Twice As Nice

When the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, they did so less than two months after my wife and I celebrated our wedding day. I watched the final out while sitting in bed next to her, then went into my "Man Room", popped open a small bottle of champagne, and tried to wrap my mind around the moment.

When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007, they did so less than four months after my son was born. I watched the final out while holding him in my arms, facing the TV, his eyes wide open, knowing that the thought of him remembering this moment when he grows up is ridiculous but feeling that he ought to be watching anyway.

I've said privately that because Joey's birth helped put things in perspective, this season wasn't all that important to me. Sure, I still love the Red Sox and want them to win, and I feel sad when they lose, but the thought of sitting stone-faced in front of the television, my mood ebbing and flowing along with the key points of the game, living and dying with every pitch, is laughable. Maybe it's just a part of growing up, or maybe I was just immature then, but I realize now that there are more important things in life.

That said, this is exciting. A team I've followed for nearly twenty years, since Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs were mainstays, has won its second World Series in four seasons, and there are a few things I want my boy to remember about the team that proved itself as the best in baseball in the year he was born:

Jonathan Papelbon celebrating big wins the way they ought to be celebrated. Josh Beckett rebounding from a tough 2006 to become one of the American League's best pitchers. Mike Lowell proving that everyone who viewed him as a throw-in to the Beckett trade was dead wrong (and he has the World Series MVP award to prove it). David Ortiz battling through knee and shoulder injuries to post another year of outstanding offensive numbers. Manny Ramirez personifying the devil-may-care attitude required for a team to succeed in Boston. Terry Francona standing behind his players regardless of how hard the fans pushed him to mix things up. Kevin Youkilis drawing upon the extraordinary power of his beard to play flawless defense and provide reliable offense.

Dustin Pedroia tenaciously overcoming a terrible start to become the favorite for American League Rookie of the Year. Jacoby Ellsbury beating out a routine grounder for his first major league hit and scoring from second on a wild pitch. Daisuke Matsuzaka offering glimpses of the greatness that will become commonplace over the next several years. Jon Lester beating cancer to return to the major leagues and win the deciding game of the World Series. Hideki Okajima being better than anyone could have ever imagined. Clay Buchholz stepping onto the Fenway Park mound for his second career start and leaving nine innings later with a no-hitter on his resume. Manny Delcarmen asserting himself as a reliable end-of-the-game option.

Coco Crisp playing the best centerfield I've ever seen before gracefully accepting a trip to the bench in the ALCS. Tim Wakefield holding down the back end of the rotation for the first half before fighting injury and assuming the role of elder statesman down the stretch. Curt Schilling failing to provide the drama of the bloody sock, but making up for it with solid performances when needed. Jason Varitek, the Captain, knowing every hitter and calling every game with almost surreal precision and confidence.

Eric Gagne coming to town and suddenly losing his confidence and ability to throw changeups for strikes. J.D. Drew fighting through a number of miserable stretches only to start offering machine-like production in the playoffs. Julio Lugo being reminded almost daily that he is not Orlando Cabrera.

Those aren't all the details, of course, but it's a good start.

And the sweetest thing about this? When Joey comes to me someday and says, "Dad, tell me about the Red Sox team that won the World Series," I can look at him and legitimately ask, "Which one?"

(Oh, and one more thing I plan on telling him: if you ever, EVER do something stupid like flipping over a parked car while "celebrating", the ass-beating you will receive at the hands of your father will be epic. So don't do it.)