Boston Red Sox: Hats off to the overachieving 2021 Sox

Any fans of the red hose, aka the Boston Red Sox, should take their hats off (if you wear a hat) to the overachieving and deserving 2021 BoSox.

This team was panned by now crow-eating so-called pundits after a disastrous start to the season. (Note: yes, more crow is being served up here with cranberry sauce this time.)

Yet, against lots of odds, including one very over-confident New York Yankee team, they made their way into the American League Divisional playoff round. Congratulations, Red Sox!

The Boston Red Sox exceeded expectations and became a really likable squad

One word that might best describe the Sox this season was resilient. And that goes especially for the manager, the marvelous maestro, Alex Cora.

At the risk of once again dislocating my shoulder patting myself on the back, this writer did for once get right that the best move the Red Sox made in the offseason was rehiring Alex Cora.

It was a masterful move and one for which President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom who it made deserves great congratulations.

Knowing that Alex Cora was a superb manager was pretty easy. Yet, after a season out of baseball for rules infractions, one might say that there was some baggage.

Yet, everyone deserves a second or third, whatever chance. As far as I know, perfection isn’t something any of us can achieve. So good on you, Chaim Bloom for getting that move right.

That took lots of fortitude shall we say. Bloom made the gutsy call and it worked out, as this space suspects you felt it always would. Maybe not in a playoff berth this season, but for the long haul.

Boston Red Sox baseball moves by Chaim Bloom blossomed

In addition, Mr. Bloom brought together what seemed to be a gaggle of outcasts or uninspiring players to comprise this squad and be molded by Cora.

From Hunter Renfroe who had a career year, to Kike Hernandez, to Hansel Robles who delivered nicely for the Sox after a deadline trade.

Really too many to mention. Bloom made lots and lots of very good calls and he was operating under, well … a budget.

Bloom nailed the acquisition front despite being hammered at his lack of bombshell deadline deals. And the slugger, Kyle Schwarber, he acquired from the Nationals raked in Boston.

What a pick-up. In 41 games he hit .291 with seven homers and 18 RBI’s many of which were clutch, thank you. If there was ever any doubt, this guy should be signed to a long-term deal.

Schwarber is only 28 years old and he’s a masher. He will be a valuable addition to future Red Sox teams if they do the right thing and tie him up long-term. Please just sign the man.

Then there was the Rule 5 pick-up, Garrett Whitlock. He went eight and four with a magnificent 1.96 ERA. Now that’s a real, FIND. The Sox mashed the Yankees out of the playoffs this season.

Love writing that! Yet, the ultimate bonk for the Bronx Bombers may be that Whitlock came over to Boston from the Yankees! Thank you very, very, very much! And he ain’t goin’ nowhere!

There are lots more stories and individual anecdotal episodes that are too numerous to be repeated here. One really nice one was the nostalgic signing and return of Jose Iglesias.

Iglesias who was traded in 2013 to the Tigers by the Sox hit .356 in 23 games for the Red Sox and should be re-signed. He’s still only 31 years old.

But let it suffice to say, this was a tremendous effort by the top man, Chaim Bloom. He orchestrated the team composition like Arthur Fiedler used to orchestrate the Boston Pops.

And also, a personal favorite, Alex Cora. He took the raw clay and molded it into a cohesive team of brothers who never learned the meaning of the word quit.

And then, the players, those who suffered from Covid and returned. Those who returned from an injury like the indomitable, Chris Sale. And those who were underrated and showed their mettle.

And there is a new ace, Nathan Eovaldi (also a former Yank, no-less), who took on and took out the not-so-liked or likable Yankees in the biggest single-elimination game since 1978.

So, whatever happens in the ensuing games, this 2021 version of the Boston Red Sox made the grade.

That grade is an easy one, a straight A. And that’s the grade no matter what happens in the series vs. the Rays in which anything can happen. And, anything more is just gravy for my cold crow!