It was an eventual World Series, in that the picture of the Red Sox became clearer and clearer as the playoffs and World Series grew old.
The Red Sox looked as good as they’ve EVER looked for a sustained, important period. And so many players contributed, increasing the potential story count exponentially.
Anyways, here it goes.
Ten things I learned from the World Series:
1. Red Sox fans are not normal.
I realize this is not a revelation, but especially in Denver, I saw how devoted fans really are. And I’m not talking about New Englanders. Being a Red Sox fan is practically a birthright. I’m talking about fans from other parts of the country who have no connections to Greater Boston. It was astounding. They love the Red Sox.
I was talking to ex-Sox second baseman Marty Barrett for a must-see-and-read-and-review special section we are producing on Saturday and he said he was on a cruise with a few couples near Central America.
“Ninety percent of the people on the ship were rooting for the Red Sox,” said Barrett. “We would head to the bar just before the game and almost everybody loves the Sox. It’s amazing. I think people just like the way they play the game, with class.”
2. Fenway Park is an incredible piece of property but …
Coors Field was great. The scenery, with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, was breath-taking. But what was even better was the facility. It had a Camden Yards, old-school feel to it, yet was huge, clean and had an open space feel like Gillette Stadium.
Fenway is great. The feeling of having the fans on top of the field is unlike any other place. But as Yankees third base coach Larry Bowa said, “There’s just no room here. I love it. I really do. But everything is cramped. You bump into everybody.”
When Coors is packed, with 49,000 fans standing and shouting, it was hard to hear yourself think.
I realize Fenway is here to stay, but a nicer, larger, cleaner facility would be better.
Just my opinion.
3. David Ortiz is the MVP of the Red Sox.
His mentality and his aura is second to none. He is the scariest hitter in baseball for the opposition. Mike Lowell deserved the World Series MVP trophy, but Ortiz always comes through when he has to. The team feeds off his confidence and swagger.
Not that it matters, I believe he is also the most approachable superstar Boston athlete I have ever covered.
4. Manny Ramirez has officially come out of his shell.
It started against the Angels, after his walk-off homer in Game 2 of the ALDS at Fenway. Something occurred and carried through the entire playoffs. After seven years, he is acting like this is his home.
His hot bat helped Lowell immensely as the third baseman saw pitches to hit.
He has always been consistent, but now he is clutch. I really believe he cares about winning and had as much fun in Colorado as anybody.
5. Terry Francona is very good manager.
There is still work to do to earn “great,” but he’s moving in that direction.
Other than leaving Coco Crisp in the lineup a few games too long, every decision he made was right on.
Like Manny, he came into his own these playoffs. He handled some difficult decisions, like pulling starters earlier than he ever had before and sitting Kevin Youkilis, with certitude.
His decisions to rest players in September and bring in the back of his bullpen earlier than ever before, was brilliant.
There is no doubt that he is in charge.
6. Dustin Pedroia and Youkilis are made for Boston.
Neither of these two are superstars — the Sox have enough of them — but both were integral parts when the Sox appeared near dead in Cleveland.
They carried it over to the World Series, which tells me playing a full season in Boston is tougher than playing in a World Series.
Both will have their ups and downs the next few years, but I would put my money on both.
7. Josh Beckett has replaced Curt Schilling as the leader on the staff.
If you’re wondering why the Red Sox would allow Schilling to walk when it appears he has another year of six-inning-outings remaining, it’s because Beckett has ascended to a leadership role.
Add in the fact that he is the best pitcher in baseball, today, but it’s more than that. He will be a big influence on Clay Buchholz, who needs supervision as his career begins.
8. Jason Varitek’s influence is priceless.
Varitek may not produce $10 million per year stats, his role on this team as an on-field manager as well as his managing of pitchers is key.
He looks his pitchers in the eye when he speaks. He is prepared when it comes to strategy. And he seems to slide in a big hit more than his batting average shows.
He has one year remaining on his contract, but two more years tacked on might be worth doing.
9. Replenishing bullpen every year is key.
Varitek, for one, argues that Hideki Okajima was the No. 1 reason that Jonathan Papelbon was the best closer in the game by October.
He allowed Papelbon some quiet time while he was rested more than Red Sox fans liked this seaosn, but it paid dividends in October, when he had six of his seven outings going more than one outing. In the regular season, he had only four outings longer than an inning.
The point is if it’s not Okajima it will be someone else in 2008. Expect Theo Epstein to find a replacement for Eric Gagne.
10. The National League is light years away from American League.
While the Rockies have some talent, most of it is untested. The fact that the Rockies destroyed everything in their path at the end of September and most of October, they appeared feeble in the World Series.
The Indians, Tigers and Yankees were clearly better than the Rockies. Maybe the Angels (if healthy) and Mariners were, too.
The point is the NL is at least two years away from being ready for an AL powerhouse in the World Series, which bodes well for next October for the AL representative.
Honorable mention:
1. Rockies Matt Holliday is inches away from being a superstar.
2. Rockies rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will be an MVP candidate in two seasons.
3. Rockies fans are nice, but really rookies when it comes to baseball.
4. Cleveland Indians better figure out what happened to C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner, both of whom disappeared when they were needed most. That is a very good team without the clutch play.
Let me know your thoughts on any of the above.
