Whether or not Red Sox Nation also remembers the year for the team's magical triumph in face of adversity remains to be seen, but even if the team falls short, the team has demonstrated great resiliency.
They may be 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, but it is a minor miracle that the team has not entirely fallen out of contention, having lost so many starters for the season.
The team was without their complete starting rotation for the majority of the first half, and their starting lineup has been devastated for the entire second half.
Unlikely players have stepped up given the circumstances. Darnell McDonald has filled the void in the outfield proficiently. Ryan Kalish has provided great optimism for the future and excitement for the present with his surprisingly mature bat. Jed Lowrie's torrid play has made Sox fans miss Dustin Pedroia a little bit less.
The team is an offensive powerhouse with the second most runs scored in the league despite all of those injuries.
The rotation has been better than many give it credit for as well. Daisuke Matsuzaka is having a solid season, posting the second-best ERA of his career. Clay Buchholz has been masterful, and Jon Lester has pitched in his typical Cy Young-caliber self, too. John Lackey, while perhaps not the ace he was in Anaheim, hasn't been a disaster either. In truth, only Josh Beckett has really struggled, and a lot of that can be attributed to injury.
Add this all together and you get a team is that on pace for 92 wins, a mark that gets you into the playoffs the majority of the time.
So, what's the best word to describe the 2010 Red Sox?
Share your thoughts below.
Sunday, Aug. 22: When will John Farrell become a major league manager?
