Posted on 10/08/2004 11:22:51 AM PDT by Shortwave
I think this year's team is better than the '86 team, at least as far as offense and certainly relief pitching is concerned (as erratic as Timlin, Foulke, et al. are, they're not white knuckling it through every AB like Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley did that year). Further, I don't think Division Titles carry as much weight as they used to due to the fact that there's a Wild Card now. Take the Braves for example, they've won the NL East 13 straight times and they have one World Series title. Since the 3 division and Wild Card format began in 1995, three Wild Card teams (Florida in '97 and '03 and Anaheim in '02) have won the World Series. When the Sox won their last two AL East titles in '86 and '90, you HAD to win your division to go to the playoffs.
But you're right about the Yanks being (relatively) weakened this year (despite their 101 wins). .....in the pitching dept., that is. El Duque's "tired arm," Kevin Brown's broken hand and bad back, Vazquez's second-half futitlity, and Mussina's inconsistency and tendency to give up the long ball isn't exactly confidence-inspiring
True, it's amazing that a team that wins 100+ games can have a rotation that's this mediocre. Of course when you have an offense that resembles that of a fantasy baseball team, it always helps.
Pitching is a concern for the Sox too, although it's not being discussed much. The Yanks are Pedro's self-confessed "daddy" and the nutcase Lowe has been a huge disappointment (for them). And the pen has ben erratic, at best.
I was reading on espn.com (I think) that Pedro might have been sandbagging a bit on that "daddy" remark. But let's call Pedro for what he is. He's a diva. Anytime he can suck some drama out of a situation he will. Despite that, I think the Yanks are in his head somewhat. Heck, the Bombers have been in Boston's head for 9 freakin' decades, why should this year be any different?
Thanks for proving my point! If you Red Sox fans were given this proposition: the Red Sox would finally win a World Series, but Hillary Clinton would be elected president, you'd be screaming Go, Hillary Go! How sad is that?
It's bizarro world stuff. Never mind that the Red Sox haven't won anything in 85 years; these folks are dancing a jig because the Yankees haven't won a WS in all of three years!
lol....so true. Yankee-hatred trumps all.
Game's about to start, with Twinkie fans waving their white towells - flags? - en masse.
"This "best Red Sox team ever" didn't even win their division's title. The teams of '46, '75, and perhaps even '86 were better, imo."
The 86 team finshed 3rd in the AL (out of 14) in runs scored, and 3rd in fewest runs allowed, and had a run differential of +98.
The 75 team finished 1st (out of 12) in runs scored, 9th in fewests runs allowed, and had a run differential of +87
The 46 teams finished 1st (out of 8) in runs scored, but only 4th out of 8 in fewests runs allowed, and had a run differential of +198.
The 2004 team finish 1st (out of 14) in runs scored, 4th in fewests runs allowed, and has a run differential of +180.
Run differential is a much better indication of true team strength, and from that you can see this 2004 team is far superior to the 86 team and the 75 team. The only argument is the 46 team. The 46 Red Sox team was a great team, but its pitching was mediocre (4th out of 8 teams despite not having to pitch against the leagues most dominant offense, their own). The 2004 Red Sox team's overall pitching is much better.
So I think there is a very good argument to be made that the 2004 Red Sox team is the best all around team the Red Sox have fielded since 1918. At the very least it's one of the 2 best teams Boston has fielded since 1918, and clearly the best since 1946.
Despite losing the division to NY, I think this Boston team is actually better (NY's run differential is a much inferior +89), they beat NY 11-8 head to head, and I think they will beat NY in the ALCS.
Vazquez has NOTHING so far -- Single, double, and sac fly (which was close to leaving the park). 1 - 0 Twinkies. Unless he turns his act around dramatically he'll never start another game (for his present team).
The 85 year drought was once only 3 years, too. Get used to it - The Curse of the HildaBeast.
Speaking of curses, does it comfort you to believe in curses (of the Bambino variety) rather than accept the fact that your team has gone titleless for 85 years because they suck?
Hillary already was president.
Anyway, should the Yanks get past the Twins, and I hope they do, enjoy the ALCS next week. It should be a lot of fun.
I love number three but that's almost as delusional aa the Red Sox fans.
Some game today. Who'da thunk it that the Yankees would win this one, after being down 5-1 in the 8th.
There's no curse, Dan Shaughnessy.
Does Shaughnessy play up the curse thing?
I will worship whoever beats the Yankees. :) :) :)
" their fans will walk around with a big woody and act as if their team is the greatest franchise in baseball history. "
Kind of sounds like Yankee fans to me .....
Who would you root for if the Yanks played the Cuban National Team (in an exhibition)?
They are.
No other team has done so well in spite of having such a major-league curse on it.
The Cubans, of course !!
If the Bosoxs win 2 games they will be doing good.
A World Series in NY is a natural thing in October. Time for number 27.
5.56mm
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