Shane Victorino Grabs the Moment

Some ballplayers come up bigger than their numbers. Whether you call it "grit" or "overachieving," Shane Victorino (seen here in April 2011) was known for that spirit during his run with the Phillies -- which coincided with their five-year reign as NL East champs (and 2008 World Series winners). Last night, despite injuries that forced to him only hit right-handed, the Red Sox right fielder delivered the biggest hit of the ALCS -- a grand slam homer in the bottom of the 7th off Detroit reliever Jose Veres. Turning on a curveball that he sent flying into Fenway's Monster Seats above its fabled left field wall, "The Flyin' Hawaiian" bought lifted the Red Sox from behind for a 5 - 2 series-clinching victory. A stunning end to a a tension packed game as Boston gets ready for its third world series in 10 seasons.
Isn't it ironic that after the Phils traded him to the Dodgers mid-season in 2012 when they felt he was in decline and the rebooted Dodgers looked elsewhere for solutions in 2013, that Victorino became a key player in Boston;s worst-to-first renaissance?

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