2007 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

Before the season began, I posted a blog with my baseball predictions. I covered the Sox here on this blog while I hope and wait for a "real" gig in sports journalism. It has been fun and even though I had very little time, outside of 30 minutes on the weekend, I kept a weekly update on the state of the Sox.
There have been some ups ( long winning streaks, mothers day miracle, no-hitter, one-hitter, 4 straight home runs versus the pinstripes on national tv) and downs ( getting swept by the Mariners, Yankees and Tigers) the season came to a conclusion with one team out of thirty standing; your Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox won the division, swept the Angels in the first round and then won 3 straight to beat the Indians in 7 games to advance to the World Series.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies had all the momentum and luck on their side. They beat Peavy and the Padres in a one game playoff to make it into the world series despite being down 2 runs in the 11th inning. Then they crushed the Phillies and d-backs to advance to the Fall Classic.
The Rox came in well rested, having 9 days to rest and prepare for the Sox-Indians winner. But the rest was a bit too much, especially considering the Rox came in winners of 21 of the last 22 games they played in!
The Sox welcomed in the Rox for game one at the Fens and trumped them 13-1. Beckett pitched great again ( 7.0 6 1 1 1 9 0 1.29) and the Sox scored 13 runs thanks to Pedroia's leadoff home run and 3 hits apeice from Manny, Papi and Lugo. Everyone Sox starter had a hit.
In game 2, Schilling pitched ( 5.1 4 1 1 2 4 0 1.69) great but so did the Rockies in a team effort. Okajima pitched 2.1 shutout innings and Paps pitched 1.1 shutout innings as well as the Sox held on for a 2-1 win.
The Sox headed to Coors Field to face a great home team and their towel waving fans at an elevation of over 5200 feet. Dice-K continued the stellar starting pitching for the Red Sox, going
(5.1 3 2 2 3 5 0 3.38) and despite some poor bullpen work the Sox won 10-5.
The Sox scored 6 runs in the third but the Rockies crept back and pulled within 1 run after a 3 run shot by Holliday in the 7th. The Sox hit a ton of doubles highlighted by rookie Ellsbury's 4 for 5 night. Pedroia and Lowell helped out as Manny and Papi struggled at the plate. The Sox were one win away from the title.
The Sox handed the ball to Lester, filling in for the injured Wakefield, for the 4th game. Cook started for the Rockies, his first since August. The Sox plated a run early and nursed a 1 run lead with Lester on a short leash. The Sox added a run in the 5th to take a 2-0 lead. Lester pitched well ( 5.2 3 0 0 3 3 0 0.00) and left with a 2 run lead.
Lowell ended Cook's night with a leadoff blast in the 7th to put the Sox up 3-0 with 9 outs away from the title. But the Sox bullpen struggled, Okajima and Delcarmen specifically, but Timlin got 2 big strikeouts to end any big rallies.
With the Sox up 3-1 in the 8th, Bobby Kielty hit a pinch hit home run in the first pitch he saw to put the Sox up 4-1 with 6 outs to go. But Okajima struggled in the 8th and gave up a 2 run shot with one out to Atkins to bring the game to 4-3......still 5 outs left for the Rox.
Papelbon came in and got the final 5 outs!
The Sox won their 2nd title in 4 years as they swept the Rockies 4-0. Mike Lowell was named the MVP, but a ton of guys deserved it. I would have went with Papelbon, but Lowell was also a good choice. Ellsbury replaced the struggling Crisp for game 6 against the Indians and started every game thereafter to boost the club. The team won and this here blog followed it from game to game. There is no sweeter feeler.
Here are some of the final stats from the 2007 World Series......won by your Boston Red Sox!
Ellsbury batted .438 with a team leading 7 hits and 4 doubles. Pedroia had 5 hits, 1 hr and 4 rbi.
Manny was quiet and batted .250. Drew hit .333. had 6 runs, 6 hits, 12 total bases and hit .400.
Big Papi hit .333 with 3 doubles and 4 rbi. Tek' hit .333. Lugo hit .385. Youkilis (who sat with no dh in colorado) had 3 bb and 2 doubles and an a 417 .obp. Crisp, cora, kielty, hinske rode the bench but did their part.
The starters all did well and Dice-K had a rbi hit too. The bullpen did good. Though Timlin and Okajima had poor era's they did okay. Delcarmen struggled and Gagne and Lopez did good in very short work. Papelbon pitched 4.1 scoreless innings with no runs no walks and 3 saves!
Meanwhile, the Rockies were led by Helton, Matsui and Holliday but not much else. They deserve their due, bit it's your Red Sox who are the champs!