Christopher Trotman Nixon, one of Boston’s original Dirt Dogs, left the team in 2005 but made a lasting impression on the character of the club. His grit and work ethic impressed Sox fans and the organization alike. The Trot Nixon type is now what the club seeks: hard-working, willing to play through injuries, and a team-first attitude.
Nixon was drafted in the first round in 1993 by the Red Sox. In 1996, he made his first major league appearance when he was inserted as a pinch runner and promptly stole a base at Yankee Stadium, endearing him to Red Sox fans everywhere. He and his pine tar-covered helmet found a permanent spot in the bigs in 1999. Nixon remained a fixture in right field through the 2006 season.
So whatever happened to Trot? His tenure with the Sox ended when the team elected not to offer him arbitration in 2006 after three injury-plagued seasons. Nixon wound up signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians and played 99 games there in 2007. His .251 batting average was the lowest of his career, and Trot didn’t make much noise, hitting only three homers (also a career-low since becoming a full-time major leaguer) and knocking in a measly 31 runs. The only season in which Nixon produced fewer RBIs was 2004, when he drove in 23 but in only 48 games.
After his sub-par 2007 season, contract prospects in 2008 were understandably bleak for Nixon. He signed a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks in February 2008, quite a humbling deal after playing a key role on the 2004 World Champion Red Sox. He was rumored to be the Diamondbacks fifth outfielder on Opening Day and even played a few Spring Training games at first base to provide the team with depth, but was optioned to Triple-A Tucson to begin the season. He stayed in Tucson until June, never playing a major league game with the Diamondbacks.
On June 13, Nixon was acquired by the New York Mets and was expected to receive significant playing time in right field against right-handed pitching. The deal didn’t work out as expected, though, as Nixon played only 11 games with the Mets before undergoing season-ending hernia surgery.
It’s possible those eleven games were the last of Nixon’s major league career. He signed another one-year minor league deal last December, this time with the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal included an invitation to Spring Training, where thus far he has played in 11 games and has hit a whopping .080 in 25 at-bats. Nixon might get a chance to be the team’s fourth outfielder while Tony Gwynn, Jr is on the disabled list, but the odds of him becoming a fixture on the Brewers’ major league roster are slim.
It’s hard to believe Nixon is only 34 years old after spending eight full seasons in Fenway’s right field, diving for sinking line drives and plowing into the right-field wall at full speed. He’s no Hall of Famer, but has played his career with passion and determination, earning the respect of teammates and fans alike. His departure left no bad taste in the mouth of Red Sox fans a la Pedro Martinez or Johnny Damon. He left with his dignity intact and with the respect of Sox fans.
Nixon’s career may be on the downswing (I’m being nice, here), but it’s hard not to root for him. At 34, he still has the potential to make an impact with the Brewers this year if given the chance. One thing’s for sure: you know Trot will go out there, rub a little pine tar on his helmet, and give it all he’s got.
Let’s give it a go, Dirt Dog.
