Mookie Betts knocking in the game-winning run, even in a Dodgers uniform, made me very happy. The Yankees looking like they should've had Yakkity Sax from Benny Hill playing behind their error-laden disastrous top of the fifth also made me very happy. If you are going to have the two richest teams in baseball fighting it out for the World Series, then at least the one I hate less won. And I don't really hate the Dodgers. I could never hate Dave Roberts or Mookie Betts. I even have a fondness for Kiké Hernandez's brief time at Boston. Anyway. I am delighted the Dodgers won and, as always, fuck the Skanks.

It also provides a bit of comfort that the Sox performed admirably against both World Series teams this year. They didn't dominate, but they didn't roll over and die either. Which I think is my takeaway on the season as a whole. We didn't roll over and die. I would have liked a winning record but will totally take .500 considering how low the lows were (and how low the pundits put us at the beginning of the season).

Speaking of lows, I might as well get those out of the way first. We were diabolical on the field. Our unearned run totals looked as though we were the Skanks in the top of the fifth in game 5 almost every day. Those were so decisive at the beginning of the season I'm sure they ended up keeping us out of the Wild Card. Yeah, it's a young team, but oof. It was painful to watch. And to have to watch it so frequently was brutal.

We struck out A LOT. We did not walk very much. On the 20th anniversary of The Comeback, seeing the incredible level of plate discipline and willingness to lay off bad pitches, it was tough to see a Sox lineup so free swinging and impatient. It also led to struggles with runners in scoring position and getting runners into scoring position. Anyway. That was grim.

Jarren Duran never really felt contrite for the homophobic slur he used. It undermined my ability to cheer for him for the rest of the season and left me downcast that he was the problem but actually indicative of the unreconstructed atmosphere of the clubhouse and perhaps even the nature of the whole of Major League Baseball. Which is a fucking bummer in this day and age.

That all said, the 2024 Red Sox could be so much fun to watch. The avalanche of injuries at the beginning of the season, instead of burying them, allowed a young, exciting, not-terribly-disciplined group of players keep us on the edge of our seats.

The rotation and bullpen at the beginning of the season were lights out when we were on the ropes.

Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela were so much fun to watch. Except when they were striking out.

We signed Rich Hill! Pride of Medford!

This team gave us way more hope than any of us ever expected. They were three games up for the Wild Card at the All Star Break.

Connor Wong was fun. Most athletic catcher since Joe Mauer?

Dom Smith was such an appreciated addition whilst Tristan Casas was recovering from his injury. One of the lone veterans on a super young team.

Tanner Houck, anti-vaxxer though he may be, grew into a solid ace.

We extended Alex Cora who managed a hell of a season with almost no help from upstairs (ownership/senior management, not god).

Phillies clinch the NL East 2024

Carlos Estévez gets Michael Busch to fly out, sealing the 6-2 win over the Cubs and clinching the NL East

Cubs @ Phillies

NBCSPhilly Sounds like Bryson Stott has been in Trea Turner's ear about who stole more bases in 2023