Life of Pablo: An oral history of Sandoval's Red Sox career

The trajectory of Pablo Sandoval's career in Boston took another downward turn Thursday when Red Sox manager John Farrell announced Travis Shaw would be the club's starting third baseman to open the 2016 campaign.

Entering the second season of a five-year, $90-million deal, Sandoval's disappointing performance over his 15-month tenure in Boston has seen him lose his job to a 25-year-old sophomore earning roughly 30 times less than he does.

Sandoval's transition from World Series MVP to one of the highest-paid bench players in the majors has been swift, and the result has been an unkind reality check in one of baseball's toughest markets:

Nov. 25, 2014: Signs with Red Sox

After spending the first seven years of his career in San Francisco, winning three World Series titles, Sandoval signed with the Red Sox.

Sandoval: I want a new challenge. I made that choice to be here in Boston because I need a new challenge; I need to lead that team, with the legacy they have here, the fan support they have here. That's why I had to make sure that I made the right decision. It took me a long time. Now I'm here to help them be in the postseason again.

Feb. 19, 2015: New beginnings, same issues

During his first spring with the Red Sox, Sandoval's weight became a point of contention after an unflattering photo was snapped.

Sandoval: Critics have said that I am lazy, that I am not working hard; that picture caught me at a bad angle. But once again, let them say whatever they want to say. I will prove who I am on the field and show Boston fans how hard I am working to be a champion with this team, too. ... Let them talk, talk and criticize. No matter what they say, it will never change me or the player that I am.

March 9, 2015: Burning bridges

Despite all his success with the Giants, Sandoval ripped his former club for not trying hard enough to re-sign him. He also said there were only two people from the organization he'd miss.

Sandoval: Not hard (to leave) at all. If you want me around, you make the effort to push and get me back. ... Only (manager Bruce) Bochy. I love Boch. He's like my dad. He's the only guy that I miss. And Hunter Pence. Just those guys.

June 18, 2015: Caught with his pants down

During a 5-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Sandoval was caught liking photos on Instagram while in the bathroom. He was not fined, but was benched.

Sandoval: I know I (bleeped) up. I make a mistake yesterday. I'll learn from that. I'm a human being. I make mistakes. I let my teammates down. Ain't going to happen no more. I just came in here to go to the bathroom. I didn't have nothing to do, so I just grabbed my phone. I didn't send a message. I hit a 'like.' I pushed the button at the wrong time, so I'll learn from that.

July 29, 2015: Heavy burden

Sandoval's weight continued to be a concern throughout the season. At the end of July, he was forced to leave a game with dehydration after trying to score from first base.

John Farrell: That's something Pablo has dealt with his entire career. It continues to be addressed. I can't say tonight is a direct result of that. There are ongoing efforts to support that, to try to get him in the best shape possible.

Sept. 26, 2015: Lost season

A pneumonia diagnosis cut Sandoval's first season short after he appeared in just 126 games. The Red Sox finished last in the American League East for a second year in a row.

Torey Lovullo (interim manager): He's not going to be making the trip with us, and it's very doubtful that he'll play again this season.

Jan. 5, 2016: Swing and a miss

With several months to reflect and another expensive offseason underway, Red Sox management acknowledged its disappointment in Sandoval's year, but expressed the belief it would be used as motivation.

Farrell: It was a humbling experience for him here last year.

Feb. 21, 2016: Weight gains

Farrell announced that Sandoval had been given a strict offseason workout plan to follow over the winter and had lost 20 pounds. However, when Sandoval showed up to camp, he still appeared to be overweight. His revealing belly even triggered the notorious "crying Michael Jordan meme."

Sandoval: I don't weigh. I don't weigh in at all. I just do my work, try to do everything I can out there. I don't weigh at all in the whole offseason. I just try to get better, be in a better position and, like I say, be an athlete.

March 16, 2016: Tipping point

After a reporter wrote an article about Sandoval's declining defense, the third baseman allegedly confronted the author, then slammed his bat on a clubhouse table. The following day, he said he had moved on from the incident.

Sandoval: I am happy. I am. I'm still happy. ... I'm looking forward to the season starting. That's it. That's what I'm looking forward to. Doing my job, doing the best thing I can do. That's playing the game. That's what I'm focused on.

March 31, 2016: All-Star to outsider​

The decision to start Shaw was a disappointment for Sandoval, but he said he believes it's the best call at the moment.

Sandoval: They made the decision. It's the right decision to help the team win. I'm going to be happy. I'm going to be ready on the bench, get ready for anything. I'm going to get ready during the season to do my job.