2005 Boston Red Sox

Prior to the 2004 season, sportswriters said the Boston Red Sox were a lock to win the American League East Division championship with their improved pitching staff. While the Red Sox were not able to keep up with the New York Yankees in the division race, their historic Division Series comeback from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Yankees made for the sweetest second-place finish ever. The World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals ended an 86-year championship drought as well. The faithful Red Sox fans believe 2005 will lead to another championship, judging by how fast tickets to Fenway Park are flying.

The Boston Americans became charter members of the American League in 1901. Player-manager Jimmy Collins guided the team to two AL pennants and, in 1903, a World Series victory. Pitcher Cy Young, whose 511 career victories are an all-time record, led Boston in wins seven times from 1901 to 1908. Outfielder Tris Speaker batted .300 or better seven seasons in a row from 1909 to 1915, powering the Red Sox to World Series titles in 1912 and 1915.

In 1914 a 19-year-old pitcher from Baltimore named Babe Ruth joined the Red Sox. By 1916 the left-hander was one of the AL's premier starters. He helped Boston to World Series titles in 1916 and 1918. It was clear that he was also an outstanding hitter. Ruth stunned the baseball world in 1919 when he led the league with 29 home runs and 114 RBI while posting an 8-5 pitching record and a 2.98 ERA. He hit more home runs than the team totals of ten of the other 15 Major League teams. After that season Ruth's contract was sold to the New York Yankees, with whom he became the greatest power hitter the game has ever known. After Ruth's departure, the Red Sox finished last in the AL nine times from 1922 to 1932. The team's fortunes changed in 1939 when outfielder Ted Williams arrived. The 20-year-old rookie led the major leagues with 145 RBIs as Boston compiled its best record (89-62) in 32 years. In 1941 Williams hit .406, and in 1942 he won his first of two Triple Crowns, while also leading the league in slugging percentage, runs, and walks. After three years of military service in World War II, Williams returned in 1946 to power Boston to its first pennant since 1918.

In 1975 the Red Sox participated in one of the most thrilling World Series in league history. A home run by catcher Carlton Fisk in the bottom of the 12th inning of game six gave Boston a series-tying victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The next night Cincinnati erased a 3-0 lead by the Red Sox to win game seven, 4-3. That year Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn became the first player to be named rookie of the year and most valuable player (MVP) in the same season.

The Red Sox returned to the postseason in 1986 with a lineup starring Rice, third baseman Wade Boggs, first baseman Bill Buckner, pitcher Roger Clemens, and right fielder Dwight Evans. After defeating the California Angels in the AL Championship Series (ALCS), Boston lost to the New York Mets in the World Series.

In 2003, the Red Sox clinched the wild-card spot for the postseason playoffs, beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 but fell to New York in an exciting American League Championship Series, 4-3.