2005 Boston Red Sox

2005 Boston Red Sox / Franchise: Boston Red Sox / BR Team Page[edit]

Record: 95-67, Finished 1st (tie) in AL Eastern Division (2005 AL) | 2005 American League Wild Card

Clinched Wild Card: October 2, 2005, vs. New York Yankees

Managed by Terry Francona

Coaches: Bill Haselman, Ron Jackson, Lynn Jones, Brad Mills, Dale Sveum and Dave Wallace

Ballpark: Fenway Park

History, Comments, Contributions[edit]

"Without pitching, Honey, St. Christopher ain't got the time" - Peter Gammons

The 2005 Boston Red Sox made a valiant run for a team that basically played the entire season without its number one starter or its closer. But in the end, the lack of arms showed when it counted. The Red Sox were swept in three games by the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, and were outscored, 24-9, in those games.

A clear indication of that lack of pitching came on Opening Day, which they played on April 3rd at Yankee Stadium, home of the rival New York Yankees. Coming in as the defending World Series champions, having just broken the Curse of the Bambino by winning their first World Series since 1918, the Red Sox started soon-to-be 42-year-old David Wells, who had been signed as a free agent in the off-season. He gave up 4 runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings, and six relievers combined to allow another 5 runs as Boston lost the nationally-televized game, 9-2. Wells went on to have a surprisingly good season, finishing at 15-7, 4.45, but it was evident that Boston was outgunned on the mound from the start.