Immediately prior to dropping $300,000 at a Hollywood nightclub, the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 MLB World Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one.  On their way to the title, the Sox defeated the New York Yankees three games to one in the American League Division Series, and then dispatched the defending MLB champion Houston Astros by a margin of 4 games to one.

Way back on Opening Day 2018, the Red Sox collectively suffered a meltdown against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 9th inning at Tropicana Field, but they turned it around the next day and never looked back, on the way to an incredible 108 wins, the best record in the big leagues, after also notching the best Spring Training won-loss record.

Although the Red Sox were installed as favorites over the Dodgers of the National League, virtually all of the so-called experts made them the underdogs against the AL’s best, suggesting an accuracy level similar to the “Trump can’t win” political pundit class. Give the cohort’s predictions for the midterms, who know what will happen on Election Day tomorrow.

Especially if you follow baseball on a day-to-day basis, isn’t it refreshing that a team that sustained excellence throughout the regular season won the title in the end? The Red Sox have now won four rings since the beginning of the century.

The 108-win Sox added another 11 victories in the playoff run. With home field advantage through the post-season, the Red Sox remarkably only lost one away game the entire time, that being the 18-inning marathon in Los Angeles. They also defeated Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw twice. Each step of the way, the locker room celebration occurred in the opponent’s venue.

When baseball historians look back, it will appear that the Red Sox dominated the Dodgers, but each game generally was nip and tuck.

In early blog, this blog wondering if a team like the Red Sox could slug their way to the World Series. The answer turned out, in part, to be yes, but the starters were solid and the shaky bullpen suddenly became lights out. The relief crew was supplemented several starters, who manager Alex Cora referred to as “rovers,” and who threw smoke in a relief role. For example, if you bring in ace Chris Sale to pitch the ninth inning of Game 5 of the World Series, you’re not messing around–you’re going in for the kill.

A couple of observations and questions in the context the 2018 World Series:

  • No one from the outside really knows what goes on behind the scenes, but the Red Sox apparent strong team chemistry lent itself to on-field success.
  • First-year, first-time manager Alex Cora is a superior tactician and clubhouse relationship builder than his predecessor John Farrell, and also seemed to outmanage his counterparts in the playoffs. (Why did Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts bring in Ryan Madson in three games?)
  • Although stars Mookie Betts (the presumed AL MVP) and J.D. Martinez (presumed MVP runner-up) were the stellar at the plate in the regular season in leading the potent offense, players such as Jackie Bradley Jr., Eduardo Nunez, Mitch Moreland, and World Series MVP Steve Pearce blasted home runs in clutch playoff moments. Again, the unique randomness of MLB is what makes its simultaneously exciting, boring, riveting, unpredictable, annoying, and frustrating.
  • There was no need for Betts to play second base in the National League park. Martinez played the outfield in all three away games, with either JBJ or Andrew Benintendi sitting.
  • Although journeyman Pearce was named MVP, pitcher David Price redeemed himself in the Fall Classic with dominating performances, in so doing ending his playoff woes. Arguably, Price should have won MVP honors. That said, Red Sox Nation probably would have preferred Price, with his prickly personality, to opt out as he enters his mid 30s with a sore elbow. The money Price is owed on his massive contract could probably have been allocated elsewhere, but he is staying with the Red Sox for the duration — or at least until he gets traded a few seasons down the line in a partial salary dump.
  • As alluded to above, given the insane baseball guaranteed-contract salary structure and looming free agency Red Sox ownership will need to writing some big checks in the near future to keep their spectacular “killer B” outfield comprised of Betts, Bradley, and Benintendi together, among other key members of the lineup.
  • The Dodgers had to play the equivalent of a doubleheader to just win one World Series game, by one run. See Kinsler below.
  • With the Red Sox championship, second baseman Ian Kinsler avoided becoming Billy Buckner 2.0 after his errant game-losing throw in Game 3.
  • Will the Red Sox re-sign Nathan Eovaldi and Craig Kimbrel? If they part ways with Kimbrel, who will step up as closer?
  • During the locker room celebration, the triumphant Red Sox trolled the rival Yankees in epic fashion by singing along to Frank Sinatra’s iconic “New York, New York. This was a way to return the favor to Aaron Judge, who played the song in Fenway Park after his team won Game 2 of the ALDS. Warning: you might wind up with an earworm after listening to this clip.

  • Championship teams sometimes suffer a psychological hangover — in addition to a physical hangover from excessive partying and victory laps — the lasts through the following season when the motivation isn’t quite there. But according to WEEI.com‘s Rob Bradford, Boston could enter the 2019 season ever better positioned:

“A strong case can be made that with the continued production and presence of Martinez, the likes of Benintendi, Bradley and Xander Bogaerts could all take steps forward. Another full season of Rafael Devers could truly be a game-changer assuming the uneasy lessons of 2018 are built upon. The catching position isn’t going to get worse. Finding a complement at first base for Mitch Moreland (Pearce actually still makes sense) shouldn’t be all that difficult. As we’ve noted, the best chance to cement an uptick for 2019 is re-signing Eovaldi. This would be viewed as a luxury for some, but when staring at the prospect of two of your top three starters leaving after next season — along with the need for top-of-the-rotation dominance — such a proactive maneuver makes a lot of sense.”

  • The Sox are currently noncommital about visiting the White House to celebrate their championship if an invitation emerges. Although the ownership is liberal, the team will probably take its lead from Cora about whether to go. Hopefully the manager will take the opportunity to discuss with President Trump their apparent differences over Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts. Trump has already proven that his willing to sit down with athletes and others celebrities in an effort to find common ground on various issues.
  • Hopefully the Red Sox will bring back the 2017 post-game outfield dance that they shelved in 2018.

Added: MLB Trade Rumors  explains that while the Boston Red Sox have some decisions to make about immediate free agents Craig Kimbrel, Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Kelly, Steve Pearce, Ian Kinsler, Drew Pomeranz, and Brandon Phillips,  their core may make them the team to beat in 2019 and beyond,

“The Red Sox won 108 regular season games and then lost just three postseason contests en route to the Commissioner’s Trophy. The good news doesn’t end there for Boston fans, as the window is still wide open for another title. Potential AL MVP Mookie Betts and Hank Aaron Award-winning slugger J.D. Martinez are the cornerstones of a dynamic lineup that will also have Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi, and Jackie Bradley Jr. as Opening Day locks. Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello sit atop the rotation, with bullpen workhorses Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier, and Hector Velazquez all returning.

“That’s an awfully strong nucleus to start from, particularly for a team that can still account for less-stable positions with players already on the roster, and isn’t shy about making big trades or signings if external help is required…”