The Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. And a nation celebrated yawned.

I honestly thought the Colorado Rockies had a shot in this series, at least until about the second inning of game one. After that, it was just a matter of time. The Rockies certainly deserved to be there, but they were horribly outclassed by an outstanding Red Sox team.

But that's not the real story. The real story is how blase the feeling around it was. Sure, Red Sox nation cared, but, really, after winning the 2004 World Series, it wasn't the same.

And then there's the more pressing issue that we're all aware of but not many people talk about: the Red Sox are the new Yankees. Period.

Their payroll is enormous, they traded away young players for veterans to help them win championships right now, no longer are the Sox just expected to get to the playoffs. They are considered failures if they don't win the Whole Thing.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. The Red Sox have a financial advantage, and they'd be doing a disservice to their fans if they didn't use it.

But for some reason, people rail on the Yankees for spending, but not Boston. Now, the Red Sox don't spend as much as N.Y., but it's still a boatload. And that leads to certain expectations, and it's just not quite as fun when a team wins a championship when that's what is expected of them all along.

Take nothing away from the Red Sox or their fans - that's not what this is about. They earned the championship, which is what they were supposed to do all along.

A 13-1 blowout can lead to some hand-wringing, excitement or hyperbole. After the Red Sox decimated the Rockies in Game One, here are what some of the nation's sportswriters had in their minds.

- Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News: "For days, you’ve heard about nothing but Fenway and poetry. Now, when you think of poetry, you wonder what rhymes with blowout."

- Jay Mariotti, Chicago Sun-Times: "Only Josh Beckett thinks Josh Beckett is normal. The rest of us see Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Tiger Woods, Google stock, Simon Cowell, F-16 fighter jets, monster trucks, Springsteen, dominance, impenetrability."

- Bob Ryan, Boston Globe: "Shorn of Whatever It Was that enabled them to transcend all reason as they stampeded into the playoffs and then over, under, around, and through the Phillies and Diamondbacks, the Colorado Rockies looked very much like a team that had not seen a living, breathing major league opponent in nine days, and sending them out against the hottest postseason pitcher in the galaxy bordered on cruel and unusual punishment.

- Mark Kiszla, Denver Post: "This was the worst beatdown on national television for a Denver sports team since the Broncos went to Super Bowl XXIV and all they got was a lousy T-shirt, not to mention a heaping helping of humiliation served by the San Francisco 49ers.

While Manny was being Manny and Boston played bingo-bango-bongo off the famous left-field wall, did anyone else have a bad Rocky Mountain flashback to Super Joe Montana?

- John Harper, New York Daily News: "Okay, so a little rust was to be expected from the Rockies after an eight-day layoff. But nobody expected them to show up collectively as the Tin Man."

The best of the Wednesday sports blogs, including Moon Bloodgood, who is both insanely hot and the possessor of a cool name.

- Gilbert Arenas is making his own"756" shoe in honor of Barry Bonds, available only in San Francisco. (100% Injury Rate)

- Should SI hire Will Leitch from Deadspin to replace Rick Reilly? (Dan Shanoff)

- Wide receivers from the 2005 NFL draft aren't exactly setting the world on fire. (End Zone Buzz)

- Interestingly, the soccer coach for the U.S. women's team was fired. Could this be because he didn't go with, as NOIS puts it, "the pale white girl in favor of her melanin rich back-up"? (Nation of Islam Sports Blog)

- Boston, and Pats fans, take a beating from MBSR. (My Brain Says Rage)

- A letter to members of the Big 10, imploring them to do one thing - beat Ohio State. (Black Heart Gold Pants)

- Will the Rockies get swept? (Ghosts of Wayne Fontes)

- Rudy Giuliani is officially a scummy politician. (Deuce of Davenport)

Time for our weekly look at the fascinating musings on sports internet message boards.

Blue And Gold - Notre Dame Football: "I realize that a lot of 'fair weather fans' will be jumping ship. A few of us will remain, but now's the time to really get on board. In 2,3,4,5 years when ND is competing for BCS supremacy season after season, I will not be accepting bandwagon jumpers." - LIShamrock

ESPN.com - MLB General: "Intelligently, the Rockies would be lucky to win a game ... it is sad but the True. Once again, I will be proven right." - giovanni.alexander

ESPN.com - NCAA Football: "Why does LSwho fans try to dis the mighty OSU? They have half a NC in the modern era unlike all the other Champs who won unanimous ones and here they are trying to dog a program who's rich football heritage makes theirs look like a joke. LSU is not an elite school and they have some midget playing RB who spazzes out everytime he runs for 4 yards. They lost to Kentucky (who cares if they're ranked, it's Kentucky) and were undefeated. Get off our nutz lsu fans." - DORSEY_HAS_NO_KNEES

Igglephans - Philadelphia Eagles: "Andy Reid is a Big Fat Idiot. Andy and fuck his players. Maybe he’s done the blind pig shuffle once in a while and come up with an acorn or two, but most of these cocksuckers don’t belong on an NFL field ... What’s left is the league’s premier collection of busts, chumps and jagoffs. A virtual who’s who of camp bodies and other teams castoffs. It’s fucking nauseating. Hit the fucking pike you fat fucking loser." - BirdBrawn

ESPN.com - MLB General: "KIDS IN AFRICA ARE HAPPY, THEY GET FREE HATS SHIRTS JACKETS ALL DONATED BY THE CLEVELAND INDIANS." - wangful

ESPN.com - NFL General: "Now that the Colts have locked up the SB ... who's gonna be the second best team in the NFL?" - KyleBollerCrazyGood7

ClanRam - St. Louis Rams: "Team MVP? P Donnie Jones ... He's a strong candidate for the Rams MVP so far in the first half of this season...." St.LouisRams41

Time for our weekly look at some of the most intelligent and thought-provoking musings on sports internet message boards. Because isn't that where all intelligent sports fans go to discuss things?

ESPN.com - NFL General: "Giants are superbowl bound. Now all the critics can eat their words...........it will be the Giants vs Patriots in superbowl XLII...........last night the Giants toyed around with the Falcons if they really wanted to concentrate it could have been 63-0......." - schumy_1982

Jets Insider: "This team doesn't want to win. They all seem to be more interested in keeping their pal Chad around. If Chad was a prick or just less likable he would have been given the hook. These players need to take the blinders off..they're defending a player that is impossible to defend right now." -Gagoots

ESPN.com - NCAA Football: "Are there any Rational Fans on here?" - osubuck_i_fan

ESPN.com - MLB General: "So F'in lucky its stupid. Byrnes is right, the Rockies are up 3-0 largely because of lucky..." - Phrazbit

Baylor Fans: "Which is more painful: Watching Baylor Football or Penis in a Meat Grinder?" - Yogi

ESPN.com - MLB General: "Not to be cocky, but the Indians dont stand a chance to win this series. Knowledgable baseball fans know this." - giovanni.alexander

We Are SC - USC: "How addicted are you to this Board? Do you log in everyday? Does it delay you from things that need to get done. Has it affected your life in anyway? What was the longest time you have been away from this Board? If this Board were to go away tomorrow would there be a void in your life? I ask this question because my life has suddenly changed and I know that this Board had an affect. Not a big one, but I sit here today and realize that I have ignored the beautiful things in my life and wish that I could turn back the clock." - PROP36

Real Rams Fans: "Do not be so hard on our man Gus Frerotte.....I mean, he did spread out those FIVE picks to FIVE different Ravens DBs eh!!!!Yup....Ivy, Reed, Martin, Edwards and McAllister......that's as good as "dispersion" gets baby!!!! Not only that, but Gus's Garo Ypremian volleyball batting of that "fumble" was caught by Ravens DT Kelly Gregg...........so Gus was really mixing it up out there today........not getting "locked-in" on any ONE Ravens receiver!!!!" - Canuckramsfan

ESPN.com - NFL General: "Peyton the Dome Qb Manning ... Must be nice playing in perfect weather 8-10 times a year. Funny, Brady has went on the road to win 2 AFC title games. What has Peyton done on the road in the playoffs? 5 TD's 9 INTs and his offense has put up 16, 17, 0, 38, 14, 3, and 15 points to go 2-4 in those 6 games. Funny how Peyton the Great isn't so great when the weather isn't perfect." - beannation

Some questions have befuddled me lately in the world of sports. If you have answers to these, please, let me know.

- A betting scandal in tennis? Who the hell bets on tennis?

- When did Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas and Cincinnati become football schools?

- At what point in time did Nebraska football stop being Nebraska football?

- I don't dislike the guy, but is anyone else starting to be a wee bit annoyed by Tony Romo (or to put it better, the media's fascination with him)? Seriously, what has he done yet?

- Evander Holyfield is still fighting? Why?

- For that matter, why is Trent Green even considering playing football again?

- If Colorado can sell out their playoff games, why can't Arizona?

- Anyone else get the feeling Matt Leinart might become a bust sometime down the road?

- The Knicks signed Allan Houston? Seriously?

- How long until Jazz coach Jerry Sloan pummels Andrei Kirilenko?

- When will this stupid post end?

Oh, right now. Good.

It's time for our weekly look at the latest intellectual debates taking place on sports message boards.

ChargersTalk: "The Official Sympathy for Norv Turner and the Chargers Thread. Guys, lets cut this guy some slack please. Give him another chance. Afterall, it takes more than a head coach to lose a game ... Lets hang in there and stop calling for our GM's head too because, he really try to do the best he could given the situation ... I wouldnt mind Norv pulling a motivational stunt and actually flying Marty in to give the players a speech. Hang in there guys, we still have a long way to go. Go BOLTS!" - benjamink15

ESPN.com - MLB General: "Everybody knows the Cubs were the best team in 2003. If not for that idiot Steve Bartman we would have made the World Series and easily won it all." - Cubs2003WS_Champs

Philafans.com: “Fire Andy Reid! His act and excuses are getting very tiresome.

Reid had his chance and the window is closed.

After this year a new coach can begin a new era with a new QB!”
- PhilliesFan18

DaBearz.com: “Dear Ron Turner,
I am writing you in response to your HORRIFIC playcalling. Please keep in mind while reading this letter that 1) I'm a girl, and 2) you're supposed to be a professional...so that you get a full understanding of how much YOU SUCK ...Can i please now inform you that i am pregnant, so i'm going ot have to ask you to break into either the Colts or the Cowboys locker rooms and read a REAL play book, because the stress you are causing me is not healthy for my 1st trimester.Hey, could you maybe possibly talk to your receivers and remind them they're supposed to CATCH the ball. Catch, receive...ya know/
Please don't make me hunt you down and find you.
GET IT TOGETHER

Vicki

P.S. I do believe i hate you more as the seconds of your useless career as an NFL offensive coordinator dwindle down with the rest of the Chicago bears talent.” - wHiTeY

ESPN.com - MLB General: "BASEBALL SHOULD MAKE ROCKIES GAME BE REPLAYED. THE ROCKIES JUST CHEATED THEIR WAY TO A VICTORY BY FIRST NUMBER 1 STEALING HOFFMAN SIGNES IN THE DUGOUT ... TWO THEY PAID THE UMP TO BLOW THAT CALL AT THE PLATEON HOLLIDAY I WILL WRITE 200 MILLION LETTERS TO GET THIS GAME REPLAYED AND BY GOD AS MY SAVIOR I WILL WIN BECAUSE I AM A TRUE BASEBALL FAN AND LIKE TO SEE THE GAME END THE WAY IT SHOULD BE END." - michrules08

JetsInsider.com: “Jets Record (Predictions now?) With the current line-up? Coached as is? 1-15.” - 32green

49ers.com: “Sabotage!!! I think there are 2 players deliberately sabotaging the 2007 for the 49ers. The first one is obvious and for obvious reasons, Justin Smiley ... this is from a guy who knows he won't be playing for us next year or ever again ... I mean think about it, you're at your job and you know you'll only be working there 5 more months ... do you work really hard for your current job??? You don't and neither does Smiley...and that's the truth ... The other saboteur is none other than the hated Derek Smith ... I would ... bench Smith and put in Moore no matter the consequences, the guy just doesn't give a **** about our team.”
- jayrmontana

ChicagoBears.com: “Benson crying on draft was a huge tell. I remember that moment well, and I thought UH OH...THIS IS NOT GOOD ... all the guys before him were so happy to be picked...and our guy starts CRYING???”- BostonBearFan

CarolinaHuddle.com: “this team has no heart, no identity, no care in the world. That is why people are upset. They are upset because Peppers isn't doing anything, our receivers are dropping passes, Carr sucks, and our defense that used to be top 5 or 10 in the league is now in the bottom 5. That is why. Then the coaches make no changes, no one takes responsibility or tries to make any changes. Fans have a right to be pissed.” - zt001

ESPN.com - MLB General: "ROCKIES WILL WIN THE WORLD SERIES. NOBODY CAN STOP THEM." - Vintage_Thabo

Milwaukee Brewers 3B Ryan Braun is an amazing hitter. But to call him a butcher on defense is an insult to knife-wielding swine slicers. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to call Braun the worst defensive player of any starter in the Major Leagues.

The Brewers lost 9-5 to the San Diego Padres on Thursday, blowing a chance to gain a game on the Chicago Cubs, who had lost earlier in the day. One of the main culprits in the loss was Braun, who committed not one, not two, but three errors at third base.

Braun's is fielding is so atrocious, it should be enough for Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to win the National League Rookie of the Year. Will it happen? Probably not. Writers often forget there are two parts to the game and concentrate solely on offensive numbers.

And there is no doubt Braun has had an amazing year at the plate, but Tulowitzki isn't that far off. In 440 at-bats, Braun has hit .325/.370/.639, with 24 doubles, 34 HR and 95 RBI. Meanwhile, in 590 at-bats, Tulowitzki has hit .292/.461/.475 with 31 doubles, 23 HR and 94 RBI.

As you can see, Braun has clearly had a better year at the plate. But on the field, it is not even close.

Tulowitzki may have had the finest defensive year of any shortstop in the Major Leagues. He has made just 11 errors, and has a sparkling .987 fielding percentage, which is tops in all of baseball.

His zone rating is .865, which is third in the majors, behind the Mets' Jose Reyes and the Giants' Omar Vizquel. As for range factor, Tulowitzki blows everyone away, with a 5.43 RF. The next highest in baseball at shortstop is 4.96.

And then we come to Braun. He has committed 26 errors, tied for the most in the Major Leagues with Minnesota shortstop Jason Bartlett. But Bartlett has had 399 more chances than Braun, 640 to 241.

Braun's fielding percentage of .892 is easily the worst in all of baseball, and he is the only regular with a fielding percentage below .900. The next worst is San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff, who sports a .932 fielding percentage - which is still 40 points higher than Braun's.

Braun's range factor is also dead last among third basemen in baseball, as is his zone rating, where he is the only third bagger below .700.

Braun will probably win ROY because the voters will glance at his offensive numbers and see that he has been the best rookie in that department. But if the award is supposed to go the the rookie who had the best all-around year, it belongs to Tulowitzki.

Yesterday (July 22) was a sad day in the world of baseball. Sure to be lost amidst stories of point shaving referees, animal torturing quarterbacks and steroid using sluggers, two genuine baseball men lost their lives.

At 100 years old, Rolland Mays "Lena" Stiles was the oldest living former Major League player. He died in his sleep Sunday in St. Louis. Just this past January, he was honored in St. Louis for meritous service to sports, along with a lifetime achievement award. St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball Hall of Fame writer Rick Hummel penned an article about him this morning:

"While with the Browns, Mr. Stiles often was matched against Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Famer Lefty Grove. He also recalled facing the great New York Yankees' teams, including Hall of Famer Babe Ruth.

'I had a great game against him,' Mr. Stiles told the Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold last November. 'I held him to three hits.'

Of his playing career, Mr. Stiles told the Post-Dispatch last year, 'It was good. It was nice. A baseball career — I recommend it.'"

Also passing on, in a far more tragic manner, was 35 year old Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh. He died after being hit in the head with a line drive.

Coolbaugh joined the Colorado Rockies Class AA affiliate only 20 days ago. He played in a total of just 44 games in the Major Leagues, with 82 at-bats for the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals.

However, he was a baseball lifer, and he played 1,632 games in the minor leagues. That covered a span of 16 seasons, where he amassed 1,575 hits, including 389 doubles and 256 homeruns. He also scored 907 runs and drove in an additional 991 runs.

Clearly, Coolbaugh just wanted to be a part of the game. After a long career trying to make it as a player in the Major Leagues, he was once again working his way through the ranks of the minors, this time as a coach.

Neither of these two men contributed significantly in the big leagues, but they were still a part of baseball, in their own unique ways.