Some might call Alex Bregman’s signing with the Boston Red Sox luck, but others might call it fate.
Bregman’s path to the Sox was lopsided. Initially drafted by the Sox in the 19th round of the 2012 draft, Bregman declined to head straight to the majors out of high school because he wasn’t taken in the first round. After three years of playing college ball at LSU and nine years with the Astros, Bregman will make his anticipated arrival in Boston on Opening Day this year. But this time, he brings an excitement for the organization that he already has a history of showing.
During Game 6 of the 2013 World Series, Bregman tweeted "Red Sox play with so much passion and have a blast." As the story goes, the Sox crushed St. Louis 6-1 to win their eighth Fall Classic title.
To Sox fans’ excitement, Bregman said he sees similarities between the 2013 and 2025 Sox. In his introductory press conference on Feb. 16, Bregman said, "I’m a winning player. This is a winning organization. Those players are winning players. We have winning coaches here. I intend to win here."
Alex Bregman's enthusiasm for the Red Sox franchise dates all the way back to the beginning of his career
Red Sox play with so much passion and have a blast
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 31, 2013
Bregman’s determination to transfer his success with the Astros to the Sox should spark a hunger that the Sox organization has been missing for the last few years. And the talent he saw in the 2013 Sox should be a sign that he sees similar potential in the current Sox franchise.
Looking closely, there are some eerie parallels between the 2013 and 2025 Sox. The Sox had the odds heavily stacked against them in 2013, with +650 odds to win the AL East and 20-1 odds to win the ALCS during the preseason. BetMGM currently has the 2025 Sox +425 odds to win the division and +1000 to win the pennant in a very competitive American League.
Another peculiar similarity is that the 2013 Sox endured a three-year playoff drought. Meanwhile, the 2025 Sox hope to make the postseason for the first time since 2022.
The outlook on the Sox this year pre- vs. post-Bregman’s signing is almost night and day. All the Sox need is a bit of Bregman’s magic and just enough pieces to fall in place to repeat history.