What a year it was!

The year ended for the Sox fans in glorious fashion, much like it did in 2004. In the first round they swept the Angels, like they did in 2004. They spotted the Indians a 3 - 1 lead only to come back and bring devastation to the Indians and their faithful, much like they did to the Yankees in 2004. They swept the Colorado Rockies in 4 games to become the World Series Champions, much like they did in 2004. Even though we had the chance to see some new faces for the Sox, we were also blessed to see the reliable David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Mike Timlin, Jason Varitek and Curt Schilling cement their legacy into Red Sox greatness. The rookies were outstanding(some have argued that Jacoby Ellsbury could have been named the World Series MVP) and may been more effective than any class of rookies for one team in any postseason known to date. Daisuke Matsuzaka was 2-1 in the October classic after winning 15 during the regular season, not bad for his first campaign in the bigs. Dustin Pedroia started off the series in dramatic fashion with a home run and help spark some insurance runs in game 3 to put the Sox in a commanding 3-0 lead. He most likely will be accepting the award for R.O.T.Y. in a few weeks. It was encouraging to see superman Jon Lester knock out the Rocks in game four, just like he did to the lymphoma that attacked his body over a year earlier. Hideki Okajima had the hick-ups in game 3 & 4 but had terrific post season overall and was key to the best bullpen in baseball. He served as an excellent set-up man all year to perhaps the most dynamic closer in baseball, Jonathon Papelbon. Papelbon was a year removed from dead arm syndrome after posting a 0.92 era & 37 saves in 2006 to follow it up with a 1.85 era and 35 saves, including 3 saves and 10.2 scoreless innings in the postseason, not to mention the Irish jig he showed off after every winning series finale. That leaves the players that we traded for and signed in the off season(s). Before the 2006 season, the front office traded top super-rookie Hanley Ramirez and others for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. Beckett had a reputation as a "Big Texas" fireballer prone to blisters, but did have some postseason success during the 2003 fall classic after shutting down the Cubs and Yanks. Mike Lowell was a throw-in to clear salary for the Marlins. Did you catch that last phrase? Let me say this again, Mike Lowell was a throw-in to clear salary for the Marlins. What? How could this guy be a throw-in for any trade. He is a Dyson Vacuum cleaner at third base, not to mention the 120 RBI's he drove in during the regular season. Oh, and he took home the World Series MVP trophy after his solo shot in the deciding game. Beckett was in the zone in game 1 of the ALDS, single handily kept the Sox alive in games 1 & 5 of the ALCS , only to lay the wrath upon Colorado in game 1 of the series. The free agents brought in during the offseason paid huge dividends. Julio Lugo leaped to make a game saving catch in game 3 of the series while JD Drew pummeled a Fausto Carmona fastball into the centerfield camera area for a grand slam to set the tone in game six of the ALCS. Even Bobby Kielty and Coco Crisp entered the scene with a homerun and a rally starting single. It would have been nice to see Eric Gagne pitch in the series before he collects his ring and wave bon voyage into the offseason of free agency. He won't be back, but lets hope the Sox brass can put together a nice deal for Mike Lowell to bring him back. If not, lets hope that Arod does not enter the picture. I have faith that there is a "young buck" playing at double A or triple A, possibly to take over, but not fill the shoes of Lowell(for they are big shoes to fill). I had to save the best for last, and that is Kevin Youkillis. He was bred through the system as a third baseman. He occasionally played in the outfield but really excelled at first base, making only 1 error all year(coming in the playoffs). He came up tremendous in the playoffs by going 19 for 41 with 4 HR's, 16 runs scored and 10 RBI's and taking a seat so David Ortiz could start at 1st base while playing in the National League park. The future looks as bright as can be. With Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz expected to start in the rotation next year, John Papelbon will be closing & the one/two punch of Ellsbury/Pedroia will be lethal as TNT. I'm not sure whether Manny or Schill will be back, but would not be surprised if they walk (Manny has an option year) just like Pedro and Damon did in previous years. That would allow Tito to move Ellsbury to left and leave Crisp in center full time with the option of promoting Brandon Moss for future stardom & bringing up Buchholz to replace Schilling. However, if they do that, I hope they find a way to bring back Mike Lowell to make up for Manny's production. With that being said, lets enjoy the success from this year for a while before we stress about the upcoming season. All in all, is was a very nice year in baseball.