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| (AP Photo) |
As
MassLive.com's Christopher Smith points out, 35-year old Red Sox catcher
Ryan Hanigan has a shot to don the "tools of ignorance" until he's 40. The
Andover High School graduate—who grew up rooting for
The Carmine Hose—spent some of his years in college and the minors playing
other positions besides catcher. Those "lighter" years may help preserve his body for the grueling task of being a major league backstop in his mid- to late-thirties. Hanigan did not make his MLB debut with the Reds until just past his 27th birthday—but he has turned himself into one of the best defensive catchers in the game. His patient approach at the plate has also resulted in a high career on-base percentage of .353 (.351 so far this year with Boston). It's unclear whether the new regime at Yawkey Way will keep Hanigan around for 2016—but he's already made a mark on his hometown team.
