Boston Red Sox - World Champions 2007

This year's edition of the Red Sox were almost wholly different from self-named "Idiots", a team that reversed the "curse" of Boston baseball in 2004. This year's team was dominant almost all year long, with ace Beckett cruising to 20 wins and slugger Big Papi having another great year. While Schilling, the newcomer star of the 2004 season, and Manny Ramirez, one of the top 3 hitters in the game; did not have stellar regular seasons, both came through in the postseason securing a second title in 4 years. Mike Lowell, the third basemen nobody wanted as part of the Beckett deal with Florida, came in clutch all season and secured an MVP award in the World Series. Whether he returns for the repeat year is up in the air. A mention must be made to the rookie contributions to this year's edition including 2B Dustin Pedroia who played hearts-out baseball all season long, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, whose speed on the diamond and slappy bat are unusual traits on a slug-happy franchise, and the Japanese imports, P Daisuke Matsuzaka and P Hideki Okajima. Both were integral but Okajima's badge of courage was won putting down the vaunted Yankees' lineup early in the season in a nailbiter that showed the baseball world that Boston would not back down. He continued to be clutch all year long. Although Daisuke was impressive at times this season and registered two good pitching performances in his last two postseason games, his trial will begin next season. Great season and I can't wait to do it again next season!