The arrival of spring awakens the citizens of Red Sox Nation and the
annual quest for a World Series victory by the local nine. They began
in 1901 as the Boston Americans of the newly formed American League.
They won the first ever World Series in 1903 over the Pittsburgh
Pirates. In 1908 they changed their name to the Red Sox. In 1912 they
moved into brand new Fenway Park, where they still play today.
In 1918, the Red Sox won their fifth World Series, thanks in part to a
star lefty pitcher named Babe Ruth, who could also hit the 'you know
what' out of the ball. Following the 1919 season, Sox owner Harry
Frazee sold Ruth to the New York Yankees. For the next 86 years
despite the enduring loyalty by Red Sox Nation the team suffered a
variety of gut wrenching disappointments and no World Series
victories.
After the Babe's exile to New York, thirteen futile years followed
including nine last place campaigns. A resurgence began in 1933 when
millionaire Tom Yawkee purchased the team, remodeled Fenway Park, and
spent money for big name players. Through the 1940's and 50's, the
team continually competed for the pennant but they were foiled several
times, often by the Yankees. In 1946 they won their first pennant
since 1918 but were beaten by the St. Louis Cardinals in the World
Series.
They went through another bleak period from the late fifties until the
"Impossible Dream" team of 1967; led by Carl Yastrzemski's incredible
Triple Crown season. The love affair between New England baseball fans
and the Red Sox was reborn. Since that magical '67 season Fenway Park
has consistently been filled to capacity. In the following years the
Sox won pennants in 1975 and 1986, captured three divisional
championships, and made five wild-card appearances. In the winter of
2002 the Yawkee era ended with the sale of the team to a group led by
principle owner John Henry.
In 2004, eight decades of heartbreak were forever purged. In the A.L.
Championship Series, the Sox went down a seemingly impossible three
games to none to the Yankees. Amazingly they reversed the tide and
vanquished the New Yorkers four straight times to take the pennant.
Four games later in St. Louis, when reliever Keith Foulk fielded
Cardinals shortstop Edgar Rentaria's bouncer to the mound, and tossed
the ball to Doug Mientkiewicz at first base, the Boston Red Sox were
finally the World Champions of Baseball once again.
This time there would be no 86 year World Series drought for Red Sox
Nation. In 2007 the Sox ended the Yankees 11 year reign as Eastern
Division champs, enroute to a second world championship in four years.
Once again they came back from the brink of elimination in the
American League Championship Series, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to
the Cleveland Indians to win the pennant. They completed their
championship year, behind MVP Mike Lowell, sweeping the Colorado
Rockies in the World Series.
Boston fans have witnessed many historic moments at Fenway Park. They
watched the spectacular career of Ted Williams, called by many who saw
him play, "the greatest hitter who ever lived." They also cheered the
exploits of Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Joe Cronin,
Wade Boggs, and Bobby Doerr. Former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens
guaranteed his place in Cooperstown with his years in a Boston
uniform. Now playing elsewhere, Pedro Martinez and Nomar
Garciapara left indelible marks in Boston sports lore in the late 90's
and the early 21st century.
Currently Boston fans are being treated to the heroics of David Ortiz,
Manny Ramirez, Curt Shilling and a perennial contending team. With a
second championship now under their belts, Josh Beckett, Jonathan
Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, are
among the new names added to the long line of Red Sox greats.
In addition to bringing world championships to the starved fans of
New England, the new ownership has infused fresh energy to the team on
and off the field. They have made many improvements to aging Fenway
Park, most notably the addition of the Monster Seats atop the famed
left field wall. They have greatly improved the food, the comfort, and
the area around the park to make a Red Sox game a unique and memorable
Boston experience.
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