Yet another piece of corroborating evidence for the “everything is about us all the time even when it’s not” theory! The biggest play in last night’s World Series game was so Massachusetts coded that it could’ve been settled via a fist fight over a space-saver in Southie rather than in the batters box, as Lexington’s Sal Frelick homered off of Westborough’s Ian Seymour to tie the game in the sixth. Things could get awkward when they reunite for offseason training back home in Waltham in a few weeks time. Hopefully Frelick does the gentlemanly thing and brings Seymour a peace offering in the form of a Dunkin iced. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
And if that’s not enough of a local connection for you, how about this? Both Andy Freed and Jeff Levering, the principal radio play-by-play voices for the Rays and Brewers respectively, worked in the Pawtucket Red Sox broadcast booth before getting the call to the bigs. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Of course there’s another broadcasting newbie working the World Series this year: Payton Tolle, who has been serving as a correspondent covering the important issues, like what’s on the menu in the parking lot at Brewers’ tailgate parties. He also took some time out to answer fan questions online. Here are some of the highlights, including further confirmation of my “all mustaches lead back to Tom Selleck” theory. It’s been a good World Series for my theories. (Max Ralph, MLB.com)
If we really want a World Series with local connections, though, nothing would be better than the Red Sox actually making it back to the World Series. So what lessons can the Sox take from the Rays and Brewers? (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Thankfully, one lesson the Sox don’t need to learn is how to put together a stellar defensive outfield. Both Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu took home the Fielding Bible Award for their respective positions. This is particularly notable because these awards combine the American and National Leagues, meaning Ceddy took down Platinum Glove favorite Pete Crowe-Armstrong for the center field nod — though he needed a tiebreaker to do so as they actually tied mathematically. (Shanthi Sepe-Chupuru, MLB.com)
Will Jarren Duran be a part of that outfield in 2027? Duran is still arbitration eligible. And while his 2026 production was so poor that many are wondering whether he’ll be non-tendered, that’s unlikely. However, “it’s widely expected that the Red Sox will look to deal him this winter,” writes one insider. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)