Lou Merloni

From SoSH

Lou Merloni (born April 6, 1971 in Framingham Massachusetts) wore the number 26 for most of his time with the Boston Red Sox, but also wore 13 and 50 at times. He was drafted in the 10th round of the 1993 Amartur draft. Mostly played SS, 2B, 3B, but has also logged time as a 1B, LF, and RF.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Loomer's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

Lou was drafted by the Red Sox in the 10th round of the 1993 amateur draft. In the first round of this same draft, future teammates Trot Nixon (Red Sox), Jason Varitek (Mariners), and John Wasdin (Athletics) were taken long before Lou.

For five and a half seasons(1998-2003), Lou rode the "Merloni Shuttle", a phrase because of his well-known and frequent trips between Pawtucket and Boston, often reuniting with his best friend Nomar Garciaparra on the Fenway infield.

Merloni was left unprotected and was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres in March 2003. The Red Sox reacquired Merloni in August 2003 for minor leaguer Rene Miniel.

When it was clear Merloni would not be retained for the 2004 season, he signed with the Cleveland Indians in hopes of seeing more playing time. After appearing in 71 games, Lou headed west for the 2005 season. Derek Lowe had told Merloni that he would love Southern California, and Lou signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in February 2005. After appearing in just 5 games, Lou again changed teams, returning to Cleveland for the 2006 season. Lou spent 2007 in the minor league system of the Oakland Athletics, batting .254 in 110 games for the title-winning River Cats. He was named MVP of the Bricktown Showdown Title Game.

He is currently a broadcaster, appearing on New England Cable News, WBZ-TV's "Sports Final" on Channel 4, and WEEI's The Big Show. On May 12, 2008, Merloni joined NESN as a studio commentator for Red Sox pre-game and post-game shows.

Loomer's Moments in the Sun

• Being heckled by Ben Affleck incessantly during a game in 2002, though this is questionably a moment in the sun
• May 15, 1998: Hit a home run in his first ever Fenway at-bat off Royals leftie Jose Rosado. [1]

Trivia

• Contract was purchased (from the Boston Red Sox by the Yokohama Bay Stars) in November 1999.
• While Lou signed with the Red Sox after being drafted in the 1993 Amateur Draft, he was also drafted by the Red Sox the previous year
• Is barred from membership in the MLB Players Association after serving as a replacement player during the 1994 strike, along with other future Red Sox Kevin Millar, Ron Mahay, Brian Daubach and Brendan Donnelly.
• Was met with a deep chant by Fenway's Faithful of "LOOOOUUUUUUUUU" each time he was announced at the plate or was involved in a play on the field resulting in an out for the opposing team.

Transactions

• June 3, 1993: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 10th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Player signed June 5, 1993.
• November 22, 1999: Purchased by the Yokohama Bay Stars (Japan Central) from the Boston Red Sox.
• July 28, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
• March 25, 2003: Selected off waivers by the San Diego Padres from the Boston Red Sox.
• August 28, 2003: Traded by the San Diego Padres to the Boston Red Sox for Rene Miniel.
• December 21, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
• January 21, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians.
• October 14, 2004: Granted Free Agency.
• February 15, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
• October 28, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
• December 13, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians.
• January 8, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis