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 1946 team, the No. 12 seed in the Red Sox Showdown for the Ages.
1946 Boston Red Sox
Record: 104-50
Finish: 1st in AL, lost World Series to St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Joe Cronin
Best Player: Ted Williams (.342 average, 38 home runs, 123 RBIs, 1.164 OPS)
Best Pitcher: Tex Hughson (20-11, 2.75 ERA, 278 IP)
Breakdown: The second winningest regular-season team in Red Sox history, the Sox were outdone by the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. After his first MVP, Ted Williams struggled in his only World Series, batting .200 as the Cardinals deployed one of the first versions of the infield switch against left-handed batters. The Series also featured the infamous Johnny Pesky event in which he "held the ball," allowing Enos Slaughter to score.
