Date:         Fri, 3 Oct 2003 12:45:54 -0400
From:         Edward Fischer
Subject:      Re: Death and The Red Sox

> We have good teams most years, great teams fairly often, 

Actually, part of the problem is that the Sox *haven't* had any great
teams. When was the last time the Sox won 100+ games? (Hint: not
within my lifetime.)

The last time that they won 95+ games, they made it to the World
Series (and ended up losing to a team that won 108 games in the
regular season). They *almost* caught lightning in a bottle that year,
but came up one strike short...

> How many times have the Sox made the playoffs in 30 years?
> 75, 78 (essentially), 86, 88, 90, 95, 98, 99, 03. 

1975 95 wins Beat OAK (98 wins) 
		  Lost in WS to CIN (108 wins) 
1977 97 wins didn't make playoffs 
1978 99 wins didn't make playoffs 
1979 91 wins didn't make playoffs 
1986 95 wins Beat ANA (92 wins) 
		  Lost in WS to NYM (108 wins) 
1990 88 wins Lost in ALCS to OAK (103 wins) 
1995 86 wins Lost in ALDS to CLE (100 wins)
1998 92 wins Lost in ALDS to CLE (89 wins**) 
1999 94 wins Beat CLE (97 wins)
		  Lost in ALCS to NYY (98 wins) 
2002 93 wins didn't make playoffs 
2003 95 wins playing OAK (96 wins) 

In the last 30 years, the Sox have had five strong teams (95+
wins). Two of these were blocked out from the playoffs by a stronger
Yankee team. Two won the ALCS (beating comparable teams) but lost to
GREAT teams in the WS. The last one is (at this point) losing to a
team with a comparable regular-season record.

Those 1990 and 1995 teams lost to much stronger teams in the first
round of the playoffs. No real surprise. In 1998, Cleveland had a
weaker record, but they had the division won at the ASB and basically
coasted for the second half of the season. They were well rested for
the playoffs, and a substantially stronger team than their season
record would indicate. In 1999, the Sox beat a stronger team in the
first round but lost to a stronger team in the second round.

Get the picture?  The Sox *have* occasionally beaten better teams in
the playoffs. But they have *consistently* been the underdogs, and
with good reason. This is the first team in quite a while that was
favored to win -- and even so, this team isn't what I would call a
"great" team. Great offense? Yes. But below-average defense, average
starting pitching, and a suspect bullpen.

> You'd think just once we'd catch a break or really catch on 
> fire, wouldn't you?

We did. In both 1975 and 1986, we came close to stealing a WS from
much stronger teams. And the 2003 season isn't quite over yet.

Best wishes, 
-Valentine