By Kate Joseph
Staff Writer
The Red Sox clinched the World Series Championship title after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in game six in Boston on Wednesday.
This win marks the third World Series Championship for the Red Sox in nine years, and the first won at Fenway Park since 1918.
The series kicked off on Wednesday, Oct. 23, when Boston dominated St. Louis 8-1 at Fenway Park. The Cardinals fought back the following night, defeating the Sox 2-4, tying up the series.
St. Louis advanced with another win in game three, but Boston did same the following night, bringing the series to a 2-2 tie.
The Red Sox took the lead in St. Louis in game five with a 3-1 win.
Game six lacked any scoreboard action until the bottom of the third when Shane Victorino, who missed games four and five due to injury, stepped up to bat and pulled off his first hit of the series, a three-run double.
“To get these kind of moments, it’s just what it’s all about,” Victorino told MLB.com. “For me, luckily enough, it worked out. I don’t ever go up there with the mindset that this is what’s going to happen. It just seems to be happening that way.”
Boston doubled their efforts in their next time at bat. Stephen Drew, who was 1-for-16 in the series, hit a right-center shot to gain another run for the Sox. Victorino and Mike Napoli each added to the score to bring Boston to a 6-0 lead.
St. Louis managed to bring in one run in the top of the seventh thanks to Carlos Beltran, marking the final score at 6-1.
“I’ve never felt anything like that here,” said Dustin Pedroia. “It’s just a special place and we wanted to win so bad here, and it worked out. Obviously we want to win first off. To do it here is unbelievable.”
David Ortiz, the only teammate who played in all three of Boston’s World Series Championships in the past decade, was named MVP of the series.
“You know, winning this World Series is special,” said Ortiz. “I think it might be the most special out of all the World Series that I have been part of, to be honest with you.”
The team, as well as the city of Boston, celebrated the victory on Saturday morning with a rolling rally through Boston. The World Series Champions rode on 25 duck boats from Fenway Park to various landmarks around Boston including the marathon finish line, the Boston Commons, and City Hall while nearly two million fans cheered in the crowd.
“This team has got its place in history, and I think as the year went along, the fans really recognized and appreciated the way we played the game,” said Manager John Farrell. “They saw that there was a connection between each and every guy in our uniform, and I think they identified with that. I know our players thrive on the energy they create. To have it culminate in this, it’s truly special.”
