2018 World Series Champions Boston Red Sox

[Maxbialystock]

We have a Dodgers fan, a good guy, in our office who flew from DC to LA to watch his guys play Saturday night at Chavez Ravine. Worst possible game for a Dodgers fan to see in person. At this late date in my life and having endured 55 years of Sox fandom during the 86 year drought, I actually feel spoiled by four WS and can easily sympathize with any Dodgers fan--or Astros or Yankees fan for that matter.

 

But I have to say this postseason has been special because the Sox, despite winning 108, were never touted to beat the Yankees or Astros. Far from it. Heck, I wasn't so confident because of the bullpen and real concerns about both Sale and Price. I think the Sox were favored over the Dodgers, but the great majority of commentators, especially Fox, seemed to root for the Dodgers in part because of their great history (and it is), in part because of their 30 year drought, and in part because they made it back to the WS after losing last year's. They were, in short, due.

 

And despite all that the Sox not only won, but won 11 of 14 games against two 100 wins teams and a 91 win team that was back in the WS. And they were all team wins with a bunch of different guys stepping up when needed even while (in the WS) a couple or so very good bats were kind of quiet. Price ended forever his choker title by going 13 innings vs. the Dodgers, giving up 3 runs, and getting 2 big wins. But the catching was good even though invisible to us. And the fielding was pretty good and in some cases (Devers) better than expected. The bullpen was great despite Kimbrel (and Workman). And the hitting with two outs was out of this world good. And in the middle of all that was a young first year manager who throughout the postseason was alert, decisive--boy, was he decisive--and calm.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

So does Pablo's ring show up in a Fed Ex box?

[mvp 78]

So does Pablo's ring show up in a Fed Ex box?

 

I think the team determines who gets a ring. Doubt they send someone who didn't appear in a uniform for them this season.

Edited October 29, 2018 by mvp 78

[FredLynn]

The Celtics are usually a fun watch.

 

As are the Bruins...nonstop action pretty much.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

I think the team determines who gets a ring. Doubt they send someone who didn't appear in a uniform for them this season.

 

Oh he's not gonna like that. I mean he sacrificed so much for this team and all.

[Bellhorn04]

Oh he's not gonna like that. I mean he sacrificed so much for this team and all.

 

It's all good. No ring, but he's getting a commemorative belt buckle.

[Station 13]

So does Pablo's ring show up in a Fed Ex box?

 

LMAO nope.

[mvp 78]

@Shesta_HOF

 

These @RedSox #WorldSeries artifacts are headed to Cooperstown:

 

-Alex Cora's hoodie

-Steve Pearce G4 bat

-David Price G5 jersey

-Nathan Eovaldi's cap and spikes

-Eduardo Nunez's bat

-Brock Holt's helmet

-Joe Kelly's glasses

-G3 home plate ump Ted Barrett's ball/strike clicker

[Hitch]

I actually feel spoiled by four WS and can easily sympathize with any Dodgers fan

 

Yeah, I can see that.

 

--or Astros or Yankees fan for that matter.

 

Yeah, I can't see that.

[mvp 78]

Dodgers have a beautiful baseball stadium, but the traffic getting their sucks.

 

Dodgers had Vin Scully on the radio, but he retired.

 

Dodgers fans ended up being held hostage for the tv contract nonsense.

 

Dodgers fans got to see their team lose two straight WS.

 

At least the weather is nice out there.

[dgalehouse]

The Boston Red Sox were an unstoppable juggernaut right from spring training. This is the culmination of a truly memorable season. A very talented, deep and eminently likable group of guys . World Series Champions . One of the greatest, possibly the greatest , team of all time.

[moonslav59]

The Boston Red Sox were an unstoppable juggernaut right from spring training. This is the culmination of a truly memorable season. A very talented, deep and eminently likable group of guys . World Series Champions . One of the greatest, possibly the greatest , team of all time.

 

The great start to the season really set the tone.

 

The chemistry clicked. Papi said he noticed it in the clubhouse during spring training.

 

Kudos to DD and Cora and the whole coaching staff for pulling these guys together.

 

There are so few players who didn't contribute something, at least at some point in the season or playoffs. It really was a team effort- and not just 25 guys either.

[a700hitter]

The great start to the season really set the tone.

 

The chemistry clicked. Papi said he noticed it in the clubhouse during spring training.

 

Kudos to DD and Cora and the whole coaching staff for pulling these guys together.

 

There are so few players who didn't contribute something, at least at some point in the season or playoffs. It really was a team effort- and not just 25 guys either.

Time to start the thread for the 2019 Hot Stove Season. By Friday, we expect that you will provide a full budget broken out by individual salaries and a listing of all Free Agent targets to address our biggest needs.

[moonslav59]

Time to start the thread for the 2019 Hot Stove Season. By Friday, we expect that you will provide a full budget broken out by individual salaries and a listing of all Free Agent targets to address our biggest needs.

 

It's coming, probably tonight, but I'll leave the free agent lists and scuttle for later.

[a700hitter]

It's coming, probably tonight, but I'll leave the free agent lists and scuttle for later.

I would urge you to take a night off to enjoy and revel in the victory, but I realize that finding these stats and posting them is your enjoyment. I look forward to it.

[kenmeister]

I don't have too much to add except to say it was a wonderful season of baseball to spend with all of you on this forum.

 

Edit: https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/10/29/red-sox-world-series-teams-ranked - awesome article!

Edited October 29, 2018 by kenmeister

[mvp 78]

In terms of my love for them: 2004 > 2018 > 2013 > 2007

 

In terms of talent: 2018 > 2004 > 2007 > 2013

[Thunder]

In terms of my love for them: 2004 > 2018 > 2013 > 2007

 

In terms of talent: 2018 > 2004 > 2007 > 2013

 

I can really only go off of 2013, and this team is so much better than that one in every way

[jung]

Some of the earlier Sox Championship teams might have been better teams if you are talking about pitting one Sox team v another. However none of those teams were more dominant in their time in their year than the 2018 team was in its time and in its year.

 

Actually the NL and the Dodgers have much to be concerned with. Their stupid Pitcher bats formate looks more idiotic by the minute and the Dodgers representing the NL as the best team from that league were putrid, gutless and mindless from upper management through to Roberts and into the team itself. Did not even belong on the same field with the Red Sox. Give me Turner, Freese if younger and Baez and Beuhler off that team, Jenson if healthy and you can have every single other one of them....every one. What a garbage team representing a garbage league.

[moonslav59]

I would urge you to take a night off to enjoy and revel in the victory, but I realize that finding these stats and posting them is your enjoyment. I look forward to it.

 

I started thinking about next year in Januray.

 

I even think about 2020, at times.

 

It doesn't detract from the joy I feel today.

 

The sun is even out, as it has rained here just about everyday for 6 weeks.

[notin]

In terms of my love for them: 2004 > 2018 > 2013 > 2007

 

In terms of talent: 2018 > 2004 > 2007 > 2013

 

The 2013 team was special because only 14 months before the parade, that team was on its way to last place, managed by Bobby Valentine, and still had Crawford, AGon and Beckett in what looked like a hopeless future of bad contracts...

[Bellhorn04]

Some of the earlier Sox Championship teams might have been better teams if you are talking about pitting one Sox team v another. However none of those teams were more dominant in their time in their year than the 2018 team was in its time and in its year.

 

Actually the NL and the Dodgers have much to be concerned with. Their stupid Pitcher bats formate looks more idiotic by the minute and the Dodgers representing the NL as the best team from that league were putrid, gutless and mindless from upper management through to Roberts and into the team itself. Did not even belong on the same field with the Red Sox. Give me Turner, Freese if younger and Baez and Beuhler off that team, Jenson if healthy and you can have every single other one of them....every one. What a garbage team representing a garbage league.

 

Man are you harsh.

 

The NL actually had the upper hand in interleague play this year 158-142.

Edited October 29, 2018 by Bellhorn04

[Nick]

I would urge you to take a night off to enjoy and revel in the victory, but I realize that finding these stats and posting them is your enjoyment. I look forward to it.

 

I think Moon has a book/spreadsheet that he simply updates. It's not like he's starting from scratch. He dreams Red Sox going to bed. I see him all dressed up Sox pj.

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

 

"It’s not about Cy Youngs, All-Star Games, and personal achievements, it’s about winning a World Series. To finally get that, this is my 10th year in the big leagues, I’ve never felt anything like this. I can’t hold back the tears," said Rick Porcello.

 

Biggus Dickus

[jung]

Man are you harsh.

 

The NL actually had the upper hand in interleague play this year 158-142.

 

I don't a crap about Interleague play. That is another abortion until NL ends this idiocy of keeping a spot in the batting order for the pitcher.

 

Do I have to recite how much the the stupid NL format made a mess of the three games in the NL park? Please don't make me do that. While I have the stomach for longish posts when there is something worthy of discussion the number of ways the NL format f***ed up those games is simply not even worthy of the number of keystrokes it would take to go through it.

 

That disaster of a team fielded by the Dodgers are as much about the failings of that team as a team and the failings of that league as a league.

Edited October 29, 2018 by jung

[Elktonnick]

Some of the earlier Sox Championship teams might have been better teams if you are talking about pitting one Sox team v another. However none of those teams were more dominant in their time in their year than the 2018 team was in its time and in its year.

 

Actually the NL and the Dodgers have much to be concerned with. Their stupid Pitcher bats formate looks more idiotic by the minute and the Dodgers representing the NL as the best team from that league were putrid, gutless and mindless from upper management through to Roberts and into the team itself. Did not even belong on the same field with the Red Sox. Give me Turner, Freese if younger and Baez and Beuhler off that team, Jenson if healthy and you can have every single other one of them....every one. What a garbage team representing a garbage league.

 

Regardless of the interleague record, the Dodgers were horrid and weren't as good as any of the AL playoff teams, Yankees, Guardians, and the Astros. The Dodger front office's silly approach to the lineup hamstrung their on the field Roberts. Lets face it, if it weren't for a bad throw by Kinsler, the Dodgers probably would have not won a single ball game.

 

 

To me one of the interesting side notes of this series is that Manny Machado's antics and idiotic remarks about his lack of hustle hopefully diminished the demand for his services in the upcoming free agent market. His selfish boorish behavior certainly is in sharp contrast to the unselfish team behavior of the Red Sox. I am sure there still will be plenty of teams willing to pay him. Caveat Emptor

[jung]

Regardless of the interleague record, the Dodgers were horrid and weren't as good as any of the AL playoff teams, Yankees, Guardians, and the Astros. The Dodger front office's silly approach to the lineup hamstrung their on the field Roberts. Lets face it, if it weren't for a bad throw by Kinsler, the Dodgers probably would have not won a single ball game.

 

 

To me one of the interesting side notes of this series is that Manny Machado's antics and idiotic remarks about his lack of hustle hopefully diminished the demand for his services in the upcoming free agent market. His selfish boorish behavior certainly is in sharp contrast to the unselfish team behavior of the Red Sox. I am sure there still will be plenty of teams willing to pay him. Caveat Emptor

 

From being the K and pop up fairies to not running out ground balls or fly balls or ANY balls to not posing any and I do mean ANY sort of base running threat, to not moving runners, to generally inferior defense to an utterly futile and horrid position regarding their pitching staff and putrid use of it by Roberts and hideous lineup construction you could just go on and on and on. Worse than that, the NLCS was simply a double whammy of the same garbage we saw in the WS only x2 because now you had two of these poorly constructed teams bashing away at each other with their idiot Pitcher has a spot in the order format. It is comical and I simply do not know what the f*** their owners are looking at over there. It ain't baseball. I can tell you that. However IT IS entirely contrary to the direction their own administrative body, MLB itself is directing the game. So I don't know who or what clues them in to that.....HELLOOOOOOOOOO, NL....what the f*** are you doing. Who clues MLB into the fact that one of the two major bodies within their administrative control is entirely OFF THE RANCH?????

[moonslav59]

The 2013 team was special because only 14 months before the parade, that team was on its way to last place, managed by Bobby Valentine, and still had Crawford, AGon and Beckett in what looked like a hopeless future of bad contracts...

 

...and then the Marathon bombing.

[moonslav59]

I think Moon has a book/spreadsheet that he simply updates. It's not like he's starting from scratch. He dreams Red Sox going to bed. I see him all dressed up Sox pj.

 

Pretty close, except no PJs.

[Bellhorn04]

I don't a crap about Interleague play. That is another abortion until NL ends this idiocy of keeping a spot in the batting order for the pitcher.

 

Do I have to recite how much the the stupid NL format made a mess of the three games in the NL park? Please don't make me do that. While I have the stomach for longish posts when there is something worthy of discussion the number of ways the NL format f***ed up those games is simply not even worthy of the number of keystrokes it would take to go through it.

 

That disaster of a team fielded by the Dodgers are as much about the failings of that team as a team and the failings of that league as a league.

 

The DH/no DH thing has been in place since 1973 - 46 years. Have you always felt this strongly about it?