TwitterBoston Red Sox – 2007 World Series Champions
29 Oct 2007
Wow, so many New Englanders just won free furniture from Jordan’s. That’s what this World Series win is all about, free furniture. All all of the nation won free tacos too. That’s right, coast to coast, free tacos.
Ok, it feels good to have a 2nd Championship in 4 years too.
I think Tom Werner said it best (I can’t believe I just said that) when during the postgame ceremony, that 2004 was for all Red Sox fans of present and past while this one was for the fans today proving that the Red Sox could do it again.
MVP – Mike Lowell
Not a bad pick.
So many others contributed both this postseason and all season long. Lowell, Okajima, Papelbon, Ortiz, Ramirez, Pedroia, Youkilis, Beckett and Francona. I’m not sure what I’m writing about right now as it takes a team, from top to bottom and no one individual makes a team.
Soak it in Red Sox fans and stake out your spot on the victory parade (whether on the street or on your couch…or Tivo).
All the worry about blowing the AL East lead, signing J.D. Drew to an outrageously large contract, Julio Lugo stinking to start the year, getting down 3-1 to Cleveland, that worry can all be dismissed. The Red Sox won the World Series.
Hats off to Bobby Kielty too as his home run, extending the lead to 3 runs, was the winning run. Jon Lester too.
One last note before I sign off. Just what was Fox thinking when they decided Game 4 of the World Series was a good time to spend 15 minutes talking about Alex Rodriguez? If baseball is supposed to mean anything, isn’t it insulting to Rockies fans, Red Sox fans and baseball fans in general to talk about a guy and his opting out of a contract during a tense part of the World Series? Alex Rodriguez and his agent Scott Boras called Fox reporter/columnist Ken Rosenthal during the game to get maximum publicity for ARod’s cause. What a joke. Boras obviously doesn’t respect the game if he felt tonight was the appropriate time to let the world know of his client’s intentions.
I know, it’s all about money for Boras and ARod. Enjoy your money Alex and your mercenary approach to baseball. And if you think he has really opted out of this deal, you might not have ever been involved in a negotiation. Boras is using his leverage on this one don’t forget he has 10 days from now to officially decide. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, just when I thought I could stand you two, you take the ARod story and run with it. Poor timing lads.
Now that the season is over, feel free to talk about it, but not during the World Series. Alright, rant over. I do hope Fox doesn’t hold lifetime rights to MLB playoffs though.
Be safe Red Sox fans and find a way to safely enjoy this win.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 00:56:54
I was thinking the same thing about the Arod/Boras cut in. Lame beyond belief, and Fox takes the bait.
A great win and a great year, and I know we’ll soon forget about the “important news” that had to be aired at a crucial moment in the game, but still…
My vote for MVP (though Lowell is hard to argue with) would have been for Papelbon. 2 saves and a shutdown in game three. Twice he went more than one inning (or was it three times?). Really slammed the door when Rockies threatened each time.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 06:48:49
In your long list of MVP candidates for the series, you left off Ellsbury.
What change in the world series added the most to the lineup? Ellsbury added (in the ALCS).
My hero…
Oct 29, 2007 @ 07:59:17
Congrats to Boston and great rant about A-Rod.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 08:39:04
If A-Rod really leaves (not just a bargaining move) then the Sox really need to lock up Lowell. Would hate to see the series MVP jump to the Rebel side (figured the Sox must be the evil empire now, right?)
Oct 29, 2007 @ 10:10:43
Lineup I’d like to see for 2008:
Ellsbury (cf)
A-Rod (ss)
Ortiz (dh)
Manny (lf)
Lowell (3b)
Youk (1b)
Pedroia (2b)
Drew (rf)
Varitek (c)
Rotation I’d like to see for 2008:
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Buccholz
Wakefield
Lester
Oct 29, 2007 @ 11:56:51
Randy, hard to argue that Papelbon was at least as worthy as Lowell for the MVP. He was huge. I even would give a tip to Okajima despite allowing 2 HRs. I think his being overused (I’m not being negative about that, as I would have probably used him the same way) led to those HRs and should not take away from his accomplishments, especially in game 2.
Yes, the ARod story is going to forgotten and thank goodness.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 11:57:42
Blmeanie, I did leave out Ellsbury. He was great. I think what I was trying to say that no one individual carried this team, there were so many solid contributions.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 11:58:39
Peter, thanks for your words. I’m starting to think I might actually know what you felt like in the late 90s, but then again, your guys won 4. Still more work to do…
Oct 29, 2007 @ 12:00:37
Hi Paul, I like that line-up too. In fact, the more things change, the more they stay the same. You are suggesting zero changes to the line-up from what we saw in the World Series and that suits me fine.
The rotation is good too, but I wouldn’t mind Schilling back for 1 year if the price is right (i.e. no way he gets $13m again). With 2 young guys and an old dude in the line-up, I think Schilling would provide welcome back-up support (or he’d start and Wake would provide the support). Old, savvy pitchers also help the young guys a bunch.
Thanks for your post.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 12:02:57
Blmeanie, I cannot imagine Lowell jumping then again this is a business. I really feel we’ll see Lowell back again.
If they had wanted to, they probably could have extended him 2 years prior to this season for the same he is getting now ($8m /year I think), but now that he has had such boffo regular and post seasons, his tag went up. My prediction for Lowell: 3 years, $36m. That is expensive, but when you factor in his defense, leadership all the intangible we hear about and the fact ARod will cost $30m over 10 years, it makes a ton of sense. With no prospect ready to step in in 08 or 09, it makes a ton of sense.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 13:11:01
fyi – Paul had A-Rod pegged to replace Lugo at short
I liked Lowell’s response to the predictable and obnoxious question about free agency, he said he has made it clear in comments previously that he likes playing in Boston. I think they get it done for 3 years, $32M
Oct 29, 2007 @ 13:26:50
I love Mike Lowell, I really do. However (1) if A-Rod has really opted out, or more aptly if the NYY let him go (Ill believe it on opening day next year) and (2) the NYY do for Lowell what they did for Damon, good ol’ Mikey Lowell will be playing 3rs in the Bronx next year.
I would hate it, however I couldnt blame him. Remember, he come up with the NYY, and ever more importantly its always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always,about the money.
I think too, we need to prepare ourselves for what happened when Pedro, Lowe and Damon got lifted. Anyone wish we still had them at big $$$?
As I said earlier, I love Mike Lowell, and if I were Theo, Id go big $ (whatever top end for the market is) through 3 years. After that, we would have to bite down hard and say thanks for the memories.
Oct 29, 2007 @ 13:52:13
Blmeanie, thanks for the head’s up on Paul’s post.
Paul, I, somehow, didn’t see the ARod part. I have to disagree. Lugo is here for big money and would cost a ton to trade and more importantly, I don’t think ARod is good for a team not to mention his contract alone will tie up a 25% of the team’s payroll for the next 10 years.