You're not crazy. Everyone IS talking about the Red Sox this year. Join the conversation.
Even the most casual of casual baseball fans knows of the storied Red Sox. Whether its because you've heard about the curse, the reverse of the curse, the rivalry with the yankees, or you just love Jimmy Fallon (or the lovely Drew Barrymore) in Fever Pitch, you've heard SOMETHING about them. Well lovelies, this season is shaping up to be another historic one. There's even rumblings of this being the greatest Red Sox team ever.
If you're looking for a conversation starter (ahem, cute guy at the coffee shop/airport/bar/etc) or an easy way to join the water cooler chats with the testosterone in the office - you're in luck. Let's hit the highlights.
Okay so here's the deal.. if you're going to chat about this, you've got to know a little something about the 2004 Red Sox. Why? Because it's the stuff legends are made of. Ever seen the Sandlot? The scene where Bade Ruth visits Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (man oh man did I have a MAJOR crush on him - Benny, not Babe Ruth) and gives him some advice. He says:
"Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong."
Legends were made in 2004.
Sorry, had to pull myself back from reliving the glory.
The Facts:
The Sox finished with a regular season record of 98-64. This is an important point. Keep it in the back of your mind.
The Sox swept the Angels in the ALDS. (October baseball new or unclear to you? I break it down here. This in itself isn't super important, but an important thing did happen. Curt Schilling tore a tendon when he was hit by a line drive. Scary moment for fans. But led to a legendary moment.
The Sox faced their rivals in the ALCS. Yankees went up 3-0 in the best of 7 series. No team had ever come back from going down 3-0. They were down 4-3 in the 9th. They tied it up. sent it into extra innings, and ended up winning game 4 in the 12th. Game 5. They're down late yet again. They end up coming back and winning it in the 14th. Game 6. A couple of calls reversed. Trash on the field. Riot gear. Curt Schilling pitching with his f*!$ed ankle bleeding into his sock. Ahh the bloody sock. I told you.. legendary. Red Sox win and force a game 7. Which they of course won.
They go on to sweep in the World Series. 86 years later, the curse is broken.
Flash forward 14 years. A few highlights over the years include winning 2 more World Series titles, one of which came immediately following the 2012 season where they were LAST in the division. From worst to first.
So what possibly could be equally or even potentially more special or legendary about the 2018 Red Sox than the 2004 Red Sox?
Since the 162 game season came into effect, they've never won 100 games. They've come close.. so close.. but never got there. With just under 50 games yet to be played, the Red Sox are looking for their 80th win. The likelihood of them soaring past the 100 mark is super high.
This team is historic. They're also totally fun to watch.
Bonus fun facts:
- Craig Kimbrel (Pitcher) has an epic red beard
- J.D. Martinez (Outfielder) is pretty cute
xx