Wade Boggs opens up on what went wrong for Red Sox after 2018 World Series

Wade Boggs spoke with FanSided on behalf of his new partnership with Pabst Blue Ribbon, as part of his ongoing quest to get revenge for PBR stealing his look and vibe for their mascot Cool Blue. You can get in on the action and support Boggs at BoggsIsBlue.com.

Very few men who switched sides in baseball’s most famous rivalry have remained equally beloved by both Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fans. Thanks to his never-say-die attitude, relentless offensive performance, and constant presence of “that dawg in him,” Wade Boggs remains among those precious few.

It might have a little something to do with how much fun he had along the way, too, that’s endeared him to both fan bases, as well as fans of teams Boggs didn’t even play for.

The Hall of Fame third baseman spoke to FanSided this week about switching sides, as well as the current states of both teams, revealing a little bit about how he used to spend his social life in Boston in the process (“I never partied at home because of my family, but my wife and I had places we would go in the North End, the Palace Nightclub in Boston.”).

Boggs headed to the Yankees mostly because he knew his time was up in Boston; the team had made it clear they preferred to go with younger alternative Scott Cooper. Therefore, it came down to offers from the Dodgers and Yankees, and he opted for New York to take advantage of playing at baseball’s other cathedral (clearly, he holds Fenway Park in high regard).

Boston Red Sox legend Wade Boggs explains what Sox are going through

When it comes to the current Red Sox, Boggs is relieved that the team has piled up a few World Series and shed their pre-2004 angst. “Their fans are a little less cantankerous,” he told FanSided. “They poke their chests out a little more, and don’t have to cower down to the 27 World Championships that the Yankees have.”

Boston’s most recent World Series came in 2018, and felt like the start of a dynasty — how could 108 wins feel like anything else? But then, trouble hit, beginning with Dave Dombrowski’s dismissal and culminating with Alex Cora’s implication in the Houston Astros’ scandal and eventual firing/suspension/rehiring.

Without Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts, can this team get back to where it needs to be? Boggs isn’t too worried; he believes they’re still dealing with the Cora fallout and uncertainty on the coaching staff, but sees a team of young guys finding their footing:

"“They’re a lot of young guys that are trying to feel their way through the lineup and get their feet wet in the big leagues. I think Chaim Bloom is young. He’s getting his teeth cut, too. When you’re young like that, you make mistakes and then learn from those. I’m sure, in the beginning, that Brian Cashman had the same growing pains.”"

As evidenced by the team’s recent propensity for trademark late-game comebacks, maybe it’s time the fans listen to Boggs and have a bit more trust in the program. After all, he knows a little something about young teams gelling and achieving World Series aspirations; he led the ’86 Red Sox to a pennant, then watched the dynastic Yankees grow from 1993-1995 before they reached their peak.