2008 Boston Red Sox season

2008 Boston Red Sox
American League Wild Card Winners
League	American League
Division	East
Ballpark	Fenway Park
City	Boston, Massachusetts
Record	95–67 (.586)
Divisional place	2nd (2 GB)
Owners	John W. Henry (New England Sports Ventures)
President	Larry Lucchino
General manager	Theo Epstein
Manager	Terry Francona
Television	NESN
Radio	WRKO WEEI WROL (Spanish)
Stats	ESPN.com BB-reference
← 2007 Seasons 2009 →

The 2008 Boston Red Sox season was the 108th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox, as the defending World Series champions, finished in second place in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses, two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card, and defeated the American League West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALDS. The Red Sox then lost to the Rays in the ALCS in seven games. This was the franchise's fourth appearance in the ALCS in six seasons.

In late March, the team started the regular season playing in Tokyo against the Oakland Athletics for MLB Japan Opening Day 2008. In July, seven Red Sox players were selected for the AL All-Star team, with outfielder J. D. Drew being named the game's MVP. On July 31, the Red Sox traded long-time star player Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers in a three-way blockbuster (which also included the Pirates) for Jason Bay and minor leaguer Josh Wilson. In September, the team officially retired uniform number 6 in honor of Johnny Pesky.^[1]