Nick Green, Team Player

Last night's totally awful game was saved in the 8th inning. No, we didn't mount an incredible comeback. No, we didn't batter the White Sox into submission. No, we were instead treated to one of the most entertaining moments of the season.

With the bullpen tired and needing rest, and with the need to not use any of the big guns on a pretty hopeless 9-0 game, Francona decided to get creative. He chose reserve infielder Nick Green as the next reliever out of the pen! I was stunned when Orsillo announced that Green was warming - I had to rewind the DVR to see the evidence with my own eyes! Sure enough, there he was - much to the evident amusement of the crew out there.

But, amazingly, Green pitched two scoreless innings. Sure, he had three walks, but he managed to get six outs. Two of those outs even came on his own fielding efforts!

To me, he is the epitome of the team player. He knew he could have been humiliated. He knew he could have given up a ton of runs - or hit a batter. Yet he sucked it up, and headed out to the bullpen. I suppose he didn't have much choice - when your boss tells you you're going to have to do something, you can complain - but you do it if you want to stay employed.

Still, I can't help but believe that his performance lifted the spirits of a despondent team. It certainly allowed the Fenway Faithful to leave with smiles on their faces.

I just hope we don't have to see him pitch again!