The last time it happened, Babe Ruth was pitching, Woodrow Wilson was president, and the Allies were on the brink of winning World War I. It hasn’t happened since 1918, but on October 30, 2013, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series at their home stadium, Fenway Park.
The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 2 in the Fall Classic in Boston, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished for 95 years. The last time the Sox won the Series was in 2007, but that celebration was held in Denver after defeating the Colorado Rockies.
Boston can credit this victory to a number of things. Shane Victorino’s three-run double in the third inning gave the Red Sox a 3-0 advantage. However, batting was not the only strongpoint for the Sox. John Lackey pitched an exceptional game on the mound, allowing only one run in 6 2/3 innings, the only run the Cardinals would score.
There were some strange endings to a few of the games throughout the series, though. A controversial obstruction call ended game 3 after Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks tripped Cardinals batter Allen Craig on his way between third base and home plate. The Cardinals were handed the win. “It was a fair call because the third baseman brought his legs up, which was the signal to the umpire that he was trying to obstruct the runner,” said sophomore Addison Kasper.
The end of game 4 was just as stunning, as Red Sox closer Koji Uehara picked off Cardinals pinch runner Kolten Wong at first base. “It was both a dumb move by the Cardinals and a heads-up play by the Sox. The Cardinals weren’t paying attention to detail, making it easy for the Sox to win,” said sophomore Jake Baker.
The Red Sox deserved to win the World Series, but that doesn’t mean that the Cardinals made it easy for them. The drought that plagued the Sox, not winning a World Series at home, is finally over. The Red Sox fans rejoice, and after a 95-year wait, they sure deserve to.