Bogaerts owns leadership role in return to WS

BOSTON -- Five years ago wasn't so long ago. Yet in the world of the Red Sox, nearly everything has changed since the last time they were in the World Series.
When the players are introduced at Fenway Park prior to Game 1 of the World Series, you won't see David Ortiz. You aren't going to see Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes or any of those other bearded, "Boston Strong" wonders either.
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But you will see Xander Bogaerts -- the one constant between the 2013 World Series champions and the group that is trying to win it all again.
Aside from second baseman Dustin Pedroia (who only played three games this season due to a left knee injury) and low-leverage reliever Brandon Workman (iffy to make the roster), Bogaerts is the lone link to the past glory.
The 26-year-old veteran and resident RBI machine is embracing his second go-around on baseball's biggest stage.
"That was one of the best years I had, playing with all the veteran guys in the World Series," Bogaerts said. "David Ortiz being right next to my locker. I remember in St. Louis, he's like, 'Let's go, me and you, let's go get 'em.' I'm like, 'I'm 21, I don't want go to get anything. I'm just trying to play the game of baseball.' But it was fun -- it was real fun."
Five years ago, at the age of 21, Bogaerts was just trying to give the Red Sox a jolt at third base because the bat of Will Middlebrooks had gone quiet. Bogaerts sparked a crucial rally in clinching Game 6 of that 2013 American League Championship Series against the Tigers with a double high off the Monster against Max Scherzer. And in Game 3 of the World Series, Bogaerts tripled off of current teammate Joe Kelly and tied the game in the eighth by smashing a 100-mph fastball from Cards closer Trevor Rosenthal for an RBI single.
In 34 plate appearances in the '13 postseason, Bogaerts had an impressive line of .296/.412/.481.
Back then, Bogaerts was wearing No. 72, serving as a reminder that he was a glorified September callup that season, though he was actually promoted in late August.
"I saw one of those highlights the other day," said Bogaerts, who now wears No. 2. "I don't remember what I was doing, but I looked at the TV, I saw myself getting the base hit to tie the game off of Rosenthal, and I looked at my face, I looked kind of like [Rafael Devers] last year. Because Devers now, he looks much more mature. I could see myself, how young I was and just trying to help the team. It was amazing."
The way Bogaerts looks at it, he actually knows what he's doing this time around.
"And all that pressure, it's a fun pressure," Bogaerts said. "I think right now, I really enjoy the pressure as opposed to back then, my first few years. Back then, I was trying not to mess it up."
When Bogaerts was asked five years ago about what it would take to win a World Series, he really had no insight. How could he?

Now, when posed that same question, he sounds like a sage veteran.
"We should just play the baseball we've been playing -- quality baseball," Bogaerts said. "I think good defense, good pitching. Obviously, we know we have a lot of good hitters on our team. Just securing the baseball and taking it one pitch at a time is what's important for us."
Though Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are the AL MVP Award candidates from the Red Sox, the club couldn't have won 108 games in the regular season and rolled through the first two rounds of the postseason without its shortstop. Bogaerts set career highs this season in homers (23) and RBIs, while posting a sturdy .883 OPS. He provides protection in the cleanup spot behind Martinez.
"This guy is the real deal, and ever since I saw him in the playoffs in 2013 until now ... he was great then, and he's only gotten better," Red Sox righty Rick Porcello said. "I can't say enough good things about him. He's really matured in my mind into the top two, three shortstops in the league if not the best."
Pedroia is proud of the way his double-play partner has evolved.
"He's more comfortable offensively and defensively," Pedroia said. "He's trying to stay with his strengths. He knows his weaknesses. That's the thing, as a young guy, we all have weaknesses. I have mine. Instead of fighting it, trying to fix it, you try to stick with your strengths and stay away with your weaknesses, and he's one of the best at doing that. There's a reason why he's one of the best shortstops in baseball."

Bogaerts just hopes this World Series ends for Boston like the last one.
"After a couple of years, we didn't make it past the first round, but this year, with this team, the manager and the coaches we have guiding this team, it's been a really special year," Bogaerts said. "Looking forward to four more wins so we can go home and have that parade."
And if anyone wants to know the route of that parade, Bogaerts will one of the few who knows.