Mitch Moreland: The Grinder

Mitch Moreland had been struck on the left big toe by a pitch in mid- June and the X-ray confirmed the pain the first baseman was feeling. There was a fracture, and it seemed like it would be a tough blow for the Red Sox to with-stand.

The left-handed hitter missed one game!

And in making that swift comeback, Moreland demonstrated his toughness to his teammates and showed what a perfect fit he is for the new city in which he makes his living.

In no city are baseball grinders appreciated more than in Boston. Trot Nixon was no Hall of Famer, but Red Sox fans adore him to this day. Mike Lowell is as appreciated by Bostonians as much for the injuries he played through as the World Series MVP he won in 2007. In fact, Moreland wears the same uniform number (18) as another former Red Sox champion who never wanted out of the lineup in Johnny Damon. Playing hard and playing hurt are two things that Red Sox fans love.