[Nick Soulis]

Series #226



1946 Boston Red Sox
Record: 104-50
Finish: Lost in World Series
Manager: Joe Cronin
Ball Park: Fenway Park
WAR Leader: Ted Williams (10.6)
Franchise Record: 8-6
1946 Season Record: 3-1
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1946.shtml

1963 Houston Colt 45's
Record: 66-96
Finish: 9th in NL
Manager: Harry Craft
Ball Park: Colt Stadium
WAR Leader: Hal Woodeshick (4.6)
Franchise Record: 2-4
1963 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1963.shtml
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Opening Montage

(soft strings play as black-and-white film of Ted Williams’ 1946 MVP season rolls, followed by gritty Houston footage of the young Colt .45’s scratching out runs at old Colt Stadium in the Texas heat. The montage closes with the words: “One team seeking validation, the other chasing immortality.”)

The Panel

Tonight’s panel has been shuffled to keep things fresh:

Host: Bob Costas

Analysts: Joe Morgan, Steve Stone, Dan Plesac, and Hawk Harrelson

Panel Discussion

Costas:
“Welcome, friends. It’s a series that matches tradition with expansion — the mighty 1946 Boston Red Sox, a team that came within one game of a World Series title, against the 1963 Colt .45’s, still finding their identity in just their second year of existence. Let’s get right into it. Joe, what jumps out at you?”

Joe Morgan:
“The Red Sox lineup — plain and simple. Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio — you’re talking about Hall of Fame caliber bats. They hit .271 as a team, led the league in runs scored. The Colts? They’re scrappy, but they finished 66–96 for a reason. It’s David versus Goliath.”

Steve Stone:
“I’ll add this: Boston’s rotation was underrated. Tex Hughson was excellent, Boo Ferriss was 25–6. This wasn’t just a one-man show with Williams. But Houston does have pitching that can steal a game. Turk Farrell and Dick Drott, if you catch them on the right day, they can frustrate hitters.”

Dan Plesac:
“Yeah, but how often is ‘the right day’ against Ted Williams? Look, I pitched in the American League East — you don’t beat elite bats by hoping they’re off. You’ve got to execute every pitch. I think Boston’s depth, especially in the bullpen with Earl Johnson, is going to be decisive.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Now hold on — don’t count these Colts out yet, Hawk says! I love underdogs, and Houston’s got some grit. Bob Aspromonte can swing it, and Rusty Staub’s just a kid but already making noise. They’ll play loose, and sometimes a team with nothin’ to lose is the most dangerous kind.”

Costas:
“So Hawk, you’re calling for some Houston surprises?”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Surprises? You betcha. Are they gonna win the series? Probably not. But they’ll make Boston sweat at least once.”

Key Storylines

Ted Williams’ Legacy: This is our first Field of Dreams series involving Williams since his 1946 MVP year. Can the Splendid Splinter dominate the way Babe Ruth did in Series 225?

Youth vs. Experience: Houston is raw, young, and unproven. Boston is veteran-laden, polished, and battle-tested.

Pitching Matchups: Can the Colts’ arms contain Boston’s relentless lineup?

Upset Potential: One win for Houston would be historic — a full series upset would be seismic.

Prediction Time

Morgan: “Red Sox in 4 — too much offense.”
Stone: “Red Sox in 5 — Colts steal one at home.”
Plesac: “Boston sweeps, plain and simple.”
Harrelson: “Red Sox in 6, but Hawk says don’t be shocked if Houston pushes harder than people think.”

Costas (closing)

“There you have it. The Red Sox are heavy favorites, but the magic of the Field of Dreams is that nothing is guaranteed. It’s Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio against Bob Aspromonte, Rusty Staub, and the fightin’ Colts. Series #226 is about to begin.”