2008 Woodie Awards
MLB: Final Four
Matt West
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
In the late 20th century, Red Sox fans had grown so accustomed to mediocre teams and losing records that postseason baseball seemed a distant memory. However, in 2002 John Henry teamed up with Tom Werner to purchase the team, changing not only the personnel but the club's overall culture. Since then playing baseball in October is expected, and each season fans know what they are going to get from their team. This year the Red Sox seem to have flown under the radar, with the Angels and Rays getting all the attention from the national media.
After watching the American League Division Series, there's no doubt which team is sitting in the driver's seat. The Angels came into October with the most wins in baseball, and arguably the most talented team overall. Unfortunately for Mike Scioscia's ballclub, in the past couple of years their dominance in the regular season has not translated into playoff victories.
The Red Sox seem to be picking up right where they left off last year, riding the youth movement. Jon Lester has looked like the Josh Beckett of last year, completely dominating the Angels in his first two outings, while giving up zero earned runs. Jacoby Ellsbury seems born to play in October, leading the American League with six RBI in the playoffs. Jed Lowrie has also played well filling in at shortstop, and Justin Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon have been dominant coming out of the bullpen.
The Rays are the biggest surprise of all, winning the AL East just a season after finishing with the worst record in baseball, and after years as perennial doormats. Joe Maddon has been a perfect motivational leader for this young team, and they are coming into the ALCS as one of the hottest teams in baseball. Ousting a very good Chicago White Sox team should come as no surprise to anyone, and the Rays must feel good about their position as a team heading into this upcoming series. After being told by experts all season that they were bound to fold under the pressures of a pennant race, the young Rays have showed that they belong, and that they plan to push for the World Series.
After watching the American League Division Series, there's no doubt which team is sitting in the driver's seat. The Angels came into October with the most wins in baseball, and arguably the most talented team overall. Unfortunately for Mike Scioscia's ballclub, in the past couple of years their dominance in the regular season has not translated into playoff victories.
The Red Sox seem to be picking up right where they left off last year, riding the youth movement. Jon Lester has looked like the Josh Beckett of last year, completely dominating the Angels in his first two outings, while giving up zero earned runs. Jacoby Ellsbury seems born to play in October, leading the American League with six RBI in the playoffs. Jed Lowrie has also played well filling in at shortstop, and Justin Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon have been dominant coming out of the bullpen.
The Rays are the biggest surprise of all, winning the AL East just a season after finishing with the worst record in baseball, and after years as perennial doormats. Joe Maddon has been a perfect motivational leader for this young team, and they are coming into the ALCS as one of the hottest teams in baseball. Ousting a very good Chicago White Sox team should come as no surprise to anyone, and the Rays must feel good about their position as a team heading into this upcoming series. After being told by experts all season that they were bound to fold under the pressures of a pennant race, the young Rays have showed that they belong, and that they plan to push for the World Series.
Be the first to comment on this story