Before you can figure out why the Boston Red Sox have the best record in the American League at the 2013 All Star Break, you need to walk a mile in their cleats. The Red Sox, with 2 World Series wins in the last decade, had changed the narrative from "Lovable Losers" to "Big Bad Bullies." Nothing short of another title was going to satisfy the brazen Boston backers. The fans had tasted victory and were beyond spoiled by it. The team and fans were due for a market correction in expectation, and it came in spades.
The 2011 Boston Red Sox team was constructed to dominate both at the plate and on the mound, with All-Stars sprinkled all over the roster. Need a huge bat to complement Ortiz and Pedroia in the middle of the lineup? Trade for San Diego slugger Adrian Gonzalez. Need to add some speed and excitement to the roster? Sign Carl Crawford. Worried about Jonathan Papelbon's effectiveness? Sign closer Bobby Jenks. After all, if you have the money to build a baseball juggernaut, why not do it?