Red Sox looking like a dynasty

The Red Sox were a baseball dynasty in the early part of the 20th century, and they're the closest thing baseball has to a dynasty in the early part of the 21st century. Boston won its second World Series title in the last four seasons, completing another sweep in downing the Rockies in four straight games.

The finale was a nailbiter, but true to form, Boston's best came through under pressure. This time the stars were Mike Lowell and Jon Lester, who not only share a bond as champions, but also as cancer survivors. Jonathan Papelbon closed out the World Series with a five-out save, the longest save in a clincher since Jesse Orosco and the Mets beat them in 1986.

The Red Sox are a baseball rarity in the wild-card era, a team that had the best regular-season record and was also the best team in the postseason. That doesn't happen too often during a time of great parity in the sport, and it's a rarity well worth remembering.

WON WORLD SERIES HAD BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL, LAST 25 YEARS
TEAM	RECORD
2007 Red Sox	96-66
1998 Yankees	114-48
1989 Athletics	99-63
1986 Mets	108-54
1984 Tigers	104-58
* -- Red Sox tied for best record in MLB

Following are excerpts from Keith Law's chat Sunday night as the Red Sox clinched the World Series title:

Chris (Fukuoka, Japan): Is Papelbon officially the new Sandman? I remember watching games when Mariano would walk out of the bullpen, and all of my hopes and dreams shattered instantly. Something tells me that Papelbon has started giving off that vibe.

Law: He's about as automatic as it gets. Nathan is in the discussion. I think Corpas can get there -- I'm a little obsessed with guys who sink their fastballs like that.

Wes (Morgantown, WV): How many more years does Varitek legitimately have left in him?

Law: I think he's about done. His bat has just slowed too much, and he's slowing down behind the plate too.

Howard (San Francisco): To what would you attribute a presumed sweep of Colorado after their historic stretch (20 of 21 against NL teams). Is the talent gap between the leagues THAT pronounced in your opinion?

Law: The talent gap is huge, but you can't just rely on that to explain the sweep. There's some luck/flukiness involved, and the Rockies' starters (especially Francis and Fogg, two fringy-stuff guys) were not a great matchup for the Red Sox hitters.

Matt (RI): If the Rockies didn't have that eight-day layoff, don't you think this would be a completely different series? The Rockies were doomed by their incredible run.

Law: No, I don't think that made much of a difference. Boston is just a better club.