Changes

===Sale of Ruth===

===Sale of Ruth===

Following the 1919 season, both the team and fellow players grew tired of [[Babe Ruth|Babe Ruth's]] antics.<ref>Shannon, Paul. "New York Club gives $125,000 for Battering Babe - Biggest Price Ever Paid for Player"; ''Boston Post'', 6 January 1920</ref> Ruth complained about his pay and refused to play for the team until he got a raise. He also ignored team rules. The Red Sox were concerned his behavior could rub off on other players. With a strong team, they felt they could afford to move Ruth. He was sent to the [[New York Yankees]] for $125,000 after manager [[Ed Barrow]] indicated that none of the New York players was worth acquiring.<ref>Stout, Glenn. (2000), ''Red Sox Century'', Houghton Mifflin, Page 145</ref> Some have suggested that the sale was done to finance team owner [[Harry Frazee|Harry Frazee's]] play, "No, No, Nanette", however the claim is untrue as the play hadn't even been written at the time.

Following the 1919 season, both the team and fellow players grew tired of [[Babe Ruth|Babe Ruth's]] antics.<ref>Shannon, Paul. "New York Club gives $125,000 for Battering Babe - Biggest Price Ever Paid for Player"; ''Boston Post'', 6 January 1920</ref> Ruth complained about his pay and refused to play for the team until he got a raise. He also ignored team rules. The Red Sox were concerned his behavior could rub off on other players. With a strong team, they felt they could afford to move Ruth. He was sent to the [[New York Yankees]] for $125,000 after manager [[Ed Barrow]] indicated that none of the New York players was worth acquiring.<ref>Stout, Glenn. (2000), ''Red Sox Century'', Houghton Mifflin, Page 145</ref> Some have suggested that the sale was done to finance team owner [[Harry Frazee|Harry Frazee's]] play, "No, No, Nanette", however the claim is untrue as the play hadn't even been written at the time. Others have claimed that the player put a curse on the team.<ref>http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/23685/edition_id/470/format/html/displaystory.html</ref> Ultimately the real curse was that of mis-management as well as the bad luck of playing elite teams in their final three World Series apearances of the twentieth century.

==Yawkee Era==

==Yawkee Era==

===2004===

===2004===

In the aftermath of their disappointing loss to the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, the team decided to make major changes. Unhappy with Little's performance, Henry ignored the front office and dismissed the manager. After being unsuccessful in their efforts to trade Ramirez, they placed him on irrevocable waivers in hopes another team would take the player off their hands.<ref>Wilbur, Eric. "Ramirez placed on waivers"; ''Boston Globe'', October 30, 2003</ref> When that failed, they tried a swap for Texas Rangers high-priced superstar [[Alex Rodriguez]]. After lengthy negotiations, they agreed to acquire Rodriguez for Ramirez, cash to pay part of Ramirez' salary, and pitching prospect Lester. In a separate deal, Boston would send Garciaparra and reliever Scott Williamson to the [[Chicago White Sox]] for [[Magglio Ordonez]], [[Neal Cotts]] and a third player.<ref>http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2007/03/15/ftm-post-peek-a-rod-the-sox-the-now-infamous-opt-out-clause-the-theo-n-larry-show-and-the-spending-sprees-of-2006-plus-jon-lester/</ref> The deals fell through when the Player's Association refused to allow Rodriguez to accept a lower salary. They were more successful in their attempts to upgrade the pitching staff, acquiring Schilling from the Diamondbacks and signing Keith Foulke away from the Athletics.

In the aftermath of their disappointing loss to the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, the team decided to make major changes. Unhappy with Little's performance, Henry ignored the front office and dismissed the manager. He would be replaced by former Phillies manager [[Terry Francona]]. After being unsuccessful in their efforts to trade Ramirez, they placed him on irrevocable waivers in hopes another team would take the player off their hands.<ref>Wilbur, Eric. "Ramirez placed on waivers"; ''Boston Globe'', October 30, 2003</ref> When that failed, they tried a swap for Texas Rangers high-priced superstar [[Alex Rodriguez]]. After lengthy negotiations, they agreed to acquire Rodriguez for Ramirez, cash to pay part of Ramirez' salary, and pitching prospect Lester. In a separate deal, Boston would send Garciaparra and reliever Scott Williamson to the [[Chicago White Sox]] for [[Magglio Ordonez]], [[Neal Cotts]] and a third player.<ref>http://www.sethmnookin.com/blog/2007/03/15/ftm-post-peek-a-rod-the-sox-the-now-infamous-opt-out-clause-the-theo-n-larry-show-and-the-spending-sprees-of-2006-plus-jon-lester/</ref> The deals fell through when the Player's Association refused to allow Rodriguez to accept a lower salary. They were more successful in their attempts to upgrade the pitching staff, acquiring Schilling from the Diamondbacks and signing Keith Foulke away from the Athletics.

 

They started fast, going 15-6 over the first month. Their strong play wouldn't last as they went 41-39 from May 1 until the July 31 trading deadline. In an effort to change the team's defensive play, GM Epstein traded Garciaparra to the [[Chicago Cubs]] for [[Doug Mientkiewicz]] and [[Orlando Cabrera]]. He also acquired [[Dave Roberts]] from the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in another deal. The team started slowly after the trades, going 2-4, but quickly picked up the pace by going on a 40-15 tear to finish the season and take the AL Wild Card. They swept the Angels in the ALDS before overcoming a 0-3 hole to the Yankees in the ALCS and advancing to the World Series. They swept the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] to win their first title since 1918.

==References==

==References==