St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina looks back as home plate umpire Jim Joyce calls Boston Red Sox's Jonny Gomes safe on a three-run double by Shane Victorino during the third inning of Game Six of the World Series in Boston, Mass., Oct. 30, 2013.
Nine years ago, the Boston Red Sox broke one of the most famous curses in sports, winning the club’s first World Series title since 1918; they repeated the feat in 2007, but both times clinched the championship on the road. Wednesday night, the Red Sox won the World Series at Fenway Park for the first time in 95 years, igniting celebrations in Boston late into the night.
The Red Sox got big hits from Shane Victorino and Stephen Drew to jump out to a 6-0 lead after four innings and relied on methodical pitching from their bullpen to cruise to the Game 6 victory. David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, was named World Series MVP after batting .688, the second highest batting average in World Series history.
Celebrations of the Red Sox’s improbable run from last place finish in their division in 2012 to World Series champions this year included a gathering at the Boylston Street finish line of the Boston Marathon, where the April bombing killed three and injured more than 200. In the wake of the bombing, Bostonians rallied around the Red Sox and their “Boston Strong” motto, which was on display Wednesday night.