A Tough Task Ahead: The 2002 Red Sox Season at a Glimpse

As the sale of the Boston Red Sox has winded to a close, and the signing of free agents become more minimal. The new Red Sox owners Tom Werner, John Henry and team president Larry Lucchino step up to bat for the beloved Red Sox Nation. After having a taste of the championship life with the Patriots, the fans of the Red Sox won't accept anything less but a World Series title.

Was it fixed? After the sale of the Red Sox rumors swirled that Baseball's Commissioner Bud Selig influenced the sale of the red sox. Despite billionaire Charles Dolan increasing his bid, the Henry-Werner group stayed put, and fans crossed their fingers. New England sports are much more than sporting events; they are a way of life. The Red Sox have some of the most loyal fans around. For a team that hasn't won a championship since 1918, fans will still cram themselves into the aged and historical Fenway Park. With a dark-spot placed among the Boston Red Sox in recent years, starting with the struggles of General Manager Dan Duquette, and many debacles from Duquette not backing coach Jimy Williams to Carl Everett banging heads with an umpire, Red Sox fans continue to hold their heads high.

It's been said that the Red Sox clubhouse is of the likes of a scene from the WWF and that the teams chemistry has been tore apart. For this off-season one of the Red Sox many missions was to not only improve the team for next year but to improve the clubhouse atmosphere. Mission accomplished? Maybe, just maybe with the signing of hitting coach Dwight Evans and bench coach Mike Stanley. Both Evans and Stanley are well respected, which is something the Red Sox need in their clubhouse. A big addition by subtraction was getting rid of Everett, trading him to the Texas Rangers. Of course they received left-handed pitcher Darren Oliver in return, who most likely won't make the starting rotation, but with Everett gone any deal was a good deal. The Red Sox have the talent but it's a matter of having the pieces fall in place as last year injuries plagued the Sox. Starting pitcher, ace, and arguably the best pitch in baseball Pedro Martinez spent a significant amount of time on the injured list. Along with him, all-star and past batting champion Nomar Garciaparra only played in 21 games. Along with Martinez and Garciaparra, the Red Sox had catcher Jason Varitek out, Everett hurt with a bad knee, and a whole lot of bad luck.

What's done is done and the Red Sox can't go back and change anything. They can only go on and improve upon it. The Red Sox started the 2002 off-season trying to address many problems. They needed starting pitching, a lead off hitter, a hitter to bat in the five spot, and some answers to second base. They answered many of them by first acquiring power hitting first baseman Tony Clark who will fill Everett's spot in the lineup. The acquiring of starting pitchers John Burkett and Dustin Hermanson put the Red Sox in a strong position with their starting rotation. The biggest signing of the off-season was of outfielder and lead off hitter Johnny Damon who will give the Sox an element at the beginning of their lineup, replacing Jose Offerman, which they haven't had in a while. The situation at second base was thought to be solved when the Red Sox traded backup catcher Scott Hatteburg for gold glover Pokey Reese. But their plans were soon altered, as they didn't offer Reese a contract allowing him to become a free agent. Talks with Reese staled as he ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

If the Sox don't sign a "sure-thing" second baseman (Rey Sanchez) they will begin another season with Offerman, unless the rejuvenated three-time all-star Carlos Baerga can successfully come back or if Quilvio Veras (signed to a minor league contract) can show he can play at his top level. Baerga was one of 18 invited to spring training along with former Red Sox players' Butch Henry and Damon Buford.

Since then the Red Sox have come to terms and avoided arbitration with Brian Daubach, Trot Nixon, Ugueth Urbina, and Doug Mirabelli. Negations were shaky with Rich Garces, upset that the Red Sox haven't followed up a promise to negotiate a long-term deal, asked to be traded only to sign a deal for 2002 with the Sox a couple week later.

One issue that hasn't been solved is that of Dan Duquette. After multiple years of poor human relations, Duquette is very disliked from Boston fans and from players within the league. Rumors have gone around about Oakland's Billy Bean, San Diego's Kevin Towers, and even the Mets Jim Duquette, yes Dan's cousin, coming to Boston.

Besides that, ticket sales have also gone up 7.4 percent. This is only the beginning of a long season to come that will start on February 15, when pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Fort Myers. As the new ownership settles in and Dan Duquette anxiously awaits his dismissal, hopefully the Boston Red Sox will be carried out at the state of legacy that they are and have been, for years and years to come.