2007 World Champions!

Susan:
Congratulations to the Best Team in Baseball!

 

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Tara:
Congratulations to MVP Mike Lowell.

 

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Susan:
Congratulations to soon to be named Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia, soon to be named AL Cy Young winnah Josh Becket, and soon-to-named 1^st Gold Glovah Kevin Youkilis.

 

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Tara:
And congratulations to us!

 

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Susan/Circle:
The greatest fans in all of sport!

 

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Let's face it, no productive work will take place today … …

Doug:
Holy shit when the Red Sox get into the World Series, they don't just win, they friggin' Blitzkrieg.

 

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Mike:
"Shredding their National League rivals like so many cardboard cutouts."

 

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Al:
Yeah, there's sweeps and then there's outscoring an opponent 29-10 and only trailing the opponent by a grand total of 3 innings out of 36.

 

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Mike:
So you think the Rockies are wondering why their personal savior let them down in their hour of need?

 

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Doug:
I can just see it:

The Rockies:
"Jesus, why have your forsaken us?"

J.C.:
"Are you kidding me? I taught you fools how to fish, now I have to teach you how to pitch and hit too? And you call yourselves 'fundamentalists'? Maybe, my children, a little more work on OBP and little less prayer, know what I'm sayin'?"

 

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Another World Series victory, can you believe it? …

Bill:
Bob Ryan has it right: "2004 was an exorcism. 2007 is an exclamation point."

 

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Steve:
And don't forget Ryan's advice: "Go ahead. Call up the Yankee fan in your life. Be as obnoxious as you want to be."

 

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Bill:
All in good time. For the moment, I think we can let them just stew in their own self-inflicted misery a bit.

 

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Somewhere in Manhattan …

Marty in his penthouse lair:
Noooooooooooooo!!!!

 

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Comments

[gary]

Go Sox!

[louclinton]

Now I can die in peas.

[COD]

The difference between 04 and 07 is that even when Oki gave up the two run homer to make it 4-3, my pulse stayed nice and low. I didn't get even twitch on the couch. I was absolutely calm, and certain that the Red Sox would win the game. Failure never even entered my mind.

I could get used to this.

[h.b.]

Agree 100% with COD.

Also, I actually think I'm happier today than I was in 2004, or rather, it's just a different kind of happiness.

As great as '04 was, there was a big part of me that couldn't help but wonder if it was a once-in-a-lifetime fluke.

Now, with '07 I'm fully satisfied it was no fluke. The Red Sox are for real and will continue to be for real for some time to come.

That makes me very, very happy in a way I've never felt before with the Sox.

[Ryan with a capital "R"]

Great work, hb. Thanks.

Stuff I still can't believe:

* Eight straight WS wins.

* Lester ripping through the Rockies.

* Ellsbury's catch. Manny doesn't make that catch. (And Papelbon calling him "stud" in the post-game interview? Awesome.)

* Papelbon. Lowell was great and everything but how was he not MVP?

* How much more fun these playoffs were than 2004.

[Rock]

Hmmmm . . . The Red Sox win again and I still don't feel like I've lost my identity. What am I doing wrong?

[Ryan with a capital "R"]

I agree, COD. After the homer, I felt bad that Okajima might've felt as if he let his team down but not as if he let me down, since the Sox were going to win.

[DickRaditz]

H.B. - Thanks for the the wonderful work you did all season.

Looking forward to next year Theo please sign Lowell and STAY AWAY FROM AROD.

Congrats to everyone.

[Natalie]

A few thoughts:

1. My father (d. Oct 16, 2002) would be a pig in shit right now...

2. Singing "Tessie" to my so-named chocolate lab in bed at 1am on a Sunday and watching her bark and dance is the Nat-in-2007 32 year old's version of high-fiving fellow drunkards at the Hill Tavern in '04...I am officially old.

3. Memo to Lucchino et all: Re-sign Lowell (subtitle: Please no A-Rod)

4. I am looking forward to a Sox dynasty (young centerpieces Papi, Beckett, Papelbon, Pedroia, Ellsubury, Lester, Buchholz...sweet).

[buckner was framed]

strange that Arturo and Lisa are the only 2 characters not present today. Think he's slipping her a red hot in celebration?
What a satisfying win by a great team.
Random thoughts:
-LOVED the fans chanting "Don't sign A-Rod (clap, clap, clapclapclap)" as Theo was being interviewed
-Kenny Lofton is still a dink
-Timlin and Wake are true class acts, as was mentioned here yesterday. And we don't win without either one
-is it safe to ignore the fucking Malibu now?
-good thing we didn't trade Lowell for that stiff Helton
-anybody want my taco?

Thanks, hb, for guiding us through the season with your usual wit, sarcasm, and spot-on portrayal of life as a Sox fan. And to the regulars and lurkers also, thanks for the laughs and insight. Especially Bob, SDU and Kaz- fun meeting you guys. Paddy24- how YOU doin'? Think the Sox are still gonna blow it?
And, finally( sorry for the long post)- As I've been saying all season (as lc might say "look it up")- can we PLEASE sign Mike Lowell now?

[kjc]

Differences:

After 2004 your felt like a thief in the night, somehow stealing something that never could belong to you.

2007 is vindication. A deserved victory. Wire-to-wire best record in baseball.

2007 is more satisfying imho.

[h.b.]

It's so funny how we (at least the characters and myself, I assume you too) were worried that the Sox never win on a long win streak all season.

But in the playoffs they go and rip off 7 straight!!!

[Natalie]

//-is it safe to ignore the fucking Malibu now?// Holy crap, that made me laugh out loud. People are staring at the office.

Yes, hb, thanks for making this the first site I check out in the morning, the site I most look forward to reading, and the site I tell everyone I know is THE best Sox blog on the Interwebs. Looking forward to post-season punditry and having you help guide me through my first ever baseball season out of the country in '08 (I'll be representing Soxaholix in London by Opening Day)....

[tessie]

Nat, you're far from old. I remember the last time the Sox lost a World Series game. That's old :)

[Rock]

And another thanks to h.b. for all the hard work making the Soxaholix. You bring much laughter to my cubicle.

[Genghis Ortiz]

Thanks for the Special Guest Quadruple Header, and for bringing the Victory Girls out. The Jameson's is arriving in about an hour, so it's paaahty time on the Eastern Front soon. Enjoy the one week vaca and 'soft landing' hangover...

[tessie]

h.b. Red Sox baseball would hardly be anywhere near as fun for me without a place to come and get inside the Boston mindset for a while. Thanks for everything you do. I *heart* Soxaholix.

[ParkerStPete]

Can we please throw the All Star game next year so we can win the friggin' WS at home?

Thanks h.b. for lotsa laughs and insight. I'm sure my co-workers are happy the almost daily forward (isn't that a Jewish newspaper?) will stop for a while.

[mikeya2k1]

and i quote "my resplendence has no bitch"

[vancouversoxfan]

h.b. thank you for another memorable year of humour...and to the regulars that make the site all that much better...I may not post all the time but I read you faithfully...and kjc I couldn't have expressed it better myself.

[Ray Saunders]

Jesus loves the Sox too!

[Kaz]

How sweep it is.

h.b., another fine year in the books. I can't wait to see what the toons have to say about the Pats (Indy is gonna learn what it's like to play a real team next week). This offseason has some interesting plots to play out (I'll pay Lugo to chauffeur me to work if it means we can put A-Rod at SS for under $30 million a year..yes, even with that douchebag announcement mid-game...I blame that on Fox for not having any couth or sense of timing). Schilling to Tampa Bay? 4 man outfield? Time will tell.

FYI: The Bruins are tied with the second best record in the NHL right now. The Celtics will play in the NBA Finals. BC in a title game? Love that dirty watahhhh.

[miketc]

4 strips in 1 that sum up just about everything in my head perfectly.

Thanks, h.b. for another great year of the best thing to have my coffee with.

[Billy Mahty]

Well done.

If it had to happen, I'm glad it went down the way it did. The Red Sox just made the Rockies, the D'backs, Cubs, Phillies, Mets, Padres, all of them look like a joke.

[rollbiz]

Thanks for an awesome and entertaining season of strips. This site made this season a lot more fun for me (even when things occasionally weren't going so well)...

Twice in my lifetime, and I'm only 25. These aren't my fathers/grandfathers/great grandfather's Red Sox!

[jamesfrmmaine]

We Won!!! I'm late to the party as usual. But I wanted to say a few things.

1. Thanks HB. The strip is great, it adds a ton to my enjoyment of the sox and the baseball season in general... plus it makes me laugh... which is what I need every morning around the time the strip gets posted.

2. Thanks to the regulars for the witty commentary, some of you guys are just as funny as the strip most of the time.

3. A little story from this weekend. I was at home depot buying lumber at like 6:45 on saturday morning wearing my sox cap and hoodie... a guy walks by with his little toddler daughter and I just kind of smile and wave... I live in atlanta and they aren't wearing any sox gear so I not sure why they are both grinning at me like crazy but out of no where the little girl waved her arm and yelled GO SOX in a little squeaky voice.

I love that stuff.

See you guys next spring.

JFM

[CuracaoSox]

2004 was special, but I enjoyed this year more.
I thought Paps should win the MVP, but I have no problem with Lowell getting the recognition, especially with the year he had.
Thanks HB for making this the best Sox related site and congratulations to every Soxaholick

[vasoxfan]

Where's Bob?
Do we have extra Barocca on hand?

2004 - exorcism
2007 - Righteous (reference Psalm 37:19 right h.b?)

While I will be back on and off during hot stove and lostaholix time I need a little break. I watched at least an hour of all 162 games (a first for me, thanks mlb.tv)
Thanks h.b. for all you do and all the soxaholix (Why does this feel like the academy awards?) for being the best fans by fah.

[birthofasoxfan97]

I was thinking the same thing 'bout Bob. Hope he didn't land in the clink.

Supah wicked season, that's all I can say.

[Youk Rules]

This team is the real deal.

Choke on that, A-Rod.

[Harwich Rich]

Did I miss something? From the tone of these blogs it sounds like you're shutting it down for the off season hb

[Bob]

I'm here, I'm here. Just got up though (thank God for having the insight to get a half-day today).

Sure do wish those Beroccas had arrived though. My head feels like a Jackolantern, after being scooped out.

So how about that baseball team of ours? Jeez they played great the last 7 games. So happy for Mikey and his MVP award.

In 2004 I cried like a baby. Last night, I just couldn't quit cheering, laughing and I still have a giant, shit-eating grin on my face.

I kinda like the difference in emotions.

[Ryan with a capital "R"]

Oh, you know what else I couldn't believe? That ARod didn't show up to get an award from Hank Aaron? WTF? You're stiffing Hank? Just suck it up and be there.

[Natalie]

//In 2004 I cried like a baby. Last night, I just couldn't quit cheering, laughing and I still have a giant, shit-eating grin on my face.//

Oh ditto, Bob. That was it... in 2004 I was a heaving, sobbing, hysterical mess of mixed emotions: personal pain and extreme elation. This year, just giddyness from toes to ears. I can get used to this. And I think I'm going to have to... :)

To quote an 80s lyrical genuis: the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

[beth]

hee heee!! i love that you brought back marty in this strip. i love it.

[Betsy in Rhode Island]

Thanks hb! It's been a great year of checking in daily with the Socaholix crowd. This Rhode Islander for one is walking around looking like she ate a canary.

I work with adult students and half of my class is MIA today. There are, however, a couple of mumbled voice mails...something about staying up late.

[vasoxfan]

Trivia question for 10 years from now.
Who hit the game winning homa in the 2007 World Series? and for bonus points how long was he on the team? and for super bonus points who was he traded for?

[Kaz]

Quick shot of my cubicle wall

Funny you should mention those lyrics, Natalie. Want me to send you the source pdb? :)

Bonus points to anyone who can name the bridge (and/or city) on the postcard in the right side of the picture.

[h.b.]

//From the tone of these blogs it sounds like you're shutting it down for the off season//

Not a shutdown. But after the post Championship euphoria settles down (1 wk? 2wk?) I'm going to just go to one strip a week (probably Fridays) just to take a break and recharge the juices.

If something major happens during this reduced publication period, there'd most likely be strips to discuss whatever that major event is.

Meanwhile, too, I'm working on a total visual redesign of the site. I won't say too much, but the way things are falling into place, I think the look/feel will match the quality of the Red Sox. The best for the best, you know?

That'll be slow in coming though, as I only work on it a few hours on the weekend and it's a considerable amount of work. Definitely by Opening Day though. Hopefully sooner.

[Natalie]

Too funny, Kaz. And I believe that's Prague Castle, no?

[Kaz]

Ugh...source pdf...sigh. PDBs are the computational protein structure file format that I use to do my work.

...only 110 days until pitchers and catchers report...only 110 days...only 110 days. [deep breath] Ok, I can make it through the day now.

[Devine]

Sweet, sweet victory.

This one was more fun, less stress. I now feel like I could die without thinking the Sox had gipped me.

Best team of 2007 without question.

[Devine]

Also...FUCK YOU, MARTY! You fantastic representation of every asshole I run into in New York who has words for my Sox cap (not that many, really) and the dicks in my office who kick me when I'm down while I don't do the same.

FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU, MARTY AND EVERYONE YOU REPRESENT! WE WIN!!!

[Kaz]

Close, Natalie. You've got the city. I had it wrong in my head and had to check the postcard again (headslap). I thought it was Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) on quick glance, but realized there was no water just a second ago..hehe.

It is a church in Prague, but not in the Castle (the church in the Castle is St Vitus Cathedral).

[Mike H]

Devine: just to follow up on the point about Manhattan, I walked around in Times Square last night with a Red Sox sweatshirt on. I heard 'Red Sox Suck' about 10 times from various passers by, but it was like it was a reflex action. There was no gusto to it. It was like these people knew our team is better than theirs and they were mouthing the words just to have something to say. Made me feel very special.

M

[Youk Rules]

Did you see how Peter Gammons was really digging into A-Rod about the timing of his announcement?

Said he understands why A-Rod has never been to the WS.

[tessie]

God I love winning, it's like better than losing!

[iwikkidhahtthasawx]

Redesign? Please, HB, you must keep the CITGO sign.

GO SOX! The healing continues! The blogosphere is full of haters who can go screw. Sorry, we're not the underdog anymore.

Please please please sign Mike Lowell. A-hole might be a great player, but he'd wreck the happy family that just capped this series. Mr. Henry? Theo? You there?

[h.b.]

No fears, the redesign features a background image that is so "Boston" that when you look at it you'll piss clam chowdah and crap baked beans.

[birthofasoxfan97]

ouch.