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Homegrown: How The Red Sox Built a Champion from The Ground Up
“Alex Speier spins a compelling narrative about how great scouting and player development created a perennial contender in baseball’s toughest division, without losing sight of the people at the heart of his story.” — Keith Law
The captivating inside story of the historic 2018 Boston Red Sox, as told through the assembly and ascendancy of their talented young core—the culmination of nearly a decade of reporting from one of the most respected baseball writers in the country. The 2018 season was a coronation for the Boston Red Sox. The best team in Major League Baseball—indeed, one of the best teams ever—the Sox won 108 regular season games and then romped through the postseason, going 11-3 against the three next-strongest teams baseball had to offer. As Boston Globe baseball reporter Alex Speier reveals, the Sox’ success wasn’t a fluke—nor was it guaranteed. It was the result of careful, patient planning and shrewd decision-making that allowed Boston to develop a golden generation of prospects—and then build upon that talented core to assemble a juggernaut. Speier has covered the key players—Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr., and many others—since the beginning of their professional careers, as they rose through the minor leagues and ultimately became the heart of this historic championship squad. Drawing upon hundreds of interviews and years of reporting, Homegrown is the definitive look at the construction of an extraordinary team. It is a story that offers startling insights for baseball fans of any team, and anyone looking for the secret to building a successful organization. Why do many highly touted prospects fail, while others rise out of obscurity to become transcendent? How can franchises help their young talent, in whom they’ve often invested tens of millions of dollars, reach their full potential? And how can management balance long-term aims with the constant pressure to win now? Part insider’s account of one of the greatest baseball teams ever, part meditation on how to build a winner, Homegrown offers an illuminating look into how the best of the best are built.
The captivating inside story of the historic 2018 Boston Red Sox, as told through the assembly and ascendancy of their talented young core—the culmination of nearly a decade of reporting from one of the most respected baseball writers in the country. The 2018 season was a coronation for the Boston Red Sox. The best team in Major League Baseball—indeed, one of the best teams ever—the Sox won 108 regular season games and then romped through the postseason, going 11-3 against the three next-strongest teams baseball had to offer. As Boston Globe baseball reporter Alex Speier reveals, the Sox’ success wasn’t a fluke—nor was it guaranteed. It was the result of careful, patient planning and shrewd decision-making that allowed Boston to develop a golden generation of prospects—and then build upon that talented core to assemble a juggernaut. Speier has covered the key players—Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr., and many others—since the beginning of their professional careers, as they rose through the minor leagues and ultimately became the heart of this historic championship squad. Drawing upon hundreds of interviews and years of reporting, Homegrown is the definitive look at the construction of an extraordinary team. It is a story that offers startling insights for baseball fans of any team, and anyone looking for the secret to building a successful organization. Why do many highly touted prospects fail, while others rise out of obscurity to become transcendent? How can franchises help their young talent, in whom they’ve often invested tens of millions of dollars, reach their full potential? And how can management balance long-term aims with the constant pressure to win now? Part insider’s account of one of the greatest baseball teams ever, part meditation on how to build a winner, Homegrown offers an illuminating look into how the best of the best are built.
- GenresBaseballNonfictionSports
352 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 27, 2022
When the Boston Red Sox walked off the field as the 2018 World Series Champions, they had six homegrown players under the age of 30 who were major contributors to the team. This book is the story of The Red Sox, Their Minor League Development Program, and the players like Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers who helped lead them to the promised land.
This is a very good baseball book that does a good job looking into the new world of player development and how The Red Sox were able to succeed within the system and bring home a championship. I found this book to be very detailed yet interesting and relatable. Mr. Speiers did a great job talking about the process while developing a story to tell.
If you are interested in modern day baseball, front offices, and development, this book is a must read.
This is a very good baseball book that does a good job looking into the new world of player development and how The Red Sox were able to succeed within the system and bring home a championship. I found this book to be very detailed yet interesting and relatable. Mr. Speiers did a great job talking about the process while developing a story to tell.
If you are interested in modern day baseball, front offices, and development, this book is a must read.
March 1, 2025
It is not obvious to the unobservant eye how much time and effort go into the adjustments that turn Marcus into Mookie and Steve Pearce into a god. Can’t wait for the next great Red Sox team
April 14, 2022
Great book about the Sox and how baseball farm systems work, pretty technical, but still keeps you engaged. Also great to see how so many of the 2018 players got their starts. That team was one of the most fun championship teams to watch, second only to the ‘04 team.
December 29, 2022
My final book of my 31 book challenge. Sort of a torture, reading about the last great Red Sox team and when they actually put an effort to field a good team. Man, I miss Mookie and Bogaerts.
April 1, 2024
Highly technical and a fun read… im #listening and #learning
September 1, 2019
God bless Michael Lewis. Where would we be without his seminal MONEYBALL: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, first published in 2003? And, more specifically, where would a number of authors be? Thanks to Lewis, there’s a new subgenre for them to focus on. By my informal count, there are close to a dozen titles that examine how successful teams are constructed, not via the gut feelings of grizzled, paunchy, tobacco-chewing veteran scouts, but through numbers. These can be hit or miss, to borrow the expression from the game the writers cover.
The latest in this category is Alex Speier’s HOMEGROWN: How the Red Sox Built a Champion from the Ground Up. The title is most apt on a few counts. The Red Sox, who went almost 90 years between World Series wins, had fallen on hard times with several seasons out of the running. Time for one of those “five-year” plans.
It’s also suitable since the core of the team was scouted by, signed and brought up through Boston’s minor league system. A fair part of the story deals with a handful of prospects, including Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts --- major stars for the team, if not baseball as a whole --- and a handful of others (another subtitle choice might have been “The Care and Nurturing of the Killer B’s”). Speier follows their progress, along with their setbacks, as they struggle to deal with the increasing pressure as they move up through the system towards the ultimate goal of becoming a major leaguer. There are varying degrees of success; a few of these young men (almost a euphemism since most of them were still in their teens when the scouting process began) have to contend not only with the game on the field, but, in the case of those coming from Latin American countries, cultural and language issues as well.
There are a lot of expectations for these boys and therefore a great deal of pressure for them to succeed. And it’s not just the ballplayers under the microscope in HOMEGROWN. There’s an unbelievable --- some might say stupid --- amount of money being tossed around. Yoan Moncada, a Cuban teenager, signed for $31.5 million. Add to that another $31.5 mil in “luxury tax” penalties. That’s how sure Boston’s management was that they had found the equivalent of a baseball unicorn.
But wait. Moncada was part of a four-for-one trade to the Chicago White Sox for pitching ace Chris Sale following the 2015 season. To this point, Moncada has not lived up to the hype, while Sale went 17-8 with 308 strikeouts in his first season with Boston. This is also a major consideration as a team decides on its path: Do you hold your cards for the future, or take a chance on giving up one of these gems for immediate results? Jobs of front office personnel hang in the balance of such decisions, a stressful proposition.
It’s a trickle-down stress as well. Speier writes about the field managers, including John Farrell and Alex Cora, who have to deal with the hands they are given. And since people are people, not everyone is going to get along and agree with the assessments from higher up.
Things obviously clicked for the 2018 squad: the Red Sox won the World Series last year with their best win-loss record in franchise history. It was their third crown since ending the long drought in 2004.
One might think that a behind-the-scenes narrative like this one would be a bit dry. In fact, that’s what I thought when I first picked up HOMEGROWN. But Speier, who has covered the franchise for 15 years for the Boston Globe as well as Baseball America --- a publication that concentrates mostly on what’s going on in the minor leagues --- turns it into a tight, tense and quite enjoyable story, almost like an adventure novel. Will our heroes overcome the challenges and roadblocks tossed their way? Since this isn’t fiction, the answer is obvious, but it’s still well worth the read.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
The latest in this category is Alex Speier’s HOMEGROWN: How the Red Sox Built a Champion from the Ground Up. The title is most apt on a few counts. The Red Sox, who went almost 90 years between World Series wins, had fallen on hard times with several seasons out of the running. Time for one of those “five-year” plans.
It’s also suitable since the core of the team was scouted by, signed and brought up through Boston’s minor league system. A fair part of the story deals with a handful of prospects, including Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts --- major stars for the team, if not baseball as a whole --- and a handful of others (another subtitle choice might have been “The Care and Nurturing of the Killer B’s”). Speier follows their progress, along with their setbacks, as they struggle to deal with the increasing pressure as they move up through the system towards the ultimate goal of becoming a major leaguer. There are varying degrees of success; a few of these young men (almost a euphemism since most of them were still in their teens when the scouting process began) have to contend not only with the game on the field, but, in the case of those coming from Latin American countries, cultural and language issues as well.
There are a lot of expectations for these boys and therefore a great deal of pressure for them to succeed. And it’s not just the ballplayers under the microscope in HOMEGROWN. There’s an unbelievable --- some might say stupid --- amount of money being tossed around. Yoan Moncada, a Cuban teenager, signed for $31.5 million. Add to that another $31.5 mil in “luxury tax” penalties. That’s how sure Boston’s management was that they had found the equivalent of a baseball unicorn.
But wait. Moncada was part of a four-for-one trade to the Chicago White Sox for pitching ace Chris Sale following the 2015 season. To this point, Moncada has not lived up to the hype, while Sale went 17-8 with 308 strikeouts in his first season with Boston. This is also a major consideration as a team decides on its path: Do you hold your cards for the future, or take a chance on giving up one of these gems for immediate results? Jobs of front office personnel hang in the balance of such decisions, a stressful proposition.
It’s a trickle-down stress as well. Speier writes about the field managers, including John Farrell and Alex Cora, who have to deal with the hands they are given. And since people are people, not everyone is going to get along and agree with the assessments from higher up.
Things obviously clicked for the 2018 squad: the Red Sox won the World Series last year with their best win-loss record in franchise history. It was their third crown since ending the long drought in 2004.
One might think that a behind-the-scenes narrative like this one would be a bit dry. In fact, that’s what I thought when I first picked up HOMEGROWN. But Speier, who has covered the franchise for 15 years for the Boston Globe as well as Baseball America --- a publication that concentrates mostly on what’s going on in the minor leagues --- turns it into a tight, tense and quite enjoyable story, almost like an adventure novel. Will our heroes overcome the challenges and roadblocks tossed their way? Since this isn’t fiction, the answer is obvious, but it’s still well worth the read.
Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
July 14, 2021
Alex Speier’s book “Homegrown: How the Red Sox Built a Champion from the Ground Up” discussed the building of the Boston Red Sox from 2012 to 2018, during which the Red Sox won two World Series championships.
The book presents a window into how a team scouts, drafts and develops talent. The first World Series the book addresses was won in 2013, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Ben Cherrington was the general manager for that team. Cherrington had proposed a three stage plan. During the first stage, the team would try and win with veterans. During the next phase, the team would try and develop their young talent. Finally, in the third phrase, the Red Sox would be lead by their young players who were fully developed major league players.
This was a good plan, but the Red Sox were able to win right away. They won in 2013, which was supposed to be a “bridge year”. During the “bridge year”, the Red Sox did not expect to win a championship, but they just hoped to be competitive. Nevertheless, they won the World Series.
Additionally, this plan helped them win the World Series in 2018 as well. The team developed Xander Boegaerts, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi. The Red Sox also developed Yoan Moncada, who they traded to the Chicago White Sox for Chris Sale. The Red Sox included Michael Kopech,Victor Diaz and Luis Alexander Basabe in the deal.
The part about the trade for Sale was interesting. The author does a good job of describing the process that the Red Sox went through as they traded for Sale. They did not want to trade Moncada, but they had to in order to acquire a pitcher like Sale. The discussions between the Red Sox and White Sox in the days leading up to the trade were well described by Speier. This part of the book included quotes by Dombrowski.
Manager John Farrell and bench coach Trey Luvollo also played a role in the Red Sox success.
It was also interesting to read the chapter about Betts. He was given a signing bonus by the Red Sox and had to play for the Red Sox or their minor league team for at least five years to receive the entire signing bonus. Initially, he doubted his ability to make it to the major leagues and planned on going to college and playing basketball in college after the five years. However, minor league coach U.L Washington helped Betts turn his career around and become a top prospect. Eventually, Betts was promoted to the Red Sox and became a top notch player.
The chapters about Boegaerts and Benintendi were interesting as well. The Red Sox were scouting Boegaerts’ brother, Jair, when they discovered Xander Boegaerts. The Red Sox signed both of them.
It is often interesting for baseball fans to read about how a championship team was developed. It is interesting to read about how a team decides to trade or not trade certain players. The scouting process and the practice of drafting players is also exciting. This book highlighted the workings of a baseball organization.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Major League Baseball.
The book presents a window into how a team scouts, drafts and develops talent. The first World Series the book addresses was won in 2013, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Ben Cherrington was the general manager for that team. Cherrington had proposed a three stage plan. During the first stage, the team would try and win with veterans. During the next phase, the team would try and develop their young talent. Finally, in the third phrase, the Red Sox would be lead by their young players who were fully developed major league players.
This was a good plan, but the Red Sox were able to win right away. They won in 2013, which was supposed to be a “bridge year”. During the “bridge year”, the Red Sox did not expect to win a championship, but they just hoped to be competitive. Nevertheless, they won the World Series.
Additionally, this plan helped them win the World Series in 2018 as well. The team developed Xander Boegaerts, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi. The Red Sox also developed Yoan Moncada, who they traded to the Chicago White Sox for Chris Sale. The Red Sox included Michael Kopech,Victor Diaz and Luis Alexander Basabe in the deal.
The part about the trade for Sale was interesting. The author does a good job of describing the process that the Red Sox went through as they traded for Sale. They did not want to trade Moncada, but they had to in order to acquire a pitcher like Sale. The discussions between the Red Sox and White Sox in the days leading up to the trade were well described by Speier. This part of the book included quotes by Dombrowski.
Manager John Farrell and bench coach Trey Luvollo also played a role in the Red Sox success.
It was also interesting to read the chapter about Betts. He was given a signing bonus by the Red Sox and had to play for the Red Sox or their minor league team for at least five years to receive the entire signing bonus. Initially, he doubted his ability to make it to the major leagues and planned on going to college and playing basketball in college after the five years. However, minor league coach U.L Washington helped Betts turn his career around and become a top prospect. Eventually, Betts was promoted to the Red Sox and became a top notch player.
The chapters about Boegaerts and Benintendi were interesting as well. The Red Sox were scouting Boegaerts’ brother, Jair, when they discovered Xander Boegaerts. The Red Sox signed both of them.
It is often interesting for baseball fans to read about how a championship team was developed. It is interesting to read about how a team decides to trade or not trade certain players. The scouting process and the practice of drafting players is also exciting. This book highlighted the workings of a baseball organization.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Major League Baseball.
March 19, 2025
Awesome deep dive into the development process of the homegrown talents in the Red Sox system that shaped the 2018 World Series champions. It credits the men who initially scouted guys like Mookie Betts, Rafael Devers, and Xander Bogaerts and what it took to get them on the roster in the 2010’s. Though each prospect does not stay with Boston en route to the championship, it explains their worth in moving them for “win now” players, the prime example being Yoan Moncada and Chris Sale. I do wish the World Series did get a little more coverage at the end of the book, but it was just 1/3 of the three series that secured the title.
Love this team more than anything and so happy this is the first World Series I got to see in-person. Loved this developmental behind the scenes story of how it came to be. I can’t wait for the next title run and hope Stat Masterson writes a book similar to this one in that event.
Love this team more than anything and so happy this is the first World Series I got to see in-person. Loved this developmental behind the scenes story of how it came to be. I can’t wait for the next title run and hope Stat Masterson writes a book similar to this one in that event.
August 23, 2021
Awesome book about the legendary 2018 Sox squad. Speier does a great job providing all the details behind ownership's 3 part plan developed in 2011 to move from a core of aging vets to a younger, internally-developed team. If anything, I felt bad for Ben Cherington, who executed this plan and was effectively canned when the Sox brought on Dave Dombrowski in 2015. Despite the headline acquisitions and signings (Chris Sale, David Price, JD Martinez, etc.), the 2018 Sox were the first AL team since '84 with at least 6 homegrown players in the lineup. The 2011 draft, which ironically occurred right before the worst Sox collapse I have ever seen (capped with the 7-20 September), included Mookie Betts, Matt Barnes, Blake Swihart, Henry Owens, JBJ, and Travis Shaw. Insane. Title is pretty fitting after all.
Only drawback of this book was having to see the Green Monster standings with the Sox's season-ending 108 wins on the cover... at the same time, the first-half-expectation-defying 2021 team seems to be falling part each game, with the Yanks erasing a 9.5 game deficit in about a month. Tough to be constantly reminded of just how lucky we were three years ago. That 2018 team very likely was (although hopefully not) a once in a lifetime group of unparalleled talent.
Only drawback of this book was having to see the Green Monster standings with the Sox's season-ending 108 wins on the cover... at the same time, the first-half-expectation-defying 2021 team seems to be falling part each game, with the Yanks erasing a 9.5 game deficit in about a month. Tough to be constantly reminded of just how lucky we were three years ago. That 2018 team very likely was (although hopefully not) a once in a lifetime group of unparalleled talent.
February 27, 2022
Good read to remember the success of the 2018 champions whilst also going into depth about how the team was put together.
Nicely split out into stories around players as well as almost diary style towards winning it against the Dodgers.
I do feel like a 'hardcore' fan won't learn much hear but still a great review of how it all came together.
Nicely split out into stories around players as well as almost diary style towards winning it against the Dodgers.
I do feel like a 'hardcore' fan won't learn much hear but still a great review of how it all came together.
December 10, 2024
I HATE YOU JOHN HENRY. Alex is such a baseball head, and it comes off so smoothly in the book. I really love how clear he was about how even the front office in Boston thought 2013 was an accident, while 2018 was something to work for. Great little stories throughout the book including some on Mookie Betts and his time in the minors. Absolutely worth it for Sox fans who miss the good ole day.
February 24, 2025
Enjoyed this one as we head into the greatest time of the year. Was cool to reminisce on the build up to the 2018 WS and the development of the core that lead the Sox there. Interesting to reflect on that and look ahead to the emerging core that should start to take shape during the 2025 season. Hopefully, more championships to come! Go Sox!
September 15, 2021
An immersive read that takes the reader into the Boston Red Sox front office, onto sandlots in far flung locations, into the minds of everyone from scouts to players to team owners, and ultimately onto the field as the final out of the World Series is recorded.
March 21, 2024
Alex Speier is a fantastic writer who should consider writing more books. He provides an unparalleled window into the modern era of baseball. A must read for every Red Sox fan. Every baseball fan should consider reading this book.
October 10, 2019
After about 100 pages, I totally lost interest in reading this book.
March 4, 2022
Terrific. Fun. Insightful.
Great balance between focusing on the on field product and the decisions behind the scenes.
Great balance between focusing on the on field product and the decisions behind the scenes.
February 22, 2025
Gosh I miss the 2018 Sox.
May 18, 2025
No deep analysis here, as a Sox fan for 40+ years….enjoyed getting what felt like an inside scoop to a timeframe that was amazing as a fan. Enjoyed reliving the ups and downs….
March 9, 2024
Was really interesting to dive deeper into the thinking and rationale of scouts and player development, could’ve gone without the last part mentioning trading Mookie but still very much enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews