Perhaps the most devastating loss for the Red Sox during this time was Ed Barrow, the era's most effective general manager. These transactions sparked a heated rivalry between the two franchises which continues unabated today. He gutted his franchise during the next few years by sending the Yankees Hall of Fame pitcher Herb Pennock, and solid players such as Joe Dugan, Everett Scott, George Pipgras, "Bullet" Joe Bush and Sam Jones without receiving adequate compensation. In the most infamous transaction in baseball history, Frazee got out of debt by selling Ruth to the Yankees, giving birth to the "Curse of the Bambino," a long-lamented reason given by Sox fans for the misfortunes that always seemed to overtake their teams at crucial times and derail their efforts for a championship.īut Frazee didn't stop with Ruth. He also began showing a prodigious talent to hit home runs and became a league phenomenon when he hit a then-unheard of 29 homers in 1919.īy the end of that year the finances of Red Sox owner Harry Frazee were spiraling downward and in trying to right his financial ship, Frazee sunk the Sox. His name was Babe Ruth, and over the next six seasons he won 89 games and posted an ERA of 2.19, making him one of the best southpaw pitchers in the league. The Sox also unveiled a skinny 19-year old left-handed pitcher in 1914 who went 2-1 in four games. The Americans adopted the name Red Sox late in 1907 and hit their stride with world championships in -18 led by a legendary outfield - Tris Speaker, the peerless Hall of Fame center fielder, flanked by fellow Hall of Famer Harry Hooper in right and Duffy Lewis in left. Already in his late 30s, Young won 33, 32 and 28 games in 1901-03. These teams were anchored by legendary hurler Cy Young. Boston finished second that first season, third in 1902, and then won the first World Series in 1903, defeating Pittsburgh. The Boston Americans began play Apwith a 10-6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The enthusiasm and support Bostonians gave to their National League team convinced Ban Johnson that Boston would be a strong charter entry in his new American League. Little did those fans realize the ups, and mostly downs, they and generations of Sox fans yet-to-be-born would endure before a sixth world championship banner would be raised at Fenway.īoston baseball traces its roots to the 1870's. It was the Red Sox fourth world championship in seven years and their fifth overall. On September 11, 1918, a happy flock of 15,238 fans filed out of Fenway Park, having seen their ace right hander Carl Mays shut down the Chicago Cubs on three hits for a World Series clinching 2-1 win. Strong pitching from their starting five would give this Red Sox team a chance to compete - and maybe even contend for a playoff spot - all season long.BOSTON RED SOX The Official History of the Boston Red Sox | Baseball Almanac if the Red Sox can get 20-25 starts from Kluber and Sale, and mix and match with the rest of the rotation the rest of the year - plus, toss in an improved bullpen - this could work out for Cora and company. He's been slowed by injuries but Boston is hoping he can make an impact in the rotation this season. Josh Winckowski gained valuable big league experience last season and that should help Alex Cora fill out the rotation when the need arises. Both have electric stuff and if all goes well, could be top-of-the-rotation guys if everything clicks. The 2022 pitching staff desperately needed that, and the 2023 staff likely will too.īoth Brayan Bello and Garrett Whitlock will start the season on IL but should be able to pitch by mid- to late April, giving the Sox some much-needed depth. That's his best quality: Pivetta takes the ball every five days and gives you everything he has. Rounding out the initial starting five is Nick Pivetta, who made 33 starts for the Sox last season. He could be a lot of fun to watch this season. He's just one of those guys that seems to be getting better and better. A 16th-round pick in 2017, Crawford showed flashes last July when he went 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA over four starts. 4 starter to begin the year and I absolutely love his story.
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