After 86 years of chasing a World Series title and turning three generations of fans into doomsayers, the Boston Red Sox did not care how orderly everything unfolded while winning it. The Red Sox, baseball's happy hobos, only cared that they had finally won it.
The unkempt and unbelievable Red Sox notched the sweet victory that had eluded them since 1918 by burying the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0, and sweeping the World Series in four games.
There is finally joy, everlasting joy, for the wary fans who wondered if this season would end as miserably as all the rest.
Sure, there were pockmarks that covered this series. Sure, the Cardinals seemed as if they started snoozing after the first game. But the Red Sox were concerned with achieving history, not doing it in classic fashion with a taut, seven-game drama.
For Boston, this series was a masterpiece.
"Someone told me that this would be bigger than the [US] Revolution," John Henry, the Red Sox principal owner, said. "Is that true?"
Boston's World Series title is forever, an heirloom, something to hold and treasure. For too many aching seasons, from Babe to Bucky to Buckner to Boone, the Red Sox watched the Yankees win, spray the champagne and have a parade.
Not anymore. Book the parade in Boston this time.
"No more of those Yankee Stadium 1918 chants," Derek Lowe said. "Finally."
Lowe, who probably threw his final pitches as a member of the Red Sox, continued his postseason renaissance by tossing seven scoreless innings.
After being banished to the bullpen, Lowe wound up winning the clincher by stifling the Cardinals on three hits. He also won the decisive game in the American League Championship Series and the clincher in the Division Series. It was a nifty potential epitaph for the soon-to-be free agent.
The tremendous trio of Lowe, Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez combined to overwhelm St. Louis. The Cardinals managed three runs and 13 hits over the last three games, looking more confused with each game and never figuring out any of the starters.
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Boston Red Sox reclaim World Series
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