Red Sox at the halfway point

What a difference a year makes Jacoby Ellsbury's rib fractures resulted in his playing in only 18 games in 2010. Now, it's a whole new ballgame for the speedy Ellsbury, who could be named an AL starter in the All Star game when the results are announced Sunday. Ellsbury has established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, batting .296, with 22 doubles, 9 homers, 39 RBIs, 55 runs, and a league-leading 25 stolen bases. The rising star's emergence at leadoff has been especially important for the Red Sox because Carl Crawford could never get it going at the top of the order.
Yoon S. Byun / Globe Staff

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By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

What a difference a year makes

Jacoby Ellsbury's rib fractures resulted in his playing in only 18 games in 2010. Now, it's a whole new ballgame for the speedy Ellsbury, who could be named an AL starter in the All Star game when the results are announced Sunday. Ellsbury has established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball, batting .296, with 22 doubles, 9 homers, 39 RBIs, 55 runs, and a league-leading 25 stolen bases. The rising star's emergence at leadoff has been especially important for the Red Sox because Carl Crawford could never get it going at the top of the order.