Boston Red Sox: 2013 World Series Champions!

For the 3rd time in 10 years, the Boston Red Sox have reached the summit!

I can't help but feel spoiled rotten - this is not the kind of thing that happens too often, and going from worst to first is particularly rare (only other team to do so was the 1991 Minnesota Twins in a World Series that secured my life-long love for baseball).

Ranking this season among my favorites, I have to put this team as the second favorite within my lifetime as a fan. I don't think any team will be able to usurp the 2004 Red Sox, but this team featured a uniquely likable and memorable group of guys. From vintage Big Papi to my favorite dirt dog, Dustin Pedroia, to the krucial kontributions of Koji Uehara, and the clutch performances of all their bearded brethren, this is a team I'll never forget. And while I fear "Boston Strong" is borderline overplayed, this season is extra special for me based on how the team responded and gave the fans their all, on and off the field following the Boston Marathon bombing.

Top ten favorite seasons as a Red Sox fan (1989-2013):

1. 2004
2. 2013
3. 2003
4. 2007
5. 1999
6. 1995
7. 2008
8. 1990
9. 2005
10. 2000 (all Pedro)

The Kase for Koji

Acolytes, I've been doing some thinking lately, and it's about something I've been reading in the news. You've probably been reading about it, too. Now I'm not one to get get involved in politics, but in this particular case I cannot keep silent. I'm of course talking about the heated debate among Cy Young voters regarding the candidacy of relievers.

Starters have been, and always will be, the preferred choices among Cy Young voters. Once in a while, though, a reliever is so utterly dominant that he demands attention for the most coveted pitching award in the game. This is one of those times.

Domo arigato for the awesome season, dude.

Koji Uehara, originally tabbed as the setup guy to Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey, stepped in to the closer's role with the Red Sox and put together one of the best seasons by a reliever in MLB history. Unfortunately, preference for starters and the ever so sexy/meaningless save stat may doom his chances.

Fear not! TDZ is here to make an ironclad case for why Koji must be the 2013 AL Cy Young winner.