Boston Red Sox: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Major League Baseball franchise in Boston}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}

| colors = Red, navy blue, white{{efn|The team's colors are officially red and navy blue, according to the team's mascot ([[Wally the Green Monster]])'s official website.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Wally the Green Monster|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/fans/mascots/about-wally|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=RedSox.com|access-date=August 21, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Clair|first=Michael|title=Red Sox unveil Patriots' Day-inspired unis|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-release-patriots-day-inspired-city-connect-uniforms|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=April 6, 2021|access-date=November 22, 2021|quote=Ever since 1933, when the Red Sox first put a red 'B' on a navy cap and added "Red Sox" in their distinctive font on the front of their jerseys, Boston hasn't changed its uniforms much.|language=en-US}}</ref><br />{{color box|#BD3039}} {{color box|#0D2B56}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}

| WC = (8)

| Wild Card = {{hlist| [[1998 Boston Red Sox season|1998]] | [[1999 Boston Red Sox season|1999]] | [[2003 Boston Red Sox season|2003]] | [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|2004]] | [[2005 Boston Red Sox season|2005]] | [[2008 Boston Red Sox season|2008]] | [[2009 Boston Red Sox season|2009]] | [[2021 Boston Red Sox season|2021]]}}

| manager = [[Alex Cora]]

The '''Boston Red Sox''' are an American professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Boston]]. The Red Sox compete in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a member club of the [[American League]] (AL) [[American League East|East Division]]. Founded in {{mlby|1901}} as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the team's home [[baseball park|ballpark]] has been [[Fenway Park]] since {{mlby|1912}}. The "Red Sox" name was chosen by the team owner, [[John I. Taylor]], {{c.|1908|lk=no}}, following the lead of previous teams that had been known as the "'''Boston Red Stockings'''", including the [[Boston Braves]] (now the [[Atlanta Braves]]).<ref>{{cite news|last=Browne|first=Ian|title=How Boston got its red socks & a nickname|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/boston-red-sox-team-name-history|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=RedSox.com|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref> The team has won nine [[World Series]] championships, tied for the [[List of World Series champions|third-most]] of any MLB team, and has played in thirteen World Series. Their most recent World Series appearance and win was in 2018. In addition, they won the {{mlby|1904}} American League [[pennant (sports)|pennant]], but were not able to defend their [[1903 World Series]] championship when the [[History of the New York Giants (baseball)|New York Giants]] refused to participate in the [[1904 World Series]].

The Red Sox are owned by [[Fenway Sports Group]], which also owns [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] of the [[Premier League]] in England, the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] and partially owns [[RFK Racing]] of the [[NASCAR Cup Series]]. They are consistently one of the top MLB teams in average road attendance, while the small capacity of Fenway Park prevents them from leading in overall attendance.<ref name=Attendance>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance?sort=home_avg&year=2007&seasonType=2 |title=MLB Attendance Report – 2007 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=November 12, 2007}}</ref> From May 15, 2003, to April 10, 2013, the Red Sox sold out every home game—a total of 820 games (794 regular season) for a major professional sports record.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Golen |first=Jimmy |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-05-15-261793538_x.htm |title=Tigers 7, Red Sox 2 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 15, 2007 |access-date=October 30, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-8166895 |first=Aaron |last=Smith |title=Top five most loyal MLB fan bases |work=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2011 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725043917/https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Both [[Neil Diamond]]'s "[[Sweet Caroline]]" and the [[The Standells|Standells]]' "[[Dirty Water]]" have become anthems for the Red Sox.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vosk|first1=Stephanie|title=Another mystery of the Diamond, explained at last|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/05/29/another_mystery_of_the_diamond_explained_at_last/|access-date=September 12, 2015|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=May 29, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonspastime.com/dirtywater.html |title=Boston's Pastime: Red Sox Fans Love Their Dirty Water |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=August 16, 2005 |website=bostonspastime.com |publisher=Boston's Pastime |access-date=March 3, 2019 |quote= Of all the sights and sounds that fans look forward to at Fenway Park, nothing makes Red Sox Nation happier than the playing of a song that dates back nearly 40 years...With the refrain 'Well I love that dirty water; Oh, Boston, you're my home,' the sound of the Standells' 'Dirty Water' is the recognized Red Sox victory anthem. The song blares over the speakers immediately after every Boston victory and has become one of the proud Fenway Park traditions. }}</ref>

As of the end of the 2024 season, the franchise's all-time regular-season record is {{Win–loss record|w=9,955|l=9,263|t=83}} ({{winpct|9955|9263|83}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston Red Sox Team History & Encyclopedia |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/index.shtml |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The name ''Red Sox'', chosen by owner [[John I. Taylor]] after the 1907 season, refers to the red hose in the team uniform beginning in 1908. ''Sox'' had been previously adopted for the [[Chicago White Sox]] by newspapers needing a headline-friendly form of ''Stockings'', as "Stockings Win!" in [[Large font|large type]] did not fit in a column. The team name "Red Sox" had previously been used as early as 1888 by a 'colored' team from Norfolk, Virginia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1888-08-27/ed-1/seq-8/;words=Sox+Cuban+Red?date1=1836&rows=20&searchType=basic&state=&date2=1889&proxtext=%22red+sox%22+cubans&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&index=0|title=The Start of the Red Sox|access-date=November 25, 2012|newspaper=New-York Tribune|date=August 27, 1888}}</ref>  The [[Spanish language]] media sometimes refers to the team as {{lang|es|Medias Rojas}}, a translation of "red socks". The official Spanish site uses the variant "Los Red Sox".<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2015 |title=Red Sox Launch Spanish Website losredsox.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-launch-spanish-website-losredsoxcom/c-119617800 |access-date=April 8, 2020 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

For years many sources have listed "Pilgrims" as the early Boston AL team's ''official'' nickname, but researcher Bill Nowlin has demonstrated that the name was barely used, if at all, during the team's early years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/boston_pilgrims_story.shtml |title=The Boston Pilgrims Never Existed |author=Bill Nowlin |work=Baseball Almanac}} First appeared in SABR's ''The National Pastime'' (No. 23) on page 71. Apparently "Pilgrims" originated with a writer for ''[[The Washington Post]]'' during 1906, and by 1907 it started to be retroactively applied to the 1903 club, even by Boston newspapers.</ref> The origin of the nickname appears to be a poem entitled "The Pilgrims At Home" written by Edwin Fitzwilliam that was sung at the 1907 home opener ("Rory O'More" melody).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebrateboston.com/sports/baseball/bostonpilgrims.htm |title=The Boston Pilgrims Did Exist |publisher=Celebrateboston.com |access-date=October 31, 2013}}</ref> This nickname was commonly used during that season, perhaps because the team had a new manager and several rookie players. John I. Taylor had said in December 1907 that the Pilgrims "sounded too much like homeless wanderers."

===Sale of Babe Ruth and aftermath (1920–1938)===

===1970s: The Red Hat Era===

Roger Clemens tied his major league record by fanning 20 [[1996 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] on September 18, 1996, in one of his final appearances in a Red Sox uniform. After Clemens had turned 30 and then had four seasons, 1993–96, which were by his standards mediocre at best, Duquette said the pitcher was entering "the twilight of his career".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://insider.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2124180&action=login&appRedirect=http%253a%252f%252finsider.espn.go.com%252fmlb%252fcolumns%252fstory%253fcolumnist%253dcrasnick_jerry%2526id%253d2124180%2526CMP%253dOTC-DT9705204233 |title=Clemens putting Cooperstown on hold|date=August 4, 2005}}</ref> Clemens went on to pitch well for another ten years and win four more Cy Young Awards.

====2002–03====

The [[2003 Boston Red Sox season|2003 team]] was known as the "Cowboy Up" team, a nickname derived from first baseman [[Kevin Millar]]'s challenge to his teammates to show more determination.<ref name="Cowboyup">{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/09/24/rallying_cry_spurs_sox_to_finish_ride/|work=The Boston Globe|date=September 24, 2003|title=Rallying Cry Spurs Sox To Finish Ride|first=Joseph P.|last=Kahn}}</ref> In the [[2003 American League Division Series]], the Red Sox rallied from a 0–2 series deficit against the [[2003 Oakland Athletics season|Athletics]] to win the best-of-five series. Derek Lowe returned to his former relief pitching role to save Game 5, a 4–3 victory. The team then faced the [[2003 New York Yankees season|Yankees]] in the [[2003 American League Championship Series]]. In Game 7, Boston led 5–2 in the eighth inning, but Pedro Martínez allowed three runs to tie the game. The Red Sox could not score off [[Mariano Rivera]] over the last three innings and eventually lost the game 6–5 when Yankee third baseman [[Aaron Boone]] hit a solo home run off [[Tim Wakefield]]. Some placed the blame for the loss on manager Grady Little<ref name=Gradyjob>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/10/23/little_unsure_he_wants_job/|title=Boston Globe, Little unsure he wants job|first=Gordon|last=Edes|date=October 23, 2003|newspaper=The Boston Globe|author-link=Gordon Edes}}</ref> for failing to remove starting pitcher Martínez in the 8th inning after some observers believe he began to show signs of tiring. It was stated by Epstein that the decision to not renew Little's contract was "made on a body of work after careful contemplation of the big picture...did not depend on any one decision in any one postseason game."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/10/16/17982722/grady-little-pedro-martinez-15-year-anniversary-2003-alcs|title=Revisiting the Grady Little Game, 15 Years Later|first=Ben|last=Lindbergh|date=October 16, 2018|website=The Ringer}}</ref> Boston would hire former [[Philadelphia Phillies]] manager [[Terry Francona]] to manage the 2004 season.

The Red Sox began their season by participating in the third opening day game in MLB history to be played in Japan, where they defeated the [[2008 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland A's]] in the [[Tokyo Dome]]. On May 19, Jon Lester threw the 18th no-hitter in team history, defeating the [[2008 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]] 7–0. Down the stretch, outfielder [[Manny Ramirez]] became embroiled in controversy surrounding public incidents with fellow players and other team employees, as well as criticism of ownership and not playing, which some claimed was due to laziness and nonexistent injuries. The front office decided to move the disgruntled outfielder at the July 31 trade deadline, shipping him to the Dodgers in a three-way deal with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] that landed them [[Jason Bay]] to replace him in left field.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shaughnessy|first=Dan|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/08/01/going_going_gone/|title=Going, going, gone|work=The Boston Globe|date=August 1, 2008}}</ref> With Ramirez gone, and Bay providing a new spark in the lineup, the Red Sox improved vastly and made the playoffs as the AL Wild Card. The Red Sox defeated the [[2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season|Angels]] in the [[2008 American League Division Series|2008 ALDS]] three games to one. The Red Sox then took on their AL East rivals the [[2008 Tampa Bay Rays season|Tampa Bay Rays]] in the [[2008 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]. Down three games to one in the 5th game of the ALCS, Boston mounted a comeback from trailing 7–0 in the 7th inning to win 8–7.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=281016102 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020034739/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=281016102 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2008 |title=Drew's game-winning hit keeps Red Sox alive in ALCS|agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=October 16, 2008|access-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref><ref name=17alcs>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/sports/baseball/17alcs.html|title=Down by 7–0, Red Sox Force a Game 6|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 17, 2008|first=Jack|last=Curry|author-link=Jack Curry|date=October 17, 2008}}</ref> They tied the series at three games apiece with a Game 6 victory before losing Game 7, 3–1, thus becoming the eighth team in a row since 2000 to fail to repeat as World Series champions.

Boston, which finished last in the American League East with a 69–93 record in 2012 (26 games behind the [[New York Yankees|Yankees]]), became the 11th team in major league history to go from worst in the division to first the next season when it clinched the A.L. East division title on September 20, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ringolsby |first=Tracy |date=September 21, 2013 |title=Worst to first finishes becoming more coming |work=MLB.com. |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130921&content_id=61302802 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004212639/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130921&content_id=61302802 }}</ref>  Many credit the team's turnaround with the hiring of manager [[John Farrell (pitcher)|John Farrell]], the former Red Sox pitching coach under Terry Francona from 2007 to 2010. As a former member of the staff, he had the respect of influential players such as Lester, Pedroia, and Ortiz.<ref name="browne">{{cite web |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=September 20, 2013 |title=Numerous reasons for Red Sox's turnaround |work=MLB.com |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130920&content_id=61186228 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214054/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130920&content_id=61186228 }}</ref>  But there were other moves made in the offseason by general manager [[Ben Cherington]] who targeted "character" players to fill the team's needs. These acquisitions included veteran catcher [[David Ross (baseball)|David Ross]], [[Jonny Gomes]], [[Mike Napoli]] and [[Shane Victorino]]. While some questioned these players as "re-treads", it was clear that Cherington was trying to move past 2011–2012 by bringing in "clubhouse players". Essential to the turnaround, however, was the pitching staff. With ace veteran [[John Lackey]] coming off [[Tommy John surgery]] and both Jon Lester and [[Clay Buchholz]] returning to their prior form, this allowed the team to rely less on their bullpen. Everything seemed in danger of collapsing, however, when both [[closer (baseball)|closers]], [[Joel Hanrahan]] and [[Andrew Bailey (baseball)|Andrew Bailey]], went down early with season-ending injuries. Farrell gave the closing job to [[Koji Uehara]] on June 21 who delivered with a 1.09 ERA and an MLB record 0.565 [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Uehara Phenomenon |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/18/the-uehara-phenomenon/ |work=MSNBC Sports |last=Posnanski |first=Joe |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018190705/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/18/the-uehara-phenomenon/ |archive-date=October 18, 2013 }}</ref> On September 11, the 37-year-old right-hander set a new Red Sox record when he retired 33 straight batters.<ref>{{cite web |last=Browne |first=Ian |date=September 19, 2013 |title=Uehara hit the ground running as Boston's closer |work=MLB.com |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130919&content_id=61080784&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos |access-date=July 14, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926203619/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130919&content_id=61080784&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos }}</ref>  Other reasons include the trade deadline acquisition of pitcher [[Jake Peavy]] when the Red Sox were in second place in the AL East, the depth of the bench with players such as [[Mike Carp]] and rookies [[Jackie Bradley Jr.]] and [[Xander Bogaerts]], and the re-emergence of players such as [[Will Middlebrooks]] and [[Daniel Nava]].<ref name="browne"/> On September 28, 2013, the team secured [[home field advantage]] throughout the American League playoffs when their closest competition, the [[Oakland Athletics]], lost.<ref>{{cite web |last=Browne |first=I. |date=September 28, 2013 |title=Red Sox secure home-field advantage throughout playoffs |work=MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/bos/red-sox-secure-home-field-advantage-throughout-playoffs?ymd=20130928&content_id=62065434 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213409/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/bos/red-sox-secure-home-field-advantage-throughout-playoffs?ymd=20130928&content_id=62065434 }}</ref> The next day, the team finished the season going 97–65, the best record in the American League and tied with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for the best record in baseball.<ref>{{cite web |last=Browne |first=I. |date=September 29, 2013 |title=As playoffs loom, Sox get in final tune-up |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_29_bosmlb_balmlb_1 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2013 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213648/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_29_bosmlb_balmlb_1 }}</ref> They proceeded to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the [[2013 World Series]], four games to two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1825511-world-series-2013-schedule-where-and-when-to-catch-remaining-games|title=World Series 2013 Schedule: Where and When to Catch Remaining Games|website=Bleacher Report|date=October 26, 2013|access-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref> The Red Sox became the first team since the [[1991 Minnesota Twins season|1991 Minnesota Twins]] to win the World Series a year after finishing in last place, and the second overall. The 2012 Red Sox's .426 winning percentage was the lowest for a team in a season prior to a World Series championship.

The Red Sox entered the postseason as the top seed in the [[American League]], and defeated the New York Yankees (100–62) in four games in the [[2018 American League Division Series|Division Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24945982/boston-red-sox-survive-late-threat-new-york-yankees-reach-alcs |title=Boston Red Sox survive late threat from New York Yankees to reach ALCS |work=ESPN |date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}}</ref> Next, they defeated the defending champion [[2018 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] (103–59) in five games in the [[2018 American League Championship Series|League Championship Series]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Acquavella |first=Katherine |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/red-sox-vs-astros-score-boston-is-world-series-bound-thanks-to-david-prices-gem-on-short-rest/ |title=Red Sox vs. Astros score: Boston is World Series-bound thanks to David Price's gem on short rest |work=CBS Sports |date=October 19, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018}}</ref> Boston then defeated the [[2018 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] (92–71) in five games in the [[2018 World Series|World Series]], for the team's fourth championship in 15 years and ninth in franchise history. The team's motto during the season, "do damage",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.barstoolsports.com/boston/the-red-sox-went-undefeated-in-the-postseason-after-getting-trolled |title=The Red Sox Went Undefeated In The Postseason After Getting 'Trolled' |author=Feitelberg |website=[[Barstool Sports]] |date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> became "damage done" upon their victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bosoxinjection.com/2018/10/29/boston-red-sox-world-series-champs-need-shirt/ |title=The Boston Red Sox are World Series champs and you need this shirt |first=Nathan |last=Cunningham |website=bosoxinjection.com |date=October 29, 2018 |access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>

Based on these exploits, the team is considered the best MLB team of the 2010s, one of the best Red Sox teams ever, and one of the best baseball teams since the [[1998 New York Yankees season|1998 New York Yankees]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-best-and-worst-of-pro-sports-in-the-2010s/ |title=The Best — And Worst — Of Pro Sports In The 2010s |first=Neil |last=Paine |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]] |date=December 31, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/10/25/world-series-win-would-place-red-sox-among-mlbs-best-teams-ever/ |title=A World Series win would place 2018 Red Sox among MLB's best teams ever |first=Neil |last=Greenberg |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24259760/mlb-the-best-boston-red-sox-team-ever |title=This just might be the best Red Sox team ... ever |first=David |last=Schoenfield |website=[[ESPN.com]] |date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1640232 |title=Where do the 2018 Red Sox rank among the greatest teams ever? |first=Simon |last=Sharkey-Gotlieb |website=[[Score Media and Gaming Inc.|theScore]] |date=October 30, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>

====2019–present: Decline and struggles ====

Going into the 2024–25 offseason, Red Sox fans were hoping to push forward and make more improvements than the last offseason. Although the offseason started off slow, the Red Sox made two major moves to improve their team, trading for [[Chicago White Sox|White Sox]] ace [[Garrett Crochet]], who would start for them on Opening Day, and signing third baseman [[Alex Bregman]] to a three-year, $120-million dollar deal. The Red Sox flipped the script, and entered the [[2025 Boston Red Sox season|2025 season]] as contenders for the American League title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-23 |title=MLB Predictions: Should Red Sox be considered the favorites in wide-open AL? |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/03/23/mlb-predictions-should-red-sox-be-considered-the-favorites-in-wide-open-al/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2008, the [[Lee County, Florida]], Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the Red Sox to build a new spring training facility for the team. In November 2008, the Red Sox signed an agreement with Lee County intended to keep their spring training home in the Fort Myers area for 30 more years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/11076748 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911071111/http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/11076748 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |title=Red Sox to stay in Fort Myers for 30 more springs |access-date=November 1, 2008 }}</ref> In April 2009, the Red Sox announced that the new stadium would be located on a {{convert|126|acre|adj=on}} lot north of [[Southwest Florida International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Charlie Whitehead |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/apr/28/selection-day-lee-county-decides-red-sox-spring-si/ |title=A home run: Lee commissioners choose Watermen-Pinnacle as site for new Red Sox spring home – Naples Daily News |publisher=Naplesnews.com |date=April 28, 2009 |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104224851/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/apr/28/selection-day-lee-county-decides-red-sox-spring-si/ |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2011, the team and [[JetBlue Airlines]] officials announced that the new field would be named JetBlue Park at Fenway South.<ref>{{cite web|last=Edes |first=Gordon |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/9145/sox-new-facility-to-be-named-jet-blue-park |title=Sox new facility to be named JetBlue Park – Boston Red Sox Blog – ESPN Boston |date=March 29, 2011 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=October 31, 2013}}</ref>

JetBlue Park opened in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.jetblue.com/grand-opening-of-jetblue-park-announced/ |title=Grand Opening of JetBlue Park Announced! |website=jetblue.com |date=2012 |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> Many characteristics of the stadium have been taken from [[Fenway Park]], including a {{convert|37|ft|m|adj=on}} [[Green Monster]] wall in left field. Included in the wall is a restored version of the manual scoreboard that was housed at Fenway for almost 30 years, beginning in the 1970s.<ref name="Boston">{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/08/red_sox_announc_8.html|title=Red Sox announce spring training ticket prices at new JetBlue Park|access-date=October 7, 2011 | work=The Boston Globe|first=Peter|last=Abraham|date=August 31, 2011}}</ref> The field dimensions are identical to those at Fenway.<ref name="Boston"/>

The rivalry is often a heated subject of conversation in the [[Northeastern United States]].<ref>{{harvnb|Shaughnessy|2005|p=19}}</ref> Since the {{mlby|1995}} inception of the [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card]] team and an added [[Division Series]], every postseason except for [[2014 Major League Baseball season#Postseason|2014]] and [[2023 Major League Baseball season#Postseason|2023]] has featured one or both of the [[American League East]] rivals. The two teams have squared off in the [[American League Championship Series]] (ALCS) three times, with the Yankees winning in [[1999 American League Championship Series|1999]] and [[2003 American League Championship Series|2003]] and the Sox winning in [[2004 American League Championship Series|2004]].<ref name="ALCS">{{cite news|title=They Love to Hate Each Other; Red Sox and Yankees carry bitter rivalry into championship series that starts tonight|date=October 12, 2004|first=Mike|last=DiGiovanna|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|page=D1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A World Series ticket; Sox complete comeback, oust Yankees for AL title|date=October 21, 2004|first=Dan|last=Shaughnessy|newspaper=The Boston Globe|page=A1|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/10/21/a_world_series_party/?page=full}}</ref> The teams have faced off in one [[American League Division Series]] (ALDS); [[2018 American League Division Series|2018]], won by the Red Sox in four games. The teams have played one [[American League Wild Card Game]] on October 5, 2021, which the Red Sox won as well.

The rivalry is often termed "the best"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nesn.com/2011/01/cubs-cardinals-must-emulate-yankees-red-sox-to-rekindle-rivalry.html|title=Cubs, Cardinals Must Emulate Yankees, Red Sox to Rekindle Rivalry|date=January 12, 2011|access-date=February 6, 2011|first=Tony|last=Lee|work=NESN}}</ref> and "greatest rivalry in all of sports."<ref>{{cite book|title=The rivals: the Boston Red Sox vs. the New York Yankees: an inside history|last1=The New York Times|last2=The Boston Globe|location=New York|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2004|isbn=0-312-33616-0|edition=1st|author-link=The New York Times|author-link2=The Boston Globe|page=1}}</ref> Games between the two teams often generate a great deal of interest and get extensive media coverage, including being broadcast on national television.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two nations, over the air: Portrait of a rivalry in radio waves|last=Wallace|first=Tim|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=July 10, 2011|page=K12|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/07/10/two_nations_over_the_air/|access-date=January 13, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027191338/http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-10/sports/29758562_1_red-sox-sox-territory-yankees-fans|archive-date=October 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Yankees vs. Red Sox: Long-running drama|url=https://www.usatoday.com/SPORTS/usaedition/2010-05-07-yanksox07_cv_U.htm|first=Jorge L.|last=Ortiz|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 7, 2010|page=1C}}</ref>

The [[flagship station|flagship]] [[radio station]] of the Red Sox is [[WEEI-FM]] 93.7. [[Joe Castiglione]] has broadcast Red Sox games since 1983 (initially assisting [[Ken Coleman]]) and has been the lead [[play-by-play]] announcer since 1993. [[Tim Neverett]] worked with him from 2016 through 2018, but in 2019, WEEI opted for a more conversational format with a variety of commentators (see the above link) alongside Castiglione. Former Red Sox player [[Lou Merloni]] has provided color commentary since 2013. Castiglione's predecessors include [[Curt Gowdy]] and [[Ned Martin]]. He has also worked with play-by-play veterans Bob Starr and [[Jerry Trupiano]]. Many stations throughout [[New England]] and beyond carry the broadcasts. On August 26, 2024, Rylee Pay and [[Emma Tiedemann]] became the first pair of women to call a Red Sox game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/08/27/boston-red-sox-female-broadcasters |title=NESN features first pair of women broadcasters in booth to call Red Sox game |work=Sports Business Journal |date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>

The integration of music into the culture of the Red Sox dates back to the Americans era, which saw the first use of the popular 1902 showtune ''[[Tessie]]'' as a rallying cry by fans.<ref name="Tessie2012">{{cite web|last1=Given|first1=Karen|title=From 'Tessie' To 'Sweet Caroline': A Brief History Of Fenway Park|url=http://legacy.wbur.org/2012/04/20/brief-fenway-history|website=wbur|publisher=NPR|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111451/http://legacy.wbur.org/2012/04/20/brief-fenway-history|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tune saw a resurgence in popularity when a new version by Boston area band [[The Dropkick Murphys]] was featured in the 2005 film ''[[Fever Pitch (2005 film)|Fever Pitch]]'', which tells the story of an obsessive Red Sox fan.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} The song is frequently played after home wins and inspired the name of Red Sox mascot [[Wally the Green Monster]]'s "sister" ''Tessie''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Wally The Green Monster's Sister Tessie Is Coming To Boston |url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/01/05/wally-the-green-monsters-sister-tessie-is-coming-to-boston/ |access-date=March 30, 2017 |website=boston.cbslocal.com |publisher=CBS Boston |quote=There's a never before seen member of the Red Sox family that has perimeter and diehard Red Sox fans alike asking, "wait, who?" Her name is Tessie, and apparently, she's Wally the Green Monster's sister. In a video posted by the team, Wally is seen heading home to visit his parents at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers when Tessie runs out onto the field. Together — to a special Dropkick Murphys track — the pair enjoy some sibling time at the park. But when Wally gets ready to head back to Boston, it's decided that Tessie's coming too.}}</ref> Their song "[[I'm Shipping Up to Boston]]" was used to signify the entrance of Boston's [[closing pitcher]].

Another song associated with the team and its fan base is [[Neil Diamond]]'s 1969 single "[[Sweet Caroline]]". The song was first introduced to Fenway Park in 1997. By 2002, its play had been established as a nightly occurrence. It continues to be played at every home game during the 8th inning, sung along to by those in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slane |first=Kevin |date=October 8, 2017 |title=How 'Sweet Caroline' became Fenway's beloved (and detested) ballpark anthem |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2017/10/08/how-sweet-caroline-became-fenways-beloved-and-detested-ballpark-anthem |access-date=April 2, 2018 |website=boston.com |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners}}</ref> In 2007, Diamond revealed that the song was written for [[Caroline Kennedy]], American diplomat and daughter of Boston icon [[President of the United States|President]] [[John F. Kennedy]]. Caroline Kennedy's great-grandfather, [[John F. Fitzgerald]], threw Fenway Park's first-ever ceremonial opening pitch on April 20, 1912.<ref name=Tessie2012/> When Diamond was named a [[Kennedy Center Honors]] recipient in 2011, Red Sox executive assistant Claire Durant arranged for 80 Red Sox fans to travel to Washington for the ceremony, which culminated in them singing the song behind [[Smokey Robinson]] onstage.<ref name="m968">{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2011 |title=Smokey Robinson, Red Sox Fans Involved in 'Sweet Caroline' Sing-Along During Salute to Neil Diamond at Kennedy Center |url=https://nesn.com/2011/12/neil-diamond-honored-at-kennedy-center-unites-audience-by-singing-sweet-caroline/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |work=[[NESN]]}}</ref>

In 2008, the Red Sox made an "exception" by retiring number 6 for [[Johnny Pesky]]. Pesky neither spent ten years as a player nor was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame; however, Red Sox ownership cited "...&nbsp;his versatility of his contributions—on the field, off the field, [and] in the dugout&nbsp;...", including as a manager, scout, and special instructor and decided that the honor had been well-earned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/09/24/pesky_makes_honor_roll?mode=PF|title=Pesky makes honor roll|date=September 24, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|first=Michael|last=Vega}}</ref> Pesky spent 57 years with the Red Sox organization; as a minor league player (1940–1941), major league player (1942, 1946–1952), minor league manager (1961–1962, 1990), major league manager (1963–1964, 1980), broadcaster (1969–1974), major league coach (1975–1984), and as a special instructor and assistant general manager (1985–2012).

In 2015, the Red Sox chose to forgo the official criteria and retire [[Pedro Martínez]]' number 45. Martínez only spent seven of his 18 seasons in Boston. In justifying the number's retirement, Red Sox principal owner John Henry stated, "To be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon his first year of eligibility speaks volumes regarding Pedro's outstanding career, and is a testament to the respect and admiration so many in baseball have for him."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/clubhouse_insider/2015/06/red_sox_to_retire_pedro_martinezs_no_45_at_fenway_park|title=Red Sox to retire Pedro Martínez's No. 45 at Fenway Park on July 28|date=June 22, 2015|first=Jason|last=Mastrodonato|work=Boston Herald}}</ref> After announcing Martínez's number retirement, the official criteria no longer appeared on the team website<ref name=retnos>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/history/retired-numbers|title=Retired Numbers|publisher=Boston Red Sox|website=MLB.com|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> nor future media guides.<ref>{{cite book |title=2015 Boston Red Sox Media Guide |date=2015 |pages=376–379 |url=http://pressroom.redsox.com/GetFile.ashx?Location=MEDIA%20GUIDE/Media%20Guides/2015%20Boston%20Red%20Sox%20Media%20Guide.pdf }} {{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=2016 Boston Red Sox Media Guide |date=2016 |pages=353–356 |url=http://pressroom.redsox.com/GetFile.ashx?Location=MEDIA%20GUIDE/Media%20Guides/2016%20Boston%20Red%20Sox%20Media%20Guide.pdf }} {{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2017, less than eight months after he played the final game of his illustrious career, [[David Ortiz]] had his number 34 retired by the Red Sox. Ortiz was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility in 2022.<ref name="e999">{{cite web | last=Castrovince | first=Anthony | title=David Ortiz elected to Hall of Fame | website=MLB.com | date=2022-01-26 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/david-ortiz-hall-of-fame-voting | access-date=2024-10-29}}</ref> To date, Ortiz is the only Red Sox player to have been on the active playoff roster of three [[World Series]] championship teams ([[2004 World Series|2004]], [[2007 World Series|2007]], [[2013 World Series|2013]]) since the issuance of jersey numbers starting in 1931.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/237877640/sox-to-retire-papis-number-tonight-vs-angels|title=Sox to retire Papi's number tonight vs. Angels|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=June 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623175823/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/237877640/sox-to-retire-papis-number-tonight-vs-angels/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The number 42 was officially retired by [[Major League Baseball]] in 1997, but [[Mo Vaughn]] was one of a handful of players to continue wearing number 42 due to a [[grandfather clause]]. He last wore it for the team in 1998. In commemoration of Jackie Robinson Day, MLB invited players to wear the number 42 for games played on April 15, which [[Coco Crisp]] (CF), David Ortiz (DH), and [[DeMarlo Hale]] (Coach) did in 2007 and again in 2008. Starting in 2009, MLB had all uniformed players for all teams wear number 42 for [[Jackie Robinson Day]].

* '''33''' – [[Jason Varitek]] C (MLB 1997–2011; all with Boston). Varitek reclaimed his #33 when he became a coach in 2021.

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