More World Series

Well, we saw performances from ALCS MVP Josh Beckett this postseason that were absolutely amazing. He was as dominant as dominant can be. As a matter of fact, I cannot remember another pitcher that has had so much postseason success in his career. In 2003, he entered Yankee Stadium as a young, flame-throwing Marlin. He left a World Champion. Four years later, he is an accomplished pitcher who should win the Cy Young. He shut down the Angels, Indians, and Rockies with a fastball that I believe clocked out at 97 mph and a hook that made seasoned veterans look like rookies.

Dustin Pedroia continued to battle and play hard in the World Series. At the beginning of the season, I doubted whether or not Pedroia could adequately fill the void at second base. Although I highly advocated the signing of Bobby Kielty as an alternative to JD Drew's slumping bat, I never would have guessed that the carrot-top would hit a decisive home run to clinch the series. (For that matter, I never would have thought that Drew would have a good postseason and hit a grand slam in a rout of the Tribe---My uncle Kevin called the shot.)

Terry Francona, as a manager in Boston, has received a lot of criticism over the years from Sox fans for his management of the bullpen and his passive nature. Eight consecutive World Series wins later, I believe Terry Francona is one of the best managers in all of sports. He managed both the lineup and the bullpen extraordinarily well in the World Series and gave Jacoby Ellsbury the chance to shine.

Mike Lowell = MVP. What more can I say? He was the most consistent bat day in and day out and carried the team during offensive slumps throughout the year. He rose to the occasion in the playoffs and led the team to victory in the Series. The World Series MVP is not enough for Lowell this season. He deserves the American League MVP. Alex Rodriguez has the incredible stats from this year including an insane number of RBIs. He did, however, cool off in the second half as the Yanks started to win. Lowell has really carried the team the entire year. Technically, A-Rod has the better stats, but Lowell, I believe, meant more for the Red Sox than A-Rod did for the Yankees. If the Yankees were winning in April and May when A-Rod was hot or if A-Rod carried the team into the playoffs in September, OK. (But he didn't! =)