The Boston Red Sox - One of Baseball"s Greatest Franchises
The Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball are one of the most storied franchises in the history of baseball in America.
The franchise has been a part of baseball in America for over a century and has gone from dominant to loveable losers and returned to dominance during their hundred-year existence.
Boston has some of the most passionate fans in the game and they are a group that has endured the heights of ecstasy as well as the deepest depths of despair.
Boston's history begins in 1901 when the minor league baseball group known as the Western League decided to declare itself equal with the National League, the only major league baseball association at the time.
The newly formed American League decided to place a franchise in Boston to compete with the city's National League team.
That new franchise would be the Boston Red Sox, though they had no official nickname until 1908.
The new Boston franchise would finish second in 1901 and third in 1902 before winning their first pennant in 1903 and repeating in 1904.
Boston began to build its legacy almost immediately by appearing in the first modern World Series in 1903 and defeating the heavily favored Pittsburgh Pirates from the National League five games to three in a best of nine series.
Before the first two decades of the 20th century ended, the new Red Sox would win a total of five World Series titles, winning again in 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918 in addition to their 1903 title.
Boston's good times would soon come to an end however, marked notably in history by the sale of Babe Ruth to the franchise's heated rival, the New York Yankees.
Financial stresses lead to the sale of Ruth to the Yankees, and in the minds of many contributed to the rise of the Yankees and the troubles of the Red Sox during the 1920s and 1930s.
After winning four World Series titles and four American League pennants with Ruth the Red Sox would have to wait until 1946 to win another AL pennant and would wait 86 agonizing years to win another World Series title which occurred in 2004.
During the 86-year span between World Series titles, Boston fans would have to endure losing seasons and agonizing close calls that would see their beloved "Sawx" lose all four World Series berths during their title drought.
When the club emerged in 2004 as World Series title, it capped a return to prominence for the franchise that saw it win another World Series title in 2007 and become a perennial contender to win the title.
Since 2004 the Red Sox have made five post-season appearances, as the Wild Card team in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 and as the AL East champions in 2007.
The franchise has also seen its fan base increase worldwide during its resurgence in the 2000s.
Boston fans are now so numerous in states across the country and around the world that they are simply referred to as "The Nation".
The franchise has played in the same stadium since 1912, Fenway Park.
When the club was formed as an original member of the American League they played their home games at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds.
The Red Sox played there from 1901 until 1911 before moving into Fenway Park for the 1912 season.
Fenway has stood the test of time and is now not only the oldest venue in baseball but is also the oldest venue in American professional sports.
The franchise has sold out every home game at Fenway Park since May 15, 2003.
The franchise has been a part of baseball in America for over a century and has gone from dominant to loveable losers and returned to dominance during their hundred-year existence.
Boston has some of the most passionate fans in the game and they are a group that has endured the heights of ecstasy as well as the deepest depths of despair.
Boston's history begins in 1901 when the minor league baseball group known as the Western League decided to declare itself equal with the National League, the only major league baseball association at the time.
The newly formed American League decided to place a franchise in Boston to compete with the city's National League team.
That new franchise would be the Boston Red Sox, though they had no official nickname until 1908.
The new Boston franchise would finish second in 1901 and third in 1902 before winning their first pennant in 1903 and repeating in 1904.
Boston began to build its legacy almost immediately by appearing in the first modern World Series in 1903 and defeating the heavily favored Pittsburgh Pirates from the National League five games to three in a best of nine series.
Before the first two decades of the 20th century ended, the new Red Sox would win a total of five World Series titles, winning again in 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918 in addition to their 1903 title.
Boston's good times would soon come to an end however, marked notably in history by the sale of Babe Ruth to the franchise's heated rival, the New York Yankees.
Financial stresses lead to the sale of Ruth to the Yankees, and in the minds of many contributed to the rise of the Yankees and the troubles of the Red Sox during the 1920s and 1930s.
After winning four World Series titles and four American League pennants with Ruth the Red Sox would have to wait until 1946 to win another AL pennant and would wait 86 agonizing years to win another World Series title which occurred in 2004.
During the 86-year span between World Series titles, Boston fans would have to endure losing seasons and agonizing close calls that would see their beloved "Sawx" lose all four World Series berths during their title drought.
When the club emerged in 2004 as World Series title, it capped a return to prominence for the franchise that saw it win another World Series title in 2007 and become a perennial contender to win the title.
Since 2004 the Red Sox have made five post-season appearances, as the Wild Card team in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 and as the AL East champions in 2007.
The franchise has also seen its fan base increase worldwide during its resurgence in the 2000s.
Boston fans are now so numerous in states across the country and around the world that they are simply referred to as "The Nation".
The franchise has played in the same stadium since 1912, Fenway Park.
When the club was formed as an original member of the American League they played their home games at Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds.
The Red Sox played there from 1901 until 1911 before moving into Fenway Park for the 1912 season.
Fenway has stood the test of time and is now not only the oldest venue in baseball but is also the oldest venue in American professional sports.
The franchise has sold out every home game at Fenway Park since May 15, 2003.
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