Category: Boston Red Sox

By C. Eric Lincoln

Two months ago I sat down to write much of the following column about Bill Buckner after a conversation with Tim Teufel, an old Met and an old friend. We had talked about anything and everything, and then our chat turned to Game Six— that Game Six— 20 years ago on October 25, Mets versus Red Sox. I asked Tim Teufel about Bill Buckner and Tim said he felt “terrible” for the guy “since it wasn’t his fault anyway.”  

Bill Buckner is a good and decent man who was caught standing in the way of history which threw him under its oncoming, intractable path. History has somehow blamed Bill Buckner for the Red Sox loss of that World Series, and for one of the biggest blunders in Series history. So 20 years later, crawl back in time with me once more, and examine the images of that moment. The truth is out there. There may be goats and villains. But Bill Buckner isn’t one of them.

By C. Eric Lincoln

The New York Mets have had a weekend-long celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the team that defeated the Boston Red Sox in seven games to win the 1986 World Series. This was the World Series that truly gave rise to Red Sox Nation, one grieving and often surly nation under a futile and unfair baseball god. A Series that raised the question of whether or not the Red Sox were cursed by the great Bambino or Harry Frazee or a cadre of otherwise bit players who toiled for the evil empire, the New York Yankees. The only person cursed, however, as a result of the 1986 clash, was Bill Buckner. And its time to free his name of a terrible lie once and for all.

The Red Sox are not making the playoffs this year. Anyone who’s watched them over the last month knows that this is a .500 team against the American League.

By Rob LaBrie

Don’t look now, but the Boston Red Sox have won 8 games in a row, including today’s victory which followed a walk-off two run homer by David Ortiz.  Yes, the Sox are surging and currently have a 2.5 game lead on the New York Yankees, who had their game rained out tonight.

It’s a ground ball to second, pathetic, rolling meagerly toward inevitable doom. I watch. The scene appears to be moving in slow motion. A serene calm has invaded my senses, the worst has arrived and will eventually pass, just as the moment would, fleetingly, fatefully. Pokey Reese immaculately scoops the ball from the depths, measuring up the impossible as he aims a throw towards first base. Just as they had done for the last four games, one man didn’t just represent a whole, he elevated above, forming an impossible force, an immovable will, a historical comeback. The throw is perfect. The Red Sox begin to celebrate on a field polluted by ghosts, victorious. The deed is done.

51 games into the 2006 MLB season, I think it is safe for Red Sox fan to get their hopes up for another World Series.  With a strong and deep pitching staff, an always potent and dangerous lineup, and a front office that is guaranteed to make good moves, the Sox are in contention for the title.

With so many questions regarding position players this off season, many have overlooked just how strong the Red Sox pitching staff has become.

It seems only fitting to start with the starting rotation. The Red Sox begin the 2006 season with seven eligible candidates to fill a five man rotation. With an ideal mix of veteran leadership and strong young arms this group seems poised to cause match up problems for opposing teams.

by Ernie Siciliano

The Boston Red Sox are sick of Manny Ramirez being Manny Ramirez. So sick that according to a recent rumor they offered Ramirez, Matt Clement, and cash to Baltimore for Miguel Tejada. Now that is sick.  

For the sake of argument let’s assume Miguel Tejada and Manny Ramirez are equally talented hitters (as I’ll explain later that’s not the case, Ramirez is better). The Red Sox then want to sweeten the deal by adding Matt Clement, their opening day starter last year and a guy who went 13-6, and pay the Orioles cash to ensure that the deal is completed.

By Ryan McGowan

My warmest regards for the holidays to all SportsColumn readers.  After a long hiatus, BostonMac has emerged from his cocoon of semi-retirement to comment on the Yankees’ signing of Johnny Damon.