The Red Sox deliver an early Christmas present in 2018
The holidays are here my friends and what better way to celebrate than by looking back at a great season by our Red Sox? From start to finish this season was the best gift Red Sox Nation could’ve received.
I would like to start out by wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season and a happy and safe New Year. With that said, let’s look back at the best year in Red Sox baseball. That’s not even an exaggeration either! This team was the best squad in the history of the franchise.
Not only did they set a club record in wins, but they also dominated the baseball world and raised the Commissioner’s Trophy at the end of it all. Boston would also boast numerous individual accolades from this past campaign. It was really a year for the record books and feels like one of those seasons that we’ll be telling our grandchildren about.
When I originally started this my goal was to turn the “Twelve Days of Christmas” into the “Twelve Plays of Soxmas.” But as I was going through the season, that was easier said than done. There were just too many awesome moments from this squad. I tried to narrow it down to some of the biggest but I’m sure I missed some. Again, there were just too damn many! But hey, that’s life.
Let’s get to ripping into the wrapping paper and get these presents opened!
Signing Alex Cora
This was the match that lit the fuse that led to winning the World Series. When Dave Dombrowski signed the charismatic Puerto Rican star, it instantly changed the mood in Boston. Alex Cora is a former player with the Red Sox and was also on a World Series winning squad in 2007.
I’ll admit there was some trepidation as Cora would be a first-year manager, but coming off the collapse of John Farrell, I was willing to give it a go. AC didn’t disappoint in any way whatsoever this season. He also handled the media well, never missed a beat in the game, and inspired his squad from day one.
After the combustion that was the tenure of Terry Francona, the implosion of John Farrell and the embarrassment of Bobby Valentine, Cora has corrected the course. Alex Cora could very well be one of the best managers in the game, especially if this season is any inkling into his real ability to lead.
To me, this was the most important thing that the Red Sox could’ve done this season. The front office needed to change the culture of the clubhouse and give the young talented squad we had someone who could understand them. Cora was the perfect fit considering his resume and age. Safe to say, AC was one hell of a gift.
Signing J.D. Martinez
This one also comes at the hands of Dave Dombrowski and his front office staff. The signing of J.D. Martinez was the spark that our offense was missing. The Red Sox have been struggling to fill the void left by David Ortiz in the wake of his retirement. With failed attempts to find that powerful bat each season since Big Papi left.
That all changed this season with the addition of Martinez. J.D. had spent the previous year split between Detroit and Arizona only to become a free agent going into 2018. Dombrowski opened the wallet and made a splash for the slugger.
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Right from the beginning of the season, it was clear Boston had finally found the guy to try and fill Ortiz’s shoes. Not only is Martinez a great player, but he brings a great presence to not only the clubhouse but the community. He truly embodies the legacy that was built by David Ortiz and is set to be our DH for the foreseeable future.
The addition of J.D. also allowed our other starts to truly shine. With much of the spotlight on him going into the season, it gave Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr, Andrew Benintendi, and others the opportunity to have great seasons. Opposing pitching was so worried about what to do with J.D. that they would almost forget about the other bats in the lineup and the Sox made them pay for it.
The trade for Steve Pearce
Much like with the signing of J.D. Martinez, the ramifications of this deal were felt damn near instantly. Steve Pearce had been a journeyman in his career having played for every team in the AL East. Pearce’s father is from New England and Steve grew up a Red Sox fan, he had finally come home.
His impact on this team can’t truly be measured. The way he would grind each and every day, no matter what role he was asked to do. His ability to pump his teammates up and get the morale up in the dugout on a moments notice. And not to mention that multi-homer game against the Yankees. He instantly won over the hearts of the Fenway Faithful with that series of at-bats.
Pearce would be a constant consistent in the Red Sox success. Much like Betts or Martinez, when he was on, big things happened, and when he wasn’t they could stagnate. Steve would go on a ridiculous run through September and into October where he did his biggest damage.
It seemed like everytime Pearce was at the plate he found a way to get on base by any means necessary. Not to mention the home run derby he had throughout the ALCS and World Series. He got hot at the right time, especially as Betts and Martinez cooled off, and it paid dividends.
Pearce would be named the World Series MVP and also get rewarded by the Red Sox with a new one-year $6.25 million deal. Not bad for a journeyman.
The trade for Nathan Eovaldi
Another work of magic from the Red Sox front office team. Through his career Nathan Eovaldi had bounced back and forth between the National League and the American League, spending time in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and finally Boston. He was consistent but never seemed to reach the potential that was set upon him.
He would also have to endure two Tommy John surgeries through his professional career. A team in desperate need of pitching, Dombrowski sought out Eovaldi and got him during the trade window. Something clicked for Nathan in Boston and much like Pearce, he won everyone over. Again, similar to Pearce, it was an outing against the Yankees where Eovaldi was dominant, that secured his spot with the fans.
Eovaldi would continue to have a strong second half of the season with Boston posting a 3-3 record and 3.33 ERA. The legend of “Nasty Nate” however was born in the postseason. Once the calendar flipped to October it’s like Eovaldi was a different pitcher. He was unhittable, he was throwing nothing but fire and he had a bottomless gas tank. He would start one game and then tell AC to put him in the bullpen the next night and use him when necessary.
His performance in game 3 of the World Series was something of a legend. He came in during the 12th inning and go on to pitch until the end of the game in the 18th. 97 pitches when he was supposed to start the next day. He didn’t flinch, he didn’t complain, he knew what his job was and he went and did it. The performance was so heartfelt that after Eovaldi gave up the game-ending home-run, Rick Porcello broke down into tears. Just amazing.
Nasty Nate would get rewarded for his undying support to this team with a brand new four-year $68 million agreement. I don’t think there is anyone in Boston who would complain about that.
Mookie for MVP
This season was a great campaign for the star right fielder. Mookie Betts put together the type of season people salivate over. From April straight through October he was a force at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. It seemed like everything Mookie touched turned to gold. With his contract expiring soon, the Red Sox will have to break the bank to keep Betts.
But the contract talk can be better saved for later, we’re here to talk about 2018! Mookie was the spark of this team all season. When something needed to get started, he was the man everyone looked to. Whether it was by flashing the leather in the field or the crack of his bat. He was more often than not the one to light the powder keg.
Mookie is setting himself up to be the new face of the MLB. He’s charismatic, good-looking, energetic, and a hell of a player. Everything the league is looking to get behind. 2018 was a stamp on the passport for Betts on his way to Cooperstown. If he can maintain his health and keep adding to his young career, there is no doubt he’ll be in the HOF.
Betts did struggle in the playoffs and it seemed as if the tank had finally run out of gas. Then he would send a ball out of Dodger Stadium and just like that, he was back. Mookie is the core of our young squad and the team will live and die by him. I’m hoping that Dombrowski can come up with the right numbers to keep Betts in Boston for years to come.
Red Sox pitching staff goes the distance
This was a pitching staff that teams around the league should not only fear but envy. It doesn’t matter what night of the week you’re running into Boston, you’re gonna see a killer. Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Nate Eovaldi, and Eduardo Rodriguez. There is not an off night in that rotation. Not to mention the relief staff shutting things down with Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, and Craig Kimbrel.
Now a couple of those names may not be coming back in 2019 but we’ll forever be thankful for what they did in 2018. All season long these guys went in got the job done. When the game mattered the most, this pitching staff stepped their game up. In the postseason it didn’t matter what rest there was, these guys killed it.
When the lights were shining the brightest Porcello, Price, Sale, and Eovaldi all lent their services to the bullpen and would make relief appearances. In the World Series clinching game, it was Sale getting the final three outs. In the now historic game 3 of the World Series, it was Eovaldi throwing 97 pitches over the course of two days.
Porcello and Sale dominated all season long on the mound with teams never finding the answer to the test. And finally in the playoffs, David Price shook the demons that have haunted his career and he finally showed October who he was.
Craig Kimbrel had a spectacular season only to have an issue early in the playoffs, the World Series would correct that and he was back to his ways. Kelly was unhittable through the entirety of the playoffs and earned himself a nice deal from the Dodgers for his services. From start to finish, this pitching staff set the bar high and followed through.
Like I said in the open, I had some serious trouble narrowing things down. I was either going to blow past the 12 I desired or I was going to be so strict I wouldn’t hit it. I got close, but this is the ultimate way to end 2018. Going into the season we were favorites but not the top dog.
During the season the Red Sox won 108 games and yet were somehow underdogs in each of their three postseason series. When all was said and done, the Boston Red Sox were the World Series Champions. Raising the Commissioner’s Trophy for the fourth time in 15 seasons. Setting a franchise record for wins while never hitting a true slump.
Running into the Dodgers in the World Series had me nervous but Boston never wavered. Barring the game 3 extra-inning loss, this was a flawless run to the title. On this run, Boston would go 11-3, just ridiculous when you think about it. This team just wouldn’t quit and never let the headlines get to them. And if they did, it was as motivation to shut the naysayers up.
I’ve been beyond lucky in seeing the Red Sox win four titles in my lifetime. I was side by side with my Father in 2004 as he saw their first in 86 years, I was by his side again this year. This team is creating memories for families than many of the Fenway Faithful never thought would happen. I wholeheartedly look forward to what this group of guy can do in 2019 and I look forward to watching every game with ya!
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a safe New Year’s. Go Sox!