About a month ago, I wrote a piece called "The Last Championship Defense". It talked about the 08 season, and how the Red Sox might have repeated as World Champions had the Devil Rays, as they were then called, not exploded from nowhere to take the AL East with 97 wins. Tampa then continued their run by taking Chicago in 4 games in the ALDS and surprising the Sox in a hard-fought ALCS to take the pennant.
The question of a possible Boston repeat is a looming one as 2014 spring training begins. It might be interesting to examine the first modern championship defense-2005. Coming off the miraculous "Reversing the Curse" performance in 04, the Sox had a strange 05 season, which saw them tie the Yankees for the AL East crown with a 97-65 record. Unlike in 78, however, no playoff game was needed. Since the Yanks held a 10-9 advantage over the Sox in head-to-head play, they took on the Wild Card LA Angels of Anaheim while the Townies had to contend with the AL Central champion White Sox, who finished 99-63.
The 05 year was also strange because the Sox unloaded so many regulars. Neither longtime superhurler Pedro Martinez nor erratic Derek Lowe were re-signed, probably because the front office was unwilling to give either man a 4-year deal (which the Mets gave Pedro and the Dodgers gave Lowe). World Series heroes Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz were also allowed to walk.In addition, Curt Schilling, still suffering from injuries, began the year on the DL and started only 11 times. In effect, three fifths of the 04 rotation was wiped out. To fill the holes, the team brought in 42-year-old David Wells and journeyman Matt Clement. Another obscure hurler named Wade Miller also started 16 contests.
The result was a pitching staff with an ERA of 4.74, eleventh out of 14 AL teams. Clement, Miller, Wells, Bronson Arroyo and Tim Wakefield all had plus-4 ERA's. The bullpen wasn't much better, as 04 closer Keith Foulke collapsed to 5-5 and 5.91. The most reliable relievers were Mike Timlin (7-3, 2.24) and Mike Myers (3-1, 3.13). It was "closer by committee" as Foulke contributed 15 saves, Timlin 13 and Schilling 9. Blown saves were high, with even Timlin victimized for 7. Twenty-six hurlers pitched for the Sox, including names like Cla Meredith, Blaine Neal, and Geremi Gonzales.
05 proved to be a sort of bridge year for the Sox, as coming star hurlers like Jon Lester and Clay Buchhlolz were getting minor league experience. After the season, Josh Beckett would come on the scene and win 36 games in his first two seasons.
Of course, Boston made the playoffs on their hitting. Featuring one of the strongest lineups in baseball, they led the league in runs, hits, doubles, batting average and OBP and were second in slugging. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were one of the best two-man shows of all-time, combining for 92 homers and 292 rbi's.
The season did not end well for the Sox. Chicago took advantage of the weak staff to win the ALDS in three straight by scores of 14-2, 5-4 and 5-3. The Chisox batted .289 and ravaged Boston pitching to the tune of a 7.56 ERA.
After looking at 05 and 08, one has to believe that barring serious injuries, the Townies have a better chance of repeating this year than either of the other two campaigns. The team is more pitching-rich and balanced, with both youth and age. The Sox haven't repeated since 1915-16…who knows?
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