Brock Holt retired from baseball last month. The name may not ring a bell to many of you, maybe it's familiar enough where you know you've heard it, you just don't know from where.
He wasn't a superstar. He's not a future Hall of Famer, and probably wouldn't make anyone's list on the "Hall of Very Good". Heck, it'd be a small miracle if his name even appeared on the ballot in 5 year's time. He's the kind of player that the final stats would say makes him one of the thousands who were good enough to play the game for awhile, have a few moments of fame, maybe a "Web Gem" or two.
Brock Holt, however, was a fan favorite. Once you earn that title with a team's fan base, you never lose it. Among Red Sox fans, he was an outgoing, likable character who played hard every day and did whatever was asked of him. He was every bit as an important piece of that 2018 Championship as the bigger names like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, or Chris Sale.
Oh, and he had some fantastic cardboard! Allow me to demonstrate with a small but no less enthusiastic Top 3 tribute featuring the best Brock Holt cards in my collection:
2016 Topps #280
Brock Holt joined the Red Sox in December 2012 after a trade with Pittsburgh. He was a lotto ticket throw-in to go with Boston's primary target, Joel Hanrahan. After getting some low ballot Rookie of the Year votes in 2014, he became an important member on a woeful 2015 team. His ability to play all over the field made him a surprise choice as Boston's lone All-Star representative that year.
2017 Topps #581
Holt continued to play all over the field over 7 seasons in Boston, mostly at 2nd base, 3rd base, and outfield. Over the course of his career, he played every position except catcher (Yep, he even pitched a few times!)
2019 Topps Big League #331
Holt's biggest moment came in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS against the Yankees. Brock became the first person in Major League history to hit for the cycle in the postseason. His 9th inning homer capped off a night where he went 4-6 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI.
Thanks for the memories Brock!
Yankees were so bad in that series, I didn't even realize he hit for the cycle. Or maybe I forgot/blocked out the memory.
ReplyDeleteKinda of wish he signed a one-day contract with the Sox so he could officially retire with them. Loved watching him play and is a PC of mine.
ReplyDeleteI remember Brock Holt's postseason magic. I don't know much about his career beyond that.
ReplyDeleteBrockstar was fun to watch, I'm still amazed he was an All-Star once.
ReplyDeleteThat 2017 card is one of my favorites in an otherwise dismal set.
Definitely remember him and his cards... although I wouldn't be able to call out any specific plays or games. And I remember him with Boston. I think I pulled one of his autographs back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI know his name from past blog posts on here, that's it.
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