Get ready for one last October ride with David Ortiz in this Red Sox postseason preview
It's almost time for the postseason! As teams punch their tickets to the October party, we're taking a look back at their season -- giving away some Season Superlatives and also offering you a chance to learn which member of the team you actually are.
The Red Sox are in the postseason for the first time since 2013 -- a year in which an unexpectedly great Boston team, led by franchise icon David Ortiz, won the AL East and marched to the Fall Classic to win its third World Series championship in 10 seasons.
For Red Sox fans, it probably feels good to be back atop the division and playing baseball in the brisk October air. For everyone else, fear is probably setting in as they realize Boston's high-octane offense has scored the most runs in MLB -- even more than the powerhouse Cubs. And that offense is led by, who else, Boston's retiring October hero, Big Papi.
It's been a superlative season, so what better way to honor it than by giving out some superlatives of our own?
Most amazing defensive play
In 2016, Jackie Bradley Jr. finally had his breakout season, crushing 26 home runs and 30 doubles en route to the best offensive campaign of his young career. But while his bat was slow to come along in the Majors, his glove has always been ready for The Show.
That was never more clear than when Bradley came soaring in to rob a hit from Troy Tulowitzki in a game against the Blue Jays back in April:
Most joyous celebration
But while Bradley's defense made us gasp all season, he was simply one piece of a youthful Red Sox outfield that is as fun as it is talented -- comprised of the speedy center fielder Bradley, the diminutive superstar Mookie Betts and the newly promoted wunderkind Andrew Benintendi.
The trio obviously have played a huge part in all of the wins the Red Sox have racked up, but they've filled an even bigger role as the team's de facto spirit squad -- celebrating each of Boston's victories with a jaunty, everchanging dance:
Most entertaining dugout presence
On a team with some eclectic personalities -- from David Price to Dustin Pedroia -- only one player really deserves to be listed here, and it happens to be the only guy on the team who was present for each of those three World Series wins from 2004-13. He also happens to be the guy putting the finishing touches on one of the greatest final seasons in MLB history: David Ortiz.
And, it doesn't matter if it's the dugout at Fenway Park or the clubhouse at the All-Star Game, Big Papi's presence is always entertaining:
And, from now through the postseason, if you tweet using the hashtag #ThanksPapi, an emoji of Ortiz automatically comes with it. So, he's not just entertaining in the dugout -- he's entertaining everywhere:
But there are so many exciting members of the Red Sox -- which one best represents you? Take this quiz and find out: