It's a funny thing. Theo Epstein tried it both ways: after 2004 he tried to remake the team, letting Pedro, D-Lowe and Cabrera go. After 2007 he tried to keep it together, re-signing Schilling and Lowell.
Salty shouldn't have thrown that ball. And he had a key misplay the game before as well. And he has struck out 19 times in 35 plate appearances in the postseason.
He had a very good season. But he's been hurting us in the postseason. Ross is clearly the right choice.
OK, well I guess this is the same as the debate about whether a pitcher should win the regular season MVP. You get into the apples-and-oranges thing.
I don't accept the blowout argument though. A lot of Ortiz's hits were either in the Game 1 blowout or in games we lost. That shouldn't diminish his contributions.
But how can you compare a pitcher's performance with a hitter's, especially in a postseason series? Lester has done everything a pitcher can do for his team, Ortiz has done everything a hitter can do. That's why I think co-MVP's would be a logical choice.
Lester's career is far from over, but after this tremendous season, he has moved up high in the echelons of Sox pitchers and he will be remembered for a long time.
Sox fans have very long memories. Jim Lonborg is still well-known to Sox fans and Lester's record is considerably greater.