Red Sox Magic Number - 7

With the Red Sox win and the Yankees' loss - the Red Sox new magic number is now 7.

For a while last night the magic number was 8 which to Red Sox fans means Carl Yastrzemski. The number 8 is also the atomic number for oxygen. That's relevant because if the Red Sox lost last night oxygen would have been in great demand as Red Sox fans across New England seemingly all forget to breathe at the same time.

The number 7 is currently worn by JD Drew. To some Sox fans the number 7 is synonymous with Trot Nixon. To me the number 7 with the Red Sox will always mean the Rooster - Rick Burleson.

The number 7 is pretty cool. A ladybug usually has 7 spots (which is why they are considered lucky). Rome is famous for having 7 hills (Worcester also slightly less famously has 7 hills). There are 7 deadly sins and also 7 dwarfs who live with Snow White. I've also heard that Seven would make a good name for a baby. Steven Covey says that highly effective people have seven habits.

I guess that means that Josh Beckett has seven habits because he has been highly effective this season. Last night he went 6 innings, struck out 8 and allowed just 1 run to win his 20th game of the year. Beckett also lowered his ERA to 3.14 and should be this year's AL Cy Young Award winner.