When I showed up to play tennis on Thursday night, one of my long-time tennis friends said, "I didn't even want to come tonight because I thought you'd be in such a bad mood because the Red Sox aren't in the World Series."  True, I am HIGHLY disappointed that they aren't facing off against the Phillies, but, since I have the hindsight of 52 years of following this team, I can put 2008 into some sort of perspective.

First of all, the Manny situation.  It got completely out of hand.  He was acting like a tempestuous toddler, one who was being overpaid to the extent that it was outrageous.  He essentially threw games for the Sox, and I see no difference between what he did and what Shoeless Joe Jackson did when he bet against the White Sox (the so-called "Black Sox Scandal").  He should be roundly punished for this, not celebrated as a sunglass-wearing, white-tooth-gleaming Hollywood personality.  MLB should take action.  And anyone who is running around saying that the Red Sox would SURELY have won the World Series if ONLY Manny had still been with us needs to have their heads examined.  It would have depended on WHICH Manny had decided to come to the ballpark on those given days.  If he felt like playing, if he had a hangnail, if there was a braid out of place on his dreads, who knows?  But there are not guarantees, especially not with baby Manny.

Jason Bay was an enormous addition to the team.  He had the right attitude, helped to take the poision out of the clubhouse, and just was a joy to watch.  I look forward to seeing him for many more years in a Boston uniform.

The injuries: Even Francona should have been on the DL.  Given the fact that we went all the way to the seventh game of the ALCS with the "walking wounded"team, that's quite amazing!  Mike Lowell, the MVP of the 2007 World Series, tried so hard to continue through the year.  The pain on his face was so real, so evident, and yet, he tried, not only for the team, but FOR US, THE FANS, to give his all.  We have to hope and pray that his rehab goes well.  He is the definition of a baseball player's ballplayer.  (Thanks to Papa Lowell for giving him the inspiration he needed to become the man he is!)

Kevin Youkilis: Well, what can I say?  Youk did whatever they asked him to do.  Play first?  You got it.  DH?  You got it.  Play outfied?  Which position?  Hit clean-up?  He was there.  Switch to third base? Hot corner, here he comes!  I swear, if Tito had asked him to pitch, he would have taken the mound.  He is all about team, all about heart, all about doing what needs to be done.  Another joy to watch--a role model for young baseball and softball players everywhere.

Dustin Pedroia: The definition of the fact that you don't have to be a big, hulking monster to be a successful baseball player!  He hustles, makes the plays, knows instinctively what to do and when to do it.  I don't know what planet he came from, but I think that Theo needs to visit it when he needs to recruit more players.  The way that he can just reach out and poke outside pitches and send them to the opposite field is wonderful.

Jon Lester: The no-no notwithstanding, he showed his heart and soul to us this year.  I spoke to him in 2006 for a couple of minutes, about three weeks before his diagnosis.  No one knew he was ill at the time.  (By the way, my sister had just passed away from leukemia in February of that year.)  I talked to him about how difficult it must be to pitch out of jams.  Guess what?  He said that most of it is because of the great CATCHER he had behind the plate, none other than Jason Varitek.  He also said, "If the fans only knew how hard it is..."  I told him that he almost makes it look easy.  Almost...

Jason Varitek: We all know of his struggles behind the plate.  But do we know of his personal struggles?  Look it up.  Cut him some slack.  Look at the job he does behind the plate and get back to me.  No, he's not young, but his value is priceless.  I just wish he had a different agent.

Papelbon: Well...He's just nuts, and we like it that way.  His pitching speaks for itself, and we love him.

Big Papi: Big struggles, big bat, big strikeouts.  I did feel bad for him when Manny was gone.  Their friendship was strong.  However, maybe during the offseason he will be able to get it together and be back with a vengeance next year.

We had many highlights this year, many things that could give us comfort.  Remember, we weren't SUPPOSED to beat the Angels, and we did.  We weren't SUPPOSED to go seven games against the Rays, and we did.

So now, I am rooting for the Phillies because my friend Reggie, who's waiting for a liver transplant in Philadelphia, is a Phils fan.  Maybe 2008 is Reggie's year and not ours.