineup, and sapped his productivity when he was able to play. His detractors referred to him as "D.L. Drew" or "Nancy", criticizing the outfielder for his inability to stay on the field. The most vociferous of his critics implied that his injuries were more imagined, than real. But, to Drew, those injuries were very real. It was his body trying to send him a message.

As a professional athlete, Drew realized how important it was to take care of his body. A ballplayer's career is relatively short, so Drew knew it was crucial to do whatever necessary to maximize his income. Drew never smoked, or consumed alcohol, and he resisted the tempations of performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, a devout Christian, Drew filled his body with God. In his efforts to maximize his ball-playing income, he often made decisions that were seen as "disloyal." But Drew's choices were guided by his loyalties to his family, and to his Savior.

When it came to Drew's baseball career, there is no argument that Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein was the one who saved it. Much to the dismay of the Red Sox' corner of the blogosphere, Epstein signed Drew to a lucrative free agent deal prior to the 2007 season. During that less-enlightened era, the blogosphere fanbase (bfb) had little input on such decisions. (Ironically, Epstein is credited for pioneering the current practice of acquiring the blogosphere fan bases' consent before proceeding with personnel moves of any kind.) As is typically the case, the bfb's concerns proved valid, and Drew struggled through one of his worst statistical seasons.

Prior to the 2008 season, Drew's stock dropped further. He struggled in Spring Training. Privately, he was criticized by his teammates for declining to participate in a dance contest. In fantasy baseball drafts, he was selected after the likes of Skip Schumaker and Clete Thomas. Realizing the correlation between fantasy draft position and actual performance, Epstein increased his efforts to trade the embattled outfielder. But Epstein was unable to find an appropriate deal. Much to the bfb's chagrin, Drew accompanied the Red Sox on their season-opening trip to Japan.

It was in Japan that everything finally "clicked" for Drew. Maybe it was the small ballparks. Perhaps it was the smaller baseballs, or the AA-quality pitching. In the two exhibition games in Japan, Drew played as well as he had played in years. His body felt decades younger. Drew was confused by the changes, and asked Epstein to keep him out of the first two regular-season games, also played in Japan. Drew took that time to consider his situation.

When Drew and the Sox returned to the U.S., the outfielder's intermittent pains returned. Epstein and the bfb grew impatient. Three weeks into the regular season, Drew was summoned to meet with the Boston General Manager. Epstein informed Drew that he would be joining the Hanshin Tigers that weekend. Initially, Drew thought he was being pranked, as 2012 NL Cy Young Award Winner Kyle Kendrick of the Philadelphia Phillies had been a month earlier. But this was no joke. It was a blessing. For Drew, the Red Sox, and his new team, the Tigers.

Drew went on to become one of the most successful American players in the history of the Japanese League. Nicknamed "Tetsujin (Iron Man)" by the Japanese fans, the suddenly durable Drew did not miss a single inning in his twelve seasons in Japan. He was celebrated for his work ethic and leadership skills, and followed his successful playing career with an even more successful managerial career.

The deal also worked out pretty well for the Red Sox. Though the sale of Drew's contract to Hanshin did not result in the acquistion of a player in return, it did open up a major-league roster spot for another outfielder. A rookie by the name of Brandon Moss was recalled from the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox to take Drew's roster spot. You don't need to be a member of the Red Sox bfb to know how well that move turned out for the Red Sox organization.