October 31, 2013

The Boston Red Sox won their third World Series in 10 years, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, the last game a 6-1 victory at Fenway Park yesterday. It was first time the Red Sox captured a World Series title at home since Babe Ruth was on the team in 1918. The 2013 series was exciting throughout, with two games ending in improbable plays. One was an obstruction play at third base that gave the game to the Cardinals. In the other, a St. Louis runner was picked off first base. Every game but the sixth was close, confirming the general view that the two best teams in baseball were meeting for the championship.

The Boston victory added additional luster to designated hitter David Ortiz as one of the iconic figures in Boston baseball history. “Big Papi” Ortiz was named the series’ Most Valuable Player, the only batter on either team to provide consistent offense throughout the six games. Ortiz shared the spotlight with Koji Uehara, a 38-year old Boston pitcher from Japan with an unhittable curve ball who was the Most Valuable Player in Boston’s American League Championship Series victory over the Detroit Tigers. Uehara struck out the final batter in the sixth game of the series, igniting a wild celebration on the diamond that spread to the streets of Boston throughout the night.