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Moriarty9 · 04-12-2008, 12:58 AM

2001: Baseball's Best Record
Wild Card Royals KO Red Sox

After the Yankees had won the division for two years in a row, the Red Sox overtook their rivals and claimed the AL East in 2001.

The team's 104-58 record was baseball's best, putting Boston 28 games ahead of the second place Yankees.

The Red Sox drew more than 3.5 million fans (2nd highest total in AL) to Fenway Park with a $71.97 million payroll (9th highest in AL).

KEY OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS
Todd Helton, 1B (All Star, MVP)
2001 was a season to remember for Helton as he hit for the cycle on August 18 against the Angels, nearly claimed the triple crown, was named to the All Star team for the second time and won the MVP. Helton hit .346 with 45 doubles, 4 triples, 46 home runs, 154 RBI and scored 122 runs.

Manny Ramirez, LF (All Star)
Already with an impressive career for a 29-year-old, Ramirez had a career season in 2001 when he hit .339 with 40 HR, 123 RBI and 120 runs. He was second in the AL in hits (202), total bases (359), batting average and runs, fourth in RBI, fifth in homers, sixth in extra base hits (73) and seventh in intentional walks (9).

Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Ichiro avoided a sophomore slump, hitting .307 with 10 homers, 61 RBI, 99 runs and 39 steals. He was third in the AL in stolen bases with 39, fourth in hits with 197, fifth in intentional walks with 11, seventh in runs and batting average.

Scott Hatteberg, C
Hatteberg had a career year in 2001, hitting .306 with 14 homers, 66 RBI and 58 runs in 113 games.

OFFENSIVE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Mike Lowell, 3B
After a couple of strong seasons in the minors, Lowell was given the starting job at the hot corner in 2001. He struggled at the big league level, however, hitting just .229 with six homers and 55 RBI in 128 games.

KEY PITCHING CONTRIBUTORS
Brendan Donnelly (Closer)
With Derek Lowe out of the closer's job and in the starting rotation, 29-year-old rookie hurler Brendan Donnelly took over the job and exceeded all expectations. Donnelly went 4-3 with 31 saves and a 1.40 ERA in 46 games after being selected in the amateur draft in March 2001. His 31 saves were good enough for eighth in the American League.

Mike Crudale (Setup Man)
Crudale had a quick road to the big leagues after being drafted in 2001 and making his debut that season. In 50 appearances out of the Boston bullpen, Crudale went 7-0 with 7 saves and a 1.45 ERA while opponents hit .237 against him.

C.J. Nitkowski (Lefty Specialist)
After several years in the minor leagues, Nitkowski returned to the big leagues with Boston in 2000. While his return wasn't impressive, his 2001 season was. Nitkowski went 7-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 37 appearances for the Red Sox.

Randy Johnson (Ace)
Johnson picked up his 200th career victory in 2001, padding his Hall of Fame credentials. The Big Unit went 18-6 with a 3.20 ERA and 235 strikeouts in 29 starts. He led the AL in stikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings (10.59), winning percentage (.750) and was second in wins.

PITCHING DISAPPOINTMENTS
Roger Clemens
The Rocket notched his 250th career victory and missed the last few months of the season with a tricep injury after going 5-8 with a 4.83 ERA in 17 games.

NOTEABLE TRANSACTIONS
Red Sox, Tigers swap outfielders
To Boston Red Sox: Austin Kearns
To Detroit Tigers: Jose Cruz Jr.
At the end of spring training 2001, Boston dealt Jose Cruz Jr. to the Tigers for minor leaguer Austin Kearns. The move paid off for the Red Sox as Kearns went on to win the 2001 Rookie of the Year award after hitting .272 with 14 HR, 53 RBI and 62 runs in 97 games.
Cruz had a good season with Detroit, hitting .282 with 20 HR, 62 RBI and 68 runs in 107 games. He remained in Detroit through the 2002 season and, through 2008, has hit 209 HR with 751 RBI and 810 runs in 1,536 games with four teams.
Through 2008, Kearns has hit 159 homers with 639 RBI in 1,049 games.

Sox Deal Benjamin for Slocumb
To Boston Red Sox: Heathcliff Slocumb
To Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Benjamin
Boston added to its bullpen strength in a May trade for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. After going 1-0 with a save and a 0.77 ERA in nine outings with Milwaukee, Slocumb was dealt to the Red Sox and went 0-1 with a save and a 3.80 ERA in 31 appearances.
He became a free agent at the season's end and signed with the White Sox. He spent 2002 in the minor leagues and retired at that season's end.
Benjamin had gone 4-for-18 (.222) in five games with Boston before the trade and had just one at bat with Milwaukee in 2001. He retired in September 2002 after 13 seasons, hitting .218 with 14 HR and 97 RBI in 559 games.

THE DRAFT
Red Sox pitching rich with draft choices
Boston selected a handful of hurlers in the 2001 draft, including Mike Maroth, Brendan Donnelly and Mike Crudale.
Maroth has spent much of his career in the minor leagues due to Boston's strong pitching staff over the years. In 20 games, six of which were starts, through the 2008 season, Maroth has gone 2-3 with 1 save and a 4.68 ERA.
Donnelly had a stellar rookie season in 2001, going 4-3 with 31 saves and a 1.40 ERA in 46 games. Through the 2008 season, Donnelly has gone 21-16 with 102 saves and a 3.31 ERA in 340 games with Boston and Houston.
Crudale had an impressive rookie campaign in 2001, going 7-0 with 7 saves and a 1.45 ERA in 50 games. He spent his entire career with Boston, going 20-5 with 21 saves and a 3.67 ERA in 219 relief appearances over seven years. He retired prior to the 2009 season.

THE PLAYOFFS
Wild Card Playoff: Royals v. Tigers
Detroit and Kansas City ended the 2001 season with identical 89-73 records, tying for the AL Wild Card. The two teams met up in a one-game playoff, which was won by the Royals.

Division Series: Red Sox v. Royals
While they had baseball's best regular season record, Boston learned the regular season means nothing once the playoffs begin. The Red Sox lost in five games to the Wild Card winning Royals.

Division Series: Athletics v. Twins
The A's quest for a third straight season at least reaching the ALCS came to an end when the Twins knocked Oakland out of the post-season in four games.

Division Series: Cubs v. Giants
The Cubs, winners of more games than anyone else in the NL, advanced to the NLCS with a 3-1 victory over San Francisco in the NLDS.

Division Series: Astros v. Mets
Like Oakland, the Mets were denied of a third straight year reaching the LCS as the Astros knocked New York out of the playoffs in five games.

ALCS: Royals v. Twins
After having to fight to get to the playoffs and advancing to the ALCS, the Royals continued to defeat the odds when they defeated the AL Central champion Twins in six games.

NLCS: Astros v. Cubs
The Astros advanced to their first World Series with a four-game sweep over the Cubs.

World Series: Astros v. Royals
Cinderella was a Royal in 2001 as Kansas City won the World Series in six games over the Houston Astros.

AWARDS
Helton, Bonds slug way to MVP honors
BoSox 1B Todd Helton took home the AL MVP after winning the batting title with a .346 average. He also led the league in on-base percentage (.429), slugging (.674), OPS (1.103), runs (122), total bases (393) and RBI (154). He was second in the league in hits (202) and homers (46).
Phillies outfielder Barry Bonds won the NL MVP after hitting .313 with 52 HR and 115 RBI. Bonds led the NL in on-base percentage (.484), slugging (.747), OPS (1.231), home runs and walks (131).

Hudson, Martinez take home Cy Young awards
Tim Hudson, the AL's wins leader, won his first Cy Young award after going 19-7 with a 3.24 ERA in 202 strikeouts. He was second in the AL in winning percentage (.731).
Montreal Expos ace Pedro Martinez won his second Cy Young award (1997 NL Cy Young winner) with a 19-12 record, 2.57 ERA and 311 strikeouts in 2001. Pedro won the NL pitching triple crown, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, ERA, complete games (4), innings pitched (245 1/3), strikeouts per nine innings (11.4), hits per nine innings (6.5), opponents average (.196), and WHIP (0.90).

Kearns, Phelps claim ROY awards
Kearns won the Rookie of the Year award after hitting .272 with 14 HR and 53 RBI for the Red Sox.
Chicago Cubs catcher Josh Phelps helped lead his team to the World Series and was rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award. Phelps hit .263 with 33 HR, 98 RBI and 82 runs.

04-12-2008, 12:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Moriarty9 Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 384	2001: Baseball's Best Record 2001: Baseball's Best Record Wild Card Royals KO Red Sox After the Yankees had won the division for two years in a row, the Red Sox overtook their rivals and claimed the AL East in 2001. The team's 104-58 record was baseball's best, putting Boston 28 games ahead of the second place Yankees. The Red Sox drew more than 3.5 million fans (2nd highest total in AL) to Fenway Park with a $71.97 million payroll (9th highest in AL). KEY OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS Todd Helton, 1B (All Star, MVP) 2001 was a season to remember for Helton as he hit for the cycle on August 18 against the Angels, nearly claimed the triple crown, was named to the All Star team for the second time and won the MVP. Helton hit .346 with 45 doubles, 4 triples, 46 home runs, 154 RBI and scored 122 runs. Manny Ramirez, LF (All Star) Already with an impressive career for a 29-year-old, Ramirez had a career season in 2001 when he hit .339 with 40 HR, 123 RBI and 120 runs. He was second in the AL in hits (202), total bases (359), batting average and runs, fourth in RBI, fifth in homers, sixth in extra base hits (73) and seventh in intentional walks (9). Ichiro Suzuki, RF Ichiro avoided a sophomore slump, hitting .307 with 10 homers, 61 RBI, 99 runs and 39 steals. He was third in the AL in stolen bases with 39, fourth in hits with 197, fifth in intentional walks with 11, seventh in runs and batting average. Scott Hatteberg, C Hatteberg had a career year in 2001, hitting .306 with 14 homers, 66 RBI and 58 runs in 113 games. OFFENSIVE DISAPPOINTMENTS Mike Lowell, 3B After a couple of strong seasons in the minors, Lowell was given the starting job at the hot corner in 2001. He struggled at the big league level, however, hitting just .229 with six homers and 55 RBI in 128 games. KEY PITCHING CONTRIBUTORS Brendan Donnelly (Closer) With Derek Lowe out of the closer's job and in the starting rotation, 29-year-old rookie hurler Brendan Donnelly took over the job and exceeded all expectations. Donnelly went 4-3 with 31 saves and a 1.40 ERA in 46 games after being selected in the amateur draft in March 2001. His 31 saves were good enough for eighth in the American League. Mike Crudale (Setup Man) Crudale had a quick road to the big leagues after being drafted in 2001 and making his debut that season. In 50 appearances out of the Boston bullpen, Crudale went 7-0 with 7 saves and a 1.45 ERA while opponents hit .237 against him. C.J. Nitkowski (Lefty Specialist) After several years in the minor leagues, Nitkowski returned to the big leagues with Boston in 2000. While his return wasn't impressive, his 2001 season was. Nitkowski went 7-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 37 appearances for the Red Sox. Randy Johnson (Ace) Johnson picked up his 200th career victory in 2001, padding his Hall of Fame credentials. The Big Unit went 18-6 with a 3.20 ERA and 235 strikeouts in 29 starts. He led the AL in stikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings (10.59), winning percentage (.750) and was second in wins. PITCHING DISAPPOINTMENTS Roger Clemens The Rocket notched his 250th career victory and missed the last few months of the season with a tricep injury after going 5-8 with a 4.83 ERA in 17 games. NOTEABLE TRANSACTIONS Red Sox, Tigers swap outfielders To Boston Red Sox: Austin Kearns To Detroit Tigers: Jose Cruz Jr. At the end of spring training 2001, Boston dealt Jose Cruz Jr. to the Tigers for minor leaguer Austin Kearns. The move paid off for the Red Sox as Kearns went on to win the 2001 Rookie of the Year award after hitting .272 with 14 HR, 53 RBI and 62 runs in 97 games. Cruz had a good season with Detroit, hitting .282 with 20 HR, 62 RBI and 68 runs in 107 games. He remained in Detroit through the 2002 season and, through 2008, has hit 209 HR with 751 RBI and 810 runs in 1,536 games with four teams. Through 2008, Kearns has hit 159 homers with 639 RBI in 1,049 games. Sox Deal Benjamin for Slocumb To Boston Red Sox: Heathcliff Slocumb To Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Benjamin Boston added to its bullpen strength in a May trade for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. After going 1-0 with a save and a 0.77 ERA in nine outings with Milwaukee, Slocumb was dealt to the Red Sox and went 0-1 with a save and a 3.80 ERA in 31 appearances. He became a free agent at the season's end and signed with the White Sox. He spent 2002 in the minor leagues and retired at that season's end. Benjamin had gone 4-for-18 (.222) in five games with Boston before the trade and had just one at bat with Milwaukee in 2001. He retired in September 2002 after 13 seasons, hitting .218 with 14 HR and 97 RBI in 559 games. THE DRAFT Red Sox pitching rich with draft choices Boston selected a handful of hurlers in the 2001 draft, including Mike Maroth, Brendan Donnelly and Mike Crudale. Maroth has spent much of his career in the minor leagues due to Boston's strong pitching staff over the years. In 20 games, six of which were starts, through the 2008 season, Maroth has gone 2-3 with 1 save and a 4.68 ERA. Donnelly had a stellar rookie season in 2001, going 4-3 with 31 saves and a 1.40 ERA in 46 games. Through the 2008 season, Donnelly has gone 21-16 with 102 saves and a 3.31 ERA in 340 games with Boston and Houston. Crudale had an impressive rookie campaign in 2001, going 7-0 with 7 saves and a 1.45 ERA in 50 games. He spent his entire career with Boston, going 20-5 with 21 saves and a 3.67 ERA in 219 relief appearances over seven years. He retired prior to the 2009 season. THE PLAYOFFS Wild Card Playoff: Royals v. Tigers Detroit and Kansas City ended the 2001 season with identical 89-73 records, tying for the AL Wild Card. The two teams met up in a one-game playoff, which was won by the Royals. Division Series: Red Sox v. Royals While they had baseball's best regular season record, Boston learned the regular season means nothing once the playoffs begin. The Red Sox lost in five games to the Wild Card winning Royals. Division Series: Athletics v. Twins The A's quest for a third straight season at least reaching the ALCS came to an end when the Twins knocked Oakland out of the post-season in four games. Division Series: Cubs v. Giants The Cubs, winners of more games than anyone else in the NL, advanced to the NLCS with a 3-1 victory over San Francisco in the NLDS. Division Series: Astros v. Mets Like Oakland, the Mets were denied of a third straight year reaching the LCS as the Astros knocked New York out of the playoffs in five games. ALCS: Royals v. Twins After having to fight to get to the playoffs and advancing to the ALCS, the Royals continued to defeat the odds when they defeated the AL Central champion Twins in six games. NLCS: Astros v. Cubs The Astros advanced to their first World Series with a four-game sweep over the Cubs. World Series: Astros v. Royals Cinderella was a Royal in 2001 as Kansas City won the World Series in six games over the Houston Astros. AWARDS Helton, Bonds slug way to MVP honors BoSox 1B Todd Helton took home the AL MVP after winning the batting title with a .346 average. He also led the league in on-base percentage (.429), slugging (.674), OPS (1.103), runs (122), total bases (393) and RBI (154). He was second in the league in hits (202) and homers (46). Phillies outfielder Barry Bonds won the NL MVP after hitting .313 with 52 HR and 115 RBI. Bonds led the NL in on-base percentage (.484), slugging (.747), OPS (1.231), home runs and walks (131). Hudson, Martinez take home Cy Young awards Tim Hudson, the AL's wins leader, won his first Cy Young award after going 19-7 with a 3.24 ERA in 202 strikeouts. He was second in the AL in winning percentage (.731). Montreal Expos ace Pedro Martinez won his second Cy Young award (1997 NL Cy Young winner) with a 19-12 record, 2.57 ERA and 311 strikeouts in 2001. Pedro won the NL pitching triple crown, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, ERA, complete games (4), innings pitched (245 1/3), strikeouts per nine innings (11.4), hits per nine innings (6.5), opponents average (.196), and WHIP (0.90). Kearns, Phelps claim ROY awards Kearns won the Rookie of the Year award after hitting .272 with 14 HR and 53 RBI for the Red Sox. Chicago Cubs catcher Josh Phelps helped lead his team to the World Series and was rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award. Phelps hit .263 with 33 HR, 98 RBI and 82 runs.