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Miracle at Fenway: The Inside Story of the Boston Red Sox 2004 Championship Season
BEFORE THEY BECOME THE 2013 WORLD CHAMPIONS, THERE WAS THE SEASON THAT BROKE THE CURSE AND STARTED IT ALL… The players and coaching staff of the 2004 Boston Red Sox are now and forever, legends. After all, it had been eighty-six years since Boston last won a World Series, a fact anybody even remotely associated with the team as a player, executive, or fan was reminded of on a daily basis. For members of the 2004 Red Sox roster, winning that October was one of the greatest experiences in their lives. For fans, the '04 team will always be remembered as the one that finally silenced the "1918" chants. Hundreds of articles and numerous books were written in the immediate aftermath of the thrilling '04 season, but ten years have passed and Miracle at Fenway has a fresh perspective, including the type of analysis and insight that comes with a decade of reflection. As a Red Sox fan since birth, and from having written about and worked alongside the team for his entire professional life, Saul Wisnia has cultivated relationships with people at every level of the Sox organization. From the players to the fans to the upper echelons of team management, he has their accounts of 2004 as they saw it and as they remember it today, now that the memories have had time to take root and blossom. In the winning tradition of baseball oral histories, Wisnia tells the story of 2004 as experienced by the people who lived it, in an engaging style filled with insight and excitement.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 16, 2016
Even the most casual of baseball fan can recall many of the details of the 2004 postseason. That was the year that the Boston Red Sox accomplished two historical feats – they became the first baseball team to win a seven game series after losing the first three games and they won their first championship in 86 years, breaking the mythical “curse” that had been attached to the franchise.
There were many published writings about that team soon after the last out of the Red Sox World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals was completed, but this book by Saul Wisnia, written ten years later, was a different take on the story. Wisnia, a self-proclaimed Sox fan and writer of other books on the team, provided some information from different sources. Stories from players such as Dave Roberts, whose stolen base in game 4 of the American League Championship Series is credited by many to be the turning point of that series, makes this a little different than many other writings that get information from star players like David Ortiz. There are also passages in which ownership, fans and employees of the team share their thoughts on not only the championship season but about their beloved team.
That is important to note because book does not concentrate solely on the 2004 season – it really gets going when the Red Sox new ownership team took over in 2000. Wisnia writes about the steps taken to revitalize Fenway Park and save it from demolition (something hard to fathom now), the hiring of Theo Epstein as general manger to bring the team into the world of statistical analysis and “Moneyball” scouting, and also of field manager Terry Francona whose leadership proved crucial. There is a lot of material on the 2003 season as well and the heartbreaking end. Even though this wasn’t the focus of the book, it was my favorite section to read as I learned a lot more about that season and how important it was in setting up the success of the following campaign.
While Red Sox fans will probably know most of the material written already, it is one that they should add to their library if they have not already done so. Fans of other teams (with the exception of possibly Yankee fans) will also enjoy this fresh look back at one of the most historical seasons in recent baseball history.
I wish to thank St. Martin’s Griffin Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
There were many published writings about that team soon after the last out of the Red Sox World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals was completed, but this book by Saul Wisnia, written ten years later, was a different take on the story. Wisnia, a self-proclaimed Sox fan and writer of other books on the team, provided some information from different sources. Stories from players such as Dave Roberts, whose stolen base in game 4 of the American League Championship Series is credited by many to be the turning point of that series, makes this a little different than many other writings that get information from star players like David Ortiz. There are also passages in which ownership, fans and employees of the team share their thoughts on not only the championship season but about their beloved team.
That is important to note because book does not concentrate solely on the 2004 season – it really gets going when the Red Sox new ownership team took over in 2000. Wisnia writes about the steps taken to revitalize Fenway Park and save it from demolition (something hard to fathom now), the hiring of Theo Epstein as general manger to bring the team into the world of statistical analysis and “Moneyball” scouting, and also of field manager Terry Francona whose leadership proved crucial. There is a lot of material on the 2003 season as well and the heartbreaking end. Even though this wasn’t the focus of the book, it was my favorite section to read as I learned a lot more about that season and how important it was in setting up the success of the following campaign.
While Red Sox fans will probably know most of the material written already, it is one that they should add to their library if they have not already done so. Fans of other teams (with the exception of possibly Yankee fans) will also enjoy this fresh look back at one of the most historical seasons in recent baseball history.
I wish to thank St. Martin’s Griffin Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
July 15, 2015
Those that thought fans of Boston Red Sox had an unquenchable thirst for books reviewing the 10th anniversary of their memorable season put those boosters to a good test in 2014.
At other points on this blog, you can find reviews of Ian Browne's "Idiots Revisited" and Allan Wood and Bill Nowlin's "Don't Let Us Win Tonight." Now comes "Miracle at Fenway" from veteran writer Saul Wisnia. I think I'm close to done.
Wisnia has done other books, including one on Fenway Park, and has a blog on baseball. At last look, he works for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, regionally famous in New England for its Jimmy Fund, which has a long relationship with the Red Sox.
While the other two books concentrate almost entirely on the 2004 season, Wisnia widens the scope of this book quite a bit. It essentially starts in 2000 with the beginning of the process that saw the team be sold. The new ownership group headed by John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino took over in 2002. And away we go.
After a variety of changes in 2002, the Red Sox were ready to contend again. In 2003, the team came close, losing in Game Seven to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. If you believe that a season begins the day after the previous season ends, then the story of the 2004 campaign begins on page 125 of the 278 pages of text. That's later than was probably expected.
Wisnia goes through the story of the season in a straight-forward manner. Red Sox fans can recite the details by heart, of course. There's the hot start, a mediocre middle, the Varitek/A-Rod scrum, the Garciaparra, the run to the playoffs, and the postseason itself. To fill in the details, the author checks in with a variety of people. Surprisingly, the players contribute a rather small percentage of the material - and few of the stars provide fresh material, although they turn up with quotes from other sources. We hear from Lucchino, and we hear from a Fenway Park peanut vendor. And some people in between - including Jason Varitek's parents, but not Varitek himself.
This is written with a little distance; in other words, Wisnia is obviously a fan of the team, but his editorial judgments on what happened during those years seem to be more or less on target. This is also a quick read, but in fairness this may be a case of the events being so familiar that it's easy for some (well, me) to go through it.
There are better books out there on that Red Sox team. There aren't many revelations here, and some of the fan experiences related in the book aren't overly gripping. But "Miracle at Fenway" still works as a to-the-point, easy-read recap for casual fans of a magical time for an iconic franchise, which I think partly explains the glowing reviews on Amazon.com. Therefore, if you want a one-volume recap of what happened then, this is a good destination.
At other points on this blog, you can find reviews of Ian Browne's "Idiots Revisited" and Allan Wood and Bill Nowlin's "Don't Let Us Win Tonight." Now comes "Miracle at Fenway" from veteran writer Saul Wisnia. I think I'm close to done.
Wisnia has done other books, including one on Fenway Park, and has a blog on baseball. At last look, he works for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, regionally famous in New England for its Jimmy Fund, which has a long relationship with the Red Sox.
While the other two books concentrate almost entirely on the 2004 season, Wisnia widens the scope of this book quite a bit. It essentially starts in 2000 with the beginning of the process that saw the team be sold. The new ownership group headed by John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino took over in 2002. And away we go.
After a variety of changes in 2002, the Red Sox were ready to contend again. In 2003, the team came close, losing in Game Seven to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. If you believe that a season begins the day after the previous season ends, then the story of the 2004 campaign begins on page 125 of the 278 pages of text. That's later than was probably expected.
Wisnia goes through the story of the season in a straight-forward manner. Red Sox fans can recite the details by heart, of course. There's the hot start, a mediocre middle, the Varitek/A-Rod scrum, the Garciaparra, the run to the playoffs, and the postseason itself. To fill in the details, the author checks in with a variety of people. Surprisingly, the players contribute a rather small percentage of the material - and few of the stars provide fresh material, although they turn up with quotes from other sources. We hear from Lucchino, and we hear from a Fenway Park peanut vendor. And some people in between - including Jason Varitek's parents, but not Varitek himself.
This is written with a little distance; in other words, Wisnia is obviously a fan of the team, but his editorial judgments on what happened during those years seem to be more or less on target. This is also a quick read, but in fairness this may be a case of the events being so familiar that it's easy for some (well, me) to go through it.
There are better books out there on that Red Sox team. There aren't many revelations here, and some of the fan experiences related in the book aren't overly gripping. But "Miracle at Fenway" still works as a to-the-point, easy-read recap for casual fans of a magical time for an iconic franchise, which I think partly explains the glowing reviews on Amazon.com. Therefore, if you want a one-volume recap of what happened then, this is a good destination.
August 3, 2014
Saul Wisnia's account of the 2004 World Series Championship Boston Red Sox is a rich mosaic of fan recollections, sportswriter's accounts, player memories, and Red Sox team history. As a result, Miracle at Fenway is the kind of book that allows access to outsiders while offering a rich and engaging experience for true fans of the Olde Towne Team. As a Red Sox enthusiast and an avid reader of baseball literature and history, I went into this book expecting to enjoy it, but left it impressed by the amount of details and facts and insights I learned while reading it. Highly recommended, and I can only hope that Wisnia will attempt similar books about the 2007 and 2013 seasons!
January 5, 2015
Some of the ground has been covered in previous works, however this adds a nice twist and tells much the story of the 2004 season from the viewpoint of the fans. Many of those long-suffering fans had become accustomed to late season collapses or mysterious meltdowns in the post-season. The World Series victory over the Cardinals was almost anti-climactic. The real feat was the stunning reversal in the AL championship series when the Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit to take the measure of their detested rival - the Yankees.
Good analysis and description of game situations, this is a book even dejected Yankee fans can enjoy.
Good analysis and description of game situations, this is a book even dejected Yankee fans can enjoy.
April 13, 2020
I read this book during the Covid crisis, desperate for some kind of baseball fix to tide me over. Reading about one of the greatest ever Boston ‘teams’ (in every sense of ten word) and one of the great series in baseball history (the ALCS vs the Yankees) brought back sweet memories of the beautiful game.
Unfortunately though the book itself is rather lightweight with nothing really new in terms of take or material to make it stand out from other efforts. A pretty straight-foreword retelling of the 2003 and 04 seasons, added to with a small number of vignettes of the average fans who supported the team.
Unfortunately though the book itself is rather lightweight with nothing really new in terms of take or material to make it stand out from other efforts. A pretty straight-foreword retelling of the 2003 and 04 seasons, added to with a small number of vignettes of the average fans who supported the team.
October 7, 2019
This book is about the 2004 Red Sox Team which broke the long 86 year World Series drought for Boston. I was predisposed to like it. And like it I did. It was much superior to the books written immediately after the event when there was a rush to market. This book is better written with a narrative that follows the assembling of the owners, management and players of the team with perspectives from each as well as of fans. For a Red Sox fan this is gold, for a baseball fan a very good read as well.
January 22, 2021
Comentario completamente sesgado, debido a mi afición por los Red Sox: el mejor libro de deporte que he leído! Wisnia realiza una excelente caracterización del antes, durante y después de la mágica temporada de 2004, donde cayó, después de 86 años, la llamada maldición del Bambino. Un libro que todo amante de los Red Sox debe leer y disfrutar, trayendo a la mente los maravillosos momentos de ese verano. #DirtyWater #GoSox
March 21, 2019
A lot of the same stories I've read before. Nothing really new or different from other inside story books.
August 14, 2014
First I would like to say I received this book through the goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to say that I have never read anything from this author before.
I am a huge Red Sox fan, and have been one my whole life, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book as it has gaven me an in-depth view of my beloved Red Sox and that magical season written by an insider to the club. Even if you are not a Red Sox fan you will enjoy this book, anyone who loves our national pastime should get a good feeling from this book, it's well written and shows not only the team and it's history from a fans point of view but from the players and owners also. I've read it 3 times already, needless to say I give this book a big thumbs up! 5 stars all the way! the Author has done a marvelous job!
I am a huge Red Sox fan, and have been one my whole life, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book as it has gaven me an in-depth view of my beloved Red Sox and that magical season written by an insider to the club. Even if you are not a Red Sox fan you will enjoy this book, anyone who loves our national pastime should get a good feeling from this book, it's well written and shows not only the team and it's history from a fans point of view but from the players and owners also. I've read it 3 times already, needless to say I give this book a big thumbs up! 5 stars all the way! the Author has done a marvelous job!
February 18, 2015
Saul Wisnia brings back some very happy memories by recapping the incredible summer of 2004. While every detail remains front and center in my mind it's awesome to recap them and see them in print once more. He spends just enough time going over the details of the curse years. But the main focus of this book is 2003 and 2004. There isn't anything here that even the most casual Red Sox fan doesn't know but still it is a great read and makes me think, WOW that was 10 years ago already. Red Sox fans will enjoy reading this!
Buy this if you're a lifelong Red Sox fan.
Buy this if you're a lifelong Red Sox fan.
March 7, 2015
I read pretty much every book that came out in 2004-2005 (many of varying quality). This one may the best and brought me back to my sociopathic habits (i.e. hanging up on my buddy Rich who called me during Game 6, because "you didn't call me during Game 5 and the Sox won! Don't call me!" -- Rich, I apologize). The Sox (and sports) were all-consuming in my life until then -- and now selectively, after (GW vs. Memphis in NCAAs where it was strongly suggested I watch upstairs as I was scaring the kids). Great memories -- and can't believe it was more than a decade ago
March 8, 2016
For me the 2004 Boston Red Sox team was fun to watch and to see them prevail. To win the World Series after 86 years of not winning it, was amazing. The book was a quick read, yet, gave a good background to the team and the make up of the players on the team. Probably the best part about this team is when they came back and beat the Yankees after being down 3-0. This team and the stories told about the team illustrate the importance of working together, and staying the course.
June 13, 2016
This is a very interesting book on the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series run. It's one of the greatest championship runs in the history of sports and the book gives a good in depth look at all the crazy things that happened. It has interviews with players and the author gives personal stories from the time. Very fascinating and a great read.
January 25, 2015
Adds very little to what's already been published. It feels slight and spends at least four pages talking about the idiotic movie Fever Pitch. I can only imagine that the target audience is for Red Sox fans born after 2004.
September 1, 2014
Interesting read. Go Sox
August 26, 2014
Sitting on the new books shelf at the library, this might as well have had a sign that said "Read this one, Dave." So I did. Good book, great memories and fun to relive.
March 15, 2016
Great book. A lot of history. Felt like I relived all of '03 and '04. Loved the inight of the team. The stats. The background stories. Go Sox!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews