[Nick Soulis]

BOSTON RED SOX



Overall (8845-8255 W-L, 1901 - 2011) - 7 World Championships, 12 Pennants, and 20 Playoff Appearances

Ball Park: Fenway Park
Manager: Terry Francona

C	Carlton Fisk	Jason Varitek
1B	Carl Yasztremski	Mo Vaughn
2B	Bobby Doerr	Dustin Pedroia
3B	Wade Boggs	Frank Malzone
SS	Nomar Garciaparra	Johnny Pesky
OF	Jim Rice	Mike Greenwell
OF	Tris Speaker	Dwight Evans
OF	Ted Williams	Dom Dimaggio
DH	David Ortiz
SP	Cy Young
SP	Roger Clemens
SP	Pedro Martinez
SP	Luis Tiant
CL	Jonathon Paplebon

Catchers - Carlton Fisk keeps his loyalty with Boston and will be the fulltime catcher for this team. Fisk is a scrappy team leader who brings a winning attitude perfect for the position. Fisk will also do a great job with a Hall of Fame pitching staff. Jason Varitek for many of the same reasons is the backup, he is a proven winner and a leader beyond the numbers.

First Base - Yaz defines the Red Sox in so many ways. Carl Yasztrsemski will be a star on any team and the former triple crown winner can finally do something that he and many of his mates could never do, win it all. Mo Vaughn beat out Bill Buckner for the back up job and Vaughn has a patient and proven bat that should be great to use in the late innings as a pinch hitter. No news if the infamous error cost Buckner a roster spot.

Second Base - Two very similar players again will represent second base. Bobby Doerr is a line drive hitter who plays a top notch defensive second base. Doerr is a great character man and no Red Sox team would be complete without him. One time MVP Dustin Pedroia will surely get some starts here and also has gap power and a tendency to score big runs.

Short Stop - At his very best few were better then Nomar Garciaparra. Nomar easily can hit over .320 and drive in big runs although he likely wont have a prominant spot in the lineup. Johnny Pesky is a fan favorite and belongs on this roster as well. Pesky is quick and will provide infield depth.

Third Base - The parade of Hall of Famers continues with Wade Boggs at the hot corner. Boggs will likely be near or at the top of the order and his ability to get on base is as good as it has ever been at the position. Frank Malzone is a bit of a suprize addition to the team and may be used sporatically during the long season.

OutField - The Sox tried to keep Ted Williams out of the field but in the end had no choice. Regardless Williams is of course the best right hitter in the history of the game and his presense alone makes this team a contender. Jim Rice will need to drive in runs and support Williams in the lineup. Rice may not play everyday with the likes of Dwight Evans and Mike Greenwell also available. Tris Speaker surely will be in the lineup as much as possible as the and Williams will make quite a combination. Speaker has it all at the plate and is among the greatest legends the game has seen. Dom DiMaggio also made the roster for his glove and speed, a move that had many suprized.

Designated Hitter - David Ortiz is a bat the Sox didnt want to keep out of the mix. Ortiz is one of the most clutch hitters in the history of the franchise and everyone knoes he will have his chances again. Big Papi also has a tendancy to kill the Yankees. Williams will see action in this spot as well as the season goes on or injuries happen.

Starting Pitching - This is where the Red Sox hope to differenciate themselves from the rest. A rotation that includes Cy Young at the top where inings are like water and wins like the fish in the sea. Young will head the list with Roger Clemens right behind him. The Rocket can strike out anyone and his competitiveness is perfect for this team. Pedro Martinez is also on board for the pennant push, Pedro of course when he has things going may be the best of the bunch. Other then maybe the Giants, these top three are the best anyone can claim in a rotation. Luis Tiant is expected to round things off with his big curve and huge smile. Burce Hurst will also get some consideration.

Closer - The closer role will be filled by Jonathon Paplebon who has been on the big stage for a while with success. Paplepon seems to feel no pressure and will surely have many close leads to hold especially down the stretch of the season when arms get tired. The Sox as a whole have a good pen.

Spring training battles
Mike Greenwell vs David Ortiz (DH)
Bruce Hurst vs Luis Tiant (Rotation)

Cooperstown rating
Hitting - A
Defense - C+
Starting pitching - A+
Bullpen - A-
Prediction: 102-60

Quick word with Terry Francona
"Limiting the starters innings and watching pitch counts with this group will be non existant. It doesnt mean however that we wont use the right matchup at the right time to win a game."