Unbelievable!

In case anyone missed it, the Red Sox won the World Series last night.  Second time in 4 years, a far cry from the "See you in 2090" headline the Daily News printed after 2004. 

I just watched some of the post game interviews that I had DVR'd last night.  Some things that impacted me, not exact quotes, but you get the idea:

• Dustin Pedroia on Jon Lester's performance/battle with cancer: I am so proud of him and his family.  They are such great people and to see him accomplish what he did and perform tonight, it was special. 
• Mike Timlin interrupting Tim Wakefield's on field interview:  I just want to say one thing (staring into the camera, arm around Wake), this win tonight is because of this man.  He made a very difficult decision to take himself off the roster due to his injury.  He was not on the 25 man roster, but because of his decision, Jon Lester was able to perform tonight...you could see the tears welling up in Wake's eyes.
• Mike Lowell on his impending Free Agency:  I have never hid the fact that I love playing here, but I just want to celebrate and enjoy this right now with my teammates.
• Julio Lugo on his disappointing statistics in his first year with the Sox:  Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about my numbers this year and all that, I'll take that every year if the season ends like this!
• Unbelievable x 50:  I think every player's first word when asked the question "how does it feel?" or "describe your emotions" started with unbelievable.

As fans we watch these guys night in and night out and expect the best in every single pitch, at bat, defensive play, etc.   Sometimes you forget that behind their enormous paychecks, they are just normal people playing the game they love for a living.  They are often friends and spend more time with their teammates then they do with their families for the better part of 8 months.  So it is refreshing to see guys generally in awe of what they have just accomplished.  Even the guys that won in 04 with the Sox or previously with another team, you can still see the look in their eyes, this is what they play for.

2004 was an amazing time in and around Boston when the Sox won for the first time in 86 years.  This one is definitely different and hopefully a sign of things to come.  What made this one special is a lot of the players are "home grown" through the farm system.  And Theo & The Trio's master plan is taking place, 2004's title might have been bought...this one is different but we'll all enjoy it just the same.

Comments

[Jeff]

Very entertaining season from a great team. As fans, we should count our blessings.

[Tom Guarriello]

Like I said just about all year: best team in baseball. Enjoy it while you can, 'cause you never know what next season will bring...

[Jody]

Even though my address is in the City of Gilbert, in the Grand Canyon State, and there was a three hour difference in most Red Sox games; I am "Jones'in" for the game of Red Sox baseball! While catching up with the roster on-line, I notice two great quotes by two great Red Sox teammates (and two Hall of Famers, maybe?):

"I don't think it's fair to the 24 guys that are in the clubhouse," Wakefield said. "And I don't think it's fair to the organization, and I don't think it's fair to me, lastly, that I go out there and injure myself, and I'm not available for next year or the year after that."

"We got exactly what we wanted, and then some," said Schilling. "This is where we want our career to come to a close. This city, this team. This is where we want to retire, raise our kids and walk away."