BOSTON — Warming up before the Boston Red Sox opened a series against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Monday, Trevor Story glided across the infield to make a variety of plays look easy.

It’s the smooth defense that Colorado Rockies fans grew accustomed to during Story’s six seasons manning shortstop in Denver.

Those clean, painless movements, however, are not something Story is taking for granted.

Now in his fourth season with the Red Sox after signing a six-year, $140 million deal, the 32-year-old Story is having his best season since coming to Boston. The reason? He’s healthy and showing the power and speed he displayed during his initial MLB days in Denver.

Story saw action in just 26 games last season, missing the vast majority of the season with a dislocated left shoulder he sustained in mid-April. When the Red Sox visited Coors Field in late July of 2024, Story was just working his way back into playing shape and trying to get back on the field and put behind him another injury-plagued Red Sox season.

Before this year, Story had played in just 163 games over his first three Red Sox seasons and the pressure was building in Boston for him to live up to his contract. This year, Story has done just that. He said it has helped him on all levels.

“It’s come a long way, for sure. Physically, mentally, spiritually, all of it,” Story said inside the Red Sox dugout in an exclusive interview with The Denver Gazette. “Physically, I just feel more settled. I feel strong and I feel consistent.

“Mentally, that was a tough time. There was a mix of emotions between not playing and being back in Coors. Now, I just feel solid in all aspects.”

That solid feeling is showing in the stat lines.

Entering Monday’s game, Story was just one homer shy of his fourth campaign with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. When he connects on that 20th homer, it will be his first 20-20 campaign in a Red Sox uniform.

When it happens, there will be no talk of elevation-inflated power. The story with Story will be all about the Red Sox getting the player they envisioned to be a part of postseason runs for years to come.

That is happening this season in Boston, with the Red Sox entering Monday tied for the top wild card spot in the American League at 68-57.

Boston’s resurgence ties into winning at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox going 41-23 at home after going just 38-43 at home in 2024. Some of that home-field success can be directly tied into Story’s presence as he is slashing .286/.328/.446 in Boston, numbers that are about 50 points higher in every category than what he has produced on the road.

“We have been talking the whole time about how we have to be better at home,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We’re doing that every day and we’re excited about it. There were a few times over the last three years we weren’t good here. We’re enjoying it now because we have a different group.”

Asked by The Denver Gazette about those home-road splits, Story looked out of the dugout and toward the Green Monster. Being a part of a postseason chase has brought an extra charge of electricity into this cathedral of a ballpark, Story said.

“This is what you sign up for,” Story said. “This is what we envisioned, me and my family, coming here to Boston and playing these kind of games at this point of the year. We’re enjoying that. We’re being present in the moment and just being where our feet are. It’s been a fun time.”

Winning is fun and so is staying healthy. Story admitted he had to learn again the differences in rest and recovery now that he isn’t leaving Denver to play games at sea level and then returning a few days later.

“You get to rest better. You get to sleep better. You’re not a mile up in the air, and the water is draining out of you while you’re sleeping,” Story said with a smile. “There’s just a lot that goes into it. I’m feeling good now and it’s nice to recover at sea level.”

During a two-game series with the Orioles, Boston’s focus isn’t just on winning but also on raising money for The Jimmy Fund, supporting cancer research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year, more than $9 million was raised through efforts to promote The Jimmy Fund, and Story on Monday wore a “Strike Out Cancer” shirt along with his teammates.

The focus on a charity that began in 1948 added to the environment, and reminded Story of the history he is now a part of in Boston.

“It’s a big thing for the city, and we take it very seriously. The players do, the coaches do, and everyone that’s involved with the Red Sox and The Jimmy Fund take it very personal,” Story said. “I think that’s what is so special about the Sox. You don’t see this happen everywhere.

“This is something that I’ve grown very fond of because I think it’s important to spend your time and efforts doing something good. There’s a big perspective thing going on here.”

In a healthy season in the middle of a pennant race, Story’s perspective and outlook has changed in what could be a memorable season inside Fenway Park.