Our countdown on baseball’s 50 greatest teams (called the best 50 balls) today poured into the 2004 Boston Red Sox No. 36. Ranking from my new book The best team in baseball.
Here is a quick boilerplate note attached to each story I have in this series:
I compiled the best 50 by analyzing 2,544 major league teams from 1903 to 2024. (The historical percentile for a given club is the percentage of its other 2,543 teams.)
Please refer to my book to explain my TS calculations. The book also offers a separate breakdown of the best and worst clubs every decade, along with a comprehensive overview of the best 50 (including a position-by-position lineup and more information than you will find in this newsletter), and a similar summary of the 10 worst teams of all time.
Now enter today's profile.
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Team: 2004 Boston Red Sox
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Team score: 86.128 points
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Ranking History: 36 of 2,544
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Historical percentile: 98.62%
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Seasonal record: 98-64 (.605)
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Season position: Second place in the Eastern Conference
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Final identity: World Champion
The Red Sox rode a special winning streak to 2004. Since 1998, they have ranked second in the Eastern Conference in each season, with six years and accumulated numbers.
There is reason to hope to do better in the mid-2004. Boston features a strong batting order, producing 5.86 runs per game and leading both leagues. In AL, the pitcher's era is 4.18. Sox arched early division leaders, but their nemesis (who captured Al East Crown’s club since 1998) crossed them in June. The New York Yankees extend their lead to 10 games by August 16.
That was when Sox hit the accelerator, and the rest was 33-12. They didn't catch the Yanks, though they did claim to be a universal playoff berth. Critics laugh at Boston players celebrating – after all, second place for the seventh consecutive year – but manager Terry Francona Defend his troops. “If they're happy to make it to the playoffs, they have the right to be excited,” he said. “What's the big deal?”
Get a complete low in 50 greatest (and 10 weakest) clubs of all time
The Red Sox brought their momentum into the Anaheim Angels in the Anaheim Division Series. But they suddenly died in the AL Championship series and lost to the terrible Yankees. “It’s over soon.” Boston Global Columnist Bob Ryan: “We’re going to have another dull winter, sigh for it and sigh for it.”
Sox scored an extra pair of wins that made the series respectable before ending the Yankees with a 4-2 and 10-3 win at Yankees Stadium. This is the first playoffs in three deficits in baseball history. “It's as big as the World Series,” the pitcher ecstatic Tim Wakefield.
The final round proved to be very easy. Sox swept the Cardinal with a combined score of 24-12, which gave Boston its first World Series trophy since 1918.
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No other American League club can match Boston's one or two left-back punches Manny Ramirez and designated batsmen David Ortiz.
Ramirez led the home run (43) and slip percentage (.613). Opponents were amazed at his dedication. “When it comes to his craft, his art and skills, he's as smart as anyone,” said Yankee Third Baseman. Alex Rodriguez. Ortiz is the only batsman in either league to have more than 40 home runs and 135 RBIs. The eight-year veteran learned how to get to the court anywhere in the strike zone. “He used to have a hole in it. You'll go outside,” New York approached Mariano Rivera. “Hole? They're not there now.''
Midfielder Johnny Damon Inject the lineup with power and speed. He hit 20 home runs and stole a leading 19 bases. The tough catcher Jason Varitek Consolidating his reputation as a validated winner. He became one of three players ever to play in the Independent World Series Championship at the minor league, college and major league level.
Offseason deal with Arizona added Curt Schilling Boston's start rotation. The 37-year-old Schilling is known for its durability and disease. These qualities inspired Philadelphia general manager Ed Wade, calling Schilling the “Mords”, on “horse butts” elsewhere. The Red Sox are pleased with his 21-game lead in the league.
Pedro Martinez It doesn't look like an electric pitcher, nor is it his slender 170-pound frame. However, he flashed an extraordinary fastball, offsetting it with excellent changes. Martinez ranked second in the AL with 227 strikeouts.
