I've seen this movie before. Patient hitters running up the pitch count and not swinging at bad pitches. Every at-bat a mini war. Small ball. No reliance on home runs for most of the offence, but can kill you with the long ball at any time. Then combine that with a solid rotation and great bullpen. Good combination of home grown talent and veterans. That was the Yankees in the 90s. This is the Red Sox of the 2000s.
The Yankees owned the 90s. They won 4 World Series in the 90s. (The year 2000 technically is the last year of the 90s and it is fitting that was the last time the Yankees won the World Series.) The touch has passed. Looks like it is turning out to be the decade of the Red Sox. After losing out to the Yankees in the ALCS in 2003, the Red Sox have won two World Series this decade (and the Yankees none.)
While this may piss off a lot of Yankee fans, the Tank included, Yankee fans have to accept reality. (Mets fans too.) Boston has the magic combination to sustain future championships: youth, pitching, hitting, and a dedicated ownership. While the Yankees try to buy championships, the Red Sox went out and earned two this decade. The Red Sox of the 2000s remind me of the Yankees of the 90s. Baseball watch out, this may just be the beginning.
Posted by Steve in New York