Boston Red Sox

Boston sports started off the decade in a bit of a rut. None of the Big Four teams had won a championship since 1987, and only the Patriots reaching a championship game in that time. Ten years and six championships and later, it's safe to say being a Boston sports fan this decade has been pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay good.

But with such success also came heartbreak.

With the decade coming to an end tomorrow at midnight, let’s take a look back at the Boston Red Sox top 10 individual seasons from 2000-2009:

No 10: Tie—Championship Performances

Curt Schilling, 2004

The Mets have signed Jason Bay.

Dismayed that Theo Epstein failed to retain the popular left fielder, but relieved that Brian Cashman has not acquired in him another Johnny Damon, Red Sox Nation releases a long-held breath.

Still, the Red Sox could go outfielder crazy and sieze the available, affordable and vastly superior Matt Holliday.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Cardinals believe themselves well-positioned to re-sign their goatish protection for Albert Pujols. With their current offer, they would frankly get Holliday for a proverbial song.

This Column Originally Published at GetOutofMyBallpark.com

Ironic, isn’t it? In agreeing to a deal with the NY Mets, former Red Sox OF Jason Bay may be flushing his career right down the toilet.

According to multiple reports, Bay has reached an agreement with the Metropolitans on a four-year deal that will guarantee him at least $66 million.  It includes a vesting option for a fifth year (that is readily attainable IF he remains healthy) that would increase his overall compensation to over $80 million.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the New York Mets have reached an agreement on a four-year, $66 million deal with outfielder Jason Bay, pending a physical.

Over the last several days, there has been a lot of speculation that the Red Sox's recent shopping spree may not be done. In the aftermath of the New York Yankees' acquisition of RHP Javier Vazquez, some pundits have speculated the Sox may feel the need to make one more big splash in free agency. The thinking is that the Sox will perceive the New York rotation to be close enough to the Red Sox (in quality) that the stark differences in the team’s respective lineups will be impossible to ignore.

As Jason Bay and his agent attempt to restart talks with the Boston Red Sox, there are a number of reasons why it would be wise for the Sox to continue to pass.

First, they're over-crowded in the outfield. With the recent signing of Mike Cameron (two years, $15 million) and Jeremy Hermida (one year, $2.25 million), there is no need for Bay.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron, and J.D. Drew would be the regular outfielders.

(Originally posted at 4SportBoston.com )

As the decade comes to a close, everyone seems to be coming up with Top 10 lists about the best—and worst—of the 2000s (I refuse to call these past 10 years the “Aughts.”).

This seems like a good time for me to put one together, and I chose to focus on the experience that every one of us gets to participate in—the pure joy of being a fan at something special.