Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox, who won the World Series this year in decisive fashion over the Saint Lous Cardinals by sweeping them 4-0. There are some interesting things to note here:

• Tony LaRussa was the manager of the last team to be swept in the World Series, the Oakland A’s in 1989. Hey, he’s a great manager; just a victim of circumstance.
• The 1989 A’s and the 2004 Cardinals boasted the best record in baseball that year.
• Both teams had power hitters who also hit for a good average; McGwire and Canseco for the A’s, Pujols, Roland and Edmonds for the Cardinals.
• Both teams had excellent closers who once were starters; Eckersley for the A’s, Isringhausen for the Cardinals.
• Both teams were known as offensive machines who played good defense, had better pitching and had good clutch players.
• Both were considered nearly unbeatable by their opponent when the World Series began.

Hey, I’m not a fan of either team. I’m just glad the World Series is over. If the season keeps dragging like this one, soon enough a nickname like Mr. October will not be a World Series nickname; it will be a league playoff nickname. And what player wants that?