E-Mail This Article to a Friend Who are the " true " Red Sox? BY CHRISTOPHER YOUNG

There has been a lot of talk lately about the Yankees’ travails, and how their struggles can arguably be traced to a lack of "true Yankees" on the roster these days. Comedian Jay Mohr, in a guest column on Sports Illustrated’s Web site this week, talked about this very subject.

He confirmed what I had picked up from reading a couple of books about the Bronx Bombers — that certain guys were regarded as true pinstripers by the fandom, while others were frauds. The likes of Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill, Andy Pettitte, David Wells, Scott Brosius, and even back-up catcher Joe Giardi were authentic; recent mercenaries like Jason Giambi, Kevin Brown, Mike Mussina, and, yup, Alex Rodriguez all have a ways to go if they are ever to be mentioned in the same breath.

That got me thinking about who belongs on the Olde Towne Team’s list of true Red Sox. What is the definition, anyway? Is it the same as that of the Yankees? The description implies someone who is a team leader, whether by example or in the clubhouse (or both). I think it also involves a sense of dignity, and the absence of instances in which the player tarnishes the team’s image (and that’s why Wells being viewed as a "true" Yank is a bit dubious). Finally, the definition most likely includes a kind of aura — a duende of sorts, or the way the guy carries himself — that lifts a player to a higher level. By that definition, a true Yankee would never have slapped a baseball out of another player’s hand en route to first base, nor would he have instigated an on-field fight and then assumed the fetal position once the brouhaha escalated.

So who are the "true Sox"? It might be easier to eliminate some of the impostors right off the bat. Manny Ramirez, for obvious behavioral reasons, will probably never be a true Soxer; nor will past malcontents like Pedro Martinez, Carl Everett, Mike Lansing, Jose Offerman, and Dante Bichette. All of those guys exhibited selfishness that superseded their place within the team, and the latter quartet left in disgrace. Curt Schilling and the bloody sock business would seem to warrant a permanent place in this true Sox category, but his outspokenness and his tendency to turn the spotlight on himself does not improve his "humble" quotient in this scale.

And Kevin Millar, for all his jocularity, horses around and complains about playing time a bit much to be a first-ballot true Soxer.

On the current Sox’ roster, there are three no-doubters among the position players: Dirt Dogs all, they are veteran players who have never sullied their team’s or their own reputation in any way, shape, or form, and could never be accused of dogging it or giving less than a full effort on the field. Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek, and Bill Mueller deserve true Sox elite status, and if you ask anyone in the clubhouse, they remain the benchmark for class and leadership. On the pitching staff, Mike Timlin and Tim Wakefield also meet the standards and fit nicely into this fraternity.

David Ortiz, by virtue of his myriad heroics on the field in recent years, could also be considered in this category, as no Red Sox player had more to do with the team’s championship run last season than Big Papi. Still, the only mark against him would be his temper, which is occasionally on display when he nitpicks on balls and strikes, and was particularly noticeable during his on-field meltdown in Anaheim last summer. Ortiz threw a bona fide hissy fit — complete with a memorable run-in with the umpire while being held back by teammates, and bats subsequently thrown from the dugout — when called out on strikes.

Johnny Damon’s another one of those borderliners, in my opinion — not because of what he does on the field or how gallantly he plays through injuries, but because I’m not sure he’s viewed as a clubhouse leader. Add to that the Madison-Avenue persona that he’s taken on during the off-season, and his seeming willingness to play for the highest bidder next season when free agency comes knockin’ (yes, even in New York). A true Sox would never, ever consider hanging his hat in the Bronx (as Pedro mused last season), which is why Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens will forever be barred from consideration here.

As far as those past Soxers who do belong on the list, that’s probably worthy of a separate column, but I think guys like Dwight Evans, Bruce Hurst, Ellis Burks, Pudge, and yes, even Nomar Garciaparra belong, while guys like Yaz (smoking in the dugout? routinely leaving the ballpark early?) and Jim Rice (surly to bed, surly to rise ...) probably do not.

But there are a couple of current players who, given time, could end up as true Sox given their temperament and class. Matt Clement and Edgar Renteria are in their first years here, but are definitely on the right track as far as demeanor and leadership go. Turf-eater Gabe Kapler, too.

Your thoughts?

"Sporting Eye" runs Mondays and Fridays at BostonPhoenix.com. Christopher Young can be reached at cyoung[a]phx.com