NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox walks toward the dugout before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Yoan Moncada #65 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yoan Moncada
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: The cleats of David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox are shown before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Xander Bogaerts #2 and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox react before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Xander Bogaerts; David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Xander Bogaerts #2 and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox waves to a fan before a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Xander Bogaerts
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Clay Buchholz #11 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clay Buchholz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Clay Buchholz #11 of the Boston Red Sox walks toward the dugout during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clay Buchholz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a go ahead RBI double during the eighth inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mookie Betts
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Jackie Bradley Jr. #25 of the Boston Red Sox steals second base during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jackie Bradley Jr.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mookie Betts #50 and Jackie Bradley Jr. #25 of the Boston Red Sox react during the eighth inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mookie Betts; Jackie Bradley Jr.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a walk off grand slam home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a walk off grand slam home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Craig Kimbrel #47 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the ninth inning of a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Craig Kimbrel
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a walk off grand slam home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Members of the New York Yankees react as Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees hits a walk off grand slam home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Hanley Ramirez #13 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hanley Ramirez
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Champagne bottles are shown as the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Koji Uehara #19 and Junichi Tazawa #36 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Koji Uehara; Junichi Tazawa
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Clay Buchholz #11 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Clay Buchholz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Ortiz
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after clinching the American League East Division after a game against the New York Yankees on September 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mookie Betts
Well, that was one of the craziest, weirdest games I’ve ever covered, but after a strange and complicated series of events, the Boston Red Sox are the champions of the American League East Division in 2016!
After a tight seven innings of shut out baseball, the Red Sox finally broke through over the Yankees on a two RBI double from Mookie Betts to give Boston the lead. Then in the ninth, just as the Red Sox were ready to celebrate on the field, the Yankees mounted a crazy come back, capped by a walk-off grand slam by Mark Teixiera to win the game. While the Yankees celebrated on the field, the Red Sox walked off knowing that they had already clinched the division with the Toronto loss to Baltimore that happened just minutes before.
A very strange way to win the division, for sure, but what this team has accomplished this year has been incredible, and the guys still celebrated with champagne in the clubhouse.
Here are photos from all of it! This is one I won’t forget, for sure.
“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration as pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia embrace after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”“Boston Red Sox teammates celebrate on the field after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 20, 2013.”“Fans cheer during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 22, 2013. The Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.”“Boston Red Sox first first baseman Mike Napoli removes his shirt and sprays a bottle of champagne as teammates celebrate on the field after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox outfielder Quintin Berry sprays fans with champagne on top of the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox pitchers Ryan Dempster and Brandon Snyder spray fans with champagne on the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes celebrates in a helmet and goggles on the field after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox pitchers Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara drink beer in the dugout during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is mobbed by fans during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz celebrates after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”“Boston Red Sox teammates pose for a photograph on the pitcher’s mound during an on-field celebration after the Red Sox clinched the American League East title with a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, September 20, 2013 at Fenway Park.”
Two years ago in September, I was in the first base photo bit at Camden Yards in Baltimore, shooting photos as the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox in dramatic fashion and ultimately eliminating them from the playoffs. Here are those pictures, and what I wrote about that memorable and historic night.
It’s funny how things come full circle. After a last place finish last year in Boston, the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday night to clinch a first place finish in an extremely competitive American League East Division, and to secure their spot into the 2013 postseason.
I was incredibly excited to shoot this game, and at the prospect of shooting these celebration photos. This is easily the most memorable experience I’ve had in my four seasons shooting baseball. For me, there’s no bigger an adrenaline rush than being a witness to these moments of peak emotion and jubilation in sports. As a photographer and as a baseball fan, it doesn’t get any better.
These are a selection of photos I shot, both right after the last out of the game was recorded and as the team celebrated on the field after the game. The first one, of pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia celebrating as the team runs out behind them, has quickly become one of the favorite photos I’ve shot.
I can’t wait to be on hand to shoot October playoff baseball in Boston! Here’s hoping for a World Series championship.
