Jason Varitek: Don't Boo Drew

J.D. Drew is not having a good year. After signing a much-questioned $70 million deal in the offseason -- one conditionally based on his history of injuries -- Drew's production is down, and Red Sox fans are tired of it. This is not a good place to be for any player, let alone someone with a big deal and bigger expectations from the fan base.

So Red Sox fans boo, and do so lustily. But Jason Varitek is trying to reverse that habit and get fans to subscribe to his theory of positive reinforcement:

"I wish the fans understood how much power they have," said Varitek. "They can help J.D. Drew. They really can."

"Why not give him a standing ovation when he comes to plate," said Varitek. "They did it for Julio Lugo and it helped. It really did. The energy the fans give you can carry a team. Trust me, I know. I can feel it. But the fans can also make you want to get under a rock."

"I don't understand why fans don't understand that," said Varitek. "We need J.D. to hit. It's tough, though, to do in this climate. I really wish the fans would give him a boost. He needs it. And we do, too."

While the odds of Red Sox fans offering Drew a standing ovation rank right up there with me turning my Madden 08 (on PSP, natch) ability into a financially viable career, I see what Varitek's getting at. Drew doesn't seem like the kind of guy who responds to negative motivation, i.e. "I'll show these haters." Taking a little of that pressure off might do Drew, and Sox fans, a bit of good.

Or not. But it's a nice idea, right?