Wikipedia:WikiProject Boston Red Sox/Newsletter/12-30-07/Look back

Looking back at 2007 by  HPJoker

A lot happened in 2007. The signing of Dice-K, Josh Beckett's fantastic season, Dustin Pedroia, who struggled early but won the AL Rookie of the Year award, and of course, the World Series Championship. I'm going to look back and examine the performance of some of the players.

Dice K
Dice K did not perform up to standards this year with a 15-12 record and a 4.40 ERA. I was expecting amazing numbers from him (3.00 ERA or less, 20+ wins) but came nowhere near my expectations. He will get better as he adjusts to the MLB.

Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby was a hero. I completely forgot about that guy with the funny name (Coco?). Jacoby batted .353 with 41 hits, 18 RBIs, and 3 Homers. Most notably, he was 9-9 in SB's. 9 steals without being caught. He also got America a free taco during the World Series! Everyone that I've talked to wants him to start in front of Covelli (Coco's real name! Hahaha!). I say he deserves it.

Clay Buchholz
This kiddo is named as the top prospect on www.soxprospects.com and rightfully so. Clay pitched his first no-hitter on his second career start, only the third to throw a no-hitter in his first or second start. I love this kid. He has all the makings of a great pitcher. Buchholz was deactivated from the postseason roster because he wore out his arm. This kid will start next year, we just don't know whether it will be in Pawtucket or in Boston.

Jonathan Papelbon
During Spring Training there was a dispute on whether Pap would start, or go back to his original role, closer. He later made up his mind that he'd like to be closer again, and boy did that payoff. The righty went 37-40 in saves, 84 Ks, and a 1.85 ERA and earned the DHL Delivery Man of the Year award, and the TYIB (This Year in Baseball) award for best closer. Papelbon was steady all year long and in the playoffs.