Saberhagen came the Red Sox armed with World Series experience but postseason baseball in Boston is a different animal. He acknowledged the intensity of the spotlight that comes with pitching in this city but also praised the passion exhibited by Red Sox Nation.
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His past success on the postseason stage helped prepare him for his playoff run with Boston but nothing could have prepared him for the passion shown by a fan base that hadn’t won a championship since long before most of those fans could remember.
He was happy to see the franchise finally win a World Series in 2004, a few short years after he retired. Saberhagen admits to being envious of the players on that team. What that Red Sox team accomplished reversing an 86-year curse will be remembered in this city forever. It’s an experience he wishes he could have been a part of.
The Red Sox have won two more championships since then and appear to be well on their way toward competing for another this year. That success builds an electric atmosphere in this city and the excitement from this fan base is something that Saberhagen clearly admires.