Over the Monster: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Steve McNair Found Shot to Death


Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy to Boston

Source: Yahoo!

Ninety-two pitches epitomized a player, a team, a coaching staff and most importantly a World Series sweep.

Source: Yahoo!Jon Lester's start tonight may be the story of the year. Lester, who came back this season after being diagnosed with Lymphoma, spun a gem to win game four of the 2007 World Series. His 92 pitches resulted in him lasting 5.2 innings, allowing three hits, three walks, no runs and struck out three.

Lester went from his potential death bed to clinching a World Series championship in less than a year. He went from a lack of mental and physical strength to pitching to his full potential in the biggest game of his life. Lester was brilliant.

With this performance, Lester guaranteed himself a spot in the 2008 pitching rotation. There is no way Terry Francona can, or would, deny Lester a spot after being as extremely valuable as he was tonight. Slot him in now as the number five starter -- at least.

The Rockies and their fans never quit, either. Even in the 9th inning with three outs to go, the Rockies' fans were into the game and still holding on to the possibility their team could pull off the upset. It really surprised me, but it showed me how great of a fan base they've become. This team is going to continue to be strong and they'll continue to be the best in the National League as long as those fans keep their spirit. The World Series didn't go their way, but the Rockies and their fans have a lot to be a proud of. I hope the fan base isn't just a flash in a plan and continues to stay strong.

Four wins, four great starts by Red Sox starting pitchers. However, the bullpen really struggled at times. Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, and Javier Lopez got hit but if the Sox's offense wasn't as in-tune as it was, I don't think the Sox would have swept.

Yeah, I left a name out: Jonathan Papelbon. That's because he was amazing in the post-season and the World Series. In 10.2 innings of work, Papelbon allowed no runs and struck out seven, including the final out of tonight's game. Papelbon was fearless and worked his ass off. He pitched three really tough games against Colorado (all 1.1 innings, except tonight's 1.2 inning outing) and he didn't crack. He proved tonight why he's the best closer in baseball and no one should question that.

After Jason Varitek jumped into Papelbon's arms when the final strike hit his mitt, I just had to kind of laugh. Remember the last time Varitek leaped into a pitcher's arms during the playoffs? It was 2004 and our then favorite closer, Keith Foulke. How times change, right?

Source: Yahoo!Let's give a round of applause to the rookies at the top of the lineup. Jacoby Ellsbury was a sparkplug in the World Series and created a ton of runs. Ellsbury finished the series with a .438 batting average. Dustin Pedroia batted in the two-spot, and although he went hitless tonight, his post-season since being down 3-1 to the Indians in the ALCS has been powerful. Pedroia and Ellsbury both have played strong defense and rejuvenated a struggling lineup at the top. These two are the future of the Boston Red Sox.

Where would the Sox be without the offense that worked slicker than "the grease from a BBQ brisket?" The offense was electric, but do you know why the Rockies never made a truly valiant comeback? Because the Sox' offense wouldn't allow them to keep momentum for more than a half inning. All the runs the Rockies scored in the Series were immediately combated with another outburst from the Sox. From the beginning of time, it's proven to be true year in and year out: without momentum, you can not win. The Sox were able to strip the Rockies of their momentum as soon as they got it.

I haven't even mentioned the World Series Most Valuable Player Mike Lowell, yet. What can I say about Lowell that hasn't already been said? He is a model baseball player and a model man. Even with the odds against him for most of his career, he has battled every single season. If you ask any Red Sox fan who the MVP of the Red Sox was this season, they'd say Lowell. He may not win a league MVP, but he certainly deserved the crown handed to him tonight. There is no better man in baseball than Mike Lowell.

From Lowell to Lester, Ellsbury to Pedroia, and Varitek to Papelbon, the Boston Red Sox pulled together contributions from their very best and their very surprising (thanks, Bobby Kielty!) to win their second World Series trophy in four season.

There's still one thing left to do, though: defend that trophy.

Is everyone ready for 2008?

0 recs | Comment 32 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

no doubt about it
the sox have earned a pass, i wont be upset at the sox as a team no matter what happens next year, itl just be a fun ride:)

by spinz on Oct 29, 2007 1:40 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Outside observer
Congratulations on winning the W.S., just like the simulator predicted on Feb 13th.  As good as the Red Sox team is, Papelbon amazingly carried this team.  He is an amazing pitcher and really changes any game that he pitches in.  The usually reliable Okajima doesn't hurt either. :)
vr, Xie

by Xeifrank on Oct 29, 2007 1:57 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

papelbon
yeah, having pitched in 3 of the 4 wins, and pitching more than a inning in all of them, i really thought papelbon was the series mvp. But im just as happy with mike lowell, he deserved it after having a great season.

by spinz on Oct 29, 2007 2:03 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terry Francona
is a very good manager. Every time I read one of you punks* make a knee-jerk criticism of him next season, I'll just link back to this main story.

He nurtured the roster through a long, difficult season, won the AL East, and unleashed a refreshed team with all the big guns firing when it mattered the most. So, in 08, when once a week he runs out the equivalent of the Mirabelli-Cora-Hinske lineup, cut him some slack and consider the bigger picture.

*you know who you are... well may you shuffle your feet and look sheepish

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 29, 2007 3:57 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
I was at that game and victory celebration (although not in it with the players, obviously). I can assure everyone it was as awesome as it looked.
"Don't girl me with your girl stuff... guys don't have feelings." - Fry, Futurama

by Sox n Rox on Oct 29, 2007 4:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My daughter
had to endure the first 11 months of her life without a World Series victory. Thanks, boys, for ending the streak!
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 29, 2007 5:01 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: My daughter
Only a true Sox fan could come up with THAT one! Hilarious.  Hope she enjoyed it.  I myself had to wait 32 years!  It isn't getting old any time soon!
You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Oct 29, 2007 5:56 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: My daughter
Get some sleep!
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 29, 2007 6:36 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sleep?!?!?
Dude! Sleep is for Lighweights!  I don't need no f**kin' sleep!  Who could possibly be tired after this run?!  Who could possibly...PLONK!! [Head hits desk] zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Oct 29, 2007 9:01 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: My daughter
These indeed interesting times.

My daughter has seen TWO World Series wins by the Red Sox, and she's only THREE!

:-0

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 29, 2007 11:06 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: My daughter
Get outta here.... awesome.  My son had the unfortuate luck of having gone 12 months and no SOX W.S.  as well he decided that sleep was better then watching Paps finish the game, and alas making his dad miss the final 3 outs as well.

Oh well here's to next season!

by dumhic on Oct 29, 2007 12:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: My daughter
11 months, huh?  

As you can see above, my daughter (one and only) had to "wait" all of seven months!  

Our daughters will grow up thinking this is the norm!  

:)

BC14

by BC14 on Oct 29, 2007 12:33 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
Congratulations to the 2007 Boston Red Sox.

I am new to this blog, and let me say I love it!  I'm definitely a Sox fan.  However, my boys wear white instead of red.  That's right. I'm a Chicago White Sox fan.

I've always felt a "brotherhood" with the Red Sox.  Hell, we share similar names and logos.  I am very happy that the Red Sox destroyed the Rockies.  I told all my buddies in Chicago that the Red Sox would win it all this year, and this was well before the All-Star Break.

Even other Chicago fans thought the Red Sox would go to the world series.  My dreaded foes, the Cubs, were almost guaranteeing a World Series appearance against your team.  Of course, I laughed at their stupidity.  Furthermore, I repeatedly told Cub fans that if their team met the Red Sox in the WS, it would be the most lop-sided WS ever!

I apologize for rambling.  As a fellow "SOX" fan, I congratulate the Red Sox and all their fans.  I read the White Sox blog, SouthSideSox.com, and when my team won it all in 05, a few Red Sox fans came by to congratulate us.  You are all classy people and I consider you all baseball brothers.  

Enjoy the ensuing dynasty!

(Papelbon and Jenks = The two best closers in baseball...and they're both SOX)

If history has taught us anything, last time the Red Sox won the World Series, the White Sox followed. Let's hope history repeats itself in '08.

by ChiSox on Oct 29, 2007 9:34 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
Thank you! The Rockies were so "easy" to cheer for that I didn't think there was ANYone cheering for the Red Sox outside of, well, Red Sox fans.

I've always been amused by Ozzie, as he is one of those guys that always gets nailed just for saying what everyone else is thinking...best of luck to your Sox in '08. :)

by A Red Sox Fan in Hawaii on Oct 29, 2007 6:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was Wrong!!!!
I was wrong as wrong gets!!  No one was more critical of Francona than I.  I frequently critized him for players that I felt were underperforming.  I gave the sole credit for '04 to Ortiz and Schilling.  With that all being said, Francona made the biggest statement the past four games.  His critics such as me, need to be big enough to admit that they were wrong and give Francona the respect he deserves.  It may have been eventful, but in the end, the team played up to its protential and proved that it wasn't just on paper that it was the best baseball team in the world.  Thank you Francona!! Hope you get a contract extension!!

by gosox on Oct 29, 2007 11:24 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: I was Wrong!!!!
Well said, gosox
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 29, 2007 11:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
Awesome job with the blog. Enjoy a brief break before all the hot stove talk heats up.
Green bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim on Oct 29, 2007 11:26 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
On that note..... assuming Schilling doesn't return and Wake calls it a career... whom would be on the radar for Pitching pick-ups?  I'd like another pitcher instead of A-Rod, but thats my opinion not the SOx.

by dumhic on Oct 29, 2007 12:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
If you go with Beckett, Dice-K, Lester, and Buchholz and possibly Wake.  Thats a pretty solid rotation.

The thing is this is not a good Free Agent Starter year.

The Sox best bet would be in a trade.  Haren, Bedard, Santana, Sabathia are the big names out there.

If not a trade, the best is probably Schilling and Kyle Lohse.

by SoxAcumen on Oct 29, 2007 12:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
I tell you I would take a shot at if he was cheap is Bartolo Colon.

He is boyz with Papi and Manny, he is a gamer and if his arm is healthy he has pretty solid stuff.  Injuries are the question though.

Someone will make a move on him.

by SoxAcumen on Oct 29, 2007 12:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
Personally, I'm not at all interested in Colon. I have to think some of his issues will/have been related to a deeper issue of conditioning.

If we're going to take a flyer on a guy trying to rebuild injury value, we might as well just go with Clement. He sounded open to it towards the end of the regular season.

Alternately, I'd also prefer Freddy Garcia or Jason Jennings (though I think Jennings is the kind of guy who could get bombed like mad in the AL).

by Allen Chace on Oct 29, 2007 6:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
I'd take Clement as a long reliever if he'll take a Kerry Wood contract -- one year, $1.5M or so. Otherwise, he's not worth it.

by RSNexile on Oct 29, 2007 6:46 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
When can we start the "Don't buy the A-Rod Curse" threads?

Lets resign a great team player in Lowell, take the other $15 million and sure up the bullpen.

Lets not even speak about A-Rod coming to Fenway.

by SoxAcumen on Oct 29, 2007 12:26 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Lester, Sox bring another World Series trophy
That can come once we soak in all the glory of being World Series Champions :)

by Randy Booth on Oct 29, 2007 12:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah yes, but...
the inevitable slide begins

(chuckles)

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 29, 2007 1:56 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh.
I love you. Can I say that?
Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Oct 30, 2007 12:00 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Heh.
Right back atcha mate. ;)

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 30, 2007 1:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Congrats Red Sox!!!!
The Red Sox won the 2007 WORLD SERIES!!!!!! Congratulations to all of the Red Sox players and coaches!!!! And especially to Jon Lester!!!!  Champagne was flowing in the batster house last night!!!!   And chicken treats for the dog!!!!!  As my late dad used to say, great pitching will always win out over great hitting.  After following them his whole life, he never saw them win a World Series.  I have faith that he has been with us in spirit enjoying every minute.  I miss you Dad!!!  Go Red Sox!!!

 

by batster on Oct 29, 2007 4:32 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So Amazing
I have to second the props to the Rockies fans, they were in it until the very end. Those three runs helped of course, but I think they have a great fan base and are going to be around for a long time.

I just feel so lucky to have been there. I didn't get to see a riverdance (bummer!!) but heck I have never been so close to my favorite players and may never again.

Ran into so many sox fans too; we didn't overwhelm or anything, but we were there.

Congrats Red Sox!!!

by 3000miles on Oct 29, 2007 7:41 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sweet
Did you have any "people" watching the game from home? Every time I saw a Sawx fan I thought "I wonder if that's 3000miles?"

Glad you were there to see it.

Word.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Oct 30, 2007 12:02 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the 2007 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.
Start posting about the Red Sox »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Rorscach_small
Bay NOT an All-Star

Recent FanPosts

Fenway_park_small
I'm new Just want to say hi
Lowrie__1234972975_0178-1_small
Why is Tito leaving the bullpen in too long?
Red_seat_small
Minor Lines 7/3 -- Ok, you can look again.
Small
Tito Does It Again
Capitalshug_opta_small
My first Fanpost: Nick Green's nickname
Red_seat_small
Minor Lines 7/2 -- Avert Your Eyes
Roberts_beats_jeter_2004_small
Going to the game tomorrow
Red_seat_small
Minor Lines 7/1 -- All Drama Aside
Img_1588_small
Gotta Love this game

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

SPONSORS


Managers

Red_sox_game_41206_026_small Randy Booth

Editors

Master_shake_small Allen Chace

Rorscach_small 0157H7

Authors

Zissou551_small SoxDevil

Pedroia_small ltrain2

Red_seat_small USG

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports