As a member of the 2002 Toronto Blue Jays, Eric Hinske won the AL Rookie of the Year by 25 votes over former Orioles pitcher, Rodrigo Lopez. Now, Hinske is probably the top bench player on the 2007 edition of the Boston Red Sox.

Think back to July 2002, when the Red Sox were in a huge tailspin after starting out as of MLB’s hottest teams at 40-17. The Red Sox were in Skydome for a 3 game series and needed a win in the biggest way possible. They had been trailing 5-3 until the 9th inning with former Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon (seems weird saying former Red Sox outfielder for Trot) hit a two run home run to tie the game up. Hinske was the first batter up for the Jays in the inning. He took the first pitch he saw from former Red Sox closer Ugueth Urbina and hit out of the park for walk-off homerun. This was the beginning of the end for the Red Sox that season.

“It was a first-pitch fastball, middle-in, and I just pulled it,” Hinske recalled yesterday. “I had two walkoffs that year – I got Matt Herges against Montreal – and I haven’t had any since. It was an awesome feeling, the greatest feeling. I remember (Carlos) Delgado being the first one at home plate. It was cool.”

Hinske brings much flexibility to the Red Sox. He can play 1B, 3B and he can also play the outfield. This is good because he can spell Youk at first, Lowell at 3B, and Manny or J.D. Drew in the outfield. Shit, I bet you if you asked him to catch, he’d probably volunteer to do that too. Although, I’d have to think that he would say no to catching Tim Wakefield. Ask Dice-K about trying to catch the knuckleball and that was just having a routine catch.

Sox manager Terry Francona is probably Hinske’s biggest fan on the team. Francona calls Hinske a “team guy.”

“He’s a great guy, a great team guy. Last year he probably didn’t play as much as he wanted. Going into this year, he probably knows that there’s not a lot of at-bats. But he’s a good team guy. He’ll be playing a little third, a little first.

“He’s got that left-handed bat that’s got some sock in it. He can win us some games. And I’m sure there’s going to be some times where that frustrates him, but he’s a good team guy. His attitude is outstanding. He came into camp in great shape. He has had a good spring. I don’t think he likes it. [Alex] Cora, guys like that, find ways to put the team ahead of their own personal desires, and it really helps you make it work. That’s our responsibility to them — to let them know that we appreciate him. We respect him.”

While he may never duplicate his rookie season numbers in Boston (.279 avg, 24 hrs, 79 rbi’s), his bat is certainly a bonus to have on the bench. His versatility is huge too. Being able to play 4 positions gives Francona a viable option when one of the four mentioned above needs a day off. While he may not possess Manny’s power, his bat is ample enough to get the job done. Best of all, he is a team player. He is not playing for the fame and glory. I am sure he wants to. He is playing to help our 2007 Boston Red Sox win another World Series.

“It’s easy to accept my role on a team like this. It’s a great clubhouse with great guys. I just wanted to be part of a winning team. I played against these guys for so long, it’s cool to be a part of it. I mean, my locker’s next to Ortiz and Manny and all these guys. I look at it as an honor and a privilege to be here.”

Did you read what he said? He said it was an “honor and a privilege” to be a member of the Boston Red Sox. Great words spoken by a true class act.