If Colorado manager Clint Hurdle tells his team to act like they've been there before, they'll have to do just that: act.No Rockies' pitcher has ever appeared in a World Series game, and the lone hitter to have played on baseball's biggest stage is Willy Taveras. In the 2005 World Series, Taveras hit .333 (5-15) with two doubles, a triple and a stolen base. Of course, his contributions were in a losing effort as the Astros were swept by the White Sox.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have no need to act. They have been here before.
This World Series will be the first in a Boston uniform for Josh Beckett, but he is no stranger to the spotlight. Beckett was 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA in the 2003 series, back when he was just a lad plying his trade for the Marlins. Most of us remember his complete game shutout on three days' rest to clinch the series, and he has shown that same kind of resolve in the playoffs thus far this season.
Oh yeah, and there's a familiar face from that 2003 World Series, just a few yards to Beckett's right at third base: Mike Lowell.
Curt Schilling has pitched in the World Series thrice prior (including with the 1993 Phillies) and posted a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA. More memorable than the 2004 World Series -- the bloody sock was in the ALCS, remember? -- was Schilling's effort in the 2001 series against the Diamondbacks. In three starts, including Game 7, Schilling was 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 26 Ks in 21.1 innings. That's solid.
And of course, Manny Ramirez has seen a pitch or two at this level. He's been less successful than you might think, though: in three appearances, he's hit .246 (15-61) with 4 HR and 12 RBI.
There are Red Sox players who haven't been here before -- Dice-K, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis come to mind -- but the big boys have, and that experience may give Boston a huge head start in this series.
In talking about the Rockies inexperience, I was pointing out to a friend that Colorado has never been to this level, and I wasn't sure if they will know how to win. To which he responded, "Well, so far this postseason they haven't shown they know how to lose, either."
Maybe he has a point.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have no need to act. They have been here before.
This World Series will be the first in a Boston uniform for Josh Beckett, but he is no stranger to the spotlight. Beckett was 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA in the 2003 series, back when he was just a lad plying his trade for the Marlins. Most of us remember his complete game shutout on three days' rest to clinch the series, and he has shown that same kind of resolve in the playoffs thus far this season.
Oh yeah, and there's a familiar face from that 2003 World Series, just a few yards to Beckett's right at third base: Mike Lowell.
Curt Schilling has pitched in the World Series thrice prior (including with the 1993 Phillies) and posted a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA. More memorable than the 2004 World Series -- the bloody sock was in the ALCS, remember? -- was Schilling's effort in the 2001 series against the Diamondbacks. In three starts, including Game 7, Schilling was 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 26 Ks in 21.1 innings. That's solid.
And of course, Manny Ramirez has seen a pitch or two at this level. He's been less successful than you might think, though: in three appearances, he's hit .246 (15-61) with 4 HR and 12 RBI.
There are Red Sox players who haven't been here before -- Dice-K, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis come to mind -- but the big boys have, and that experience may give Boston a huge head start in this series.
In talking about the Rockies inexperience, I was pointing out to a friend that Colorado has never been to this level, and I wasn't sure if they will know how to win. To which he responded, "Well, so far this postseason they haven't shown they know how to lose, either."
Maybe he has a point.
1 comment:
Well, dominant game 1 performance for the Sox. The Josh Beckett/Hanley Ramirez deal looks like one that has worked out for both teams... Beckett has been awesome so far this postseason.
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