MLB: An Overview of the Most Popular Teams – Part 3
Where majority of the Generation X has continued to support the New York Yankees, the youth of America has increased their support for the fast improving Boston Red Sox. Although still not matching the level of Yankees in stature, the Red Sox have made a
unique representation of themselves. This has been a major reason why they are widely tipped to win the World Series this year.
The Red Sox have been by far the best team this year in Major League Baseball. They have star players who have made a name for themselves by consistently performing at the big stage. They are by far the best team in the American League given their winning
percentage of .615. In the Majors, only Philadelphia Phillies has a better winning percentage than Boston at .629.
Their popularity is not only based on the attendance at home games. The Red Sox have a huge fan following, crossing the one million mark, on social websites too. In 1999, the Red Sox were ranked as the eighth most popular team in MLB and has since climbed
its way up the ladder. They made their way among the top five teams in 2004 and then entered the top three in 2007 when they won the World Series. Since then, they have not left the scene and have continued to perform like a top team.
This sudden boost in popularity can also be attributed to the acquisition of Liverpool Football Club in October 2010 by the Fenway Sports Group. The Group, headed by John W. Henry, now is owner of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox and there has been a
mutual boost in the following of both teams. The group has managed to tap in the LFC fans to support, or at least side with the Boston Red Sox whenever there is baseball talk. Call it a marketing strategy or a shrewd business tactic, it has worked!
There is also, however, reason to support the Red Sox. The fans look for entertainment in sports and that calls for firepower. Boston is rated top in the list of most runs this season, the best batting average and the best slugging percentage. They have
entertained their fans with David Ortiz’s smashing hits and managed to register wins too. This is a rare but lethal combination.
David Ortiz has been a true star for Boston. His flawless hitting awarded him a distinction of being named the captain of the All-Star home-run Derby this year. He is a true attraction for the youth and his price tag of $12.5-million is rightly justified.
Another sensation for the Red Sox stands at first base. Adrian Gonzalez has achieved a lot at a very young age. Also an All-Star this year, Gonzalez became the first person after 2008 to score a home-run at the All-Star Game this year. When the game concluded,
he was the only batter to have scored for the American League. Gonzalez proved his consistency in a game which featured the likes of Jose Bautista, the leader of home-runs in the current and previous season.
Boston’s pitching staff has not been ordinary either. They have an excellent rotation for the starters and the relief pitchers are precise and efficient in their job. The mound has supported the plate and this has resulted in the fans huddle together to
watch the champions.
Continued in Part 4
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