2004 All Over Again

Here it is. A crushing, disappointing season the year before. A walk-off in game seven after an avoidable error in 2003. A terrible experience in 2012. The next year. A new manager. A capable manager. A power-hitting slugger. A scrappy infielder. A hustling outfielder. A defensive, leading catcher. A leader of idiocy. A star outfielder. A veteran pitcher looking for redemption and a second chance. An ace of the staff. A down-and-out relief pitcher turned closer. The similarities are endless. But the 2013 group of Red Sox can be appropriately labeled the Idiots, just like in '04. Ortiz and Ortiz, Pedroia and Bill Mueller. Victorino and Trot Nixon. David Ross and Varitek. Jonny Gomes and Kevin Millar. Ellsbury and Manny. Lackey and Schilling. Lester and Pedro. Uehara and Foulke. Farrell and Francona. Even Don Orsillo agrees. He says they're having more fun with more chemistry and playing as a team. And I love it.