History of the Boston Red Sox facts for kids

The history of the Boston Red Sox begins in 1901. They were one of the first teams in the American League. This league was new at the time. The Red Sox quickly became a popular team in Boston. They have a long and exciting history, full of big wins and famous players.

Early Years of the Red Sox

Starting the American League (1900-1909)

In 1900, a man named Ban Johnson created the American League. It was a new baseball league that wanted to be as important as the older National League. Johnson placed new teams in big cities like Philadelphia and Boston. Even though Boston already had a National League team, the new American League team quickly became more popular.

Why were they so popular? The "Americans" signed many star players from the older team. Their home park, Huntington Avenue Grounds, was easier to get to. Also, the team worked hard to attract Irish-American fans. The older team focused more on other groups.

The Boston team, often called the Americans back then, did very well. They finished second and third in their first two seasons. Then, they won their first league championship in 1903. They won again in 1904. These early teams had great players like manager and third baseman Jimmy Collins. Pitcher Cy Young was also a huge star. He had amazing seasons from 1901 to 1904. Outfielders Chick Stahl, Buck Freeman, and Patsy Dougherty also helped a lot.

In 1903, the Americans played in the first modern World Series. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three. Fans called their club the "Royal Rooters." They cheered loudly with chants of "Tessie!" The team's strong pitchers also made a big difference.

The 1904 team was almost as good. They had a close race for the championship with the New York Highlanders. This was the start of a big rivalry. A famous moment happened in the last game of the season. The Highlanders' star pitcher, Jack Chesbro, threw a wild pitch. This allowed Boston to score the winning run. The National League champions, the New York Giants, refused to play a World Series that year. But because of public demand, the World Series became a permanent event starting in 1905.

After these successful years, the team struggled. In 1906, they finished last. But new stars soon arrived to help the team, now called the Red Sox, rise again.

Winning More Championships (1910-1919)

By 1909, Tris Speaker was a key player in the outfield. The Red Sox improved to third place. They won the league championship again in 1912. That year, they won 105 games, a team record. Their outfield, with Tris Speaker, Harry Hooper, and Duffy Lewis, was one of the best ever. Star pitcher Smoky Joe Wood led the team. The Red Sox beat the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series.

From 1913 to 1916, Joseph Lannin owned the Red Sox. He signed Babe Ruth, who would become one of baseball's most famous players. Ruth won his first game as a pitcher against the Indians. In 1915, he hit his first major league home run against the Yankees. This was ironic because he would later play for them.

In 1915, the Red Sox won 101 games. They went on to win the 1915 World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies. Harry Hooper hit two home runs in that series. Duffy Lewis batted an amazing .444. The team won the league championship again in 1916. Tris Speaker was traded, but Babe Ruth became an even bigger star pitcher. The Red Sox won the 1916 World Series again, this time against the Brooklyn Robins. In Game 2, Ruth pitched a complete game that lasted 14 innings. After this series, Lannin sold the team to Harry Frazee.

By 1918, the Red Sox were champions once more. Led by Ruth, they won the 1918 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Ruth and submarine pitcher Carl Mays were key to this victory.

The "Curse of the Bambino"

Babe Ruth's Sale (1919)

On December 26, 1919, owner Harry Frazee made a deal to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. The deal was announced in January 1920. The Yankees paid $125,000 for Ruth. Frazee also received a loan of $350,000. Ruth had just set a new record by hitting 29 home runs in 1919.

Some people say Frazee sold Ruth to pay for a Broadway play called No, No, Nanette. However, that play didn't open until 1925. The real reasons were more about money and team control. Frazee needed cash to pay off debts from buying the Red Sox. He also needed to buy Fenway Park, the team's stadium, which he didn't own at first. Ruth was also known for having some behavior issues. Frazee wanted to improve the team's money situation and reduce distractions. It was a simple sale, with no players traded back to Boston.

The sale of Babe Ruth became a huge part of the Yankees – Red Sox rivalry. Many journalists call it the "Greatest Rivalry on Earth." For a long time, fans blamed the sale for the "Curse of the Bambino." This was a playful idea that the Red Sox couldn't win a World Series from 1918 until 2004 because of selling Ruth.

Struggling Years (1920-1939)

The Red Sox had won the World Series in 1918, but finished sixth in 1919. Frazee wanted to use the money from Ruth's sale to rebuild the team. But he had money problems with his theater business. This meant he couldn't pay for both Fenway Park and the Red Sox. So, he had to sell more of his star players.

Unfortunately for Frazee, the Yankees were almost his only option for trades. Other teams didn't want to deal with him. Over the next three years, Frazee sent almost all his best players to the Yankees. He earned a total of $305,000 from these deals.

For example, in 1920, players like Wally Schang and future star pitcher Waite Hoyt went to the Yankees. In 1921, shortstop Everett Scott and pitchers Bullet Joe Bush and Sad Sam Jones were traded. A controversial deal in 1922 sent Joe Dugan to the Yankees. This trade helped the Yankees win a close championship race. Another big trade in 1923 sent pitcher Herb Pennock to New York.

Earlier, in 1918, star outfielder Duffy Lewis and pitchers Dutch Leonard and Ernie Shore were traded to the Yankees. These players were very popular in Boston. In 1919, pitching star Carl Mays also went to the Yankees.

With so many talented players gone, the Red Sox couldn't compete. For the next 14 years, they were one of the worst teams. They never finished closer than 20 games out of first place. In 1923, Frazee sold the team to Bob Quinn for $1,000,000. The losses continued. From 1925 to 1932, the Red Sox lost over 100 games each season. Their worst year was 1932, with a terrible 43–111 record. One bright spot was Earl Webb, who set a record with 67 doubles in 1931.

Things started to change in 1933. Tom Yawkey bought the Red Sox. He hired his friend Eddie Collins as general manager. Yawkey told Collins to get as many talented players as possible. Collins brought in great players like pitcher Lefty Grove, shortstop and manager Joe Cronin, first baseman Jimmie Foxx, and pitcher Wes Ferrell. Wes's brother, Rick Ferrell, was an excellent catcher. These changes helped. In 1934, the Red Sox had their first .500 record since 1918. In 1935, they had their first winning record. The Red Sox stayed competitive for the rest of the 1930s.

The "Ted Sox" Era (1940-1949)

In 1939, the Red Sox bought the contract of outfielder Ted Williams. This began an era sometimes called the "Ted Sox." Williams is known as one of the greatest hitters ever. He hit for both power and a high batting average. He could even guess the weight of a bat just by holding it! His book, The Science of Hitting, is still read by baseball players. In 1941, he was the last player to hit over .400 for a full season, with a .406 average. Williams often had arguments with sports writers and sometimes with fans.

In 1946, the Red Sox won the American League championship. It was their first in 28 years. With Williams, the Red Sox reached the 1946 World Series. But they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The Cardinals used a special defense called the "Williams Shift" to make it harder for him to hit. Williams didn't play well in the series, getting only five hits. He had been hit by a pitch a few days before, which might have affected him. Williams never played in a World Series again. He served as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War, missing several baseball seasons.

In that series, Rudy York hit game-winning home runs. Bobby Doerr batted .409. The final game was controversial. The Cardinals' Enos Slaughter scored a winning run from first base on a hit. The throw to home plate was just a little too late. Some people say shortstop Johnny Pesky hesitated, but this is debated.

The right-field bullpens at Fenway Park were built partly for Williams' left-handed swing. They are sometimes called "Williamsburg." Before this, right field was very deep. On June 9, 1946, Williams hit the longest home run in Fenway Park history, 502 feet. A red seat still marks where it landed.

Other important Red Sox players in the 1940s included shortstop Johnny Pesky (the right field foul pole, "Pesky's Pole," is named after him), second baseman Bobby Doerr, and center fielder Dom DiMaggio (brother of Joe DiMaggio).

The Red Sox almost won the league championship in 1948 and 1949. In 1948, they tied with Cleveland but lost a one-game playoff. In 1949, they were one game ahead of the Yankees with two games left, both against New York. The Red Sox lost both games, missing the championship.

A Difficult Decade (1950-1959)

The 1950s were tough for the Red Sox. After Williams returned from the Korean War in 1953, many of the best players from the 1940s had left. Critics joked that the team was "Ted Williams and the Seven Dwarfs." Also, owner Tom Yawkey did not sign African American players. The Red Sox missed chances to sign future Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays. Jackie Robinson even tried out for the team at Fenway Park.

Ted Williams still played great, hitting .389 at age 38 in 1957. But there wasn't much else for fans to cheer about. Williams retired at the end of the 1960 season. He famously hit a home run in his last time at bat. The Red Sox finally signed an African American player, Pumpsie Green, in 1959. He made his debut at Fenway Park on August 4. He hit a triple off the Green Monster in his first at-bat. The 1950s did have some highlights, like Pete Runnels' .322 batting average in 1958 and Jackie Jensen winning the MVP award in 1958.

The Impossible Dream and Beyond (1960s-1970s)

The Impossible Dream (1960-1969)

The 1960s started slowly for the Red Sox. But in 1961, Carl Yastrzemski (uniform #8) joined the team. He became one of the best hitters of the decade. By 1967, the Red Sox also had first baseman George Scott, shortstop Rico Petrocelli, rookie center fielder Reggie Smith, and Cy Young Award winner Jim Lonborg.

Red Sox fans call 1967 the year of the "Impossible Dream." The 1967 season was a thrilling championship race. Four teams were still in the running until the very last game. The team had finished ninth in 1966, but they found new energy with Yastrzemski. He won the American League Major League Baseball Triple Crown (leading in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in). He was the last player to do this until 2012. The Red Sox went to the 1967 World Series. But they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Legendary pitcher Bob Gibson was too strong for the Red Sox, winning three games.

The season had many exciting moments. A rookie pitcher, Billy Rohr, almost pitched a no-hitter. Yastrzemski hit a game-tying home run in Detroit. The rivalry with the Yankees grew stronger. Rookie Reggie Smith hit three home runs in one game. The Red Sox won the final games against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Yastrzemski hit his 44th home run to win the home run title. In the last game, pitcher Jim Lonborg surprised everyone by getting a bunt hit. The Red Sox scored five runs that inning. They won their first league championship since 1946.

Also in the 1960s, a young player named Tony Conigliaro hit 24 home runs as an 18-year-old rookie in 1964. In 1967, he became the youngest American League player to hit 100 home runs. But on August 18, a pitcher hit Conigliaro in the face with a fastball. He suffered a serious eye injury and missed the rest of 1967 and all of 1968.

In the World Series, the Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals. They lost Game 1, but Yastrzemski hit two home runs in Game 2 for a 5–0 win. The series moved to St. Louis, where the Cardinals won Games 3 and 4. Down 3–1, the Red Sox won Game 5 with a strong pitching performance from Jim Lonborg. They also won Game 6 at Fenway Park. But in Game 7, Bob Gibson beat Lonborg, and the Cardinals won the series.

The "Big Red Machine" (1970-1979)

After the "Impossible Dream," the team wore a new red hat with a navy blue "B." The Red Sox played well in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But they never finished higher than second place in their division. In 1972, they lost the division title by just half a game to the Detroit Tigers. The season started late due to a players' strike. This meant the Red Sox played one less game than the Tigers.

The 1975 World Series

The Red Sox won the American League championship in 1975. Carl Yastrzemski was still a star. They also had rookie outfielders Jim Rice and Fred Lynn, called the "Gold Dust Twins." Veteran outfielder Dwight Evans, catcher Carlton Fisk, and pitchers Luis Tiant and Bill Lee were also key players. The 1975 Red Sox were a colorful and talented team. Fred Lynn won both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards. This was a rare achievement. Lynn hit .331 with 21 home runs. Jim Rice hit 22 homers and batted .309. In the playoffs, the Red Sox swept the Oakland A's.

In the 1975 World Series, they played the Cincinnati Reds, known as "The Big Red Machine." This Reds team was considered one of the best of the 1970s. Luis Tiant won Games 1 and 4. After five games, the Red Sox were down 3–2. Game 6 at Fenway Park is one of the greatest games in baseball history. The Red Sox scored first. But by the 8th inning, they were down 6–3. Then, pinch hitter Bernie Carbo hit a three-run home run to tie the game. In the 11th inning, Dwight Evans made an amazing catch.

The Red Sox won in the 12th inning. Carlton Fisk hit a deep fly ball that went towards the left field foul pole. As the ball flew, Fisk waved his arms, hoping it would stay fair. The ball hit just inside the foul pole. Fenway Park erupted as Fisk rounded the bases for a 7–6 victory.

The Red Sox lost Game 7, even though they had an early 3–0 lead. The Reds scored the winning run in the 9th inning. Carlton Fisk famously said about the 1975 World Series, "We won that thing 3 games to 4."

The 1978 Playoff Game

In 1978, the Red Sox and the Yankees were in a very close race for the division title. The Yankees were 14.5 games behind the Red Sox in July. But they caught up. On September 10, after sweeping the Red Sox in a four-game series (called "The Boston Massacre"), the Yankees tied for the lead.

The teams fought closely for the rest of the season. On the final day, the Yankees needed one win or a Boston loss to win the division. New York lost, and Boston won, forcing a one-game playoff at Fenway Park on October 2.

The Red Sox took a 2–0 lead. But in the 7th inning, Bucky Dent hit a three-run home run off pitcher Mike Torrez. The ball just went over the Green Monster. This gave the Yankees their first lead. While Dent's homer is the most remembered moment, Reggie Jackson's solo home run in the 8th inning was the difference. The Yankees won 5–4. The game ended with Yastrzemski hitting a pop fly. Dent became a Red Sox "demon." But in 1990, the Red Sox got some revenge when the Yankees fired Dent as their manager during a series at Fenway Park.

After the 1978 season, the Red Sox lost two important players. Luis Tiant signed with the Yankees. Bill Lee went to the Montreal Expos.

New Stars Emerge (1979-1989)

After the 1978 playoff game, the Red Sox didn't reach the postseason for seven years. In 1979, Carl Yastrzemski got his 3000th career hit. Fred Lynn won the batting title. The team finished third. Despite winning records in 1980 and 1981, the Red Sox let go of Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk, and Rick Burleson. Fisk went to the White Sox. Lynn and Burleson went to the California Angels. These trades brought in players like Frank Tanana, Joe Rudi, and Carney Lansford.

The Red Sox won 89 games in 1982. Carl Yastrzemski retired after the 1983 season. That year, the Red Sox finished sixth, their worst record since 1966.

However, in 1986, the team's luck seemed to change. Their hitting was strong with Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Bill Buckner, Don Baylor, and future Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. Boggs won five batting titles. Roger Clemens led the pitching staff. He had a 24–4 record and won both the American League Cy Young Award and MLB Most Valuable Player Award. He was the first pitcher to win both awards since 1971.

The Red Sox won the AL East for the first time in 11 seasons. They played the California Angels in the playoffs. The Angels took a 3–1 lead in the series. In Game 5, the Red Sox were losing 5–2 in the 9th inning. Don Baylor hit a two-run home run. With two outs and one strike away from losing, Dave Henderson hit a home run. This put Boston up 6–5. The Angels tied the game, but the Red Sox won in the 11th inning. The Red Sox then won Games 6 and 7 at Fenway Park to win the American League title.

The 1986 World Series

In the 1986 World Series, the Red Sox played the New York Mets. Boston won the first two games in New York. But they lost the next two at Fenway, tying the series. After winning Game 5, the Red Sox returned to New York. They hoped to win their first championship in 68 years.

However, Game 6 became one of the most heartbreaking losses in team history. The Red Sox led 3–2 in the 7th inning. Pitcher Roger Clemens was taken out of the game. The Mets tied the score. The game went to extra innings. The Red Sox took a 5–3 lead in the 10th inning. They were one strike away from winning the championship. Champagne was ready in the clubhouse. A message even appeared on the stadium scoreboard congratulating the Red Sox.

But then, the Mets scored three straight hits. A wild pitch tied the game. Then, Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball to first base. The ball rolled through Bill Buckner's legs. This allowed the winning run to score. The Red Sox lost. While Buckner was blamed, many people noted that even if he had fielded the ball cleanly, Wilson might still have been safe. Many also wondered why Buckner, who had bad knees, was still in the game. The Red Sox lost Game 7, completing a devastating collapse. This loss added to the idea that the Red Sox were "cursed."

The Red Sox returned to the playoffs in 1988. Manager John McNamara was fired in July and replaced by Joe Morgan. The team then won 12 games in a row. This was called "Morgan Magic." They won the AL East title. But the magic didn't last. The team was swept by the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs. The MVP of that series was former Red Sox pitcher Dennis Eckersley.

The 1990s

In 1990, the Red Sox almost lost their lead in the AL East. But they won six of their last eight games to take back the title. They faced the Athletics again in the playoffs. Again, the A's swept them in four games. That year, the Red Sox traded for pitcher Larry Andersen. The player they traded for him was Jeff Bagwell, who became a Hall of Famer for the Houston Astros.

Yankees fans started chanting "1918!" to tease the Red Sox about their last World Series win. In June 1990, the Red Sox swept the Yankees at Fenway Park. The Yankees fired their manager, Bucky Dent, on the Red Sox's field. Red Sox fans felt this was a form of revenge for Dent's famous home run in 1978.

Owner Tom Yawkey died in 1976. His wife, Jean Yawkey, took over until her death in 1992. Their initials are shown in Morse code on the Green Monster. After Jean's death, the team was sold in 2002. This ended 70 years of Yawkey ownership.

In 1994, Dan Duquette became general manager. He improved the team's farm system. This brought up players like Nomar Garciaparra, Carl Pavano, and David Eckstein. Duquette also spent money on free agents, like a big contract for Manny Ramírez in 2000.

Many fans were upset when Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughn left the team. Duquette said Clemens was "entering the twilight of his career." But Clemens went on to pitch well for ten more years and won four more Cy Young awards. Duquette also pushed for a new stadium, saying Fenway Park was "economically obsolete." But the project failed.

On the field, the Red Sox had some success. In 1995, they won the AL East. But they were swept by the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs. Their postseason losing streak reached 13 games. Young talented players like Nomar Garciaparra and John Valentin joined the team. Garciaparra won Rookie of the Year in 1997.

In 1996, Roger Clemens tied his record by striking out 20 Detroit Tigers. Mo Vaughn had a great season. But the team finished third. In 1997, the team traded closer Heathcliff Slocumb for catcher Jason Varitek and pitcher Derek Lowe.

In 1998, the Red Sox traded for pitcher Pedro Martínez. Martínez became the leader of the pitching staff and had many outstanding seasons. In 1998, the team won the MLB Wild Card. But they lost to the Indians again in the playoffs.

A year later, the 1999 Red Sox finally beat the Indians. Cleveland led 2–0, but Boston won the next three games. Game 4 was a 23–7 win, the highest-scoring playoff game ever. In Game 5, Pedro Martínez, despite a shoulder injury, pitched six innings without allowing a hit. The Red Sox won 12–8. After this win, the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

The World Series Years (2000s)

Early 2000s Challenges

In 2000, the Red Sox didn't make the most of Nomar Garciaparra's best year and Pedro Martínez's amazing season. They finished with an 85–77 record. In 2001, despite a great performance from new player Manny Ramírez, the Red Sox struggled. Manager Jimy Williams was fired and replaced by Joe Kerrigan.

In 2002, the Red Sox were sold to a new group led by John Henry. Tom Werner became executive chairman, and Larry Lucchino became president. Within 24 hours, general manager Dan Duquette was fired. Joe Kerrigan was also fired and replaced by Grady Little.

The new ownership made some trades, like getting outfielder Cliff Floyd and pitcher Alan Embree. Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramírez, and Cliff Floyd all hit well. Pedro Martínez was excellent. Derek Lowe, who became a starter, won 20 games. The Red Sox won 93 games but finished behind the Yankees and missed the wild card.

In the offseason, Theo Epstein became the general manager. At 28, he was the youngest general manager in Major League history.

The Red Sox traded for David Ortiz in 2003. Ortiz started as a part-time player. But after a trade that sent Shea Hillenbrand away, Ortiz played more and became a key player. The Red Sox broke many batting records and won the AL Wild Card.

In the 2003 American League Division Series, the Red Sox came back from being down 0–2 to beat the Oakland Athletics. In Game 3, Trot Nixon hit a walk-off home run. Derek Lowe, usually a relief pitcher, saved Game 5. The team then faced the New York Yankees in the 2003 American League Championship Series. In the deciding Game 7, Boston led 4–0. But Pedro Martínez, still pitching in the 8th inning, allowed three runs, tying the game. The Red Sox couldn't score against Mariano Rivera and lost 6–5 when Yankee Aaron Boone hit a home run.

Many people blamed manager Grady Little for leaving Martínez in the game too long. Little's contract was not renewed. He was replaced by Terry Francona.

Ending the Curse (2004)

In the 2003–04 offseason, the Red Sox got two new star pitchers: Curt Schilling and closer Keith Foulke. Fans had high hopes that 2004 would be the year the Red Sox finally won a championship. The season started well. But the team struggled in the middle due to injuries.

Pitching was strong from Pedro Martínez, Curt Schilling, and Tim Wakefield. The offense was powerful, led by Ortiz, Ramírez, Johnny Damon, and Jason Varitek. At the trade deadline on July 31, the team made a big change. They traded popular shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs. They received Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. They also got Dave Roberts. Many fans were upset at first. But the team soon turned things around, winning 22 of 25 games. They made the playoffs as the AL Wild Card.

The 2004 ALDS and ALCS

Boston started the playoffs by sweeping the Anaheim Angels. But Curt Schilling hurt his ankle in Game 1. In Game 3, David Ortiz hit a walk-off two-run home run in the 10th inning to win the game. The Red Sox then faced the New York Yankees again in the 2004 American League Championship Series.

The series started very badly for the Red Sox. Schilling struggled with his injured ankle. The Yankees won Game 1 and Game 2. In Game 3 at home, the Red Sox lost 19–8. At this point, no team in baseball history had ever come back to win a best-of-seven series after being down 3–0.

In Game 4, the Red Sox were facing elimination. They were losing 4–3 in the 9th inning. Kevin Millar walked. Dave Roberts pinch-ran and stole second base. He then scored on a hit by Bill Mueller, tying the game. The Red Sox won in the 12th inning on a two-run home run by David Ortiz. In Game 5, the Red Sox were down again. Ortiz hit a home run to get them within one run. Jason Varitek hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game. The game went 14 innings. Ortiz won it again with a hit that brought home Damon. This was the longest American League Championship Series game ever.

The series returned to Yankee Stadium for Game 6. Schilling pitched with his injured ankle. Blood showed through his sock, making it look red. Schilling pitched seven strong innings, leading the team to victory. Mark Bellhorn hit a three-run home run. In Game 7, Derek Lowe pitched a great game. Johnny Damon hit two home runs, including a grand slam. The Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 10–3. They completed a historic comeback. David Ortiz was named ALCS Most Valuable Player. The Red Sox became one of the few professional sports teams to win a series after being down 3–0.

The 2004 World Series: The Curse Ends

The Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series. The Cardinals had the best record in MLB. They had beaten the Red Sox in the 1946 and 1967 World Series. The Red Sox started Game 1 with Ortiz hitting a 3-run home run. The Red Sox won 11–9. This was the highest-scoring World Series opening game ever. The Red Sox won Game 2 in Boston with another great performance by Curt Schilling.

In Game 3, Manny Ramírez hit a solo home run. Pedro Martínez shut out the Cardinals for seven innings. Boston won 4–1. In Game 4, Damon led off the game with a home run. The Red Sox didn't allow any runs. The game ended when Édgar Rentería hit the ball back to closer Keith Foulke. Foulke threw the ball to first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox had won their first World Championship in 86 years! Boston held the Cardinals to only three runs in the final three games. They never trailed in the series.

Manny Ramírez was named World Series MVP. On the night of Game 4, there was a total lunar eclipse, making the moon appear red. The Red Sox won the title just before the eclipse ended.

The Red Sox held a "rolling rally" parade in Boston. More than three million people filled the streets to celebrate. The team rode on the city's famous "Duck Boats." Sports Illustrated named the Boston Red Sox the 2004 Sportsmen of the Year.

With the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl in February, Boston became the first city since 1979 to have both Super Bowl and World Series champions in the same year.

After the Curse (2005-2010)

After winning the World Series, the Red Sox had to deal with many players becoming free agents. Pedro Martínez, Derek Lowe, and Orlando Cabrera left. They were replaced by David Wells, Matt Clement, and Édgar Rentería. The team re-signed catcher Jason Varitek and named him team captain. On April 11, the Red Sox celebrated their championship with a ring ceremony and banner unveiling.

Key pitchers Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke were injured for much of the season. Some other players also struggled. For much of 2005, Boston was in first place. But they struggled late in the season. The Yankees won the division, and the Red Sox got the Wild Card. In the 2005 playoffs, the Red Sox were swept by the Chicago White Sox.

In October 2005, general manager Theo Epstein resigned. But he rejoined the team in January 2006. The Red Sox made many changes. They traded for pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell. They also traded for center fielder Coco Crisp. But Crisp broke his finger early in the 2006 season.

Third baseman Mike Lowell played very well. The Red Sox had one of the best fielding teams in baseball. On June 30, Boston set a record with 17 straight errorless games. They also won 12 games in a row. Many Red Sox players were chosen for the 2006 All-Star Game, including David Ortiz and Mark Loretta.

A bright spot in 2006 was the new closer, Jonathan Papelbon. The rookie pitcher saved 20 games in a row. He set a Red Sox rookie record with 35 saves. David Ortiz also had a great season, hitting 54 home runs. This broke the team record set by Jimmie Foxx in 1938.

But the Red Sox struggled with injuries and poor play late in the season. They finished 2006 in third place.

Another World Series Title (2007)

General Manager Theo Epstein made a big move for 2007. The Red Sox won the right to negotiate with Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Boston bid $51.1 million and signed him to a 6-year contract.

The team decided to move closer Jonathan Papelbon to a starting pitcher role. But Papelbon wanted to return to closing games. So, he became the star closer again. The Red Sox also added new relief pitchers like Hideki Okajima. Okajima became a great setup pitcher.

Shortstop Álex González left, and Julio Lugo replaced him. Mark Loretta also left, opening a spot for young player Dustin Pedroia. Fan favorite Trot Nixon left for the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox signed J. D. Drew for right field.

The Red Sox started 2007 quickly. They moved into first place in the AL East by mid-April and stayed there. Ortiz and Ramírez provided their usual offense. But the hitting of Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia was a surprise. Pedroia started slowly but improved greatly. Josh Beckett became the ace pitcher, starting the year 9–0. The bullpen was strong, led by Papelbon and Okajima. By the All-Star break, Boston had the best record in baseball.

In the second half, more stars emerged. Beckett reached 20 wins for the first time. Veteran Tim Wakefield had a great season. Rookie Clay Buchholz pitched a no-hitter in his second career start. Another rookie, outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, played brilliantly. Mike Lowell led the team in RBIs. Dustin Pedroia finished his first full season with 165 hits and a .317 average. The Red Sox were the first team to make the playoffs in 2007. They won their first AL East title since 1995.

In the playoffs, the Red Sox swept the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They faced the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. Josh Beckett won Game 1. But the Red Sox lost the next three games. Facing a 3–1 deficit, Beckett pitched a masterful Game 5, allowing only one run. The Red Sox then outscored the Indians 30–5 over the final three games. They won the last two games at Fenway Park to win their 12th American League championship.

In the 2007 World Series, the Red Sox played the Colorado Rockies. Beckett set the tone again, pitching seven strong innings in a 13–1 victory. In Game 2, Schilling, Okajima, and Papelbon held the Rockies to one run. Boston won 2–1. Moving to Colorado, the Red Sox offense made the difference again in a 10–5 win. In Game 4, Jon Lester pitched 5.2 shutout innings. Mike Lowell was named World Series MVP. The Red Sox swept the Rockies in four games. They won their second title in four years.

Ups and Downs (2008-2012)

The Red Sox started strong in 2008. Manny Ramírez hit his 500th career home run. In June, pitcher James Shields hit Coco Crisp, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. In July, seven Red Sox players were All-Stars. J. D. Drew hit a two-run home run and was named All-Star Game MVP.

The Red Sox chased the Tampa Bay Rays for the division title. In July, Manny Ramírez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This trade brought Jason Bay to the Red Sox. The Rays won the division. Boston won 95 games and got a Wild Card spot. They beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the playoffs. But they lost to the Rays in a seven-game ALCS.

After losing to the Rays, the Red Sox changed their road uniforms. In the next offseason, they signed Rocco Baldelli, John Smoltz, and Brad Penny. The Red Sox made the playoffs again as a Wild Card. But they were swept in the first round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In 2010, despite adding players like John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, and Adrián Beltré, the Red Sox missed the playoffs. This was mainly due to injuries to key players. They did prevent the Yankees from winning the AL East title.

The 2011 season started poorly for the Red Sox. They lost their first six games. Although they recovered, the pitching staff had many injuries. Veteran starter John Lackey had one of the worst seasons for a Red Sox pitcher.

Despite injuries, the Red Sox led the Tampa Bay Rays by 9 games on September 3. But they lost 18 of their next 24 games. On the final day of the season, Jonathan Papelbon blew a save. The Red Sox were eliminated from playoff contention. They finished the season at 90–72.

After the season, manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein left the team. The Red Sox did not improve in 2012 under new manager Bobby Valentine. They finished last in the AL East for the first time since 1992. During the season, the Red Sox traded Beckett, Crawford, and González to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

World Series Champions Again (2013)

Under new manager John Farrell, the Red Sox finished first in the American League East in 2013. They had a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. In the playoffs, the Red Sox first beat the Tampa Bay Rays. In the ALCS, the Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers in six games.

Advancing to the World Series, the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six games. They won the franchise's eighth championship overall and their third in ten years. The Red Sox became only the second team to win the World Series the season after finishing last in their division. Amazing hitting from David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury helped lead the way. Great pitching from Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Jake Peavy also contributed.

Ups and Downs (2014-2017)

The Red Sox struggled in 2014, finishing last in the AL East. They were the first team in history to go from last place to first place to last place in three seasons. They finished last again in 2015. This was the first time since 1929-1930 that they finished last in back-to-back seasons.

However, the Red Sox quickly returned to winning. They won back-to-back AL East titles in 2016 and 2017. But they were eliminated by the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros in the playoffs.

During this time, new young players emerged from the minor leagues. These included Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Christian Vázquez, Eduardo Rodríguez, Andrew Benintendi, and Rafael Devers. The Red Sox also added pitchers like Rick Porcello, David Price, Chris Sale, and closer Craig Kimbrel. Long-time designated hitter David Ortiz retired after the 2016 season.

Ninth World Series Championship (2018)

Under first-year manager Alex Cora, the team had an amazing regular season in 2018. They won 108 games and finished first in the American League East. This was their third division title in a row. The Red Sox were the first MLB team to win 100 games that season. They set a new team record for wins, beating the 105 wins from 1912.

The Red Sox entered the playoffs as the top team in the American League. They defeated the Yankees in four games in the Division Series. Then, they beat the defending champion Houston Astros in five games in the Championship Series. They advanced to the World Series, where they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

Mookie Betts was named the American League Most Valuable Player for 2018. He also won the batting title with a .346 average. He hit 32 home runs and stole 30 bases. The Red Sox also added J. D. Martinez. He led the team with 43 home runs and 130 RBIs.

Recent Years (2019-2023)

After their World Series victory, the Red Sox went 84–78 in 2019 and missed the playoffs. Chaim Bloom was hired as the new president of baseball operations. In February 2020, the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Sox finished last in the AL East with a 24–36 record.

In 2021, the Red Sox earned an AL wild card spot. They defeated the Yankees in the Wild Card Game. Then they beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. The Red Sox won three games to one, with exciting walk-off wins in the last two games. In the ALCS, the Red Sox were eliminated by the Houston Astros in six games.

In 2022, the Red Sox finished last in the AL East again. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts left the team in the offseason. On September 4, 2023, the Red Sox fired Chaim Bloom. The Red Sox ended the 2023 season with a 78-84 record and last place in the AL East for the second year in a row.

Images for kids

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  1906 Season pass

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  Inside view of the season pass

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  The Red Sox logo used in 1908

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  The Huntington Avenue Grounds during a game.