After one of their most memorable baseball seasons in recent history, the Boston Red Sox have endured nearly as exciting an off-season. Upon losing a dramatic Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in October to the hated New York Yankees, the Sox brass went right back to work, shoring up their one glaring weakness of 2003: pitching. Boston acquired one of the best starters in the game, former Sox farm hand and 2001 World Series co-MVP Curt Schilling, in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and signed free-agent closer Keith Foulke, the 2003 American League saves leader. This gave the Olde Towne Team—already featuring All-Star hurlers Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe—one of the best pitching staffs in the game. And in what was nearly the icing on the cake, the Sox almost completed a deal that would have sent left fielder Manny Ramirez to Texas in exchange for American League MVP Alex Rodriguez, while sending short stop Nomar Garciaparra to Chicago for All-Star outfielder Magglio Ordonez.
Yet no sooner had the players union nixed the trade than those
damn Yankees swooped in and stole our thunder. Pulling off a deal
that put Rodriguez in pinstripes instead of red stockings, George
Steinbrenner and Co. fanned the flames of what is already the
hottest rivalry in sports.
But all hope is not lost. Here’s just a few of the reasons why.
RETURNING STARS
The 2003 Red Sox were one of the most potent offenses in Major
League history. They led the league in several major hitting
categories, including runs scored, runs batted in, hits and
batting average, and even set the all-time team record for
slugging percentage in a season. That same powerhouse crew is
mostly intact for 2004.
Perennial All-Stars Garciaparra
and Ramirez return, as well as 2003 batting champion Bill
Mueller, Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and long-time
stalwart Trot Nixon (currently hobbled by a bad back), all of
whom put up career numbers last season. And let’s not forget
leadoff hitter Johnny Damon, who looks to rebound from a sub-par
2003 campaign.
NEW FACES
The biggest change has been the addition of the aforementioned
pitchers. On the other side of the plate, playoff hero Todd
Walker has been replaced with the smooth-fielding (but
light-hitting) Pokey Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner. In a
serious case of deja vu, once-and-future Sox sluggers Brian
Daubach and Ellis Burks return to provide power off the bench.
The most important new face,
however, won’t be seen on the diamond, but in the dugout. New
manager Terry Francona replaces fired playoff scapegoat Grady
Little, who, although well-liked by the players, was dismissed
not long after that agonizing Game 7 ALCS loss in which he left
Martinez on the mound just a few pitches too long. So far,
though, it appears Francona has won over his new team, no doubt
helped by his friendships with Schilling, who Francona managed as
the Philadelphia Phillies’ skipper, and Foulke, who he coached in
Oakland.
THE OUTLOOK
The “Cowboy Up” slogan may have been mercifully put out to
pasture, but these Sox are still considered a strong playoff
contender, and some even believe the team’s pitching is good
enough to challenge the dreaded Yankees for the AL East crown.
And if the power surge continues on offense, who knows? The
Patriots may not be the only ones to hold a parade in the Hub
this year.
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HOW TO SCORE
TICKETS
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Even
with the addition of new seats, Fenway is still the smallest
ballpark in major league baseball. That means tickets are
pricey and hard to come by—especially at the last minute. But
diehard fans always find a way to see the game even if it’s
“officially” sold out. Here’s how: