These are a few of my favorite things...about the 2007 Boston Red Sox
| 15
|
by MegECass110
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that two generations went without seeing a World Championship won by the Boston Red Sox, but by the age of 21, I get to see and cherish two. Amazing. I feel so blessed. So, if anyone from the Red Sox organization reads this, thank you for giving me so much to love.
Enough with the sappy stuff. The Fox poll question was which Sox team was better, 2004 or 2007. I have to think that this 2007 team was better, but 2004 had a bit more personality and karma involved. But there are some very special people and aspects of this year's World Champs that I won't soon forget.
1) Jon Lester. I will have a soft spot for this guy even if he's out of baseball for some reason in two years. To be diagnosed with cancer, and 9 months later win the clinching game of the World Series, isn't quite fathomable to me. The 23-year-old with the baby face went 5 2/3 scoreless innings (I thought he could have stuck it out longer, but that's just me) and set up the bullpen to close the door. What an amazing young man and an amazing performance to boot. He's only going to get stronger.
2) Jonathan Papelbon. If anyone ever brings up to me him being a starter, I will punch them in the face. I'm not kidding. This man was born to close baseball games in a big city. I adore him, and I'm sure the rest of Boston does as well. The bottom line is, he could be an elite closer for the next 10 years. I know how key starting pitching is, but please, I don't know if anyone I've ever seen relishes his job so much.
3) The fountain of youth. Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Lester and Paps all came up huge in their first postseason. As much as his moves have been, erm, questioned (J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo, etc.), Theo Epstein has done an excellent job drafting and building up the farm system. Next year, look out for Clay Buchholz and others to hit the show.
4) Ellsbury. He has superstar potential written all over him. I'm talking Brady-esque status in Boston. A handsome, down-to-earth, young and talented player at a high-profile position? It's the perfect storm. He already has me wrapped around his finger. He hasn't even played a full season. The speedy centerfielder batted .438 in the Series, and earned everyone in America a free taco. Sweet Jesus, I think I'm in love.
5) Starting pitching. All four starters earned wins the Series.
6) Josh Beckett. If they voted for the big awards after the postseason, would there be any doubt Beckett would win the Cy Young? Combined with C.C. Sabathia pitching eh in the ALCS, Beckett solidified himself as one the best postseason pitchers ever. At age 26. In case you forgot, the Sox locked him up to a long-term deal in the spring for waaaaaaaaaaaay below what he would have gotten in free agency.
7) The fun. Remember in 2004, when the whole Idiot thing was trendy? These guys came into the postseason with a quiet confidence about them, but they were also very relaxed. Putting bubble-gum on Dice-K's head, Royce Clayton cracking everyone up, the musical prowess of the bullpen...they didn't Cowboy Up, but they never had any doubt, even in the Indians series, that they couldn't win on any given day.
8) No controversy. No Pedro being a diva, no Derek Lowe being an inconsistent spaz...these guys were so loose and had so much chemistry, I think I might love these guys more than the 2004 shenanigans. Every single guy has a likable quality about him. They smiled, they had fun, they picked each other up.
9) Mike Lowell. This is where I make my plea to Theo and Co. to resign him (according to Ken Rosenthal, Theo says signing him is a priority). A class act, a clubhouse favorite, a professional, and, oh yeah, a World Series MVP. He lead the team in RBI during the regular season. Now I know people are gonna want A-Rod, and who wouldn't, but if Boston can win the World Series without him, why spend $30 million a year on him?
They entered the postseason with the best record in baseball, and during the playoffs they showed why. You're all welcome to your opinion, but I love the Boston Red Sox, and nothing can take that love away from me.
Photo courtesy of Boston.com
