40 K’s in ’05 for Graffanino

New Boston Red Sox second basemen Tony Graffanino has 40 strikeouts this season in 76 games. A mere 12 of those whiffs have been with the Boston Red Sox.

Let’s compare that with the incumbent Mark Bellhorn, who in 85 games and 286 at-bats has 109. And if you’re wondering, Tony G. (new nickname?) has just 18 fewer AB’s with 268 split between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals.

And for all you Bellhorn diehards and teenage girls who think the Statman is piling on here, ask yourself this question. Has there been one play in the field that Tony G. hasn’t made where you said, “Bellhorn would have had it.” If you’re honest, you know the bell has finally tolled for one of the genuine heroes of the Boston Red Sox 2004 world championship.