The Little Team that Could…Red Sox 2013 World Series Champions

By Stephanie Burke

Last night the Boston Red Sox made history and won the World Series at Fenway Park.  A team hasn’t clinched a World Series there in 95 years (since 1918)! What is so amazing is that this team was all but counted out at the beginning of the season.  In April everyone in the sports world was picking them to be in last place…but this team showed them all they were wrong.

After a disastrous 2012 season that was followed by allegations of an out of shape team that feasted on Chicken and beer…the Sox ownership made some changes.  They replaced failing manager Bobby Valentine with John Farrell.  Farrell was familiar with Boston having worked under former Manager Terry Francona as the pitching coach for the Red Sox from 2007 to 2010.   

John Farrell took this “rebuilding year” team and brought them not only TO the World Series but they won it! They are like the little team that could! First winning the ALCS and then surprising everyone with a phenomenal World Series clinch in Game 6 at their home field!

Shane Victorino started it off with a three-run double in the third inning. Steven Drew had a home run in the 4^th inning and Mike Napoli had an RBI that helped put the sox on top.  Then pitcher John Lackey, who was in the middle of the chicken and beer debacle, redeemed himself in the eyes of Sox fans everywhere.  Lackey pitched 6 and 2/3 innings allowing only one run! Lackey also became the first pitcher to start and win a Series clincher for two different teams (he pitched the Angles to a win in 2002 as a rookie). To close out the game the Sox turned to closing pitcher, and ALCS MVP, Koji Uehara who struck out Matt Carpenter for the final out of the series!

Not surprisingly Red Sox designated hitter, Big Papi (David Ortiz) was named the series MVP.  Papi walked in four of his five at bats (twice was intentional by the Cardinals) and struck out in the other one. But overall overall, Papi was 11-for-16 in the series and had a .750 on-base percentage as he reached base safely in 18 of his 24 at bats.  He had two doubles, two home runs, six RBI and walked seven times, tying the World Series record set by Boston's Carlton Fisk in 1975.

It really was a team effort with Dustin Pedroia, David Ross and Xander Bogaerts (to name a few) all contributing along the way.  This team went from last to first and beyond! The rallied around the city of Boston who needed this win more than most.  They gave Boston something to believe in after tragedy struck in with the Boston Marathon bombings in April and they kept on giving all season long. 

Red Sox beat Rays...headed home for ALCS

 By Stephanie Burke

Last night the Boston Red Sox took on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in game four of the ALDS.  After winning the first two games in the series the Red Sox seemed unstoppable.  Then Monday night the Rays came alive grabbing a win and forcing a game 4.

I don't know about you but this game last night had nervous! I have faith in the Sox but I couldn't help but wonder if the win on Monday gave the Rays the fire they needed to come back and win! Luckily that was not the case and the Sox took the win.

Now the Sox will head home to Fenway to face either the Oakland Athletics or Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. Game 1 is Saturday night....GO SOX

Sox honor Mariano Rivera and mark a milestone in Sox history!

By Stephanie Burke

It was a busy weekend over at Fenway.  Before the Red Sox swept a series with the Yankees they paid tribute to retiring Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera.  The team, and owners (John Henry, Larry Lucchino, and Tom Warner)gathered on the field before Sunday's game to present Rivera with "tokens" of appreciation and reminders for his last trip to Fenway before his retirement.  Big Papi presented him with a portrait, Koji Uehara presented him with the bullpen rubber, Dustin Pedroia gave him the No. 42 placard, a piece of the scoreboard with his number on it signed by all the players, and Jon Lester presented him with a 1934 blue seat from Fenway and gave a reminder that No. 42 never will be worn again. Red Sox ownership will also be making a donation to  Rivera's charities in his honor.

The win Sunday also marked a milestone in Sox history. The Red Sox won their 92nd game in only 151 games; a feat that has not been accomplished since 1950. Now lets hope they can keep this up through the post season!