The recently passed trading deadline might feel like the most frustrating in Red Sox history. The feeling is understandable as we sit here watching Anthony Rizzo seemingly launch a home run per day for the Yankees, but it’s not. I’ve got one worse, one that’s still annoying to think about 21 seasons later.
On July 31, 2000, the Red Sox trailed the Yankees by three games in the American League East. Neither team was extraordinary. The Yankees, winner of three of the previous four World Series, were 56-44. The Red Sox, starting to right themselves after going 9-18 in June, were 54-48, chasing the Yankees and 2.