Boston Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts is right, 2018 title not tainted

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after being introduced as a member of the 2019 All-MLB team during the 2019 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings on December 10, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after being introduced as a member of the 2019 All-MLB team during the 2019 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings on December 10, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Xander Bogaerts believes that the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 World Series championship isn’t tainted due to sign-stealing and he is correct.

A lot of people have been bashing the Boston Red Sox as of late. The sign-stealing scandal has not been a good look for the franchise.

The season that Alex Cora and the Red Sox were using an elaborate system to steal signs just happened to be the season that the Red Sox won the World Series.

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So fans around the MLB jump to the conclusion that the 2018 championship is tainted (myself included)

Reporters are even asking players if they believe that the championship is tainted. Xander Bogaerts reminded the media that winning a World Series isn’t easy.

"“Nah, absolutely not,” Bogaerts said. “We came to the park every day, we worked hard, we practiced hard, worked as teammates and had each other’s back. We had a great coaching staff along with that. Playing at home during the first games of the World Series, those are really, really huge and we took advantage of that right away and we had a great run.”"

Bogaerts is correct. If you say that Boston’s 2018 World Series championship is tainted you are ignoring the facts.

When we first heard the Red Sox sign stealing scheme it sounded really bad. Thankfully the Houston Astros have taken the pressure off of Boston.

The Red Sox might have cheated during the regular season, but due to precautions the replay room was guarded. Even if the Red Sox wanted to cheat they couldn’t.

Also, part of the reason that Boston was so successful is due to some great pitching performances. David Price finally got rid of his playoff woes and Chris Sale also had some impressive performances.

Sadly this will be something that stays with these players for the rest of their careers. Whenever the 2018 World Series is brought up people will question whether Boston deserved it or not.

Fans of New England sports are all too familiar with this. We see NFL fans try and tear down the New England Patriots when they won their championships fair and square. I guess that is just the cost of being great.

Next. Time for Jason Varitek to take over. dark

But claiming that the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 World Series championship is tainted is just plain wrong. It’s not taking into effect the amazing run that Boston went on in the postseason. Bogaerts and co. should keep their head held high.