Familiar Subject Matter?

Prepare for the onslaught of Red Sox columns! Shank's in his second day at Fort Myers, Florida and we're treated to a theme that's probably near and dear to his heart.

World Series hangover has hurt Red Sox

As the Sox’ pitchers and catchers report for duty in defense of the 2013 championship season, we look back at the last five seasons after the magic years in which the Red Sox made it to the World Series.

■ 1968. 86-76. Fourth place in the 10-team American League, 17 games behind the first-place Tigers.

Shank then proceeds to chronicle the other Red Sox teams (1976, 1987, 2005 and 2008) that followed postseason success. It's noteworthy that Shank put a great deal of effort into this column, since the focus is on player injuries, losing streaks / seasons and general lack of success.

When the theme is a negative one, Shank writes his best columns.