2008 Woodie Awards
World Series pits David versus Goliath
Jake Laxen
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Sports
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There is nothing like sitting in the bleachers at a ballgame with a beer, a brat and the smell of fresh snow on the ground.
While the snow on the ground may not be the traditional way to watch a game, it is a reasonable reality that might occur this October.
The so-called "team of destiny" known as the Colorado Rockies is set to take on the no-longer cursed Boston Red Sox.
This should definitely be an exciting World Series, with complete opposite teams facing off against each other.
The Boston Red Sox come in as a highly publicized and large-wallet club from the East, while the Rockies come in as the small market, relatively unknown and budgeted team from the West.
The Red Sox club was designed by high-spending front office leaders Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino.
Yet neither Epstein nor Lucchino really deserve much credit along with manager Terry Francona. With a budget like the one of the Red Sox, there is no reason they shouldn't be competing in October.
Take a look at the two major moves this offseason by the Sox. The first was give a mammoth deal to Japanese-born pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has pitched well at times, but not to the tune of his deal.
The second was giving a huge contract to outfielder J.D. Drew.
Drew, a moneyball fan's dream in the past, struggled throughout the season, and despite two clutch hits in the ALCS, he has been a bust.
These two players have not been the difference in the last year's third-place finish to this year's division title for Boston.
The Rockies were designed by general manager Dan O'Dowd, who was reportedly almost fired for his bad trade history.
Yet he got over his past spending blunders, such as the huge contracts given to Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton, to build a strong young team that's built to last.
Manager Clint Hurdle also was reportedly out of a job and was not known as the best baseball strategist.
Yet his approach down the stretch has proved to be perfect.
While the snow on the ground may not be the traditional way to watch a game, it is a reasonable reality that might occur this October.
The so-called "team of destiny" known as the Colorado Rockies is set to take on the no-longer cursed Boston Red Sox.
This should definitely be an exciting World Series, with complete opposite teams facing off against each other.
The Boston Red Sox come in as a highly publicized and large-wallet club from the East, while the Rockies come in as the small market, relatively unknown and budgeted team from the West.
The Red Sox club was designed by high-spending front office leaders Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino.
Yet neither Epstein nor Lucchino really deserve much credit along with manager Terry Francona. With a budget like the one of the Red Sox, there is no reason they shouldn't be competing in October.
Take a look at the two major moves this offseason by the Sox. The first was give a mammoth deal to Japanese-born pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has pitched well at times, but not to the tune of his deal.
The second was giving a huge contract to outfielder J.D. Drew.
Drew, a moneyball fan's dream in the past, struggled throughout the season, and despite two clutch hits in the ALCS, he has been a bust.
These two players have not been the difference in the last year's third-place finish to this year's division title for Boston.
The Rockies were designed by general manager Dan O'Dowd, who was reportedly almost fired for his bad trade history.
Yet he got over his past spending blunders, such as the huge contracts given to Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton, to build a strong young team that's built to last.
Manager Clint Hurdle also was reportedly out of a job and was not known as the best baseball strategist.
Yet his approach down the stretch has proved to be perfect.