The Boston Red Sox’s celebration of their 2016 American League East title was the weirdest to date.
The Red Sox had a three-run lead over the New York Yankees heading into the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday with their closer Craig Kimbrel on the mound. The club already clinched the AL East shortly before thanks to the Baltimore Orioles’ 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, but it looked as though the Red Sox would take home their own win anyway.
Instead, Kimbrel loaded the bases with no outs, Joe Kelly gave up a two-out grand slam to Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, and Boston ended up with a 5-3 loss.
But the Red Sox still had celebrating to do after their loss. It was extremely strange, but after manager John Farrell told his team that one inning didn’t define their season, it was time to pop champagne.
A couple of the old guys, David Ortiz and Koji Uehara, showed their love for each other. Both were instrumental to the Red Sox’s 2013 World Series win.
Uehara also made sure every last drop of champagne was put to good use.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia took a pizza break, because why the heck not?
Many of the younger guys on the squad, like Travis Shaw, Mookie Betts and Deven Marrero, celebrated a division title for the first time, and needless to say, they were enjoying every second.
Reliever Brad Ziegler had a lot of reasons to celebrate.
And last but not least, Thursday’s starter Henry Owens probably is very glad his game doesn’t start until 7:05 p.m. ET.
It’s been a crazy season all around for the Red Sox, but they deserve to celebrate this one after the run they’ve been on in September. And to make all of this even stranger, it’s the third time Boston has clinched the division on Sept. 28; they did it in 1986 and 2007, too.
The Red Sox’s first AL Division Series game will take place Oct. 6.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images