The Red Sox Go from Cursed to First

The team that for 86 years seemed destined to fall just short of baseball's grand prize time and time again has risen from that cursed existence to shine as the game's greatest team in 2007. World Series or not, the heart and professionalism this team has shown is nothing short of brilliance. With a lethal concoction of timely hitting, scintillating defense, devastating pitching and crushing power the Red Sox maintained sole possession of first place in the American League East from April 18^th and went on to win their first pennant since 1995. In the not so distant past the Red Sox's loyal fan base could almost always count on terrible luck and heart breaking losses at the worst possible times. Thankfully, that trend seems to be history and another World Series trophy has found it's way to Boston.

It's no secret that great baseball teams require great pitching. The Red Sox have put together the most ferocious collection of pitchers that baseball has ever seen. Both the starters and relievers are among the elite and everyone manages to contribute to the success of the team. The depth and versatility of the 2007 Boston Red Sox pitching staff was a major driving force behind one of the greatest campaigns in club history.

The starting rotation begins with this year's only 20 game winner in Josh Beckett. Boston's highest expectations were placed on his shoulders and he carried the load with ease. The prototypical power pitcher, Becket commands a four-seam fastball that blazes up to the plate from 95 to 98 mph, a hard sinker from 88 - 90 mph, a knee buckling breaking ball and a wicked change up as well. In this past year he has risen to his true potential. His pitching wisdom really began to shine as he mastered the art of mixing in all of his pitches, changing speeds and taking control of both sides of the plate.

The two and three spots in the rotation were occupied by Japanese rookie Daisuke (pronounced Dice-K) Matsuzaka and veteran Curt Schilling. Veteran knuckle-baller Tim Wakefield had a firm hold on the fourth spot matching his career high with 17 wins and the fifth spot was shared by rubber-armed righty Julian Tavarez and Jon Lester. Despite the lack of solidity at the back end of the rotation this was a starting five with an above average chance of getting deep into games and giving the team reasonable hopes of winning almost every day.

Behind the starting five was a bullpen teeming with versatility and determination. While contributions were made by everyone, left handed set up man Hideki Okajima and closer Jonathan Papelbon were responsible for shutting the door on teams when the game was on the line. Okajima's deceptive delivery coupled with his ability to change speeds and use both sides of the plate made him one of the most consistent relievers in baseball. Unlike many left handers, Okajima was equally effective on both left handed and right handed hitters. Once the ball is in Papelbon's hands the visiting team barely stands a chance. This young man was groomed as a starter in the minor leagues and has made a few lackluster starts at the major league level but after being thrown into the closer's role has done nothing but dominate opposing hitters. Papelbon's recipe for success consists of perfectly placed fastballs in the high 90's, a split fingered fastball that drops a foot and a pitch of his own creation called a slutter. According to Papelbon it's a combination of a slider and a cut fastball (cutter). The fearless determination that this closer exhibits will surely keep opposing hitters swinging and missing for many years to come.

The Boston Red Sox relied heavily on their pitching staff in 2007 but no team wins games without scoring runs. The Red Sox offense provided a plethora of run support for their pitchers on most occasions and even on the nights when runs were hard to come by the boys from Beantown would miraculously find a way to plate a few.

Top to bottom, Boston's lineup is layered with dangerous and patient hitters. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, two of the most feared sluggers in baseball, are at the heart of this deadly collection of bat wielders but without their supporting cast this offense would have lacked the potency necessary for success on baseball's grandest stage.

Hitting behind Ortiz and Ramirez, Mike Lowell emerged as the teams top RBI man and most pleasant surprise of the 2007 season. On and off the field this resident of Fenway's hot corner has displayed a work ethic and quiet confidence that cemented him in the heart's of Red Sox Nation. His defensive prowess is legendary and the more he exercises his ability to hit the ball to the opposite field the more dangerous a hitter he is becoming.

This year saw a Red Sox youth movement like no other in club history. At the helm of this movement was rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia. In his first full season at the major league level this young man opened many eyes to his talent and gritty determination. After getting off to a slow start offensively he finished the regular season with a batting average over .300 and had a productive post season which ended gloriously with a World Series victory. Dustin wasn't the only youngster to make his presence felt. Rookie pitcher Jon Lester returned to the major leagues after beating the cancer he was diagnosed with only a year ago, rookie pitcher Clay Buchholz, in only his second major league start, threw a no hitter against the Baltimore Orioles and rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury became the first Navajo in the major leagues and showed the baseball world what the next generation of five tool players are capable of.

Another defensive wizard, Kevin Youkilis, is fast becoming a hero all over New England. The first baseman more affectionately known as "Youk" is deadly on both sides of the ball. He holds the Red Sox team record for most consecutive errorless chances at first base and is as formidable as a Khan with a club when he steps into the batter's box. His patience at the plate is stoic and the endless fount of effort and energy he empties onto the field daily is incalculable.

The 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox redefined the term team with their second World Series sweep in four years. Contributions to the success of this club came from everywhere within this organization. Anyone at anytime may shine as the hero of the day and this group of guys stood together and behind each other with pride and loyalty. Congratulations to the entire Red Sox organization and thank you for another wonderful season. The grand game would not be the same without you.