If you had to pick one person to go on a road trip with it would have to be Jonathan Papelbon. As you might have seen last night on Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight Pap was pouring champagne into his mouth as Felgy and I were interviewing him.

I would rather the Sox have acted as if they had been there before (because they have) as opposed to act like winning a playoff spot is the same as winning the World Series. But, as I watch Pap and the rest of his teamates absolutely go nuts after clinching a post season spot I changed my mind. In a time when money and individual milestones can matter more than team, the Red Sox - winners of two world championships - still love to win. With Manny gone this Red Sox group loves playing together, drinking together and winning together. I don’t know if this group of Sox are healthy enough to repeat as champs. But, if they do they will even more lovable then those crazy bunch of idiots in 2004.

If you watched our 6:30 tonight you knew right away that Cinco Ocho would not be available to pitch tonight. Let’s put it this way….Cinco was still in bed and Jonathan Papelbon was in front of the camera.