The Red Sox won the AL East crown only six times prior to accomplishing it in 2013. Take a look back at how they fared during those six seasons:
Year
Record; won division by
Notable
In playoffs
1975
Record; won division by
95-65; 4.5 gamesNotable
Fred Lynn won Rookie of the Year and MVP with a league-leading 103 runs and 47 doubles. In playoffs
After Carlton Fisk's home run won Game 6, Sox lost World Series to Reds in 7 games.1986

Record; won division by
95-66; 5.5 gamesNotable
Roger Clemens won MVP and Cy Young by going 24-4 with 2.48 ERA and 238 Ks.In playoffs
Bill Buckner's error became the defining image as Sox lost World Series to Mets in 7 games. 1988

Record; won division by
89-73; 1 gameNotable
Won 19 of 20 during "Morgan Magic" to emerge from 9 games back at All-Star break.In playoffs
Swept by Oakland and Dennis Eckersley in ALCS.1990
Record; won division by
88-74; 2 gamesNotable
In down year for AL East, Sox did not have a player with 100 RBIs.In playoffs
After winning division on final day, Joe Morgan's Sox again swept by Oakland in ALCS.1995
Record; won division by
86-58; 7 gamesNotable
Mo Vaughn won MVP with league-leading 126 RBIs as Tim Wakefield jump-started Sox by starting 14-1.In playoffs
Wakefield and the Sox swept by Cleveland in ALDS.2007
Record; won division by
96-66; 2 gamesNotable
Josh Beckett (20-7) was at his peak as Sox helped by addition of Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia. In playoffs
Won World Series after beating Angels, Indians and Rockies.