I reek of a World Series MVP cigar (aka a Cuban) and cheap champagne, life can’t be much better. The Boston Red Sox are the 2007 World Series Champions. They did it with great pitching, timely hitting, and as much as I hate to admit it, perfect managing.

First, I’d like to bring you back to a quote I made about a week ago:

While it would make an amazing story to have Lester, one year removed from being diagnosed with cancer, get the win in a clinching game four, I don?t see it happening.

I have never been so happily wrong. Lester not only got the win, but was fantastic against the Rockies. He got into a few jams, but quickly got out of all of them. Considering that he’s a mere 23 (yes, this means I’ve given up my dream of pitching for the Sox), this was the best performance I’ve ever seen out of him.

Much like the 2004 team, it seemed like every game this team had a new star. Ellsbury got the game started properly by doubling and scoring (1-0). Then your World Series MVP, Mr. Doubles himself got the Sox their second run with a leadoff double followed by a single from the Captain (2-0). (I’m ignoring JD Drew grounding out to the pitcher, that was to be expected.)

Of course Doubles can do more than just double, as he led off the 6th inning by crushing Aaron Cook’s final pitch of the night to left for a solo shot (3-0). Start putting the champagne on ice.

But the Sox pen couldn’t make it easy. Delcarmen looked good reliving Lester and getting the final out of the 6th. But then in the 7th, he gave up a leadoff homer (3-1), and Timlin did a great job in the 6th by reliving Lester and getting the final two outs of the inning.

In the top of the 7th Tito worked the relief pitcher/pinch hitter roles perfectly as he inserted Bobby Kielty for Timlin. When I saw Kielty at bat here was my reaction: Bobby Kielty is pinch hitting???? (and before I could finish that line) Bobby Kielty is pinch hitting!!!! (as he smacked one over the left field wall). Suddenly the Sox were up 4-1 with 6 outs to go an life was looking good.

But Okajima couldn’t keep things comoforatable giving up a 2-run shot to Garrett Atkins while only getting a single out before Tito had to pull him for Papelbon.

• Ground out to short, four outs left.
• Long fly ball to Coco, three outs left.
• Ground out to second, two outs left.
• Long fly ball, deep to left field, Ellsbury going back, to the track, he jumps and…makes the catch!, one out left.
• Swing and a miss, strike three! The Red Sox are World Series champions!

Honestly, I can’t put into type the feeling of having the Sox win the World Series. In the next few days I’ll post a bit more coherently. But to sum it up: it’s fantastic. And so, it seems only appropriate to post the last and final edition of the playoff bear, complete with champagne:

I love that Dirty Watah. Oh, Boston you’re my home.