Editor's note: NESN.com is teaming up with WhatIfSports.com to crown the greatest Red Sox team of all time with the "Red Sox Showdown for the Ages." Click here for more information on the 16-team simulation tournament.
Starting on Monday, we'll start to preview the tournament, looking at four teams each day. This preview is for the the 1986 team, the No. 13 seed in the Red Sox Showdown for the Ages.
1986 Boston Red Sox
Record: 95-66
Finish: 1st in AL East, lost World Series to New York Mets
Manager: John McNamara
Best Player: Jim Rice (.324 average, 20 home runs, 110 RBIs,)
Best Pitcher: Roger Clemens (24-4, 2.48 ERA, 254 IP, AL Cy Young and MVP)
Breakdown: Arguably the most infamous Red Sox team of them all, the 1986 team was as close as you could get to winning a title without actually hoisting the hardware. Led by Jim Rice and Wade Boggs at the plate and MVP Roger Clemens on the mound, the Sox had the champagne chilled in Game 6 of the World Series before the Mets rallied back (with the help of Bill Buckner) to win the game and eventually the Series.
