Farrell aiming high in inspiring journey

NEW YORK — The long journey for Red Sox manager John Farrell from cancer recovery to another World Series championship is only partially complete, he said on Wednesday night as his club locked up the American League East title.

Boston knew midway through the bottom of the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium that the Blue Jays had lost to the Orioles. And even though the Yanks came back from a three-run deficit to win, 5-3, on the strength of a Mark Teixeira grand slam, the Red Sox had already cemented their spot in an AL Division Series.

Thus, the Yankees were saved the spectacle of the Red Sox celebrating on their home turf, but Boston’s ritual clubhouse celebration was as raucous as ever.

• Postseason schedule | Gear

“Honestly, the journey is incomplete. We continue on,” Farrell said. “I couldn’t be prouder. We’re AL East champions, and we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.

“Personally, this is something. And I don’t look at myself in this situation. This is about our players. Yes, some personal challenges have been met. Perseverance, I don’t know, whatever you want to call it.”

Dusty Baker once said it best after his recovery from prostate cancer. The ordeal gave the current Nationals manager a whole new perspective on life.

“I was really grateful for a lot of things,” he recalled. “I started seeing birds again, listening to them, seeing stars again, not being totally encompassed with work all the time.”

And so it is the same now for Farrell.

The worst-to-first story in David Ortiz’s final season has been well chronicled. But Farrell’s journey from a tough bout with cancer of the blood system called Burkitt lymphoma to a chance of winning his second World Series as Boston’s manager is even more heartwarming.

“Obviously, it’s great how he’s come along and that he’s back in the dugout,” said Joe …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com