While the 2013 Red Sox did not break curses or set records, they had a deeper level of importance to the city of Boston. Shane Victorino‘s Game 6 heroics helped them achieve history.
The Red Sox were not supposed to win the ALCS. They weren’t even supposed to be in it. The plan for 2013 was to be a rebuilding year, one in which their veteran core would keep the team afloat while younger players had time to develop, hopefully shaping the Red Sox into a contending team in the future. As a result, GM Ben Cherington made a few small market signings of veteran players during the offseason.