BOSTON - After finally vanquishing some of the
franchise's past ghosts, the Boston Red Sox will try to settle
another score when they host the St. Louis Cardinals in the
World Series, beginning Saturday at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox engineered the greatest postseason series comeback
in sports history by storming back from a three games to none
deficit with four straight wins to stun the New York Yankees in
the American League Championship Series.
In the World Series for the first time since 1986 and without a
title since 1918, the Red Sox would like everyone to know that
overcoming the rival Yankees does not finish the job.
"We just want to win," manager Terry Francona said. "That's how
we feel about what's coming ahead of us. We want to win
tomorrow. That's how we're going to accomplish what we want to
accomplish."
Since trading away Babe Ruth in 1920, the Red Sox have appeared
in and lost four times in the World Series. Two of those losses
have come to the Cardinals.
In 1946, the Cardinals rallied from a 3-2 deficit to edge Boston
in seven games. In the final game, Red Sox shortstop Johnny
Pesky hesitated relaying the ball after a double by Harry Walker
in the eighth inning, allowing Enos Slaughter to score from
first base in a 4-3 win.
Lefthander Harry Breecheen went 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA in 20
innings for St. Louis, including a seven-hitter in Game Six.
In the 1967 Fall Classic, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson matched
Breecheen's performance, going 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 26
strikeouts in 27 innings for St. Louis. The righthander had
three complete games in the series, including a three-hitter in
Game Seven.
Unlike previous matchups, Boston enters the World Series with
the pitching advantage. Behind the 1-2 punch of Curt Schilling
and Pedro Martinez, the Red Sox have the arms to slow down the
Cardinals' lineup, which features National League Most Valuable
Player candidate Albert Pujols.
St. Louis, which rallied with three runs in the sixth inning for
a 5-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game Seven of the
National League Championship Series on Thursday, will return to
the Fall Classic for the 16th time and first in 17 years.
The last time the Cardinals were in the World Series was 1987
against the Minnesota Twins. They lost all four games in
Minnesota.
This year, St. Louis had the best road record in the major
leagues but has struggled on the road in the postseason,
dropping four of its five road games. However, the Cardinals
will have the designated hitter for the first two games in
Boston, making their lineup even deeper.
Before Schilling and Martinez take their turns, Tim Wakefield
starts Game One for Boston, hoping to keep St. Louis' lineup off
stride with his knuckleball.
"I'm excited," Wakefield said. "It's the first time I've
experienced the World Series and the first time Boston is
experiencing the World Series since 1986. It's a real honor."
The Cardinals will counter with righthander Woody Williams and
back him with a defense that played error-free in the postseason
until Thursday night.
St. Louis has won 16 pennants and nine championships, more than
any NL franchise. Its last came in 1982, when it defeated
Milwaukee in seven games - part of its record 9-4 mark in Game
Sevens.