It’s almost hard to believe that the Red Sox have just won another World Series. Four years ago, in 2003, it seemed like they would never get there or if they did, they would somehow manage to let it slip through their fingers- or roll between their legs. Yet somehow, Boston has won its second World Series since then, earning their second trophy tonight after a 4-3 win in Denver.
After being down 3-1 in the ALCS against the Indians, the Red Sox came surging back. In the last seven games, they have never trailed by more than one run. The Rockies did score in the first inning off Curt Schilling in game two, but Boston battled back- offensively with the help of Series MVP Mike Lowell (who scored the tying run and knocked in the winning run with an RBI double) and defensively with some stellar pitching from Schilling and young relievers Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon.
Although the Rockies managed to come within one run last night (with Matt Holliday hitting a three-run homerun off Okajima) and again tonight (with Garrett Atkins hitting a two-run homerun off… Okajima), it never felt like Colorado was really in the game.
The Red Sox struck early in game four with rookie Jacoby Ellsbury hitting a lead-off double and then scoring on a David Ortiz single, and it seemed like the series was over for Colorado (and believe me, as a Red Sox fan, I know perfectly well that a 3-0 series lead guarantees nothing). Rockies starter Aaron Cook did not even have that bad o####ame- in his first six innings, he allowed just two runs on five hits before Lowell homered to lead off the seventh.
Jon Lester had an excellent start for Boston, though, after nearly a month since his last start. He pitched five and two-thirds scoreless innings with just three hits and struck out three.
The only time it really felt like maybe there was going to be an exciting turn of events was in the bottom of the ninth when Jamey Carroll hit a high fly ball that took Manny Ramirez back to the wall. Ellsbury made the catch, though, and Papelbon struck out pinch hitter Seth Smith to end the game and earn himself a ring.
Although I think Lowell is deserving of the MVP trophy (and contributed both offensively and defensively in the series), Papelbon would be my pick as MVP. He earned three saves in this World Series through four complete scoreless innings. He allowed only two hits, struck out three, and walked none in those four innings. He also pitched a two-inning save in game seven of the ALCS to help the Sox get to the Fall Classic.
I’m glad that Lowell got some recognition for his contributions, though, and for his excellent October. In the last fourteen games, he’s had 18 hits, including 7 doubles and 2 home runs, for a .350 (18-51) average. He had 15 RBI and hit .400 in the World Series. I hope that the award is a sign that the Red Sox will do what they can to bring him back next year.
Alex Rodriguez managed to make an #### of himself twice during tonight’s game without even being there. His absence was tacky originally when he was not present to accept the Hank Aaron Award from Hammerin’ Hank himself before the game, along with NL winner Prince Fielder. It was even more tasteless when he and his agent, The Great Satan, chose to release the announcement that he will opt out of his contract with the Yankees during the seventh inning of the game. As Peter Gammons pointed out, it displayed a total lack of respect for the game of baseball.
I’m going on record right now, though, that if the Red Sox make a deal with him and his sleaze ball agent, I am washing my hands of them.
For now, though, I will enjoy this championship. Go Sox!
People will compare the 2007 Red Sox to the 2004 Red Sox, but I think there is no comparison. The 2004 team was lead by the veterans. The 2007 team consists of a couple of veterans and outstanding rookies. Once the overpaid players' contracts are up, expect Boston to go with new blood, because there can only be one Evil Empire (George and Sons) Go Red Sox!!!
aust- thanks for the catch. you're right, it was Ellsbury. When I think left, I think Manny, but the Sox are probably lucky it was Ellsbury manning that expansive Coors Field track.
First let me say this team is a great mix of veterens and young Home grown players mixed just right to create a WINNER. The Rox have nothing to be ashamed of they will be back. As for A Rod the release of his opting out of his contract in the 7th inning was tastless, unprofessional and plain assinine. The President should fine him for it. I am a die hard Sox fan but please please dont go after AROD the mix of all those stars destroyed the Yanks.
CONGRATS SOX,BUT IT WAS LIKE PLAYING A FARM TEAM FOR THE SOX..LOWELL OVER BECKETT FOR MVP.NO WAY OR J.D. THERE WERE PEOPLE WATCHING 'FAMILY GUY' THAN THE GAMES..
I'll tell you, as a Sox fan, there's a lot of reason for excitement beyond the fact that they just won the World Series. The mix of young talent and veterans on that team is unbeleievable, provided they re-sign Mike Lowell and don't go near A-Rod! There's a reason he's never played in a World Series, even with all his undeniable talent....
ON THE A-ROD ISSUES, ONE ONLY HAS TO CONSIDER THE SOURCE, "THE TACTLESS TWINS". BORAS IN NO DOUBT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIMING, A-ROD FOR THE CONTEXT AND BOTH OF THEM FOR THE TASTELESS ACT IN ITSELF! I AM HAPPY THE BOSOX WON AND HAPPIER THAT THEY DID IT WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY...SOMETHING A-ROD, BORAS OR THE EVIL EMPIRE WILL NEVER ACCOMPLISH. BY THE WAY, DIDN'T BAD HENRY LOOK GREAT???
REMEMBER PEOPLE BASEBALL WITH OUT LATINOS AINT BASEBALL MIKE LOWELL CONGRATULATION YOU RE THE BEST PUERTO RICO OUTSTANDING THIS IS HOW WE PLAY THIS GAME WE LIVE FOR THIS RED SOX #1
The Rockies were just out matched!
They will be a strong team in the upcoming years, but the Red Sox are the best and will remain that way if Arod stays out & Lowell stays in!
The New Evil Empire..The Boston Cheese!!
The Biggest bunch of Band Waggoners in the world..Give them two years and they will look like those Bums the Dodgers...Go YANKEES IN 2008!!
Yankees fans are garbage, most are so pompous and arrogant that they think they just won the world series! Boston fans always support their team, at Fenway and abroad. As for bandwagoneers, NY is RIFE with em, jumping between the Yankees and Mets and riding the flavor of the week. Yea, you guys are such great fans. Now that the Yankees are on ice for a few years, maybe you can go swing on the Mets #### for a while. Get over yourselves NY, Boston is the Hot team now! Deal with it!!!
Google, are crazy? Sign A-Rod? Only if they kept Lowell and dumped Lugo but the guy was a total distraction for every team he's played for starting withe the Mariners. The Sox are a loose bunch but they don't have the total team first concept that the Patriots have and there's no way they can afford the guy. He's also a consistent bust in the playoffs. Lugo hit for a better average than A-Rod did. Keep the team as is. They have proven they can win without him.
I thought MVP was a toss-up between Lowell and Ellsbury. Ellsbury provided a spark everywhere in the line-up. But Lowell was rewarded for a all the little things that added up to wins. His HR and RBI data was not earth shattering, but his timing for hits was big. Consider his aggressive base running set up key runs and the defensive play of staying near the bag to give Lugo a force option shows a heady veteran at work. So many times I commented to myslef about his good plays and "thank goodness we have Mike Lowell" came out often. Add the good baseball plays outside of the batters box to his key hits and you have an MVP performance.
Hafta say, you handed us our lunch! Great play by a great team, hope to see both teams do it again next year - and Boston fans were much more welcome than NY fans in Denver, although in retrospect, Cleveland fans would have been better still!
"Basketball, football, baseball- if it has balls, I'm all over it. Puck hockey."
I am a Red Sox fanatic and otherwise sports-obsess ed nut. Favorite teams include: Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers; Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots; Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
