<P> The Red Sox began their season by participating in the third opening day game in MLB history to be played in Japan, where they defeated the Oakland A's in the Tokyo Dome . On May 19, Jon Lester threw the 18th no - hitter in team history, defeating the Kansas City Royals 7--0 . Down the stretch, outfielder Manny Ramirez became embroiled in controversy surrounding public incidents with fellow players and other team employees, as well as criticism of ownership and not playing, which some claimed was due to laziness and nonexistent injuries . The front office decided to move the disgrunted outfielder at the July 31 trade deadline, shipping him to the Dodgers in a three - way deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that landed them Jason Bay to replace him in left field . With Ramirez gone, and Bay providing a new spark in the lineup, the Red Sox improved vastly and made the playoffs as the AL Wild Card . The Red Sox defeated the Angels in the 2008 ALDS three games to one . The Red Sox then took on their AL East rivals the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS . Down three games to one in the 5th game of the ALCS, Boston mounted a comeback from trailing 7 - 0 in the 7th inning to win 8 - 7 . They tied the series at 3 games apiece with a game 6 victory before losing game 7, 3--1, thus becoming the eighth team in a row since 2000 to fail to repeat as world champions . </P> <P> The Red Sox returned to postseason play the following season, but were swept by the Los Angeles Angels in three games . In 2011, the Red Sox collapsed in the month of September losing 11 of 14, reminiscent of 1978 and destroying their playoff aspirations . In December 2011, Bobby Valentine was hired as a new manager . The 2012 season marked the centennial of Fenway Park, and on April 20, past and present Red Sox players and coaches assembled to celebrate the park's anniversary . However, the collapse that they endured in September 2011 carried over into the season . The Red Sox struggled throughout the season due to injuries, inconsistent play, and off - field news . finished 69--93 for their first losing season since 1997, and their worst season since 1965 . </P> <P> Boston, which finished last in the American League East with a 69--93 record in 2012--26 games behind the Yankees, became the 11th team in major league history to go from worst in the division to first the next season when it clinched the A.L. East division title on September 21, 2013 . Many credit the team's turnaround with the hiring of manager John Farrell, the former Red Sox pitching coach under Terry Francona from 2007 to 2010 . As a former member of the staff, he had the respect of influential players such as Lester, Pedroia, and Ortiz . But there were other moves made in the offseason by general manager Ben Cherington who targeted "character" players to fill the team's needs . These acquisitions included veteran catcher David Ross, Jonny Gomes, Mike Napoli, and Shane Victorino . While some questioned these players as "re-treads", it was clear that Cherington was trying to move past 2011--2012 by bringing in "clubhouse players". Essential to the turnaround, however, was the pitching staff . With ace veteran John Lackey coming off Tommy John surgery and both Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz returning to their prior form, this allowed the team to rely less on their bullpen . Everything seemed in danger of collapsing, however, when both closers, Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey, went down early with season - ending injuries . Farrell gave the closing job to Koji Uehara on June 21 who delivered with a 1.09 ERA and an MLB record 0.565 WHIP . On September 11, the 37 - year - old right - hander set a new Red Sox record when he retired 33 straight batters . Other reasons include the trade deadline acquisition of pitcher Jake Peavy when the Red Sox were in second place in the AL East, the depth of the bench with players such as Mike Carp and rookies Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, and the re-emergence of players such as Will Middlebrooks and Daniel Nava . On September 28, 2013, the team secured home field advantage throughout the American League playoffs when their closest competition, the Oakland Athletics, lost . The next day, the team finished the season going 97--65, the best record in the American League and tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the best record in baseball . They proceeded to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 World Series, four games to two . The Red Sox became the first team since the 1991 Minnesota Twins to win the World Series a year after finishing in last place, and the second overall . The 2012 Red Sox' . 426 winning percentage was the lowest for a team in a season prior to a World Series championship . </P> <P> Throughout the season, the Red Sox players and organization formed a close association with the city of Boston and its people in relation to the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred on April 15, 2013 . On April 20, the day after the alleged bombers were captured, David Ortiz gave a pre-game speech following a ceremony honoring the victims and the local law enforcement, in which he stated, "This is our fucking city! And nobody is going to dictate our freedom! Stay strong!" For the entirety of the season, the team wore an additional arm patch that exhibited the Red Sox "B" logo and the word "Strong" within a blue circle . The team also hung up in the dugout a custom jersey that read "Boston Strong" with the number 617, representing the city of Boston's area code . On many occasions during the season, victims of the attack and law enforcement involved were given the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch . Following their victory in the 2013 World Series, the first one clinched at home in Fenway Park since 1918, Red Sox players Jonny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamacchia performed a ceremony during the team's traditional duck boat victory parade, in which they placed the World Series trophy and the custom 617 jersey on the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street, followed by a moment of silence and a singing of God Bless America . This ceremony helped the city "reclaim" its spirit that was lost after the bombing . Overall, the Red Sox team and organization played a role in the healing process after the tragedy, owing to the team's unifying effect on the city . </P>

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