watched the spectacular career of Ted Williams, called by many who saw him play, “the greatest hitter who ever lived.” They also cheered the exploits of Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Joe Cronin, Wade Boggs, and Bobby Doerr. Former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens guaranteed his place in Cooperstown with his years in a Boston uniform. Now playing elsewhere, Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciapara left indelible marks in Boston sports lore in the late 90’s and the early 21st century.
In 1903, Boston participated in the first modern World Series, beating the favored Pittsburgh Pirates, winners of the NL pennant by six and a half games, winning the best-of-nine series five games to three. Aided by the modified chants of “Tessie” by the Royal Rooters fan club and by its stronger pitching staff, the Americans managed to overcome the odds, and win the World Series.
Currently Boston fans are being treated to the heroics of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Shilling and a perennial contending team. With a second championship now under their belts, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, are among the new names added to the long line of Red Sox greats.
The 1904 club was almost as good as the previous team, but due to the surprise emergence of the New York Highlanders, the Boston club found itself in a tight pennant race through the last games of the season. A predecessor to what would become a storied rivalry, this race featured such controversial moves as the trade of Patsy Dougherty to the Highlanders for Bob Unglaub. The climax of the season occurred on the last, dramatic doubleheader at the Highlanders’ home stadium, Hilltop Park. In order to win the pennant, the Highlanders needed to win both games. With Jack Chesbro, the Highlanders’ 41-game winner, on the mound, and the score tied 2–2 with a man on third in the top of the ninth, a spitball got away from Chesbro and Lou Criger scored the go-ahead run on one of the most famous wild pitches in history.
Unfortunately, the NL champion New York Giants declined to play any postseason series, fearing it would give their New York rivals credibility (they had expected the Highlanders to win), but a sharp public reaction led the two leagues immediately to make the World Series a permanent championship, starting in 1905.
In addition to bringing world championships to the starved fans of New England, the new ownership has infused fresh energy to the team on and off the field. They have made many improvements to aging Fenway Park, most notably the addition of the Monster Seats atop the famed left field wall. They have greatly improved the food, the comfort, and the area around the park to make a Red Sox game a unique and memorable Boston experie
These successful times soon ended, however, as Boston lost 100 games in 1906. However, several new star players helped the newly renamed Red Sox improve almost immediately.
By 1909, legendary center fielder Tris Speaker had become a fixture in the Boston outfield, and the team worked their way to third place. However, the Red Sox would not win the pennant again until their 105-win 1912 season, finishing with a club record .691 winning percentage. Anchored by an outfield considered to be among the finest in the game—Tris Speaker, Harry Hooper and Duffy Lewis—and superstar pitcher Smoky Joe Wood, the Red Sox beat the New York Giants 4–3–1 in the classic 1912 World Series best known for Snodgrass’s Muff. From 1913 to 1916 the Red Sox were owned by Joseph Lannin, who signed Babe Ruth, soon the best-known and one of the best players ever. Another 101 wins in 1915 propelled the Red Sox to the 1915 World Series, where they beat the Philadelphia Phillies four games to one. Following the 1915 season, Tris Speaker was traded to the Cleveland Indians. His departure was more than compensated for, however, by the emergence of star pitcher Babe Ruth. The Red Sox went on to win the 1916 World Series, this time defeating the Brooklyn Robins. In 1918, Babe Ruth led his team to another World Series championship. This time over the Chicago Cubs

Find More Boston Red Sox Articles

Tags: American, Baseball’S, Boston, Discussion, History, League, Starts

This entry was posted on December 6, 2010 at 7:47 am and is filed under Boston Red Sox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.