Evaluating the 2014 AL East

I used to like Tony Mazz, but I think ever since the Sox didn't sign Teixeira he's been ticked off at the Sox and pretty miserable about them and now with the radio gig he and Felger try to top each other with ridiculous overstatements. All in the name of ratings. Who knows what he actually believes?

I enjoyed his book in 2008 that came out. I think it was Red Sox dynasty or something like that. Actually what's shocking to me is that I've heard of no book being written about the 2013 Sox by any of the local scribes or anybody else which is quite surprising - you think with the inspirational/comeback story they were somebody would want to delve into it, get with the details and some behind the scenes stuff and put together a book that does justice to the 2013 Sox or at least try to.

I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Botox Bobby V. Without his level of leadership, this much of a turnaround would never have been possible.

There's a book in there, but it would be a bit more nerd-oriented than the triumphant stuff that came out in the 2000s. The story would be about how a team with some design flaws and a bunch of injuries, tanked badly only to be saved by a tidal wave of money from the West Coast. That surge of cash was used to re-structure the team in ways that added real value (for the most part), with a good to better player at just about every position and, in many cases, two or three of them. There would be lots of room for a survey of the market, the pressures to "go big", and the decision to stick with a specific plan.

You'd want to add to that an in-depth examination of the minor league system, and the decisions that were made to move players into positions where they could play a role at season's end. In fact, I'd have that in a separate chapter, starting with a historical perspective from the class that Pedroia graduated with, then move it forward to the emerging riches. That could easily merge into the remainder of the book as the season's narrative unfolds to the WS climax.

It would be an insider's look at the painful reassessment and the resulting decisions, and how that led to another championship. It would have to be really well researched, from the inside. That means getting the ok from management and ownership for interviews and candid assessments. That's not an easy book to write and it's probably beyond the bulk of the current Sox media contingent.

I think that's a good assessment and I feel it's a worthy endeavor awaiting the right author and I hope that it happens.

I would add that I think there's still more layers to the Red Sox other than the analytical examinations of how the team was built, the circumstances, etc. I think the players themselves, beyond the stats, are worth a closer look. There was a ballsy element to this club, a certain guts, something not even found in the numbers that was unique about this ballclub. Numbers don't capture what Johnny Gomes gives the Sox (I know there are probably a bunch of eye rolls there and snickers), but ask his manager or his teammates about him. Ask about David Ross, his work with the pitching staff, Nava, Lackey and his comeback in perception, etc. Then there's the bond forged between team and city in the face of tragedy. There are so many areas to examine that can weave the statistical analysis with the story of the ballplayers themselves, an interesting mix of guys who I think totally "get" Boston and have a deep appreciation for the city, for their teammates, and the game itself.

There's a really good book to write and I hope somebody worthwhile tackles the subject. The 2013 Red Sox deserve to be written about in more than just a capsule-like commemorative type book/magazine.