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Boston Red Sox history: The moves of 1997 set up franchise for success

By Jason Haskins

Starting pitcher Bret Saberhagen of the Boston Red Sox reacts to a first inning strike out against the New York Yankees 17 October, 1999, in game four of the American League Championship Series at Feneway Park in Boston, MA. The Yankees lead 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Mark JOHNSON (Photo by Mark E. JOHNSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK E. JOHNSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Bret Saberhagen of the Boston Red Sox reacts to a first inning strike out against the New York Yankees 17 October, 1999, in game four of the American League Championship Series at Feneway Park in Boston, MA. The Yankees lead 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Mark JOHNSON (Photo by Mark E. JOHNSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK E. JOHNSON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA – Jason Varitek #33 of the Boston Red Sox (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox: Two valuable players

The Red Sox did not wait until the 1997 offseason to begin moving pieces on the board. That happened in the summer of that dismal year, when the Red Sox swapped players with the Seattle Mariners.

A trade deadline deal saw the departure of Heathcliff Slocumb, bringing in return a catcher with no MLB experience and a pitcher who had a 6.96 ERA in 12 career appearances.

Those two turned out to be cornerstones of Boston’s play the following seven seasons. Both had huge roles in the 2004 World Series, with catcher Jason Varitek later becoming a team captain until his retirement in 2011. The three-time All-Star is a beloved figure to Red Sox fans, and is part of one of the all-time iconic photos (and moments) in Yankees-Red Sox history.

Varitek played his entire pro career with the Red Sox, collecting 1307 hits. Based on stats alone, Varitek’s Hall of Fame resume is thin. But for leadership and heart alone, he should be reserved his own spot.

He ended up a two-time world champion as a player, driving in five runs in the 2007 Series. Varitek had 11 career home runs in the playoffs and hit .321 with two home runs and seven RBI in the 2004 ALCS.

His partner in that 1997 trade was pitcher Derek Lowe. Lowe had his troubles on the mound with the Red Sox but he also shined. Alternating between starting pitcher and closer over the years, Lowe finally settled into the rotation.

Not before he had a total of 85 saves with the Red Sox. Lowe was 70-55 in his time with the Red Sox, which came to a close after the 2004 season. His final appearance with the club was one of his best, throwing seven innings of 3-hit ball in the 2004 World Series.

Next. Boston Red Sox: Top 5 franchise players of the 1990s. dark

These are but a few players who helped the Red Sox maintain consistency for such a long stretch beginning in 1998. Plenty of opportunity is out there to find — or keep — the players to carry the Red Sox on a similar stretch the rest of the 2020s. It may or may not be someone as life altering as Pedro Martinez but with any hope, the effects will be the same.

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