First and foremost, Wade Boggs is a professional, and always has been.

For him to take the ability that he has and develop that, and develop the skills that he has to be a future Hall of Famer, is an inspiration for all of us in the game. And he has done it through hard work. He has done it through determination.

There are players in the Hall of Fame who were more gifted. But I'm not so sure that there's anybody there who has taken the game more seriously and has truly come to the ball park every day ready to play.

He was a perfect fit when we were starting up this expansion club for two reasons. Wade Boggs could still play the game, and we were bringing him back home, where he attended Plant High School and had so many great moments as a kid. It gave him an opportunity to get his 3,000th hit in front of the home fans.

And there were both of those. Because Wade Boggs has been not just an inspiration, but he has been a productive major-league player for us over the last two years and has set a great example for a young franchise with his work ethic and how he has approached the game.

If it would've been let's just bring him back and get his 3,000th hit, but he can't play this game any more, then that would have been a problem. But he has been a productive player for us, so it was just a great fit, so it's going to be an honor for all of us to be a part of that march toward 3,000 hits.

I think his energy level exceeded my expectations. Not the results on the field, not whether it be his average or RBIs. Those things, I think, are just as we expected.

For someone at this point in his career, his work ethic and the energy level that he brings to the park every day is amazing.

I think that is where he has separated himself, not only for the last two years, but I'm sure over his career. And that's why he's headed to the Hall of Fame.