Me, and a fellow CreComm classmate were texting during the game, and both of us agreed that Red Sox manager John Farrell should pinch-hit for the struggling Victorino. But who could they use? Daniel Nava? He hadn't played much at all in the postseason. Perhaps Mike Carp? But he hadn't played since the first round.
Instead of doing that, John Farrell stuck to his guns. And you can see what happened here:
The team that will never die, the Boston Red Sox are on their way to the world series to take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
This is bound to be a classic series. Each team held an identical 97-65 record during the regular season. They are two of the oldest, and most historic teams in all of baseball, and will square off for baseball's ultimate prize. It will be a rematch of the 2004 World Series when the Red Sox made their improbable comeback against the Yankees in the ALCS, and then steamrolled the Cards to sweep the final four games to none. Both teams have built great teams since then, but in very different ways.
The St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals grow and develop their core, and have been consistently good for the past ten years or so. Many people like to call them a "big spender" or a team that buys their players. While that may be true that they spend the big bucks, the Cards are an exception to that label. Yes they spend lots of money on their players, but they grow their players. Their players, for the most part start as mid-level, average players, and they're developed into superstars.Yes, they did sign players such as Matt Holiday, and Carlos Beltran, but those players chose to stay with the Cardinals for the long haul. This team has such a history of winning that it's almost become automatic for them. The Cardinals spend their money to keep the players that they develop. Unlike teams such as the Yankees, Phillies, and Angels, who will blow insane amounts of money on players who will leave any city or any team, if the money's right. (Thinking of Albert Puljos who left the now NL Champion Cardinals for more money for the Los Angeles Angels, who didn't even make the playoffs.)
The Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox on the other hand, are a different animal. Two seasons ago they held a nine game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays for the final wildcard spot heading into September. They blew that lead and missed the playoffs. There was so much negativity surrounding the Red Sox heading into the 2012 season. They had a manager that the players didn't like, they traded two quality players and a good pitcher to the Dodgers for almost nothing in return. This team needed a shakeup, and that's what happened. People believed that Ace Jon Lester was done, Clay Buchholz wasn't a good pitcher, and players like David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury were quote on quote "overrated."
They didn't sign any of the big name free agents. They signed players like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, and Johnny Gomes. Players who were good, but not great. Or so we all thought. The Red Sox are a never say die group of ball players who just won't go away, and they're building their foundation on their underdog status.
When they started off hot, I thought to myself "Alright, the Sox aren't a bad team. They're doing well right now. But it's only a matter of time before the Yankees, Jays and Orioles take over." That never happened. The Sox proved a lot of people - including myself - wrong.
They didn't empty their wallets like the Blue Jays and Yankees did. Instead, they put together a group of ball players who became a tight-knit group. A group of ball players who wanted to play for each other. And they found a manager who embodied that attitude in John Farrell.
This series is bound to be a classic. It's safe to say that the two best teams in baseball will play for the World Series. Two teams with great pitching, experienced lineups, clutch hitters, great leaders, and great managers. There's nothing more a baseball fan can ask for.
For highlights from tonight's epic game six between the Red Sox and the Tigers, check out the link below!
http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?cid=as_mlb_20131020_13359804&content_id=31164815&topic_id=60133816
Also, if you feel like it, follow me on TWITTER! @burnsy004
As a Red Sox fan, this years run rivals 2004. That's saying a lot, since we came back from being down 0-3 against the Evil Empire and won our first championship in 86 years. Couldn't be prouder of my boys.
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna be a great series. I've got nothing but respect for the Cardinals squad but I really feel like the Sox are a team of destiny this year. So much adversity, and as you said, a group of guys playing for each other. That lineup and rotation are going to be tough to beat. Buckle in! Should be a wild ride.
Go Sox. Let's get beard.
They've been awesome this entire year. It's hard to make a prediction because both of these teams are so good. I think it'll go the full seven games, with the amount of talent on each side there's no way it'll be a short series! Should be a doozy!
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