The world of Major League Baseball has reached its climax. The 2013 World Series started on October 23. This was the 109th World Series and featured two of the best teams in baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals were matched up against the Boston Red Sox; both teams have a rich postseason history and are familiar opponents, having played each other three times in previous World Series games. The World Series is a best of seven set of games that travels between each teams ballpark. Games one, two and were played on the Red Sox’s home field at Fenway Park. The Cardinals hosted the Red Sox in St. Louis for games three through five. Red Sox fan Emily H., a junior at Padua, was excited for the chance to watch her favorite team play, “It was fun watching my favorite team play, but it was also stressful because I wanted them to win so badly.” Emily, along with many other Red Sox fans, tuned into the nationally televised games and watched the Series unfold.

    Game one began with a bang for the Red Sox, who came on top with an 8-1 win against the Cardinals. The Cardinals committed three errors in the game and were not able to score through eight innings. The Red Sox scored eight runs, which proved to be enough for them to take a 1-0 series lead. Game two was a close game, but the Cardinals beat the  Red Sox which tied the series up at one game apiece. The Cardinal’s 22 year old rookie Michael Wacha took the mound. Wacha, who gave up only three hits to the Red Sox, across six innings pitched, picked up a win. The marked his first win in a world series. The Red Sox committed an error that allowed the go-ahead run for the Cardinals and could not recover quickly enough for the win. The tied series now journeyed to St. Louis for a three game set.

    Both teams needed to win three out of the next five games to be declared champions. With their task before them, both teams prepared for game three. They were prepared, but it was hard to imagine that anyone was prepared for the way this game would end. The teams went into the ninth inning tied with four runs each. When the Red Sox were not able to score in the top of the ninth, the Cardinals had a chance for a walk-off win. A walk-off seemed possible until Dustin Pedroia, second baseman for the Red Sox, threw out the potential winning run at home. Then Red Sox catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, threw wide of third base, causing an obstruction call on third baseman, Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks had tripped the baserunner which resulted in an obstruction call that would score the winning run for the Cardinals. This wild walk off win put the Cardinals up 2-1 in the Series.

    Game four was a much needed fresh start for the Red Sox. The hero of game four was Boston’s outfielder, Jonny Gomes. Starting because Shane Victorino was scratched from the lineup, Gomes shot a three-run home run over the wall in the sixth inning. This was Gomes’ first postseason homer. Going into the bottom of the ninth with a two run lead, the Red Sox brought in their dominant closer, Koji Uehara. With a runner on first, the Cardinals posed a small threat against the Red Sox, but this threat was not enough to score. Uehara ended the game with a successful pickoff attempt at first base. The Series was again tied. Behind their ace pitcher in game five, the Red Sox held the Cardinals to just one run through seven innings. A two run lead for the Sox brought Uehara in once again to close the game out. Uehara’s second save of the Series would bring the Red Sox back to Fenway Park.

    Heading back to Boston, the Red Sox knew something special was happening. Leading 3-2 in the series, the Red Sox had a chance to win the World Series in front of their home crowd. The last time the Red Sox won it all at home was in 1918. If they could win game six, they would make history. The usual Fenway Park atmosphere seemed to propel the Red Sox, who scored six runs over the first four innings. This mood did not relent as John Lackey and the Red Sox held the Cardinals to one run. The final out was recorded and the Red Sox accompanied by their faithful nation of fans, went crazy. The whole city was celebrating their win. This victory was their third Series win in the last decade, also winning in 2004 and 2007, and their first clinching win at home in over 90 years. Emily H., who has seen the Red Sox play at home, supported to the lively atmosphere saying, “The people there and the enthusiasm of Boston Red Sox fans was something that could not even be described.” Surely that atmosphere and excitement will continue to last for fans everywhere. The World Series was an exciting set of games this year and the city of Boston would agree.