Well it finally looks like we have the reasoning behind ThumbGate 2009 and the reason why Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell wasn’t traded to the Texas Rangers. Since the trade to the Texas Rangers was called off on Saturday due to a thumb injury Lowell suffered towards the end of the season, many were wondering and speculating as to whether or not the Red Sox knew about his injured thumb. Lowell put an end to the speculation on Monday night when he spoke via telephone to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
“I’ve had very open and honest communication with the training and medical staff,” Lowell added. “The day this thing happened it was X-rayed and I told them about the pain, which was Oct. 2. That’s why I didn’t play the other two games (in the regular season). We taped it up in a way that we thought would help me in the postseason. They thought it might be a strain or a bone bruise. I don’t want to lay blame on anybody because in ‘07 my other thumb got hurt and they thought it was a strain as well and it ended up being that way and everything settled down nice and easy.
How many times do we hear doctors tell us with some rest that an injury will get better? That’s exactly what the Red Sox and Lowell did. As Lowell points out in the interview, he’d had a similar injury in the past and rest healed it. So what’s not to think it wouldn’t work again. What I don’t get is the fact that if the Red Sox knew about the injury during the MRI on the first day of the winter meetings why was still brought up in the trade talks. Did they really think they were going to slip one by the Texas Rangers? The other question that everyone, myself included was Lowell’s thoughts on returning to the team that’s now try to trade him again.
“I don’t have a problem. Absolutely,” Lowell said regarding whether or not he could return to the Red Sox. “I think everything is getting lost with all the other pieces of who they want. But I think I’m going to do much better than last year. I feel like there were close to 20 games I felt I should have been in the last two months of the season, which would have given me about three more homers and would have put me at 20 (homers) and 90 (RBI), which is about what I am.” As for what he thinks is going to happen in regard to his future with the Red Sox, Lowell said, “I have no idea. I have absolutely no idea. That’s not my department.”
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com doesn’t think Lowell will be wearing a Red Sox uniform next season. Whether or not he’s back in Boston next season remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain, Lowell is the consummate professional and will go out there and give it his all if he’s back in Boston or somewhere else. And I for one wouldn’t expect anything less from him.
