Why Alex Cora called this one of his 'most gratifying wins'
"It was one of the most gratifying wins since I've been here."
These were the words from Alex Cora, someone who has claimed the 2018 world championshp, made it into the 2021 American League Championship Series and has won 537 games as a big league manager.
Yet, it was a Sept. 24, 6-5, 10-inning win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre Tuesday night that hit different.
So, why did this one hit different?
"The way we did it," Cora explained. "Of course, October 28, 2018 was the biggest one. But kind of like grinding and fighting and in the dugout and the guys that pitched and the guys who ended up playing in that game. I'm telling you right now ... There was a lot of anxiety and we were very nervous, but we pulled it out."
So, what does it all mean? Considering the Red Sox need to win all four of their remaining games with the Royals going 1-4, it most likely has little to do with landing in the postseason. That perspective has been shifted for a few days now.
But what it did signal was certainly the kind of mindset and momentum they didn't have in the waning moments of the 2023 season, or in the past two-plus months, for that matter.
For the first time since July 5, when the Red Sox were finishing off a five-game win streak, Cora's club can be considered one of the two hottest teams in baseball. It has won four straight, the longest streak since that early-July run. (Before Monday, the Sox had only won more than two straight once since July 5.)
It has been a recent surge that reversed the narrative that this was going to be the final weeks of last season all over again.
It was from Sept. 23-28, 2023 that the Red Sox cemented their second straight last-place finish with a five-game losing streak. This time, even if there were five games left it doesn't seem like the same path would be taken.
When the final out was made, Chase Shugart was on the mound. This time last year, he was home dealing with an 8.22 ERA with Triple-A Worcester.
When the final out was made, Mickey Gasper was playing first base. This time last year, he was was on the verge of a living life as a 27-year-old minor-league free agent after hitting .191 with the Yankees' Triple-A team.
When the final inning began, Zach Penrod was tasked with holding the 10th-inning lead. This time last year, he had just finished off a 2023 season that ended in Single-A after starting in independent ball.
When the game was over, Vaughn Grissom had earned offensive star the day, claiming three hits with a stolen base. One month ago, the second baseman was hitting .197 after a month back with Triple-A Worcester.
When the Red Sox needed a big hit in the 10th, it came from Trevor Story, who gave the visitors the lead for good with an RBI double. It wasn't until two months ago that anyone had any idea that Story would be playing again this season.
There was no Rafael Devers, or Kenley Jansen. Tyler O'Neil was limited to just pinch-running. Nobody needed Fangraphs to see the odds were stacked up against the Red Sox winning their fourth straight.
There can be frustration that this club didn't manage to turn the corner until it is seemingly too late. That's fair, particularly considering the continued downturn of every contender hovering around it with the exception of the Tigers.
And perhaps a series-ending loss in Toronto will make Cora's proclamation appear even more hyperbolic.
But after riding the roller coaster of these 158 games, it's the manager's prerogative to highlight the kind of win he and his team have been starving for. For now, it will have to do.
