Which Boston athlete that you thought was a bust turned out to be indispensable?
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Marcus Cannon seem like a Top 3 overall right tackle now. Can you think of another Boston athlete who, in such quick order, reversed their perception from bust to indispensable? – Olive B.
Love this question, in part because the correct answer is J.D. Drew in the immediate aftermath of his grand slam in the first inning of Game 6 of the 2007 American League Divisional Series against the Indians. Of course, for most of you Trot Nixon-loving dopes, it was only temporary and you went back to hating on him. But J.D. has his moment. I’ll always have that.
Another that comes to mind – and with less facetiousness – is John Lackey, who was mediocre in his first season in Boston (4.40 ERA), abysmal in his second (6.41 ERA), injured for his third, and a postseason stalwart in his fourth, the 2013 World Series season. Perhaps David Price will find similar redemption.
Cannon is a great one, though. Few understood why the Patriots signed him to a two-year, $9 million extension in 2014 when he seemed like nothing more than a versatile, adequate backup. Last season, he emerged as a dependable force in Sebastian Vollmer’s absence, and no one who paid attention complained about the five-year, $32.5 million deal he got this past December. He’s earned it.
But what do you guys think? Which Boston athlete reversed the perception from bust to indispensable? Maybe Brad Marchand, who had one point in 20 games in 2009-10? Who am I missing? I’ll hear you in the comments.
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