2008 Boston Red Sox: A Requiem

Well, it's almost over. For the last 12 months, the Boston Red Sox were the World Champions. No more. In five to 10 days, either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia will hold onto that title.

But it was a good ride. A no-hitter from Jon Lester. The emergence of Dustin Pedroia as a legitimate superstar. The end of the Manny era, which brings mixed feelings. And an epic comeback, leading to another seven-game ALCS.

Unlike last year, the Red Sox weren't the victors in Game Seven. Also unlike last year, this year's loss didn't devastate me.

Injuries decimated a once-dominating team. Not that it's an excuse, but Mark Kotsay doesn't give them the confidence that Mike Lowell did.

The thing about this year was that I knew the Sox didn't have much of a chance. Tampa Bay had owned them in every big game over the course of the season, and I was happy just to see a good fight.

Last year, a seven-game loss would have devastated me. I spent the whole season knowing that the 2007 Red Sox team was the best Red Sox team of my lifetime.

They had a dynamite rotation, dominant offense, and ice-cold relievers.

This year? No Schilling, a year-older Tim Wakefield, a Josh Beckett that wasn't himself during the playoffs.

No Eric Gagne, but Mike Timlin and Javy Lopez were more than willing to take up his burden of awfulness.

As far as the offense goes, David Ortiz with a wrist injury, the Manny saga, but also the acquisition of Jason Bay, who should be a solid contributor for years to come.

They also had the emergence of Justin Masterson. While a spotty long reliever, he should be good as a starter, and if he takes the place of Wakefield in the rotation, I feel the Red Sox have got a great chance.

Jon Lester was another revelation. The ultimate stopper, until last night he had never lost consecutive starts in his career.

Think about that. That means, at the most, the Sox would have a five-game losing streak, and Lester came in to stop the bleeding.

As far as next year goes, I'm optimistic. They're bringing back the core, the rotation should be back, and Papi and Lowell should be healthy.

Who knows where Man-Ram will end up, but hopefully he and his horrible agent stay in the NL with a huge contract.

So Red Sox fans, it wasn't our year. But unlike years past, there is no impending slide to the dregs of the MLB. The team is built for the long run, with enough young talent to scare anyone, and enough veterans to make a dent.

Maybe the Red Sox are destined to be baseball's San Antonio Spurs, injuries and bad luck strike every other year, making it hard to win back-to-back.

And as much crap as the Spurs get, ask San Antonio fans how it feels.

Maybe requiem was the wrong title for this article. Not a requiem, because this team isn't done. And I don't know about you, but I can't wait until Tampa comes back to Fenway next year. 

Go Phillies.