Boston Red Sox: Remarkable era of success forges on

A remarkable performance in Game 5 of the ALCS earned the Boston Red Sox their first trip to the World Series since 2013.

Fifteen years ago, as I watched another heartbreak for the Boston Red Sox sail into the dark October night, all hope seemed lost. In most regards, the Red Sox were destined to deliver a lifetime of curses and disappointment.

Fifteen years later, Boston is aiming to win their fourth World Series title since that fateful October night in 2003.

Their ticket in 2018 was punched courtesy of a 4-1 victory in Game 5 of the 2018 ALCS over the Houston Astros.

Fans under the age of 21 may never feel the torture of failing to make it to the World Series. Sure, there’s been division-winning campaigns followed by being swept from the playoffs. Or witnessing last-place finishes or September collapses.

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It’s nothing compared to fighting off the aura of a dreaded curse.

For years around Boston, the talk was of 1918 and the last championship delivered by the Red Sox. Boston had just wrapped up its fifth championship over a 15-year span and seemed to be set for years with a budding star in Babe Ruth (among others).

Then he was traded to finance a theatrical endeavor and the rest was history. (If you never have, be sure to read 1918: Babe Ruth and the World Champion Boston Red Sox by Alan Wood.)

The following 86 years for the Boston Red Sox were filled with enough heartache and tears to fill up a bathtub, many times over.

Near misses and failed opportunities

Year by year went by and the Boston Red Sox failed to capitalize in turning talented rosters into a World Series championship.

There was the wasting, perhaps, of the greatest hitter of all-time in Ted Williams. In 19 seasons with the organization, Williams and Boston made the playoffs only once. And that was in 1946, a season after returning from service in World War 2 and only his fifth season.

Closer to my lifetime, by time 2003 rolled around, I’d seen or heard enough about “Bambino curses” to live in a world of existential dread surrounding the Boston Red Sox.

I was born a scant few months after the New York Yankees and, well let’s just call him B. Dent, hit a home run to send the Yankees advancing on. The Red Sox once held a 14-game lead and watched their chances ended with one swing of the bat.

In 1986, nearly eight years old, with the likes of Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and Jim Rice leading the way, I gave my fandom over to the Sox. Being of a west coast family, it was odd I chose them over the California Angels in the ’86 ALCS. All was good, until the World Series, in which I officially had my heart ripped out for the first time.

I was in the second grade.

The 1990’s weren’t much better, with seasons sometimes feeling over before they actually began thanks to a ridiculous run of success from the hated rivals residing in the Big Apple.

2003 was when the despair reached bottom. Believing if it didn’t happen that year — in which both the Chicago Cubs and Red Sox seemed destined to be on a path to meet in the World Series, and both lost — it would never happen.

We know the rest. And it’s time to keep enjoying it while we have it.

Jackie at the bat

There’s still no joy in Mudville, but there’s plenty to go around in Beantown, much of which is owed to the bat of Jackie Bradley Jr.

Bradley became the two-out star of the ALCS, ultimately winning MVP honors. He only collected three hits, but they were all huge. Bradley drove in nine runs in all, including a grand slam, and once again proved his importance to the team.

Related Story. Three ‘amazing’ reasons why Jackie Bradley Jr is ALCS MVP. light

In the postseason, heroes can rise from anywhere. It might be the superstar who is expected to thrive or it might be the little-known bench player who rises to the occasion.

The Red Sox have seen it all during this 14-year run. A Dave Roberts stolen base, a bloody sock, and one Big Papi have seen their moments. John Lackey, Kevin Millar, Mike Napoli, Felix Doubront, and many more have etched their place in Red Sox lore.

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Nothing will ever quite beat the joy of coming back from three games down to the Yankees and go on to eventually win the World Series. Especially after 86 years without a title.

In 2018, a World Series win will be just as nice, though. Boston’s not done yet, with four more wins to do damage and reach the greatest pinnacle in baseball. And if that happens, singing of Dirty Water will ring through the streets once again.

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