Murray: The 2023 Boston Red Sox are done
After a weekend sweep over the New York Yankees the Boston Red Sox have dropped the first two games of their series with the Houston Astros. On Wednesday’s Felger and Mazz, Jim Murray gave his thoughts on the Red Sox and how he believes the team is “done”.
Audio
Are the Red Sox done?
Mazz: So they made three errors, they got two people tossed, and they lost by four runs. They’re now five out of the wild card. They’ve lost the first two games of this series. And again, they’ve gotten smoked in these two games. The game last night was close for the most part until the very end, but then they completely broke down at the end. A 3-0 game turned into a 7-0.
Jim Murray: It’s almost like that weekend sweep of the Yankees was wildly overrated, huh?
Mazz: Because you know what? That series was about the Yankees. It wasn’t about the Red Sox.
Jim Murray: Oh, you don’t say. But, hey, let’s celebrate like we won the World Series after we complete the sweep. I read that I’m like these losers. And of course they go and get put over a barrel by Houston, an actual good team as soon as they go out there.
Mazz: They’re coming apart at the seams.
Jim Murray: I just think it’s hysterical. Like they think that they caught “wind in their sales after we swept the mighty Yankees”. The Yankees are garbage. This might be the worst Yankee team of my lifetime. I don’t remember them ever losing nine straight. I don’t ever remember that happening prior to this. They’re garbage. And to hear that Alex Cora gets his press conference interrupted because, “hey, you’re missing the party”. Who was it? Kenley Jansen. “Hey, come on in. We’re going to party like we just clinched or won the World Series”. That’s such a loser behavior. You’re still behind in the wild card.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 21: Luis Urias #17 of the Boston Red Sox scores in the sixth inning ahead of the tag from Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 21, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Felger: Weren’t they celebrating someone? Because the the bench coach got the win or something?
Mazz: Yeah, Ramon Vasquez.
Jim Murray: Oh, this is what the spin is now?
Felger: No, it’s what it was. They wanted to give him a shower. A beer shower or something because he won his first game.
Jim Murray: And we swept the Yankees. Like, come on. Like, it’s such an awful look for a suck team that immediately, like you said, unraveled and reverts to what they really are as soon as they go play a real team in must win games against Houston. Can we put a nail in this operation Now? They’re done. It’s over.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Every Rookie of the Year in Red Sox History
3. Carlton Fisk – 1972
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
A 21-year-old Carlton Fisk had his baseball career interrupted after joining the Army Reserve, but he came back with vengeance in 1972, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing 4th in MVP voting, and taking home a Gold Glove behind the plate. He ended up slashing .293/.370/.538/.909 with 22 homers, 28 doubles, and 9 triples. Fisk was the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and is still the last catcher to lead the AL in triples.
4. Fred Lynn – 1975
American baseball player Fred Lynn at bat for the Boston Red Sox, late 1970s. Lynn played for Boston from 1974 – 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Fred Lynn owns the most memorable Rookie of the Year campaign in Red Sox history. On top of bringing home the Rookie of the Year award, he also won American League MVP, a Gold Glove, and helped lead the team to a World Series appearance against the Reds. It marked the start of 9 straight All-Star appearances.
5. Nomar Garciaparra – 1997
Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looking on during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California on Aug. 5, 1999. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 8-0. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)
After a cameo in 1994, Nomar Garciaparra exploded onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and finishing 8th in MVP voting in 1997. He ended up socking 30 homers and batting .306/.342/.534/.875, which led to him winning the only Silver Slugger of his career. Jose Cruz and Jason Dickson finished behind him in Rookie of the Year voting, but neither received any first place votes.
6. Dustin Pedroia – 2007
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia was the last Red Sox player to accomplish the feat and it’s arguably the most memorable storyline of the 2007 World Series championship. After a slow start in April that talking voices hammered constantly, he finished the season with a final line of .317/.380/.442/.823 with 8 homers and 39 doubles. Now, whenever a top prospect tends to struggle, Pedroia is the very first name that comes to mind when certain parts of the fanbase are asking for patience.
