Photo: AP
Coming into the 2007 playoffs, I felt the Curse of the Bambino was deader than Jimmy Hoffa. I was pretty sure, but there was that little voice asking if 2004 was just a fluke, and I couldn’t ignore it. I admit that the “old Red Sox” fan in me was still a bit nervous about finishing off the World Series, right up until the very last strike; a Rockie’s deep fly ball in the bottom of the ninth of game four gave me Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone flash backs. But really, it was never in doubt.
The Red Sox have not only buried the Curse, they may be looking better in the years to come. A dynasty is not out of the question. The team is full of bright young stars. Even if Curt Schilling departs, the rotation would consist of young veterans Josh Beckett and Dice K along with the brilliant young arms of Clay Buckholtz, who threw a no-hitter in his second ever start this year, and John Lester, winner of the deciding game in the World Series. Sprinkle in a little Tim Wakefield and you got a solid rotation, with the top four set for many years to come. This is assuming Jonathan Papelbon stays in the bullpen. Throw him into the rotation, and it is down right scary.
Normally I would never write this. I would be afraid of jinxing it.
But with David Ortiz and Jason Veritek leading this team, and the array of young talent, the Red Sox could be poised to make a run at being the team of the decade.
And then A-Rod, during the deciding game, announced he was leaving the Yankees. Sports media types were all over him, and his agent Scott Boras, for how unclassy the timing was of their announcement, as if they were trying to steal the spotlight.
On the contrary. The only thing better than winning the World Series is to see the Yankees spinning out of control, headed back to the “glory days” of the mid-late eighties. Not only were we about to sweep the Rockies and win the World Series, but the Yankees, who just lost the rock of their organization in Joe Torre, were now losing 50 home runs and 125 RBIs every year. And as if an unclassy move should be surprising from either Rodriguez or Boras, two of the most self-serving people involved in sports.
Much of the Sox’ credit should go to Theo Epstein. Nobody knew where this kid came from to become the general manager of the Boston Red Sox, but the job he has done can be described only as remarkable. He has not only made all the right moves in the free agent market and with trades, but he has made sure the Red Sox have also developed from within. That is the key to building a dynasty.
After 86 years of falling short and having their dreams shattered, Red Sox fans are sleeping soundly in their beds, with visions of more World Series trophies, dancing in their heads. - Jesse Jones