Sox Capture 2nd Title in 4 Years

Red Sox Capture 2nd Title in 4 Years
By Andrew McCarten, TheSportsStand.com (8/19/07)

The Boston Red Sox are on top of the baseball world; again. After an 86 year wait that ended in 2004, the Red Sox showed that they have no plans of going that long without a title again, completely outclassing the upstart Rockies in just 4 games for the sweep. The AL East champs were preseason favorites of many, and they didn’t disappoint, compiling a 96-66 regular season, tied for best in the majors. They also managed to survive a late charge by the Yankees, even though early in the season it seemed the Sox would run away with the division. Boston were led by a combination of proven playoff vets, including Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Curt Schilling and Mike Lowell among others. But the youth pitched in too, as Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Jon Paplebon all played vital roles. The Rockies were an underdog from the beginning, and having won 21 out of their last 22 games, they looked as if they could prove to be a tough foe to conquer. But the potent offense and superb pitching of the Sox proved to be too strong in the end. Boston improved their record to 11-3 in the playoffs, the only 3 losses having come to the Indians in the ALCS, in which they fought back from a 3-1 deficit. The combination Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester made sure that the same wouldn’t happen again. The Sox returned home to joyous celebrations in front of around 1 million fans, and no doubt they’ll be looking to win their 8^th title next year and establish themselves as a dynasty. It’s a pretty good time to be a New England sports fan.

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