NEW YORK — Just 16 months ago, a despondent Trevor Story stood in the home clubhouse at Fenway Park and bawled as he discussed the shoulder surgery that would almost certainly end his 2024 season after just eight games. For the third time in as many seasons, Story was staring at a significant amount of time on the shelf.
He got back quicker than anticipated, though, showed a little something in 18 September games and came into spring training hopeful that his fourth season with the Red Sox would be his first fully healthy one. He has gotten that — and more.
Story’s solo homer in Boston’s 12-1 rout over the Yankees on Saturday afternoon clinched the sixth 20/20 season of his career. He became the 14th Red Sox player to record 20 homers and 20 steals in a season and Boston’s oldest ever, at 32 years old.
“It’s cool to check that off the list as I come back from all those injuries,” said Story. “I really try to pride myself on trying to be a complete player and it’s a good mark of it.
“It means a lot to me to do it here with these guys, with this team. The way we’re doing it, playing winning baseball, that’s the thing that matters the most.”
In a May that saw Story hit rock bottom by batting just .158 with two homers and a .432 OPS in 25 games, it seemed more likely that he’d see reduced playing time — or even be in danger of losing his roster spot than find himself squarely in the conversation for American League Comeback Player of the Year. Things got so bad that Story, in an effort to break out, even tried a sacrifice bunt during a low point in Milwaukee shortly after Memorial Day. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that the baseball gods rewarded Story for his small ball attempt. The numbers — especially a .333 average with five homers, seven doubles, 21 RBIs and a .982 OPS over a 22-game stretch dating back to July 29 — bear that out.
“It’s very gratifying,” said Cora. “I’m very happy for him. He worked so hard in the offseason to get to this point, to be able to post and play at this level. He had a tough month in May and he turned it around.
“He’s playing elite baseball right now.”
The Red Sox have long envisioned a version of Story in which his two best tools — power and speed — led to production, and in turn, wins. That he’s 22-for-22 on stolen base attempts is impressive enough. His 20 homers — marking his most since 2021 — have added right-handed pop to a Sox lineup that has lacked it in recent years.
“Unreal, man,” said ace Garrett Crochet, who struck out 11 in the win. “Huge leader in the clubhouse, huge presence in the box, and the defense, he’s just ‘Steady Eddy’ out there in the field. I think he gives this team everything you could ask him to do.
“I know he dealt with some injuries, but you can never tell it because every play on both sides of the ball is done with a lot of confidence. You couldn’t tell there has been time off.”
Story played a total of 163 games in his first three years with the Red Sox. Saturday represented his 126th — and 124th start — and he has shown no signs of wearing out down the stretch.
“A lot of it is just settling back in and re-learning how to play every single day and the adjustments that come with that, physically and mentally,” said Story. “Just being able to relax, trust myself and know you don’t have to be perfect out there.”
Even after joining the 20/20 club again, Story isn’t satisfied. The next few weeks of a pennant race will determine if he deems 2025 to be a successful season or not.
“It’s not so much about me,” Story said. “It’s a cool thing to say, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
What would today’s version of Story say to the one who showed so much emotion at the lowest point of his career on April 9, 2024?
“Just keep your head up,” Story said. “It was obviously a tough time in my career in my life. In the moment, it feels like the worst.
“I always had the belief in myself that I’d get back to being the player I wanted to be. I feel like I’m on the right track.”
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