BOSTON (AP) — The last time the Boston Red Sox put together a 15-game winning streak, it was 1946, Ted Williams was in the middle of an MVP campaign, and the team was on its way to an American League championship.
On Wednesday, Boston matched that historic run from eight decades ago, knocking off the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 in the first game of a doubleheader.
“I’ve read some stuff. I know Ted Williams was around back then, so I’m aware of the year and how long it’s been,” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “It’s cool that they’ve accomplished something great.”
After the final out, the Red Sox lingered on the field longer than usual, taking in the moment as The Standells’ “Dirty Water” — the traditional post-victory anthem at Fenway Park — played over the speakers.
The celebration carried into the clubhouse as well.
“Oh, yeah, absolutely between the staff. We were realizing the guys were going crazy in the locker room — they always do — but even more emphasis right now with what we’re going through,” Tracy said. “Everybody enjoys it for sure.”
The team had fired manager Alex Cora following a 10-17 start to the season, and things looked bleak when Boston sat at 37-48 and in last place in the AL East as of July 1.
Since then, they have not dropped a single game.
According to MLB, Tracy is the first manager since the 1800s to guide a team on a winning streak of 15 games or more without having been the team’s manager from the beginning of the season.
Boston jumped out to a 4-0 advantage over Baltimore in the very first inning. Starting pitcher Jake Bennett kept the Orioles in check, surrendering three runs across 5 2/3 innings of work.
Sitting on a 6-3 lead heading into the seventh, Caleb Durbin — who had hit a go-ahead home run in Monday’s victory over Baltimore — admitted he started doing some mental math.
“I think in the seventh inning I’m counting them down a little bit,” he said with a smile.
Once the game ended, left fielder Jarren Duran described a quiet moment of reflection in the outfield with center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and right fielder Wilyer Abreu.
“When I get to go see (them), I take a look around and I get to enjoy that moment, that’s always fun,” Duran said.
For some players, the streak carries added weight given the organization’s long history — now in its 126th season.
“You look back at it and think about where you’re doing it and how long this franchise has existed. It’s been incredible,” Durbin said. “It feels great. One win closer to 16 to break it. I’m just glad we’ve got another one to play today.”
Even Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, who grew up watching the Red Sox roughly 45 miles away in Fall River, Massachusetts, tipped his cap to Boston’s run.
“I mean, a 15-game heater is really impressive,” Albernaz said. “You know, it’s tough to win one game in the big leagues and them going 15 straight, it’s really impressive.”
