2016 World Series: Who should Boston Red Sox fans root for?
By Sean Penney
When the Chicago Cubs meet the Cleveland Indians in the World Series, fans will find ties to the Boston Red Sox on each side.
The Boston Red Sox won’t be playing in the World Series this year, but that doesn’t mean that fans in this area have no allegiance to either side. Both the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians have ties to this organization, giving Red Sox Nation reasons to be pulling for either one of them in the Fall Classic.
Set aside for the moment that it was Cleveland that bounced the Red Sox from the postseason in the ALDS. There is nothing to be gained by watching another team avenge our fate and exacting revenge on our behalf certainly won’t be a motivating factor for the Cubs. If anything, there is some solace to be taken from knowing that if the Red Sox had to fall, at least it was at the hands of the best team in baseball.
Red Sox fans know a thing or two about breaking curses to end championship droughts, so surely they can sympathize with Cubs fans that have waited over a century to celebrate a World Series victory. There was a time here in Boston that we wondered if this city would ever see the Red Sox win another title, but at least there were a few close calls that saw this team at least get to the game’s biggest stage. The Cubs haven’t played in a World Series since 1945.
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The Indians haven’t waited quite as long as the Cubs to win a title, but at least the city of Chicago has other franchises that delivered along the way. It’s hard to feel sorry for a city that saw Michael Jordan win six titles for the Bulls during the 90’s or had a dominant defense lead the Bears to a Super Bowl in the 80’s.
It’s fitting that the World Series will begin in Cleveland the same night that LeBron James and the Cavaliers receive their rings across town at the Quicken Loans Arena. Last summer the Cavs became the first franchise in Cleveland to win a championship in one of the four major sports since the Indians last won in 1948.
Both of these teams have rosters littered with players that were once part of the Red Sox organization, including several that won championships here in Boston.
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The Cubs have Jon Lester and John Lackey in their rotation, along with David Ross behind the plate. That trio was a part of the 2013 title in Boston, while Lester was also an important factor to another championship here in 2007. Chicago’s star first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, was once a top prospect in Boston’s farm system, originally drafted by Theo Epstein during his tenure as general manager of the Red Sox. Epstein’s familiarity with Rizzo is part of what convinced him to acquire him for the Cubs when he took over as the team’s president of baseball operations.
The Tribe have their fair share of former Sox players, led by Mike Napoli, who was a key component to resolving the clubhouse chemistry issues that once plagued this team. His arrival in 2013 deserves some credit for delivering another title to Boston that year, for his leadership qualities as much as his production with the bat.
Cleveland’s bullpen is led by ALCS MVP Andrew Miller, who has revolutionized the way we view relievers in this postseason. The bench also has Coco Crisp, who won a ring with the 2007 Red Sox, as well as Michael Martinez, who had a cup of coffee in Boston earlier this season.
Then of course there is Terry Francona, arguably the greatest manager in franchise history, who won a pair of championships in 2004 and 2007. Tito’s time with the Red Sox had run it’s course following the crushing September collapse of 2011, but is there any doubt that Red Sox fans would prefer to have him running the ship now instead of John Farrell?
If the Cubs win they will exercise the demons of everything from the billy goat to Bartman, reminiscent of when the 2004 Red Sox team vanquished the Curse of the Bambino. If the Indians win then perhaps we can join in on the party at Napoli’s.
Next: Lester and Napoli face off in World Series
No matter who wins the World Series this year, Red Sox fans will have plenty of reasons to be happy for them. If we can’t root for our team, at least we can root for certain people. At least until next year.