BOSTON — This generation of Red Sox fans has been lucky. They’ve seen two World Series titles, and over the last decade, the Red Sox have typically been competitive (2012, notwithstanding).
But this year’s World Series offers something new.
In addition to the feel-good story of the Sox going from last-place finishers in 2012 to the top of the mountain in 2013, this year’s Fall Classic gives Boston an opportunity to relish a World Series victory at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918. The Red Sox, of course, won on the road in 2004 and 2007.
“We all understand the magnitude of tonight’s game — the fact that since we haven’t won a championship in Fenway since 1918,” Shane Victorino said before Game 6 on Wednesday. “I mean, I don’t think there’s even that many people who could say they remember that or even could say that they were around when that happened — so all these kind of things. And playing in front of these fans every single night, it doesn’t get any better. I’m excited to see what happens. And as I said, we’ve still got a long, tough task ahead of us.”
Fenway Park has been electric throughout the entire postseason, but there’s even more of a buzz in advance of Game 6. And for good reason. It’s only the fourth time that Fenway Park has hosted a Game 6 of the World Series at Fenway Park — the first time since 1975.
John Farrell’s bunch has maintained since winning Game 5 on Monday that nothing has changed. Even though the Red Sox are on the brink of a World Series title, they’re trying to focus on the task at hand, which is winning Game 6. It’s going to be a tall order given how phenomenal Game 6 starter Michael Wacha has been for the Cardinals this postseason, but the boisterous Fenway Faithful should undoubtedly provide a little extra boost to the hometown club.
“People call this ‘The Cathedral of Baseball,’ and I absolutely, 100 percent agree. This place is a special place to play,” said Victorino, who is still in the midst of his first season in Boston. “You talked a little bit about, yes, I have been able to play in a place like Philadelphia, L.A., playing in some big markets. [But] this is right up there with them. It’s been great. It’s been fun.”
Fenway Park has long been considered “The Cathedral of Baseball.” This year, it also has a chance to be the host venue of a celebration 95 years in the making.
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