American League Champions, Oh my Goodness!

AP Photo/Bill Sikes/ESPN.com

November, 2004...

There's a misunderstanding here, something that says New England remains as provincial and inscrutable to outsiders as ever--because outsiders have concluded after long observation that the only way Bostonians and New Englanders can put up with their baseball team is if they like losing, as if there's some kind of masochistic ulterior motive, because it's simply too hokey, too trite to think, anymore, that people might have stuck with the team because they love them no matter what happens to them, period. [...] If winter is still to turn to spring this year, Boston will go on loving those Red Sox.

How could anyone think otherwise?

Did it occur to no one that we might only end up wanting more?

On one of the commemorative DVDs I have from 2004, Larry Lucchino says, "If it takes another 86 years [to win another championship] I'll eat that camera." Those words were ringing in my head as I watched the final innings of the game, watched all the people at Fenway jump and holler and scream and wring their hands and generally not know what to do, and how can you blame them, because this is completely unprecedented.

It was 18 years between the last two World Series appearances for the Sox. Now it's been three. Unprecedented--at least since women have had the right to vote.

The Red Sox clinched a championship game 7 at home. Similarly unheard of. Even in 2004.

But here we are, Boston. Here we are at the 'more' I was referring to when I wrote the text above. Here we are in the happily ever after we always dreamed of.

Comments

[Iain]

Here we are in the happily ever after we always dreamed of.

And 'tis a good place to be. :-)

[kln]

The thing about this team which is so different from 2004 is that they are just so *professional.* I mean, the 2004 guys were a bunch of talented idiots, who played gritty ball. These guys have the confidence to take their time, be patient, stay calm, and keep on grinding. With the weight of 2004 off of their shoulders they look like they're having fun, but in a different way than 2004.

I *loved* the celebrations on the mound and letting the fans be part of all of that joy and enthusiasm. Hated to turn it off and head to bed -- but, hey, as of this morning, is it officially *not* a dream :-)

[mouse]

That may have been the most tense blowout game I've ever watched. The first seven innings had me pacing up and down the room biting my nails and swearing a lot. By the time the score got to 11-2, I think I'd spent all my adrenaline. What a game. What a series! I said going in to Game 7 that whoever won would have more than earned the World Series berth. I definitely still feel that way.

Is Dustin Pedroia the most huggable Sox player ever?

Part of me believes that Kevin Youkilis was the real series MVP, though it's next to impossible to deem Beckett unworthy, especially after his performance in Game 5. And Beckett saying that he'd dance with Papelbon if they win the World Series makes me want them to go all the way even more. :)

What an amazing season. And it still isn't over!