SCHEDULE: ROUND 1 - REGION 3:
3) 2004 Boston Red Sox vs. 14) 1977 Kansas City Royals:
This is going to be a tough one for me to watch. The 2004 Red Sox team with "idiots" and bloody socks still make me cringe. I hate this team more than probably any other single season team in any sport. But as a baseball fan, I can't root for an undeserving 14 seed to win....
2004 Boston Red Sox:
3 Seed – Region 3
Record: 98-64
Result: Won World Series 4-0 over St. Louis Cardinals
Entry to Tournament: At large bid (Ranking)
Elo Rank: 64
Key Players:
David Ortiz (DH) .301, 41 hr, 139 rbi, 94 r, 145 OPS+
Manny Ramirez (OF) .308, 43 hr, 130 rbi, 108 r, 152 OPS+
Johnny Damon (OF) .304, 20 hr, 94 rbi, 123 r, 19 sb
Curt Schilling (SP) 21-6, 3.26 era, 1.06 era, 203 k
Notes:
The curse-busters are in based on their ELO ranking, though I’m sure they would’ve been given a wild card for storyline anyway if they didn’t rank high enough. The team that ended the 86-year curse in the most dramatic of fashions, coming back from 3-0 down for the first time in history. Roberts’ steal, Ortiz’ late game heroics, Schilling’s bloody sock, and Derek Lowe’s under the radar Game 7 win.
Further reading:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-new-york-yank
1977 Kansas City Royals:
14 Seed – Region 3
Record: 102-60
Result: Lost ALCS 3-2 to New York Yankees
Entry to Tournament: Automatic bid (Best Royals team ever)
Elo Rank: 213
Key Players:
George Brett (3B) .312, 22 hr, 88 rbi, 105 r, 142 OPS+
Al Cowens (OF) .312, 23 hr, 112 rbi, 98 r
Dennis Leonard (SP) 20-12, 3.24 era, 1.11 whip, 21 cg in 38 gs, 244 k
Notes:
One of two 1977 entrants to the tourney (and neither won the World Series). Sorry, not much to say about this team other than it is very sad that the highest ranking Royals team ever is 213 on the list. Will be good to see George Brett in the tourney.
Near the middle of the pack in offense in the AL. The pitching staff has good depth top to bottom despite no real stars. The bullpen specifically was a strength, almost 500 innings of above average pitching.
Further reading:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/...tqzn5xclpde6zx
https://www.kansascity.com/sports/sp...231472698.html