Sports

'This is what baseball is about': Butch goes 1-on-1 with Mitch Moreland

After the Red Sox parted ways with Hanley Ramirez in May, fans wondered what was next. One person that benefited from the move was Mitch Moreland.

Moreland earned himself more reps after the release, and proved himself worthy of taking over Ramirez's load that was left behind.

The team got out to a hot start in 2018, and, even after Ramirez's release, hold the highest win total in all of baseball at the beginning of June.

"We've got a great group," Moreland said. "It started from day one in spring training, with Alex kind of leading the way. Setting the tone, setting the mindset."

The team put up solid results in 2017, but the end result wasn't what anyone in the clubhouse was hoping for.

"Obviously, we were a great team last year," Moreland said. "Won the division, and I feel like we only got better during the offseason. Everybody felt like they had a little more in the tank than what we were able to do last year. I think we were eager to get back out here, and it's shown so far."

Moreland made the decision early on to commit to the Red Sox after his initial deal ran out, signing a two-year, $13 million contract in December.

While some may have questioned the move, Moreland had some easy reasoning.

"I wanted to go to a good team, a team that's going to win," Moreland said. "That's what it's about. Obviously, this is a great place. I loved it here. I loved the guys, and obviously when that opportunity arose again this past year, I jumped at it."

Moreland said the atmosphere around the team is like no other.

"It's a place I've always wanted to play," Moreland said. "I loved playing here last year. I feel like this is what baseball is about."

In an environment where media scrutiny is second to none, Moreland said he enjoys the pressure.

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"The fans love the game, they want to win," Moreland said. "If you don't win, you're going to know about it. That's good, because when you do well or do win a game or walk it off, it's like no other place. You've got your high's and low's, just like anything else in the game."

Batting over .300 with 10 home runs in 2018, it looks like his decision, along with the team's to put their faith in him, is paying off.