![]() ![]() We felt like we should have won that series. “That (2003) team did not seem like it was further away. “We were in a series with the Yankees in ‘99 and, not that we were overmatched, but it just seemed like we were further away,” said Lou Merloni, who played in Boston from 1998 to 2003 and currently serves as a color commentator on Red Sox broadcasts on NESN and WEEI. The new ownership group was in its infancy and the Red Sox were finally on the doorstep of competing with New York again. And yeah so we turned the page quickly and started working toward improving the team and trying to achieve our goals.” It just made us - if you could want it even more - it made us want it even more. “But absolutely even further reinvigorated us to do anything we could to change the narrative and get over the hump. “On the one hand, in the immediate aftermath we were devastated by the loss and felt like it slipped away from us,” O’Halloran said. Yet that Game 7 loss in 2003 set the stage for a domino effect of decisions that cascaded throughout that offseason into 2004. Varitek was the quintessential leader, with a captain’s C - the last Red Sox captain - that wasn’t large enough to represent his strongest quality.īoston’s all-time fan-favorite catcher won two World Series titles in Boston, giving the Red Sox three 20-plus home runs seasons and as many All-Star campaigns along with one Gold Glove Award in 2005.For many, the pain of 2003 made the triumph of 2004 even more precious. Vartiek grew into a vital member in one of the most crucial chapters of Red Sox history: Boston’s heartbreaking 2003 AL Championship Series loss against the Yankees, and then present for its 3-0 comeback en route to shattering an 86-year World Series drought a year later in 2004. Not only a draft steal back in 1994 but highway robbery when the Red Sox acquired Varitek - a minor leaguer at the time - with righty pitcher Derek Lowe in exchange for Heathcliff Slocumb, who Boston dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1997. The list goes on when examining the dozens of intangibles that Varitek delivered on a night-to-night basis behind the plate. But the organization could still land a viable member of the lineup or pitching staff, evidently making the selection a great one.ġ.) Jason Varitek (Seattle Mariners, 1994) Now, Boston isn’t in need of finding a franchise-altering talent - as nice as that would be. 19 overall in 1983 before also assembling a Hall of Fame career. “Rocket” Roger Clemens, who won three Cy Young Awards (seven total) in Boston, was drafted No. 15 in 1971 - a pick that speaks for itself through Rice’s illustrious 16-year career in Boston. Red Sox legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice was selected at No. There have been plenty of noteworthy names that at first went under-appreciated on draft night, but in the end, proved to be more than worthy of being selected at No. ![]() In fact, considering how past drafts have unfolded, the Red Sox could snag a valuable asset to pay dividends years down the line. 14, however, they aren’t totally disadvantaged either. ![]() The Boston Red Sox aren’t perfectly positioned for the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft, selecting at No. Sox Transactions, Trades, and Free Agents.14 Draft Picks Of Past Prove Red Sox Could Snag Gem ![]()
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