sign in sign up
<<
Home , Andrew Benintendi, Blake Swihart, Carlos Febles, Chris Sale, Craig Kimbrel, Dave Dombrowski

2 HOW , CORA, ALEX HOW POSTSEASON PREVIEW POSTSEASON 2018 RED SOX RED 2018 J.D. MARTINEZ J.D. MARTINEZ INTO THE SOXINTO THE INJECTED INJECTED NEW LIFE LIFE NEW -for- 2 FINAL-1

Tue, Sep25,201812:59:14 AM ..Mrie Alex Cora J.D. Martinez

AMANDAÂ SABGA/Staff photo FINAL-1 Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:16 AM

S2 MASTER BUILDER How team president rebuilt Red Sox into superpower Chris Mason of the batters he faced, and

• Wednesday, September 26, 2018 26, September • Wednesday, as a reliever, finished sixth in the voting. HOLDING ON arrived in 4 TO THE CORE Boston with a Sometimes the best trades reputation as are the ones you don’t make. an executive While Dombrowski has that never never shied away from trad- shied away ing horses for ponies, he from making a big splash. deserves kudos for holding 2018 2018 BOSTON That’s proven to be well on to the right ones. deserved, as the Red Sox When he arrived in 2015, posted their best regular and Xander season in franchise history Bogaerts were up-and-com- thanks in large part to the ers, but not yet superstars. star power on their roster. Prior to the 2016 season the Here are Dombrowski’s five Red Sox needed starting best moves as Sox shot-caller, pitching, so Dombrowski and the one non-move that knocked on a few doors. could come back to bite him: When the ask was Betts and/or Bogaerts, the Sox TRADING FOR said no thanks. 5 At that time, Andrew Ben- When the Red Sox dealt intendi and

North of Boston Media Group • Group Media of Boston North four prospects for Craig were top prospects that AP file photo Kimbrel, they were expect- hadn’t yet gotten a sniff The success of the 2018 Red Sox can be attributed to some of Dave Dombrowski’s moves as president of operations. ing a bullpen-altering arm in of the big leagues. They return. weren’t moved either. November there was plenty Houston’s bench in SIGNING J.D. MARTINEZ ONE THAT COULD HAUNT HIM: The has lived up to If you look at the top of of risk in hiring Alex Cora. 2017. 1 This was Dombrows- NOT DEALING FOR that billing. the Red Sox batting order, The majority of his post- Still, Dombrowski went ki’s finest hour. BULLPEN HELP Kimbrel solidified the it’s homegrown — and J.D. playing days had been as an after a new-school manager He played his cards bril- The 2018 Red Sox are a back end of the bullpen — he Martinez, who we’ll get to in analyst, and the Sox skip- in Cora and it’s paid off in a liantly to land J.D. Marti- ready-made represented Boston in three a moment. per only had one season of big way. nez, a franchise-changing threat — with one blemish. consecutive All-Star Games coaching experience at the bat. Their bullpen has been an — and turned in an other- HIRING ALEX CORA Major League level — albeit, TRADING FOR During last offseason’s issue since last postseason, worldly 2017. Kimbrel struck 3 Though it seems like a pretty darn good one, 2 unprecedented free agent and one that was never a hair under 50 percent a slam dunk now, back in winning a World Series as It took a king’s ransom, freeze, Dombrowski knew addressed. Dombrowski but the payoff has been the market for Martinez. didn’t replace the departing worth it. The big fish were all out of Addison Reed, nor did he Chris Sale is the most the running for one reason add an arm in free agency, GO SOX dominant Red Sox or another, and with no though the ’pen was seri- since Pedro Martinez. Bar Dodgers, Cubs, Nationals ously lacking in left-handers. none. or Yankees to contend with, When Carson Smith threw To land Sale, Dombrowski there was no rush. his glove — and his season Sewing Machines • Repairs • Fabrics • Notions • Books • Classes had to ship away base- With Martinez’s super — away, Dombrowski didn’t ball’s top prospect in Yoan agent in no rush, make an in-season move. Nor Moncada, Dombrowski waited. And did he when Tyler Thorn- In Celebration of the Red Sox Clinching the AL East — a flame-thrower with a waited. And waited some burg’s stuff didn’t come back Bring in this coupon for a 10% discount on a one yard or more cut of regularly priced fabric bright big league future — more. as sharp as they’d hoped. The (thru 10/27/18) and two other prospects, Ultimately, he landed Mar- deadline came and passed but Sale has been well tinez on a modest five-year, while Domrowski stood pat. worth it. $110 million deal, and the If the Sox crumble again A fun place to shop - where customers are friends! The ace’s starts are slugger has responded with this season, don’t be shocked sewcreativebeverly.com • 14 Elliott St. • Beverly • 978-524-8848 appointment viewing. one of the best first seasons if their bullpen proves to be Hours: Tues-Fri. 9:30-5:30 • Thurs. ‘til 7 • Sat. 9:30-4:30 • Sun. 12-4 in Red Sox history. the Achilles heel. S3 North of Boston Media Group • 2018 BOSTON RED SOX • Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Meats Produce Department Dips | Desserts | Dips Custom-CutMeats Full Line of Packaged & Packaged Line of Full Expanded Produce Produce Expanded Beer & Wine Prepared Foods Salads | Soups | Quiche | SaladsSoups | www.danversbutchery.com to Complement Our Items Food Complement to A Great Selection Beer of & Wine A Great Available in All in Cuts Available New Seasoned Steaks New Seasoned TO THE TO THE PLAYOFFS! ADD SOME FLAVOR SOME FLAVOR ADD Seasoned with Seasoning Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:17 AM 12:59:17 2018 25, Sep Tue, Open 7 days a week: Sun.-Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 9 a.m.-7 a week:Open Sun.-Sat. 7 days FINAL-1 LET US CATER YOUR NEXT FAMILY OR COMPANY PARTY COMPANY OR NEXT FAMILY YOUR LET US CATER Famous Marinades Famous DANVERS: 182 North Street, 978-777-3000 • NEWBURY: 2 Morgan Ave., 978-463-3001 Ave., 2 Morgan Street, NEWBURY: • 978-777-3000 North 182 DANVERS: Sirloin Tips | Boneless Chicken | Boneless Tips Sirloin Boneless Pork | Wings & Thighs Wings | Pork Boneless FINAL-1 Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:18 AM

S4 Band of Brothers How Martinez and Cora helped change everything for the Sox Chris Mason thinker with a knack for connecting with those around him. He checked After falling flat again in most of the boxes teams

• Wednesday, September 26, 2018 26, September • Wednesday, 2017, the Red Sox were in look for in a manager, need of a franchise face lift. despite his inexperience. Two men were able to Dombrowski didn’t engineer that — albeit, they hesitate. were the two biggest free The Red Sox architect agents in their respective landed Cora while the fields. postseason was still being After Boston’s second con- played. During an introduc- secutive deer-in-the-head- tory press conference in lights early November, Division Series exit, John skipper radiated a cool

2018 BOSTON RED SOX 2018 BOSTON Farrell was fired and Dave confidence. Dombrowski eyed a new “Boston, for a lot of peo- manager. ple, is a challenge. For me, AMANDA SABGA/Staff photos En route to the World it’s not,” Cora said. “This a In his first season in Boston, J.D. Martinez has put up MVP- Series as the Houston city that I understand they caliber offensive numbers. Astros bench coach, Alex live baseball 24/7, but you Cora had quite a few suitors. know what? I come from a breakfast, we talk baseball. The Puerto Rico native Sharp, affable and bilingual, country that we live base- For lunch, we talk baseball stressed that transparency Cora was a new-school ball 24/7. In my family, for and for dinner, too.” and accountability were two things he wanted to see in his team, and promised to hold himself to the same standard. While Dombrowski was

North of Boston Media Group • Group Media of Boston North swift in landing Cora, it would take longer to acquire the second member of Extreme Makeover: Red Sox Edition. The Sox had missed dearly in 2017 — both on the field and in the clubhouse — and Red Sox manager Alex Cora, showing a little intensity himself, as another season ended says he was impressed with J.D. Martinez’s passion for the prematurely, it was obvious game of baseball. they needed a middle-of- the-order bat. really began to click that negotiations, Martinez was Enter J.D. Martinez. Martinez fit the mold of perched on a podium along- The Sox and the slugger what he wanted on the field side Dombrowski and Cora, were an obvious match, and in the clubhouse. introduced as the newest but he wasn’t going to “The way he talked, he member of the Boston Red come easily. After a career was very passionate about Sox. year saw Martinez belt 45 baseball,” Cora said. “He’d “It’s come to a fruitful home runs, super agent talk about communica- end, and we’re absolutely Scott Boras dubbed him tion with his players in thrilled,” Dombrowski said. “The King Kong of Slug,” Arizona. After that I made Martinez was ready to and they were rumored to some phone calls and, pick up where he’d left off in be seeking a $200 million yeah... They told me he was Arizona. contract. amazing. “I’m expecting, hopefully, Though the two sides “He was able to communi- to do a lot of damage,” Mar- didn’t strike a deal when cate, to share information, tinez said. “That’s the game they met at the Winter he’s a good guy. So that’s plan coming in.” Meetings, the conversation when I was like, OK, this is Martinez is a baseball they had in Orlando proved going to work.” bookworm, and on the significant. For Cora, it After two more months of See BROTHERS, Page S5 FINAL-1 Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:20 AM S5

BROTHERS North of Boston Media Group • „ Continued from Page S4

fields at JetBlue Park, Cora was struck by the amount his players began talking about the game — specifi- cally hitting. The manager believes baseball chatter is a hallmark of good teams, and the conversation that

started in 2018 BOSTON RED SOX never relented. When the real games finally began, it didn’t take long for Cora’s accountabil- ity mandate to be tested. Less than two weeks into the regular season, the rookie skipper slipped up. On a frigid April after- noon, the Sox offense rallied to take an 8-7 lead against • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 the Rays in the bottom of the eighth. With his best defensive outfielder avail- able on the bench, Cora still left Martinez in the field for the ninth inning. Why didn’t he insert Jackie Bradley Jr. into the game? “I’m going to be honest with you,” Cora said. “We scored six runs and we were so excited about it and the manager missed that one.” Why so readily admit that? AMANDA SABGA/Staff photos “Because I did. Why lie? J.D. Martinez’s success has trickled down to his teammates, who have seen more pitches to with Martinez in the middle of the lineup. It happens,” Cora said. “Everybody saw that. I his career, and that wasn’t Manager Alex think I ask our guys to be all. Cora has said genuine, transparent and In the batting cage, Mar- transparency responsible. So if I am ask- tinez acted as an amateur and ing them to be that way, I hitting coach and one that accountability better be that way because was always willing to help are two if I say something else they his teammates. things he know I am not telling the Whether it was Jackie wants to see truth.” Bradley Jr. or Rafael in his players With that, the standard Devers, when a Sox hitter was set. A culture change snapped out of a slump, and has held that had been talked about “J.D. noticed something and himself to was being practiced, and helped me out,” became a the same throughout the season, the familiar refrain. standard. vast majority of Red Sox With Cora calling the players took ownership of shots and Martinez deliver- their mistakes, too. That ing them, two men were wasn’t the case in 2017. able to engineer a culture On the field, Martinez change that the Red Sox changed everything. sorely needed. His first season in a Red Chris Mason is a Red Sox Sox uniform was MVP beat writer for the Eagle- caliber, and the trickle down Tribune and CNHI Sports effect was real. With Marti- Boston. Email Chris at cma- nez mashing, Mookie Betts [email protected] and saw more pitches to hit and follow him on at @ delivered the best season of ByChrisMason FINAL-1 Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:21 AM

S6 THE HIGH FIVE Best Red Sox wins of 2018 Chris Mason good teams. The Sox had steamrolled lesser competition but APR. 8 weren’t given their first 5 RED SOX 8, RAYS 7 real test until they traveled

• Wednesday, September 26, 2018 26, September • Wednesday, This was a sign of things to Houston for a date with to come. Cora’s old team. After drop- On a frigid April after- ping the first two against noon — it was 38 degrees the Astros, the whispers at first pitch — the Sox had were getting louder. The Sox already won their series needed a statement win. AP photos with the Rays and seemed to and Andrew hits an RBI- in a six- eighth-inning be sleepwalking through the Benintendi delivered it. rally during an April 8 comeback win over the . finale. Price didn’t have his best Trailing 7-2 in the bottom stuff, but matched Astros of the eighth, they woke up. ace for six 2018 BOSTON RED SOX 2018 BOSTON The Sox struck back for innings. In the top of the six runs, all with two outs, Boston Red Sox’s J.D. Martinez is doused after the team’s win seventh, Benintendi hit a go- and stole an 8-7 win from over the on June 22. Martinez singled in the ahead and the Sox the Rays. It was a game they go-ahead run in the 14-10 victory. held on for a signature win. really had no business win- They’d shell Charlie Mor- ning, but Alex Cora’s club JUNE 2 and sat first in the American ton a night later to salvage a rallied back anyway. 4 RED SOX 5, ASTROS 4 League East, but still had a series split. By early June, the Red Sox knock on them. were on an impressive pace They hadn’t played many JUNE 22 3 RED SOX 14, MARINERS 10 In his worst start of the season, Steven Wright gave up 10 runs. He didn’t get the loss.

North of Boston Media Group • Group Media of Boston North Wright would wind up on the DL after this start, but left his team in a 10-5 hole against the first place Mariners No bother. The Sox would erupt for Christian Vazquez, right, celebrates his seventh-inning home nine unanswered runs, fin- run with third base coach in the team’s June 2 ish with 20 hits, and put win over the . another victory in the win column. an 8-7 lead, Brandon Phil- walk to keep the inning lips — playing his first game going, and trailing 4-1 with Also SEPT. 5 in a Red Sox uniform — the bases loaded, J.D. Mar- RED SOX 9, BRAVES 8 launched a two-run homer tinez stepped into the box. Available: 2 After taking two against in the top of the ninth to The Sox slugger scalded an Heated the Braves and with firm give his new team the win. RBI single that scored two, Storage grasp on first place in the It was utterly ridiculous, and when AL East, Cora trotted out but somehow made sense bounced a ball that third Units his B-team for a getaway for the ’18 Sox. baseman Miguel Andjular day game. airmailed, Boston sent the They trailed 7-1 in the AUG. 5 game to extras. Household Goods and Business Stock eighth against a first place 1 RED SOX 5, YANKEES 4 Andrew Benintendi com- team and could have eas- (10 INNINGS) pleted the walk-off win with ily mailed it in. Few would The Red Sox were hoping an RBI single in the bottom • 7 Day access, 7am–7pm HAMPSHIRE ROAD RAJ REALTY have faulted them for hop- to complete a demoralizing of the 10th, and the Red Sox • Two convenient locations SELF-STORAGE SELF-STORAGE ping on their flight home four-game sweep against went up 9 1/2 games in the 9 Hampshire Rd. 11 Pine St. content with taking two the Yankees in early August, division. • Monthly Rentals available in many sizes Salem, NH Methuen, MA of three. Instead, the split- but down to their final strike This was the dagger. The squad Sox rallied back for against , Yankees would never come six runs to tie it. they looked cooked. close in the AL East race www.hampshireroadstorage.com 603-894-4631 • 800-891-4631 After Atlanta regained worked a again. FINAL-1 Tue, Sep 25, 2018 12:59:24 AM S7 10 postseason storylines to follow North of Boston Media Group • Chris Mason

CAN J.D. KEEP Can Xander 10 MASHING? Bogaerts be the J.D. Martinez has slugged X-factor that puts at a historic pace, but with the Sox on top?

premier on the hill 2018 BOSTON RED SOX every night in October, can he keep inflicting this much damage? History says yes; Martinez has three hom- ers in seven career playoff games. Will Chris Sale HOW AGGRESSIVELY have enough 9 WILL KIMBREL BE USED? ammo left in Alex Cora has been his arsenal? conservative with Craig • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Kimbrel during the regu- lar season — only 5 of his first 55 appearances were With the Red Sox middle relief the added rest aid him? All more than an inning — but struggling, how much will Alex season long Sale has talked how drastically will that Cora ask of closer Craig Kimbrel? of “saving bullets,” but will change in October? By mid- the gun be ready to be fire September, the most Cora AMANDA SABGA/Staff photos this week? had asked of his closer was Young form. Other times, plate. Christian Vazquez four outs. the sinkerballer has been hasn’t offered much but WHO HAS THE EIGHTH? hit hard. Which Porcello signed a you’re-the-guy 2 Plenty of criticism DOES HOME FIELD will show up when he gets extension last offseason. has been lobbed at Dave 8 MAKE A DIFFERENCE? the ball? His first two post- Who’s it going to be? Dombrowski for not landing The Red Sox opened the seasons in Boston have been And for how long? another bullpen arm. This past two postseasons on turbulent. is where the Red Sox archi- the road, and landed in 0-2 CAN CORA tect will be proven right or holes against the Indians WHERE DOES THE 5 HANDLE THE HEAT? WHICH YOUNG GUN postseason. Can Betts, wrong. If Red Sox reliev- and Astros. Will it be differ- 6 CATCHING CAROUSEL How will Cora fare as an 4 STEPS FORWARD? Bogaerts and Bradley do the ers can’t patch it together, ent opening the postseason LAND? in-game manager when the Prior to the season, Cora same? Which young leader Dombrowski is in for a long at ? For once, It’ll be intriguing to see chess match intensifies? challenged Mookie Betts, says “I’m taking over?” winter. the raucous home crowd how Cora manages his The rookie skipper hasn’t Xander Bogaerts and Jackie will be on their side. when the stakes made many missteps — and Bradley Jr. to be as good IS SALE’S ARM PLAYOFF PRICE are raised. Sandy Leon calls admitted the ones he has a young trio as Alex Breg- 3 ALL RIGHT? 1 Until David Price wins WHICH PORCELLO a great game, but had a taken — but with more man, Jose Altuve and Car- After two bouts with a playoff start, there will be 7 DO WE SEE? terrible second-half slump. arms available in October, los Correa. shoulder inflammation, it’s no bigger story line. The There have been starts has the best there’s more thinking to be The Sox have responded, been a slow build for Chris $217 million man needs to this season where Rick bat, but they still don’t seem done. How will he handle but the Astros group took Sale. Will the Red Sox ace get the job done. Porcello reverted to his Cy to trust him behind the the do-or-die heat? it to the next level in the be hindered by it, or will And he knows it.

Methuen, Ma 978-689-8373 or 978-423-2696 Timothy A. www.LivingstonFamilyTree.com OVER $250 GET $25 OFF OVER $650 GET $75 OFF

24 Hour Emergency Service • Free Estimates • Fully Insured Free Estimates • All Work Guaranteed • MA Masters #10301 Residential & Commercial • Tree & Stump Removal 978.689.8336 • Limb Removal • Pruning Trimming • Firewood Year Round Service www.giardplumbing.com North of Boston Media Group • 2018 BOSTON RED SOX • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 S8 09-05787-001-ZIL2 Allow 6to8weeksafterinitial paymentforshipment. All ordersare subjecttoproduct availabilityandcredit approval. your state,gotoHamiltonCollection.com/use-tax. HamiltonCollection.com. *Add atotalof$13.00forshippingandservice, salestax;see MAIL TO: Email (address)______Signature______Address______City______State______Zip______Run With You” T Name______HamiltonCollection.com/RedSoxHomeRun YES! For FastestService,OrderOnlineNowAt Shown approximateShown size of5¼"high. Product subject to change. Huge DemandExpected.OrderNOW! 9204 CenterForTheArtsDrive,Niles,Illinois60714-1300

Please acceptmyorder for LIMITED EDITION! For informationonsalestaxyoumayoweto LIKE USON asexplainedinthisannouncement.

(Please printclearly.) FINAL-1

“Every DayIsA Home 09-05787-001-l13401 Tue, Sep25,201812:59:26 AM Precious Moments ® ©2018 Precious Moments, Inc.Authorized Licensee, The H The Licensee, Inc.Authorized Moments, ®©2018 Precious Moments Precious and copyrights are used with permission of Properties, I Properties, Baseball League of Major permission with used are copyrights and it’s agenuine side, theyknowhavethebestseatsintown… nexttoeachother! big screen TV, it’salmostliketheyare atthe game—onlybetter!Becausesittingsideby is guaranteed or your money or your back! guaranteed is installments of $33.33*; only your fi rst installment is due pr due is fiinstallment your rst only $33.33*; of installments fi 120 fi porcela in bisque hand-painted ne and Handcrafted sweetheart! Offi ciallylicensed byMajorLeagueBaseballProperties& Celebrate your passion for the Celebrate your winning team with “Every Day Is A Home Run With Run Home A Is Day “Every with team winning your Celebrate you like just … one-of-a-kind a is You” With Run Home A Is Day “Every When this ring days, hand-numbered and arrives with a Certifi a with days, arrives and ring hand-numbered Precious Moments Precious Moments This Limited Editionisnotavailableinanystore! the the Perfect Team! ® ® couplesitsdowntowatchthe

and MLBP-licensed collectible only from Hamilton! Hamilton! MLBP-licensed and from only collectible You, Me &

Red Sox Red nc. Visit MLB.com Visit nc. amilton Collection. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Major League Baseball tr Baseball League Major Worldwide. Reserved Rights All Collection. amilton Red Sox cate of Authenticity — your assurance ior to shipment. shipment. to ior ™ …and each other! Boston RedSox Precious Moments in, it is strictly limited to limited strictly is it in, You” for just three just You”for ™ Your satisfaction Your satisfaction

… ™ n your and ontheir ademarks ademarks ® !