The BoTox Dynasty

It is not too soon to declare the Boston RedSox' firm, likely recurring grip at the top of the major leagues' greased flagpole of the present and near future--in the modern parlance of short-lived phenomena, "a dynasty".

Perhaps it is too soon to declare this the Red Sox' century, in the sense that the 20th--at least since the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees--was the Yankees' Century. 24 or so World championships in 78 years for the Cranks: Botox so far in the 21st has two of seven (remember, 2000 was so last century), so a similar pace. A couple-three Series Championships a decade is all it takes to stand alone, above.

They are the only team with two titles since the new millennium, however one defines that milestone. It also looks as though there will be more to come: Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and now Jon Lester being the key indicators. Moneyball combines with Steinbrenner-like funding and Theo Epstein is elevated above all.
Let the legends begin: "When John Henry was a little baby...."

The only question seems to be whether to upgrade 3B from Mike Lowell to A-Rod. I'm a Lowell fan and have watched his flirtation with fame; here's a guy who was perennially underrated (unless you expected something from him, in which case he underperformed). This was his best regular season yet, and he topped it off with a brilliant postseason performance. He will certainly be overpaid next year, but I'm happy for him wherever he may go.

As for A-Rod, I would say his announcement last night showed excellent timing given today's news. This way, it doesn't seem as though he didn't want to play for Joe Girardi (which he may need to do in a couple of years for some other team). Just not these Yankees. The fact that it will cost Steinbrenner $20 million or so in Rangers' subsidies can only be the icing on the cake.

The thing I'm happiest about in the World Series was the clutch homer by Garrett Atkins in the 8th inning of Game 4 to bring the Rockies within one. In his last at-bat of the season, he might have saved his job--and my Rotisserie team--for 2008.