Boston Sports Then and Now

Yesterday, the Twitterverse — and, for that matter, Red Sox-based media at large — was abuzz with talk of Jason Bay as the Sox trekked to Port St. Lucie for an exhibition with the left fielder’s new club, the New York Mets.  Bay’s departure from Boston, amidst concerns about his knees and shoulder, was perhaps the team’s biggest off-season story and is certainly the root of wide-spread concerns regarding the Sox’ offense in 2010.

Jason Bay left Boston for the Mets this offseason.

In Theo Epstein’s time as General Manager, several players have left the team as free agents, igniting debate amongst media and fans alike.  Here, I will look at some of the more controversial decisions to let a player walk in the Epstein era and categorize said decisions based on their effect upon the organization since having been made.  Perhaps of note, the six players examined were important parts of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox.

Theo is not sentimental.

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Will Pedro be the Yankees' Daddy this time around?

Just after midnight, the New York Yankees punched their ticket to the World Series for the very first time since Aaron Boone launched an extra-inning, season-ending and heart-crushing home run into the left field corner at Yankee Stadium that sent the Red Sox packing in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series.

That game, which was started by Pedro Martinez, was all the motivation that was needed to help drive the magical run of the returning Red Sox players who were part of the miraculous October the very next October en route to the 2004 World Series Championship.

But, before I get to that 2004 season, let me take you back to that Game 7 in 2003, as much as it may make you cringe.

Holding a three-run lead with just five outs standing in the way of the Red Sox and a trip to the World Series, Pedro Martinez stood atop the mound in the center of Yankee Stadium. Thinking back on that night, it’s hard to understand why the Red Sox didn’t win that game.
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