Bring the Pena

Also in the news today, one of those guys that became an automatic favorite of mine AS SOON as he was traded to the Sox, Wily Mo Pena, is back on the roster. Even though the man he was traded for, Bronson Arroyo, has thus far had an All-Star caliber season and even though Pena's missed about as many games as Arroyo has K's, I still highly support the trade for this guy. Feel free to call me an apologist- my manager and fellow Red Sox fan, Michael Shafrir does pretty much on a daily basis.

From my point of view, there's very little to dislike about this kid. He's a muscle-bound mountain of a man who can obliterate baseballs, hitting Bo Jackson-like moonshots and he's only 24!! He's got the same gentle giant persona as the greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history, he was a standout member of the original Wall of Man, and to top it all off his name's "Wily Mo". Pronounced: Willie Mo PAIN-ya.

Lastly, I just think there's something to be said for a potential lineup that's got Ortiz, Manny and Pena batting three-four-five. All three of those guys can take you deep faster than Charlie Murphy and Ashy Larry can ruin the Chappelle Show. If you think Ortiz's numbers are gaudy with Manny protecting him from the cleanup spot, just imagine everytime a pitcher stares in to face Big Papi and he sees this guy sittin' on double-deck. Let's just hope Big Wily Style drops the all-lumber diet and starts feasting on American League pitching instead.