Red Sox remove curse of the Bambino

ST. LOUIS -- Rejoice, citizens of Red Sox Nation. Your long, painful journey is over. Go out there and take up a new obsession.

After the final out, the Red Sox stormed the field, hugging between first base and the mound. An assemblage of a few thousand Red Sox fans, positioned behind the visitors' dugout, hung around for more than an hour after the game, celebrating their team's accomplishment.

In Boston's clubhouse, chaos reigned, and champagne rained. Players, soaked in the liquid of victory, exchanged hugs and screams.

"I'm so proud to be a part of this," game two winning pitcher Curt Schilling said.

Although Ramirez won the MVP, it was hardly a slam-dunk decision. These Red Sox administered such a thorough beating to their opponents, outscoring them 24-12 and never trailing, that no one player stood out.

Starting pitcher Derek Lowe, who defeated the New York Yankees in game seven of the American League Championship Series, excelled, in what was probably the impending free agent's final appearance in a Red Sox uniform. The right-hander blanked the Cardinals on three hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four.

Leadoff hitter Johnny Damon and right fielder Trot Nixon delivered the night's big hits off starter and loser Jason Marquis; Damon started the game with a home run, and Nixon slammed a two-run double in the third. Once the Red Sox took their 3-0 lead in the third, the Cardinals didn't even bring the tying run to the plate.

The Red Sox played the last few innings of game four as if they had a plane to catch, swinging at first pitches and not appearing particularly annoyed when they turned an eighth-inning, bases-loaded, no-out opportunity into no runs. Such was their degree of dominance.

"They outplayed us in every category, so it ended up not being a terrific competition," Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa said. "But give them credit, and congratulate them."