It was about as animated as you’ll see J.D. Drew.

Following Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Drew stood in front of his locker in the Tropicana Field visitors clubhouse emphatically questioning the determination of home plate umpire Brian Gorman that Drew went around on David Price’s 97 mph, 1-2 fastball. The strikeout ended a threat that saw the Red Sox with the bases loaded and down by two runs in the eighth inning.

It would turn out to be the last gasp for the Sox, who ultimately dropped the series’ decisive game, 3-1, to Tampa Bay. And for Drew, it set off a wave of doubt that began Oct. 19 and hasn’t stopped yet.

“I’ve never been one to be super critical,” he said after the Red Sox’ workout. “In that situation if you’re going to make a call like that just ask for help.”

Still, through all the months of frustration, Drew has yet to watch a replay.

“I have never even look at it,” he explained. “I was completely baffled by the whole thing. I didn’t think there was any chance I went around. I know the pitch was down and away. That being said, I have not looked at it. I’ve replayed it a bunch in my head but I’ve never looked at it. I felt like I was tracking the ball well. I had been swinging the bat, hitting the ball. What can you do? That’s baseball. There’s nothing I can say or argue that will make that whole situation
change. Yeah, I was pretty flustered by the whole thing because of the finality of it all.”