Did the Red Sox players almost without exception, sport facial hair or wild hair-do's, just to magnify their difference from the Yankees. The Red Sox are the mangiest-looking team since the 1970's A's. Whatever the reason, as someone who believes superficial rules have little to do with discipline and integrity, I like it.

Is it just me or does Mike Timlin and Julian Taverez look like two guys who should appear on ABC's Extreme Makeover.

I watched David Ortiz for a few years with the Twins and I truly had no idea that guy would become the awesome force he has become. TFD, feel free to weigh in.

I recall at the start of the year that I thought Javier Vasquez and Kevin Brown were an upgrade to Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens. I can't blame the Yanks for their decisions on the pitching staff, as not re-signing Pettite was a good move and who was going to guess that Clemens was going to be way better than Vasquez.

What should be discussed more is how the Yankees batting order had a lot of mediocre starters in it. Miguel Cairo, Tony Clark, and Ruben Sierra were the worst examples at the second base, first base, and DH position of the 4 AL playoff teams. I mean the Yankees played Kenny Lofton at DH in game 7. What in the name of massive payrolls was that about?

I love Peter Gammons, but Pete, it would have been a little more professional if you would have acted like you weren't on cloud nine, while interviewing the triumphant Red Sox. It was almost like watching Ahmad Rashad interview Michael Jordan after winning the NBA championship.

Subject that one of the stat studs who comment here should check up on; has there been a playoffs where relief pitching was so much better than the starting pitchers?

Well, if it was any question, this playoffs have clinched it, baseball is clearly the second most popular sport next to football, in the US. The NBA is in free-fall, as the Lakers demise and the Olympic b-ball disaster just made it more obvious.