Red Sox: Remembering the 2007 World Series champions
A look back at the 2007 Boston Red Sox team a decade after their memorable postseason run that earned them their second championship of this century.
With it now being 2017, the Red Sox have another special anniversary to celebrate. It is now the 10 year anniversary of the team that won the second World Series in a four year span for the franchise.
When you ask a current Sox fan about memories they have of the World Series, there are two teams that are at the forefront. One is the 2004 team, who had the greatest comeback in professional sports in the ALCS. After that, the ’04 team swept the Cardinals to bring a championship to Fenway for the first time in 86 years.
Or it is the team, much like the city, that rallied around a terrible tragedy in April. The same team that started the phrase “Boston Strong” carried it throughout the playoffs. They brought it full circle during the parade, as Jonny Gomes draped the Boston Strong jersey over the trophy on the finish line.
It is very hard to win a championship in professional sports and have that team be “overlooked”, but the ’07 Sox were overlooked due to these wonderful stories. But the 2007 team had some wonderful moments that any fan cherished. Here are some of the highlights of the 2007 season.
Emergence of Young Players
2007 ushered in a new era of players for the Red Sox. The ’04 and ’13 teams showcased a number of veteran players. And while the ’07 team had its share of veterans, it also had a handful of young players. These players would start their great careers during this magical season.
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The one young player who started on Opening Day was Dustin Pedroia, who was seen as the next great player to come out of the farm system. And while he struggled in April, he came into form soon after. Hitting .317/8/50 in his first full year in the majors, he easily won the Rookie of the Year award with 94 percent of the first place votes.
Jacoby Ellsbury was another young player who would start a great career in 2007. While Ellsbury didn’t have the full season impact that Pedroia did, his impact happened when it mattered most. Ellsbury was a key member of the postseason run, hitting .438 in the World Series.
Jon Lester is another player who was a young player who factored heavily to this team’s success. While Lester started his career one year earlier, his season was cut short after he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He did not return to the majors until the end of July in ’07, but was a key part of the rotation during the playoff push. Also, Lester started Game 4 of the World Series, where he became the third player to win the World Series in his first playoff start.
Memorable Moments
As with every championship team, there are a handful of memories that most fans remember. The 2007 team was no different, as they had some very special moments.
On April 22nd, the Yankees were in Fenway Park for Sunday Night Baseball. Taking a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Yankees felt confident. Enter Manny Ramirez, who started an onslaught of four consecutive home runs (Manny, JD Drew, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek). Those four home runs were only the 5th time in major league history that this event has happened.
Clay Buchholz throwing a no-hitter has to be mentioned here as one of the most memorable moments from that season.
Also, six Red Sox players were able to make the All-Star game. While David Ortiz was the only player to start for Boston, four others were able to get some playing time. Mike Lowell, Manny Ramirez, and Jonathan Papelbon were all able to be a part of the game. Josh Beckett was able to record the win for the AL, as well.
Dominance in the Regular Season
Boston was not just a good team in 2007, they were the best team in the regular season. The Sox finished with a record of 96-66, which gave them the best record in baseball. The way they did that was a combination of a good offense and some great pitching.
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In 2007, the Red Sox had arguably their best lineup of any of their three championship teams. The middle of the lineup was something to fear. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, JD Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek were the names that would give opposing pitchers fits on the mound. Also, Boston was a balanced offense, ranking no lower than 6th in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.
But the cornerstone to this team was its pitching. After Jon Lester was called up, the rotation for Boston was one of the best in baseball. Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, and Lester were tasked with shutting down any offense they faced. Boston finished 2nd in ERA in 2007, as well as allowing the fewest runs.
Postseason Success
Boston had the best record in baseball, and likewise made quick work of their Wild Card opponent, the Los Angeles Angels. One highlight was in Game 1, when Beckett hurled a complete game shutout. The Sox would go on to sweep the Angels in three games.
The ALCS was a very different story, though. The Cleveland Indians provided Boston with their toughest test of the playoffs. The Indians were able to score runs against the great pitching of the Red Sox, and it seemed as though Boston would be bounced out of the playoffs.
While the Indians took a 3-1 lead in the series, Manny Ramirez had a quote before Game 5 that inflamed many fans and media members alike when talking about the idea of losing the ALCS:
“It doesn’t happen, so who cares? There’s always next year. It’s not like it’s the end of the world.”
That quote, if Boston lost, would have been talked about all offseason. But, the Sox came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Indians and make their second World Series in four years.
The World Series was over almost before it even started. The Colorado Rockies, who were making their franchise’s first appearance, were seen as the team that got hot in October. Their lineup and pitching both were seen as not as good as Boston’s, and it showed.
Next: Manny Ramirez returning to baseball
The Rockies never had a lead in the Fall Classic, and duckboats were rolling down Boylston Street in October.