Two new books (at least) are scheduled to hit stores this spring: Michael Holley's "Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston's Rise to Dominance"; and Tony Massarotti's "Dynasty: The Inside Story of How the Red Sox Became a Baseball Powerhouse." Whoa. Dominance? Powerhouse? (Gulp) Dynasty?
"I'd call that poetic license on the part of the authors," says Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino.
Since when do two championships in 89 years constitute a dynasty? Have we all forgotten that the Sox trailed the Indians, three games to one, in the American League Championship Series after losing to the Tribe at the Jake on the night of Oct. 16?
"We were nine innings away from being eliminated," notes Mike Lowell.
The Florida Marlins won World Series in 1997 and 2003. That's two in seven years. Why no dynasty books on the mighty Marlins?
This is not to be negative. The Sox have won twice in the last four years and they appear to be the best team in the American League at this hour. But astute fans with any kind of memory know how hard this is. The idea is to win enough games to be one of the eight teams playing in the postseason tournament. Then you try to be the hot team. The Sox have pulled it off twice since 2004, but they had narrow escapes both times.
The Sox are good. No doubt. They have the kind of relentless lineup coveted by Theo Epstein. They have depth and experience in the starting rotation and bullpen. They have a dominant closer, a good bench, and a manager who knows how to get the most out of his players. But like any team, they are susceptible to injuries, slumps, and old age.
"You need good health and good luck, just as you need good talent," says Lucchino.
Here's some news for you nouveau fans who came on board in 2004 and remain blissfully unaware of what it's like to struggle and wait: The Detroit Tigers are really good. The Indians are good. So are the Angels, Mariners, Blue Jays, and, yes, the New York Yankees are still to be taken seriously.
"Expectations are a lot higher," acknowledges Alex Cora. "The first question I got last year, after the plane ride home from the World Series, was, 'Are you guys gonna win it again?' "
