One Strike Away: The Story of the 1986 Red Sox

Diehard Red Sox fanswhich means all of themwill want to relive every triumphant and agonizing moment of the latest disaster to befall the team whose uniforms have ""leaded threads of haunting heartbreak woven into the fabric.'' Everything seemed to go right for the Bosox during the season: Roger Clemens was pitching superbly, Jim Rice and Wade Boggs were hitting exceptionally well and Don Baylor had given the team a sense of unity. The Bosox took the lead early in the season, never lost it and then won an exciting playoff against the California Angels to qualify for the World Series. Boston Globe sportswriter Shaughnessy captures the anticipation of players and fans (many of whom hardly dared to hope) and then the accustomed letdown as the Mets won the world championship. A well-done sports replay. Photos not seen by PW. (May)