Many are touting this year's Red Sox, with 119 wins, as the best team in franchise historyGETTY IMAGES
The Red Sox last night claimed their fourth World Series championship under John Henry's ownership stewardship, and this latest title has "redefined this franchise and set the Red Sox apart as the championship team of the analytic era," according to Chad Jennings of THE ATHLETIC. The Red Sox' 4-1 win over the Dodgers came with the team possessing a "massive payroll, exceeding the game's highest luxury tax threshold" of $237M. Henry said, "We've invested in this club. And so, my hats off tonight to my partners who have never complained. I mean, we really invested this year and went beyond where we probably should have financially. ... You can't do it all the time, but we were missing one piece this year, it was over our budget, and we went out and did that." Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy credits winning four titles in 15 years due to a "mindset" among ownership and the front office. Kennedy: "John Henry, [Chair] Tom Werner, (former President & CEO) Larry Lucchino deserve the credit for changing the mindset and the culture that winning is possible, and winning in Boston is possible." Jennings notes the Red Sox ownership group "created the Red Sox Foundation, strengthened the organization's commitment to the Jimmy Fund, tackled the thorny, racial legacy of Yawkey Way, and renovated Fenway Park to embrace the quirks of baseball's oldest and smallest ballpark." Additionally, instead of deciding to "abandon The Green Monster, they put seats on top of it." However, none of that "would have mattered ... if they hadn't won" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/29).
A TEAM FOR ALL TIME: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes the '18 Red Sox staked their claim as "one of the greatest teams in baseball history," as they "finished with 119 wins, including an 11-3 record in the postseason." Henry said, "This is the greatest Red Sox team ever" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/29). He added he has "never had a more satisfying season" than this one. Henry: "This was the best Red Sox team in history in so many ways. Unity. Dedication. The sense of purpose they had from the first day of spring" (MASSLIVE.com, 10/29). Kennedy said, "There have been so many people that have been a part of building this team -- I believe this is the greatest Red Sox team in history and now, hopefully we can keep these guys together for a few more years." In Boston, Michael Silverman writes this year's team is the "greatest Red Sox team of all time" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/29). SI.com's Stephanie Apstein notes the Red Sox "steamrolled through the 100-win preseason favorite in their division, the 103-win reigning world champion and the 92-win runner-up from a year ago." This was the "best team in the 118-year history of the organization, one of the best teams of all time" (SI.com, 10/29). ESPN's Trey Wingo said, "If you’re looking at the standard going forward, it’s hard not to say this 2018 Red Sox team is the best team in franchise history” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 10/29). ESPN.com's David Schoenfield notes the Red Sox are "only the fifth team in the divisional era since 1969 to win at least 108 games and the World Series" (ESPN.com, 10/29).
ALL THE INTANGIBLES: In DC, Thomas Boswell writes the "most remarkable and admirable aspect of this World Series winner was the quality and character, as well as the deep likability, of the entire roster." There "didn't seem to be a bum in the bunch, and the class acts definitely ruled the locker room" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/29). On Long Island, David Lennon writes the Red Sox are not only "supremely talented, with a deep, flexible roster and the sport's highest payroll," they are "overflowing with something else every bit as important." Lennon: "Call it whatever you like: character, tenacity, courage, defiance or guts." Take a swipe at the Red Sox and they will "smack you back twice as hard, rip out your heart and look for who's next" (NEWSDAY, 10/29).
STILL UP FOR DEBATE: WEEI.com's Rob Bradford noted when Henry was first asked if the Red Sox will visit the White House to celebrate their World Series win, he responded, "We haven't been invited." But when reminded that the invitation always comes, Henry said, "I think we will. This is a special team. We'll see what they want to do, but I think so." Bradford notes Red Sox manager Alex Cora had been "critical" of President Trump's tweets on the "crisis in Puerto Rico caused by the hurricane" (WEEI.com, 10/29). Cora said the team will "talk about it later on" when asked about a potential White House visit. In Boston, Hayden Bird notes both the Cubs and Astros, the previous two World Series winners, have "visited the White House" since Trump took office (BOSTON.com, 10/29).
