World Report: October 29, 2004 Vol. 10 Iss. 7
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Baseball Fever Is Back!
With a stunning string of victories, the Boston Red Sox overcame the New York Yankees to win the American League Championship last week. After the Red Sox had fallen behind three games to none, many fans assumed the Sox were goners. But the team stormed back to win four straight games against the defending league-champion Yankees.
The Red Sox are the first team in baseball history to trail 3-0 and go on to win a best-of-seven series. Now, they're in the World Series for the first time since 1986.
"All the fans and all the players all those years couldn't get a chance to go to the World Series because the Yankees were in the way," said Theo Epstein, the Red Sox general manager. "Now we're in their way."
The Red Sox are playing the Saint Louis Cardinals, who had the best record in Major League Baseball this year. The Cardinals defeated the Houston Astros in a close National League Championship Series.
"It should be a nice challenge and a great contest," said Cardinals outfielder Larry Walker of the World Series.
Can Boston win its first World Series since 1918? Or will the Cardinals beat the Red Sox, as they have in two previous World Series?
Series Stats
86: Years since Boston has won a World Series
22: Years since Saint Louis has won a Series
5: Number of Series the Red Sox have won
9: Number of Series the Cardinals have won
$1.40: Average cost of a Series ticket in 1918
$113.75: Average cost of a Series ticket in 2004
