We'll give you two words to describe Pablo Sandoval's tenure with the Boston Red Sox.
We're guessing you won't choose "Heart" and "Hustle."
That's why Red Sox fans may have done a double take Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants announced their 2019 "Heart and Hustle Award" winner was none other than Sandoval.
Congrats to Pablo Sandoval, our 2019 Heart & Hustle Award winner! 🐼🧡🏃🏽♂️
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 16, 2019
This award honors active players who demonstarate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/OnVzpa8kYu
Yes, that's the same Sandoval who put up career lows with the Red Sox in 2015 after signing a five-year, $90 million contract and played just three games in 2016 after showing up to training camp overweight.
Let's check in on Red Sox writers and fans who learned of Sandoval's award in real time:
I had him penciled in for “Fart & Hustle” but I guess this makes sense. https://t.co/TtASZNIPcO
— Red (@SurvivingGrady) July 16, 2019
this is a joke right? april fools?
— Coach Napolitano (@JohnJNapolitano) July 16, 2019
He really “embodied” while he was with the Sox pic.twitter.com/tgZ9RcadfU
— Christian Simonelli (@ChriswithaTIAN) July 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/SenirPpe1/status/1151167166261202945If he is your best option, you have a lot of people who don't like baseball apparently on your team
— WM (@totallywillma) July 16, 2019
All snark aside, you could make the case that Sandoval deserves this award. The 32-year-old has revived his career since returning to San Francisco in 2018 and is hitting a respectable .269 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs as a role player for a Giants team with few other bright spots.
That's a tough pill to swallow for the Red Sox, who still owe Sandoval $18 million this year on a buyout and have watched the veteran third baseman thrive everywhere but in Boston.
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