2020 has been bleak for Red Sox fans. Last place. No Mookie. Half the team traded at the deadline, but remember what September 2012 was like and what a difference a year can make. From Truck Day to Duck Day is a glorious day-by-day remembrance of what a great season 2013 was, both for the Red Sox and the city of Boston.
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September, 2013
September 1
Tim Tebow among 13 cut by the Patriots. Era over before it begins.
Peavy throws seven strong against former teammates. Sox prevail 7-2.
September 2
Around town … Mayoral race heats up as candidates stump in the neighborhoods … Walsh admits to past alcoholism … ecstasy drug called “Molly” creating more overdoses and deaths … three Somerville High Students accused in sexual assault case …
RIP David Frost, 74. Got Nixon to apologize (kind of) post-Watergate.
Sox sweep Sox. Ortiz plates three in 7-6 victory. Next up … Tigers.
Daniel Bard designated for assignment. Days as a Red Sox are finished.
September 3
Despite absence from booth RemDawg’s outside ventures appear to weather negative publicity regarding son.
RIP Tommy Morrison, 44. Heavyweight starred in Rocky movie.
Tigers shut out Sox, 3-0, behind Doug Fister. 6 of 11 Sox shutouts have come with Lackey on the mound.
September 4
Gulp … another Jared … another alleged assault on girlfriend at a townhouse in Waltham … another pleas of not guilty. This time it is Jared Sullinger of Celtics.
Jon Lester, pitching like an ace, bests Max Scherzer, 2-1.
September 5
Sox smash 8 home runs to obliterate Tigers 20-4. Slam for Middlebrooks, 2 for Ortiz.
September 6
Dave Waller, Boston businessman, buys Graves lighthouse for $933,888. Now needs boat to get there.
Whitey shows his sensitive side in post-trial letters. Confirms that he offered to plead guilty in return for setting longtime companion Catherine Grieg to go free. She’s serving an 8 year term behind bars.
Sox rally against Riviera, beat Yanks in 10, 9-8. Have now won 10 of last 12. Extend lead in East to 6 1/2 games.
September 7
Aaron Hernandez pleass “not guilty” to murder and other offenses. Continues to be held without bail.
Down 5, Red Sox come back to smother Yanks 12-8. Napoli’s slam is key blast.
September 8
Another slugfest in the Bronx. Sox win a wild one 13-9. 1st home run for 20 year old Bogaerts, youngest Sox to do it since Dwight Evans in 1972.
September 9
Pats squeak by Buffalo in season opener 23-21.
Sox can’t complete sweep. Lose 4-3. Jacoby Ellsbury has fractured foot, but expects to return in time for playoffs.
September 10
Still 12 candidates in mayoral race.
September 11
RIP World Trade Center victims.
19 families want voices heard at Whitey sentencing.
Man accused of poisoning Bulger extortion victim Stephen “Stippo” Rakes alledgedly admits guilt, tries to kill self. It doesn’t get any nuttier than this one.
Supposed Hernandez Florida shooting victim fails to appear before Massachusetts grand jury.
Buchholtz back! Throws five strong as Sox shut out Rays. Sox lead up to 8 1/2.
September 12
Weiner, Spitzer Political Comebacks Droop, something that has nothing to do with Boston, other than how badly it reflects on the Evil Empire. Here are some of his selfies:
Mike Carp pinch hit grand slam in 10th carries Sox over Rays 7-3. Are you kidding me?
September 13
Intel to close plant in Massachusetts. 700 jobs lost.
RIP Charlie Gilbert, 101, born on the day Fenway Park opened.
Patriots edge Jets, Sox fall to Rays, Mike Napoli earns all the incentives in his contract.
September 14
Whitey’s legal defense has cost taxpayers $2.6 million to date. (Don’t forget Whitey offered to plead guilty in return for his companion being released from jail.)
Salty’s slam paces Sox over Yanks 8-4.
September 15
Red Sox 5, Yankees 1 behind Lester. Dan Shaughnessy writes “The 2013 Red Sox have made themselves the most clutch, unlikely, lovable bunch since the fabled 1967 edition.” I thought they were a hard team to get excited about, Dan.
Dan shows his human side. From
Amazon: “In Senior Year, Dan Shaughnessy focuses his acclaimed sportswriting talent on his son Sam’s senior year of high school, a turning point in any young life and certainly in the relationship between father and son. Sam is a natural hitter who quickly ascended the ranks of youth baseball. Now nicknamed the 3-2 Kid for his astonishing ability to hover between success and failure in everything he does, Sam is finally a senior and it is all on the line: what college to attend; how to keep his grades up and his head down until graduation; and whether his final high school baseball season will end in disappointment or triumph.
All along the way, Dad is there, chronicling that universal experience of putting your child out on the field–and into the world–and hoping for the best. With gleaming insight, wicked humor, and, at times, the searching soul of an unsure father, Shaughnessy illuminates how sports connect generations and how they help us grow up–and let go.”
September 16
According to the Globe most people want to see a life sentence without parole for Tsaraev.
Boston Beer’s founder now a billionaire, and deserves every penny.
Saltalamacchia steals home. What more do you need this season. Sox whup Yanks 9-2. Honor Mariano Rivera.
September 17
Absolutely nothing happened on this date. Whitey slept late and read a magazine in his cell. So did Aaron, Jared, and Tzokof. There was no weather.
September 18
Koji Uehara hitless streak ends at 37 (27 makes for a perfect game!). Gives up hit and run and Sox lose to Orioles 3-2.
September 19
RIP Ken Norton, 70. Fought Ali 3 times, won once. Tough guy with chiseled physique.
Sox lose to Orioles again in extra innings. Champagne has to wait.
September 20
Caroline Kennedy breezes through hearings. Slated to become ambassador to Japan.
Emerson student Jody Steel draws national attention to art that she doodles on her thigh.
Sox clinch playoff spot behind Lackey’s two-hitter. Save champagne for division championship. 3-1 final. Lackey wins Redemption Award.
September 21
Sox clinch division, 6-3 over juggernaut Jays.
Prosecutors want Whitey to fok over the $25 million he took in from shaking down victims. How about what he won in the lottery. Whitey’s winning ticket sold on eBay for $1875.
Rodriguez passes Gehrig with 24 career slam. Will there someday be an “Alex Rodriguez disease”?
September 22
Summer officially ends.
11 candidates still stumpin’ around Boston.
Sox can relax for final week of season, preparing for playoffs.
September 23
Statue of Yaz unveiled at Fenway.
Yaz was a consistently good player, but in 1967 he was positively transcendant. Final week of season that year obsessed all of New England.
Pats move to 3-0 with win over Bucs. Sox over Jays 5-2. Have lead in quest for best record in AL.
September 24
Election day at long last.
Sox await to see who first opponent will be.
September 25
Martin Walsh, John Connolley are finalists in mayoral contest.
Prince Spaghetti celebrates 100th anniversary by remaking famous commercial featuring 12 year old Anthony Martignetti, now 56.
Lackey lackluster in 8-3 loss to Rockies.
September 26
2 dingers for Middlebrooks in 15-5 win over Rockies.
September 27
As government heads towards shut down … as season winds to a close .. the Fung Wah bus company os looking to get back on the road.
September 28
Hernandez fiancee, cousin indicted in Odin Lloyd murder case. No murder weapon yet found.
Red Sox over Orioles 12-3.
September 29
#4 … Bobby Orr kicks off publication of memoir.
September 30
New York mayoral front runner Bill di Blasio revealed to be Red Sox fan.
Patriots beat Falcons to move to 4-0.
Baseball season ends with 7-6 loss to Orioles. Prospects of a Farrell/Francona match-up or a return to Boston for Crawford/Gonzalez intrigue.