The Boston Red Sox won the 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018 World Series, so it’s fair to say they have been one of the most successful franchises in MLB since the turn of the millennium.
There were, however, some ugly years in between championships.
From 1998 to 2011, the Red Sox were perennial contenders and it was one of the most successful eras in their history.
The 2012 season, however, was painful to watch.
Red Sox reporter Tyler Milliken recalled an ugly lineup from that year on Twitter.
“#RedSox had some of the worst lineups in the history of baseball at the end of 2012,” he tweeted, before saying that Cody Ross “will always be my favorite part of that team.”
Just look at this:
#RedSox had some of the worst lineups in the history of baseball at the end of 2012.
Cody Ross will always be my favorite part of that team.#DirtyWater| #MLB pic.twitter.com/eergGixi49
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) June 6, 2022
Ooof.
Their Worst Season In Recent Memory
To be fair, Lavarnway, Saltalamacchia, and Iglesias were promising young players back then.
Iglesias still plays in the big leagues and has built a nice career for himself.
But the rest?
Let’s just say it was a tough year.
At 69-93, the Red Sox finished last in the AL East that year.
In hindsight, fans are probably happy to give away the 2012 campaign to win the 2013 World Series, but that 2012 season was one of the worst in recent memory.
To be fair, more talented players were part of that year’s roster: Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Will Middlebrooks, and more.
It would be fascinating to learn why the manager sent out such a weak lineup that day.
After that year, Boston alternated winning seasons with losing ones, before breaking through again in 2018 and winning the title led by a historic season from Mookie Betts.
They reached the AL Championship Series last year and are expected to fight for a playoff spot this season.
NEXT: The Red Sox Starting Rotation Has Come Alive In June