Lowell signs a 3-year deal with Boston

Millions of Red Sox fans including myself let out a collective sigh of relief today as it was announced that World Series MVP Mike Lowell re-signed with Boston for 3 years and $37.6 million. While Lowell may have been looking for 4 years, he also indicated that he wanted to be in Boston. And I won't lie, when Hank and Hal started waiving around cash in the hopes that Lowell would re-join the New York club that drafted him, I wouldn't have been surprised. Not because of the money, but a 4-year deal at a less demanding position with his original team may have been attractive, but over the last two years it has become very clear that Lowell has developed some relationships with players, coaches, and obviously fans in Boston that may have been one of the driving forces. Whereas I can't speak for all Boston fans, I am happy to have Lowell back, not because I think he'll put up the the numbers he did this year, but rather because he is one of the best guys to be around all the young talent that the Sox have. Thanks Mike!

Fans have spoken: Keep Lowell!

World Series MVP Mike Lowell is going to get a sizable contract from one lucky major league team. Lowell, a unrestricted free agent, came to Boston is a trade to acquire Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins. Beckett, the 2003 World Series MVP was the hard-throwing right hander Boston was seeking, while Lowell considered himself a "throw-in."
A former Gold Glove winner, Lowell had a good 2006 season and a record setting 2007 season when he set a record for RBIs by a Red Sox 3rd baseman with 120, which was also the team high.
While almost flying under the radar for most of the post-season, Lowell was quietly contributing, batting .333. The after his decisive home run in game four, Lowell was the writers' choice for series MVP.
As Boston fans made their way to the lower levels of Coors Field, they chanted, "re-sign Lowell" and "Don't sign A-Rod." The chants were continued on Tuesday as the Red Sox took to the streets of Boston. And while Curt Schilling has made the most noise about free agency thus far from a Red Sox player's perspective, it is Lowell who the fans want to hear about.
Fans know that baseball is business, but sometime the right guy is better than the right statistics. Boston fans would probably be less welcoming to A-Rod than they were to J.D. Drew and Drew never tried to swap at one of the Red Sox pitchers.
While the Red Sox brass is very reluctant to sign a soon to be 34-year-old to more than two or three year deal, the Red Sox would do well to make a damned good offer to this man.
For this fan, the choice is clear - resign Lowell and keep a throwback hard-working player. Then again, if it was up to me, they'd re-sign him and he join Jason Varitek as co-captain of the Red Sox. Wishful thinking. I know!

BOSTON RED SOX - 2007 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

Congratulations to the 2007 Boston Red Sox on concluding a sweep of the Colorado Rockies and winning the World Series. The Rockies are a tough team, but Boston played so well. A decade ago, we couldn't have imagined winning a second series in a four year period 'cause we couldn't fathom winning any World Series. This team is tough and a bunch of hard-working young men, who will makes New England, and indeed "Red Sox Nation," proud for a long time to come. Colorado has nothing to be ashamed of, they are a great team and a wonderful bunch of athletes!

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SEASON!!!!

As a fan of the game...

I've admired every minute of watching the World Series at Coors Field in Denver. Granted, the Sox having been doing well, but the atmosphere looks electric, despite the seemingly bleak outlook for the home team. In last night's game the Rockies were down 6-0 and while in other parks, fans would be making their way for the exits, the 50,000 plus Rockies fans were still roaring and cheering their team on. As a fan of the game and sportsmanship in general, this is what we love to see. And while the 3-run homer by Matt Halliday wasn't enough to put the Rockies over the hump, they hung in the game like they'd been there before, and that my friends, bodes well for baseball in Denver for a long time to come, not matter the outcome of this series.

I'm not a traitor, really!

I should preface by saying that I wouldn't blog so much about the Sox if it were not for the fact that they have a chance to win their second World Series in two years. My blog - being topically random - should and will have more variety, but again, the World Series is pretty special.
Anyway, to the point of my title, I am saying that I am not a traitor because I admittedly want the Red Sox to only win one game in Colorado. I know, I know; you can't have your cake and eat it too, thus I would be Happy for them to win the Series at all, but ideally, it would be sooooo much better for them to win the Series at Fenway, especially since it's been over eight decades since it has happened. Two losses, or even three in Colorado is very possible. Hell, The Rockies have the heart and talent to take this Series, I just think they - like the Indians - are a year or two away from being a team like Boston. All of that said, The Rockies could win the Series and I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it 'cause they're not the Yankees or Mets, but yes, I would be upset. I don't take the Sox for granted, but they are a good team, who could sweep this series, so all I am saying is that it would be cool to see a World Series end in Fenway. Aside from the Sox throwing games like the "Black Sox," I don't see that happening this year.
It's actually a little strange being a fan of the Red Sox when they are expected to win. None of us grew up with such an aura surrounding the team. Regardless, I want the Sox to win and ultimately it doesn't matter if it's in Denver or Boston, the banner will look exactly the same, I hope.

Red Sox hope to keep momentum going into game two

Red Sox players probably learned a lesson or two from the seven game series with the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. First, they learned that the Indians have one tough team that will be a thorn in the collective American League's side for years to come. More importantly, they learned that a switch in momentum can happen with one play or one inning. You let up a second against a team like the Indians or yes, The Colorado Rockies, and you'll pay. Granted, the Sox looked very strong in their 13-1 victory Wednesday night, but the Sox looked very strong in game one of the ALCS. As Clevelnad bounced back to trounce the Sox in extra innings in game two and go on to win three in a row, the Sox may have overcome a some adversity that makes them a better team in this World Series. While the arm of Curt Schilling will be tested tonight, it will be the bats of the Sox lineup that will be under the microscope. The bats stay hot, the Sox win. The bats go cold, well, let's just say that coming back from a 3-1 series deficit made for exciting baseball.