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October 29, 2007
By JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer
DENVER -- Mike Lowell was asked prior to Game Two of the 2007 World Series if he thought about the fact it could be his last game at Fenway Park.
His contract expires at the end of the season and like a true professional, he said he wasn’t concerned with that scenario because he, and his Red Sox teammates, were concentrating on the task at hand. He would wait for the offseason to deal with it his contract situation.
The offseason officially began at 12:06 Eastern time Monday morning when the Red Sox completed the four-game sweep of the Rockies to win their second World Series Championship in four years. And, Lowell was named the MVP of the Fall Classic.
''I’m on cloud nine,'' he said. ''It’s unbelievable.''
Lowell hit .400 (6-for-15) with a team-high six runs scored and four RBI. In Game Four Sunday night his offense was pivotal, including a double and solo home run.
''You’ll trade a 0-for-20 to win the series,'' said Lowell. ''We’ve got such a great group of guys, we all deserve this. We played some really good baseball this whole postseason.''
With the champagne and beer dripping from his 2007 World Series Champions hat, he was asked if he wanted to return to Boston in 2008.
''For sure,'' he said, ''but I don’t want to hop on that right now because I’m celebrating.”
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has shown in the past that he doesn’t allow his heart-felt emotions get in the way of doing his job. Just ask Johnny Damon and Pedro Martinez.
Both the former Red Sox players’ bodies began to break down at the tail end of their careers in Boston, but because both were significant contributors for the 2004 World Series Championship, popular public belief was to re-sign both players.
Epstein didn’t think so.
Damon signed with the Yankees and Martinez to the Mets. Lowell, however, is different. He recorded a career year with a .324 average, including 21 homers and 120 RBI.
''He’s great,'' said Epstein. ''He’s one of the few veteran leaders we have. We’ve got a clubhouse full of guys who rise to the occasion, and Mike was so consistent for us all season.''
It’s going to be tough for the GM and the Red Sox to let a World Series MVP just walk away .
''Offseason stuff will come another day,'' said Epstein. ''We’re going to enjoy this one for a while then we’ll worry about the offseason.
The significant contributions Lowell made for the Red Sox certainly didn’t go unnoticed with his teammates.
''Mike’s been our staple in our lineup all year,'' said Red Sox captain Jason Varitek. ''He’s come up with big hit after big hit and that’s why he drove in 120 during the regular season.
''I would love to [see Lowell back in 2008],” said Varitek in response to a question. ''He plays great defense. He’s a huge part of this team and we would love to see him back in this uniform.''
This is the second World Series title for Lowell as he and Josh Beckett won with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
''They are both very satisfying,'' said Lowell. ''No one expected us [to win in Florida] and we kept proving people wrong. Here, some people think if you don’t win the World Series you’ll disappoint a lot of people. To do something people expect you to do is very difficult to do, so this is extra rewarding. They’re both satisfying, but obviously this one feels better because we’re in the present.''
First-year Red Sox outfielder and veteran J.D. Drew also hopes Lowell is back with Boston next season.
''He’s had a great season and a great postseason,'' said Drew. ''He had one of those fantastic years and a guy you love to have on your team. Absolutely [we want him back] and I think everybody would. He’s one of those competitors and teammates that you’ll never forget. He’s been great.''
MVP great.
During the onfield postgame celebration at Coors Field Sunday night, the thousands of Red Sox fans began to chant, ''Bring back Lowell. Bring back Lowell'' and ''Don't sign A-Rod. Don't sign A-Rod. Don't A-Rod,'' with Red Sox owner John Henry walking by.
''That's a player no way you can lose,'' said David Ortiz. ''He did everything for us this year. He took care of business. You can't let a player like that go.''
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