BOSTON -- His teammates admit Jacoby Ellsbury isn't really healthy, and they are grateful for his willingness to fight through the pain of a compression fracture in his foot that could have ended his season.

Imagine if Ellsbury had shut it down. Can't you hear the narrative? There he goes again. So talented, but so soft. Won't play hurt because he's saving himself for the truckloads of cash that await him in free agency.

Instead, Boston's gifted center fielder sat out 16 games from Sept. 6 to Sept. 25, then laced up his cleats and submitted an American League Division Series in which he batted 9-for-18 (.500) with 7 runs and 4 stolen bases.

His value was highlighted in the Game 4 clincher, when he singled, stole second and motored to third on a wild pitch, then sprinted home on a Shane Victorino infield hit.

Jacoby Ellsbury's teammates appreciate his winning contributions to their postseason quest and respect his willingness to play hurt. Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports

"He can take over a game," said Dustin Pedroia.

Pedroia recited the ways that is possible: his agility in the outfield, his hitting, his base-stealing prowess that enables Pedroia, when Ellsbury gets on, to work the count against a distracted pitcher.

There's also the postseason spike he provides in numbers across the board. His career batting average improves from .297 in the regular season to .310 in the playoffs. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Ellsbury's plate appearances per stolen base improve from 13.3 in the regular season to 10.7 in the postseason.

Ellsbury is "all in" with a team that's so tight, the Sox planned a pool party at Big Papi's so they could learn, in concert, their opponent for the AL Championship Series.

He'll worry about his broken foot -- and free agency -- later.

"Ells is just gutting it out, playing great baseball, because he knows we need him," said catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Ellsbury maintained his habit of remaining scarce Thursday in a clubhouse that is brimming with enthusiasm, patriotic boxer shorts and wildly gnarly facial hair.

The center fielder sprouted his own beard to express his solidarity with a group of guys who left him gushing earlier in the season, "This is as much fun as I've had playing baseball."

His celebratory dance once the Red Sox advanced was certainly evidence of a happy -- and engaged -- team leader.

"The biggest vertical leap I've seen in my life," lauded Pedroia.