The Boston Red Sox have won the 2013 World Series. In game six on Wednesday the team of manager John Farrell defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 to win the best-of-seven series 4-2. John Lackey out-pitched hard-throwing phenomenon Michael Wacha and Shane Victorino drove in four runs to pace the Red Sox.
After St. Louis took a 2-1 lead in the World Series, Boston came back to win the last three games en route to their first World Series celebration in Fenway Park since 1918. It is their third title in the last nine years and their eighth overall in franchise history. David Ortiz was named World Series MVP, batting .688/.760/1.188 with two home runs and six RBI in six games. He walked four times on Wednesday.
It was a thrilling World Series between the two best teams of the American League and National League. TV ratings have been the best since 2009 when the New York Yankees ended their drought against the Philadelphia Phillies. The six games saw Jon Lester defeating Adam Wainwright twice in the battle of aces. It also featured a game ending on an obstruction call and another on a pickoff at first base with one of the best postseason hitters at the plate.
Dutch shortstop Xander Bogaerts capped his memorable year with the Red Sox with his first World Series title. The 21-year-old became the first player ever from Aruba to win the championship. He started the season with the Netherlands in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, reaching the semi-finals. He then began Minor League ball with the Double-A affiliate in Portland and got promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket after 56 games.
Bogaerts eventually made his Major League debut on August 20 for Boston. After batting .297/.388/.477 in the Minors, he went .250/.320/.364 in the big leagues, belting his first career home run at Yankee Stadium. During the postseason he out-played Will Middlebrooks and made his way into the starting lineup, going .348/.467/.565 with a triple, three doubles, nine runs scored and two RBI in 11 games.
Results 2013 World Series:
Boston Red Sox 8 – St. Louis Cardinals 1
Boston Red Sox 2 – St. Louis Cardinals 4
St. Louis Cardinals 5 – Boston Red Sox 4
St. Louis Cardinals 2 – Boston Red Sox 4
St. Louis Cardinals 1 – Boston Red Sox 3
Boston Red Sox 6 – St. Louis Cardinals 1