It’s histories in the making
World Series features two of baseball’s most storied franchises
Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams, Yaz and the Impossible Dream.
Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner.
Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. “Sweet Caroline” or “I Love L.A.”
Yet for all their rich history — dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound — the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago.
In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park.
Consider this: Going into Game 1 on Tuesday night, the Dodgers have beaten the Red Sox in Boston just one time.
That came on June 12, 2004. And guess who scored and drove in a run for the Dodgers during that 14-5 romp?
Alex Cora, now the rookie manager of the Red Sox. One of his teammates that afternoon — Dave Roberts — is ready to lead Los Angeles into its second straight Fall Classic.
Roberts is sure to draw a big cheer when the teams line up for pre-game introductions. He’s still a fan favourite in Bos- ton for his daring stolen base that sparked an unprecedented comeback from a 3-0 deficit against Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series. The Red Sox went on to end their 86-year title drought by sweeping St. Louis in the World Series, boosted by Big Papi, Pedro and Manny. Starting this week, Boston will try for its fourth championship in 15 seasons.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Fenway. Obviously for me personally, I have a lot of fond memories of the Red Sox and Fenway Park,” Roberts said. “To be wearing another uniform going in there playing for a World Series champion- ship is going to be special for me.”
This also marks the first time both Series managers have played for each team.
“The weather. Traffic,” Cora said Sunday about the varying locales.
MVP candidate Mookie Betts and the Red Sox posted a teamrecord 108 wins, a big payoff for the team with the top payroll in the game. Boston pushed past New York in the AL Division Series and then quickly dispatched the defending champion Houston Astros in the ALCS.
A tremendous right-fielder, Betts might move to second base when the Series shifts to Dodger Stadium. That would be to make room for slugger J.D. Martinez when the Red Sox lose their designated hitter slot.
Boston opened as a slight betting favourite over Los Angeles.
“That’s the best team in the game right now. We respect that,” Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said. “But know that we’re good.”
Chris Sale is set to pitch the opener for the Red Sox. He recently spent a night in the hospital because of a stomach illness, and no doubt watchful eyes will be on the lefty ace.
Los Angeles is aiming for its first championship since Kirk Gibson, Orel Hershiser and Tommy Lasorda brought home the crown in 1988.
A year after dropping Game 7 at home to Houston, Justin Turner and the crew with the third-highest payroll beat Colorado in a tiebreaker for the National League West title, chased Atlanta in the NLDS and topped Milwaukee 5-1on Saturday night in Game 7 for the pennant.
“It doesn’t matter how you get there. But to get to come back and go back from last year, it’s unbelievable,” Kershaw said. New to the power-packed Dodgers this season is star shortstop Manny Machado, acquired in a July trade with Baltimore.
Boston fans are plenty familiar with him — his late slide last year injured longtime Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, and led to a tense situation at Fenway with Sale throwing behind Machado.