2008 Boston Red Sox

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Tampa Bay Rays, winners of the American League Championship Series, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Boston Red Sox, who placed 2nd in the fierce East Division, for the great season they had!

The Boston Red Sox removed any lingering doubt over “the curse of the bambino” when they won the 2007 World Series, their second World Series win in three years. Will they be able to repeat their success in 2008? They’re starting the season as early favorites to take home the AL East championship, and tickets to Fenway Park are already selling like wildfire. Get your Boston Red Sox tickets now and see the champions live in action!

The Boston Americans

Originally known as the Boston Americans, the Red Sox were charter members of the American League in 1901. The Boston franchise, whether known as the Americans or the Red Sox, was one of the most successful in baseball for the first two decades of the 20th century. Led by Hall of Famers Jimmy Collins, Cy Young, Tris Speaker, and a young pitching phenom named Babe Ruth, the Red Sox won 5 of the first 15 World Series including the first one played in 1903.

Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth was a skinny 19 year old pitcher from Baltimore when he joined the Red Sox in 1914. He quickly became one of the best left handed pitchers in the league finishing in the top ten in wins 3 years in a row and winning the era title in 1916. He was even better in the World Series where he set a record of 29 consecutive scoreless innings which lasted for 42 years. In 1919 Ruth, now splitting time between the pitching mound and the outfield swatted 29 homeruns to easily lead the league while also posting an 8-5 pitching record. Following that season Ruth was sold by owner Harry Frazee to the New York Yankees where he went on to be the greatest player the game has seen.

Curse of the Bambino

Ruth’s departure also signaled the end of the Red Sox dynasty. It would be another 86 years before they would win another World Series. The Red Sox would finish last 9 times between 1922 and 1932. New hope arrived in the spring of 1939 in the form of Ted Williams. The 20 year old rookie was a hitting machine and led the league with 145 RBIs helping Boston to its best record in 32 years. In 1941 Williams became the last player to bat .400 by hitting .406 but he lost the MVP to the Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio who hit safely in 56 straight games. Williams won the first of two Triple Crowns in 1942, but missed the following 3 seasons serving in World War II. In 1946 Williams returned from Service and didn’t miss a beat, leading the Red Sox to their first pennant since 1918.

The Red Sox routinely contended but never won it all over the next 58 years. They reached the World Series in 1967, 1975, and 1986. The 1975 is often considered the greatest ever played. Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hit one of the most dramatic homeruns of all time in the bottom of the 12th inning of game 6 to win the game for the Red Sox. Unfortunately they would go on to lose game 7 after taking an early 3-0 lead against the Reds. In 1986 Boston once again lost the World Series in heartbreaking fashion when Bill Buckner’s error allowed Mookie Wilson’s ground ball to win the game 6 for the Mets. In game 7 the Red Sox once again held a 3-0 lead before losing the World Series to the Mets.

Return to Greatness

The Red Sox reached the post season 6 more times prior to 2004. Then, at last in the 100th World Series the Red Sox finally erased 86 years of frustration by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The curse of the Bambino finally lifted, the Red Sox went on to sweep the Rockies to win the World Series once again in 2007.