Are we really just one away? Really?

An amazing game tonight- ran the gamut from the feel of a blowout (we're leading 6-0!) to a nailbiter (oh, hell, we're hanging on to a 6-5 lead!) to a put it all together and shut the door performance (that's right, we're 10-5 now, and Papelbon is going to blow a hole in your soul, Colorado). It was the best of baseball all rolled into one.

They wouldn't show the replay on the jumbotron in the park, but everyone in my section thought Manny was safe at home- that the tag was late (unless he pulled a Matt Holliday and missed the plate completely, which is a strong possibility).

I'm happy to report the fans in Colorado are approximately 1,000,000 times more fun, more pleasant and more civilized than those we ran into in Cleveland -- and that there are approximately 1,000,000 times more Red Sox bars for us to party in as well.

Tomorrow: game 4. We're coming for you, Rockies. And we're not going to play nice.

HELLO FROM DENVER. STOP.
ALL SOX FANS AT COORS FIELD TONIGHT DEAD FROM OVERDOSE OF VICTORY. STOP.
THERE WAS CHAMPAGNE AND BEER INVOLVED. STOP.
BEER WAS MOSTLY COORS PRODUCTS, IN IRONIC HOMAGE TO COLORADO. STOP.
CASUALTIES EXPECTED TO MAKE FULL RECOVERY IN A WEEK. STOP.
OK, MAYBE THREE WEEKS- THAT WAS A MIGHTY BIG VICTORY. STOP.
MORE DETAILS ON TONIGHT HERE AT GAME FOUR TO FOLLOW. STOP.
RE-SIGN MIKE LOWELL. END.

There are times when it's really difficult to write about the Red Sox. Oddly enough, most of those times happen when they are doing well. The exact turn of phrase you need to elegantly describe a beautiful pitch or a gorgeous catch or a phenomenal double play can be very elusive. Conveying the detail and the magic of an experience, of a feeling, of an atmosphere... it's maybe the most difficult thing to sort out. When the words won't come, because the occasion is just too wonderful, it's frustrating.

I will never again worry about a word void.

Because after being lucky enough to be there in person at Coors Field, with a few thousand other Red Sox fans, to witness Boston win it all- I've come to realize that it is much worse to have too many words you want to share.

There's so much to say, so much I want to share about the games and the atmosphere and the team and the wins and the trophy and the celebration and the cheers and everything else... it's near impossible to get my arms around. But I'm working on it. I'm working on putting up video from all the celebrations and postgame. I'm working on putting up a photo gallery (thanks to my friend who took gorgeous shots at both games, because I was too superstitious to bring my own camera). I'm working on a complete breakdown of everything I saw on the field- and most especially what went on during the postgame celebrations.

I've got a lot planned for this place, so even though we're now officially in the offseason (gulp!), there's a lot to come. Somehow, though, I don't think that anyone will mind reliving this beautiful year of baseball again.

More (much more) very soon...

Everybody loves a good parade-- and the triumphant members of Red Sox Nation are no exception. Of course, I have TONS of video of the whole day after the jump!

The grouping of the guys onto the duckboats was pretty smart- kudos to whatever Sox staffmember was up until 5 am sorting out those details.

Starters (grey boat): Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield
Rookie Starters (red): Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester
Middle Bullpen (pink): Manny Delcarmen, Brendan Donnelly, Kyle Snyder, Eric Gagne, Bryan Corey, Javier Lopez
Late Bullpen (flatbed): Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Timlin, Hideki Okajima
Catchers (blue): Jason Varitek, Doug Mirabelli, Kevin Cash
Infield right corner (brown): Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Eric Hinske
Infield left corner (lavender): Julio Lugo, Mike Lowell, Alex Cora
Outfield (purple): J.D. Drew, Coco Crisp, Jacoby Ellsbury, Bobby Kielty
Dominican (orange): Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Julian Tavarez + Royce Clayton

This duckboat needed a chaperone... or five

Most fun duckboat to be on (other than the flatbed, which is disqualified because they had their own live music)? Probably the Dominican duckboat- an uncharacteristically hyper-talkative Manny Ramirez, typically gregarious Big Papi and nutty Julian Tavarez make for one helluva fun duckboat ride. Tied for second would be the Infield duckboats- Mike Lowell is a card, and we've all seen Dustin Pedroia's partying skills (he can dole out the Jack Daniels with the best of them). Quietest duckboat? The Rookie Starters, no contest.

Cutest, sweetest, most earnest duckboat EVER

I think there was a requirement that NESN mention the Jonathan Papelbon dance (either past dances or the ones he performed today) at least once every 10 minutes. You'd almost think that NESN just showed up purely for that part of the celebration. Forget you, World Series trophy and the rest of the Red Sox teammates- we want Papelbon to dance for us! Repeatedly! Like a trained monkey! DANCE, MONKEY, DANCE! Lucky for them that Papelbon seemed to find the prospect of acting like a fool nonstop for a couple of hours for the adoring crowds lining the streets of Boston to be an exciting one. And lucky for us, too- since he danced not once, not twice, but at least three times during the course of the 7 mile trek. How he had the energy to jump around like a crazyperson for that entire parade, I do not know. But I do know that he looked mighty at home in that kilt-- he should rock that look more often (but lose the jeans and the belt).

Jason Varitek is a charter member of NDRaPRSFftEMRSoML

Josh Beckett, however, apparently wanted no part of being forced to dance on command. In public. On a moving flatbed. With thousands and thousands of screaming fans watching. I think just being stuck on a duckboat and having to wave and smile (!) at strangers for hours was probably a hellish experience for him- as I don't think he enjoys being stuck in the trained monkey role at all whatsoever. I think all the other guys are happy to bask in the crowd's cheers (or were smart enough to drink enough beer beforehand to loosen up), but I think all that stuff just makes Josh super uncomfortable. (I'm also going to choose to believe that Josh fulfilled his promise to dance at the afterparty at the Palm in Denver on Sunday night-- and may I also say, Irish car bombs, boys? I am IMPRESSED.)

Please cease and desist the backwards cap look immediately, Josh

Probably the only person more uncomfortable than Josh at the parade? Eric Gagne. He has to show up and ride on a truck with his name plastered on the side knowing not a single person there would care if he didn't show up - and he's probably thanking the baby Jesus the Sox won so he wouldn't have to worry about people chucking water bottles at his head when his duckboat drove by. I bet he's also thankful to have been on the duckboat with 5 other bullpen guys, so he could hide behind the gigantic Kyle Snyder.

Gagne: smart enough to know no one will hate him if he says the Yankees suck

Mike Timlin was hilarious- walking around with Parlay the Parrot stuck to his shoulder, and then bringing Parlay on the flatbed with him, Papelbon and Hideki Okajima. Admiral Timlin also made sure that their bullpen pirate flag was flying over the front of their truck. If only they'd have put Josh on the flatbed truck, instead of a duckboat with Schilling and Wakefield, I think there possibly could have been a Beckettdance. If Papyboo and Timmeh can get the painfully quiet and shy Okajima to bounce around and dance an Irish jig, I'm presuming it wouldn't take much (beer) to get Beckett to join in.

Is that a parrot on your shoulder, or are you just happy to see me?

TONS OF VIDEO, all after the jump... (including the pre-parade interviews at Fenway- with special appearances by D'Angelo Ortiz, Parlay the Parrot & the Dropkick Murphys, footage of all the guys at the parade, and OF COURSE footage of Papelbon dancing... all three times)

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Best. Rockies. Video. Ever. Not that I've watched many Rockies videos- or any Rockies videos at all. But I know without having ever seen another single Rockies video, that this one wins. Trust me.

Hat tip to Eric Wilbur for finding this gem. EDIT: And Red Sox Monster discovered this as well.

Papelbon is now an SI cover boy, twice over. And not to be outdone, Josh got his second SI cover as well by scoring the commemorative issue cover (and he reminds Papelbon that he's also had an ESPN magazine cover).

Brilliant article by Tom Verducci to go along with that pretty cover -- Verducci is fast becoming my favorite sportswriter around. He talks about the necessary interwoven nature of the Red Sox organization that led to success:

The world championship is all of it: the commitment to player development, the obsessive devotion to detail, the fluorescent-bathed nerds who break down statistics and video as if they were the Dead Sea Scrolls, the small army of scouts, the bad dudes -- yes, especially the bad dudes -- who wear the Boston uniform and strip the will from their opponents one grueling at bat after another. The entire thing is a giant Jenga game; remove any one of the interlaced blocks and the whole damn tower might topple.

And about the changing landscape of Red Sox fandom:

But [the Red Sox organization's] most amazing achievement is this: It has supplanted the Calvinistic, multigenerational dread of Red Sox fans with the sunshine of optimists. Boston, which once made a gruesome art of losing, now almost always wins the Big One.

But the best part of the article was actually words Verducci just quoted:

"Listen," designated hitter David Ortiz began, "we're not just a good team. We're a great team. And don't you f------ forget that. And let's go play one at a time and go prove that. Because let me tell you something...."

Ortiz pulled on the sides of his gray road jersey. "There's a reason why you wear this Red Sox uniform...."

Ortiz paused for a beat, letting the suspenseful silence fill the rapt room.

"Because you're a bad mother------."

Eric Gagne filed for free agency today, joining other Sox players Curt Schilling, Matt Clement, Bobby Kielty and Eric Hinske (each of whom filed yesterday).

This can mean only one thing: get your water bottle tosses in now, while the gettin' is good.

There will be a farewell party for all Eric Gagne fans in Boston's City Hall Plaza. Organizers expect at least 2 or 3 people to show up. Not counting Gagne's family or Eric Gagne? None.

Who will we get to fill the role of "Bullpen Guy Who Causes Every Sox Fan In The Universe To Cry Out In Agony When They See Him Warming Up"? Likely candidates include: Javier Lopez, Manny Delcarmen and Kyle Snyder.

The irish jigging isn't over yet this year for Jonathan Papelbon- following on the heels of his Sports Illustrated cover, he kicked off a round of TV appearances this evening on Late Night With David Letterman... and he entered the studio doing an Irish jig (to "Shipping Up To Boston", no less).

I have a sneaking suspicion Papelbon already regrets ever doing the irish jig to begin with. At least the first time he was probably drunk on champagne and Bud Light, and didn't realize the consequences; now he's forced to do it all the time... or look like a jackass for refusing.

And Jonathan took the opportunity to show up Josh Beckett yet again. Josh, who dropped an f-bomb on the good people of America on FOX during the playoffs, was outdone by Papelbon-- who dropped the m-f-bomb on Letterman. (granted, Beckett's cuss was unbleeped- but Papelbon knew what he was doing in advance)

video courtesy of CBS and Late Night With David Letterman

The highlights, other than the aforementioned jig-gy entrance:

- "95-plus usually works."

- talking about the slutter, without ever actually saying slutter. "Slider/cutter - ooh, is that legal?" "No, not yet."

- "I probably was gonna go deep..."

- describing what he's done since the World Series: a parade, not much sleep, a lot of partying, a lot of drinking. "You know, other than not sleeping, you know, partying."

- "And we've seen you dance now after two or three games. One time, it seemed like you were just wearing your underpants."
"True, yes, I can't deny that."
"And how does that happen?"

- Quote of the night: "Not very many people know this, but David Ortiz happens to be a huge Bedazzler."

After a quick run through NYC to appear on Late Night With David Letterman, Jonathan Papelbon made a stopover in West Chester, PA tonight so that he could help co-host the Red Sox memorabilia segment on QVC.

Forget winning the World Series, the parade in Boston or the Letterman appearance-- in what HAD to be the highlight of his last week, Papelbon hawked merchandise on QVC. For an hour. And yes, they forced him (yet again) to do another jig. Such is the life of the Sports Illustrated cover boy.

I cut the hour's worth of footage down to the 20-ish minutes where Papelbon is talking; this is the first clip, the other two are after the jump.

video courtesy of QVC

The QVC guy kept mispronouncing his name- calling him "Josh" about three times, and saying his last name as "Papelbom". It's funny to watch Jonathan start out enthusiastic and joking, and by the end, the monotony of QVC and the doltishness of the host wears him down to a guy who can barely muster fake enthusiasm.

Best part? At the very end of the hour, when they call Doug Mirabelli over to join Jonathan, and the two of them are looking at someone off-camera who makes a face or otherwise says something to them. Jonathan and Doug both bust out laughing: Jonathan making a shocked open-mouth face that dissolves into giggles, and Doug who lets one laugh escape before he has to cover his face with hands to stifle his laughing. The QVC guy suddenly remembers what it was like to be around the popular jocks in high school, when Jonathan tries to say it's an "inside joke." Doug doesn't say anything, because he's still cracking up behind his hands.

Other highlights:

- "We're a bunch of grown men with little kid personalities."
- the two finger salute motion, ever so slightly mocking
- "you haven't picked many people off this year"; yes, if by 'many' you mean 'zero'
- modeling the hat, and then demonstrating the rally cap
- "I had to go with my signature pitch to end the signature World Series"
- "I knew as soon as I got in this league I had to make a name for myself"
- his dad works at the Ted Williams Museum
- the rookie year bet with Youkilis that ended in a mohawk
- he thinks Josh Beckett is Top 10 all-time, will be #1 when he's done
- his hero was Roger Clemens
- described Dustin Pedroia as a "fireplug", and compares him to Jim Clayton (that joke goes right over the QVC guy's head)
- says if he was pitching to Pedroia, first pitch would be right at his head
- Pedroia is the "worst cribbage player [he's] seen in [his] life"
- if Pedroia doesn't get ROTY, there's politics involved
- Josh's best pitch is the fastball, and he calls Josh's curveball "the hammer"

Rest of the video after the jump...

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Dan over at Red Sox Monster dug up this gem of a video from a no-hitter Daisuke Matsuzaka threw back in high school in the finals of the high school championship tournament. This is Dice-K at just 17 years old, pitching for Yokohama High School against Kyoto Seisho High School.

Wee little Dice-K is just too precious for words. I know you're not supposed to describe a ballplayer as "precious" - but he just is. He's rocking the high socks and the ballcap that is a size or two too big for his head... and it makes me just want to feed him some animal crackers and read him a bedtime story.

One of the bad things about living in Chicago? You miss victory parades in Boston.

You know what's even worse? You don't get to pick up one of these beauties that they were handing out for free along the parade route. What I wouldn't give...

Hah-hah-hah! I've got a really original, really funny joke I want to share with everyone. Are you ready? Athletes are stupid. Aren't I witty and observant? I bet you never heard that one before!

Did you like how I took isolated quotes out from their context and strung them together? I also made fun of the speech patterns of a Dominican, which is always a riot. I almost worked in a reference to a redneck Southern accent and/or a trailer park in Louisiana, but my editor wouldn't let me. Now that would have been some funny, groundbreaking stuff!

I'm so clever.

Next time, I'm going to continue to mine unexplored territory with a groundbreaking article about how people don't seem to like this Barry Bonds guy very much. Or possibly about how they don't use a designated hitter in the National League- can you believe that? That's what I'm here for- to bring timely, original, insightful thoughts to the masses. And to be absolutely hilarious while doing so!

The Jonathan Papelbon train keeps rolling- get on, or get out of the way. Thursday's stop was at the Comcast New England studios, for a 15-ish minute segment with the Sports Tonight crew. These are the same guys that Jonathan did his weekly "Friendly's Scoop" segments with throughout the season- and they're a pretty fun tagteam.

Papelbon talks about everything from his parade antics, to hawking products on QVC, to how he ended up riverdancing in the first place, Big Papi's role on the team (and playing hurt), being in contention for the World Series MVP, and talking with Theo in the offseason about the bullpen. He also mentions, when asked if he was 100% for game 4, that he "really wasn't 100% most of the playoffs", because he was tired from pitching so often.

We also learn that 'having fun in the locker room' and "celebrating' are Jonathan's family-friendly code words for 'getting really drunk'. He responds to any critics who got on to him for his celebrations. And when talking about the team letting loose after winning, he says: "It's basically a bunch of grown men, playing a kid's game."

He's not sure if Curt is coming back, and cannot imagine the bullpen without Mike Timlin. He talks about the value of kids coming up through the Sox farm system- because "they know how to play not baseball, but Red Sox baseball-- which is totally different."

Here's the first 6 minute clip- the second is after the jump.

video courtesy Comcast New England

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David Ortiz appeared on Live With Regis & Kelly this morning- conveniently, massive Yankees fan Regis was not around to participate in the fun. Damien Fahey filled in for Regis, and fangirled all over Big Papi. Kelly also dressed up like Manny Ramirez towards the end of the segment- which basically involved her putting on a rasta wig with dreads, and trying to talk like what she thinks a gangster sounds like. We're not laughing WITH you, Kelly- we're laughing AT you.

I really was hoping he'd turn around, and the back of his jacket would have a giant bedazzled Lamborghini on it.

Big Papi talked about how he got his nickname (he couldn't remember people's names, and so just used to call everyone 'Papi', so they called him Big Papi in return), about how Papelbon is crazy and about A-Rod, saying everybody wants him on their team because he's a great player -- but "right now, we're just focused on signing Mikey Lowell."

Papi is called out for saying everybody wants A-Rod

We also learn about Papelbon's pregame superstition ritual of going in and turning on every single shower head before taking his shower, which fogs up the locker room and makes the other guys sweat who are trying to dress out for the game. Papi also points out that Papelbon is not a very good dancer.

He also talked about the possibility of playing for the Yankees someday: "You know, I have a lot of respect for the Yankees, and I think they're an amazing organization, but I think I'm a Red Sox for life".

video courtesy of Live With Regis & Kelly

Only a few days into the hot stove season, and there's already a ton of movement. We already said goodbye to Eric Gagne (will he go back to Texas? who cares!), saw Curt Schilling, Matt Clement, Bobby Kielty, Eric Hinske and Doug Mirabelli file for free agency, and learned Royce Clayton (always the bridesmaid and never the bride) was DFA'ed.

Good news today? Tim "Timmeh" Wakefield and Julian "Freddy Krueger" Tavarez both had their options for '08 picked up by the club- which means the Sox have locked up at least a Beckett-DiceK-Lester-Wakefield-Buchholz potential starting group for next year, with Tavarez as a kicker. Even better, it means 1/2 of the Timmeh Team is locked up- Mike "Timmeh" Timlin, we're waiting on you, now.

Don't break up the Timmehs! Keep the Timmehs together!

Even better news today? The coach for the bullpen pirates will not be heading to Pittsburgh to coach the Pirates; John Farrell released a statement taking his name off the table for consideration for a job with the Buccos. Keeping Farrell in Boston was quite possibly the #1 item on my offseason wish list for the Sox, so this news is like Christmas coming early. It sounds like Curt Schilling agrees- he sent this email to the Globe today about Farrell:

John Farrell is a HUGE part of the equation, not just for me either. He's as good as anyone I've ever worked with and probably the most over qualified pitching coach in the world. This guy is a GM already. I think him doing what he's doing is a testament to his love for the game more than anything.

This guy gets it on so many levels, personal and professional. While I would claim we are very close friends, he was always my coach first, which is something I desperately need at this point in my career. He's as upfront and honest as you could ever hope someone in his position would be.

Add to that he's as genuine and nice as anyone I've ever met. One of my real pleasures in life is the ability to rag him about the fact that he wears a 10 5/8 hat, or something close to it.

Good pitching coach, better person.

Speaking of Curt Schilling, he continues to post over at 38pitches.com very openly and honestly about going through the free agency process. I'm hoping (cross fingers, toes and every other available appendage) that the Farrell news also bodes well for a Curt re-signing. Curt also today posted the opening letter he received in 2003 from the Sox. Not only is it hopefully a sentimental heartstring tug on Curt, but it's a fascinating peek into the innerworkings of the front office and great look at the underlying philosophy of the club. Here's my favorite part:

Well, we think that the Schillings and the Red Sox might just be another great fit - a perfect marriage - and we hope that we can demonstrate why. We are here to tell you all about the Red Sox: who we are, where we are going, and how we're going to get there. We want to share our thoughts on everything from advance scouting to the way we set up our family room at the ballpark. We'll discuss the neighborhoods where you might live and every inch of the old neighborhood ballpark you would call home. We'll be honest about the small weight room and crowded clubhouse, but we'll also tell you about Ted Williams' old locker and the feeling you get walking up the ancient tunnel to greet 35,000 of the best fans in baseball. We want to tell you about the type of person and player we want to represent the Red Sox, and how we're filling our clubhouse with them. We want to tell you all about the unparalleled passion of Red Sox Nation, and about how hard we are working to bring a World Championship to Boston. We're sure you have hundreds of questions for us, and we're here to do our best at providing answers.

One bit of sad news: Kevin Cash was assigned outright to Pawtucket-AAA, and refused the assignment- so he's now officially a free agent, and up for grabs. We've got a couple of great catcher prospects in the minors, but I'll really miss Cashie- as he was such a hardworker, and always struck me as a stand-up guy.

Mike Lowell still has yet to file for free agency- which shouldn't make anyone relax about his status, but definitely is a positive sign that he's really working through options with the Sox first before going on to test the broader market. Some Lowell fans have built on the grassroots campaign that started with the "Keep Mike Lowell" and "Don't Sign A-Rod" chants I heard while I was at the celebrations in Denver, and started the Lowell Yes / A-Rod No website. All like-minded Sox fans can head over there and show support.

Sean Danielson - no relation to Karate Kid Daniel-san

The Sox also put the last piece of the Joel Pineiro trade in place today, with the acquisition of outfielder Sean Danielson from the Cardinals as the "player to be named later". Danielson is a Texan (YAY!) from San Antonio will start out at Portland-AA, and has been described as what sounds like a very Pedroia-like player:

Scrappy, undersized, and speedy, Danielson is a great clubhouse presence at any level. He's very capable defensively, able to play al three OF positions well with great range. Strong arm.

And in "Long, Long, Long, LONG Shot" news... could it be possible that Tom Glavine might end up in Boston? He was born and raised in Mass., and he and his kids remain huge Red Sox fans. He's also got a good shot to finally nab a World Series ring back in his old stomping grounds. Hmmmm....

He came out in sunglasses. Of course he did.

Manny was an enthusiastic, engaging and quite charming interview, believe it or not. He talked about cars a little, but mostly he talked about the Red Sox and how much he loves Boston and loves the Red Sox. NO REALLY, he did. It helped that the stage was full of Bostonians- Jay Leno and his first guest Steve Carrell are both from the Boston area.

Manny (rightly) dismissed the idea of there ever having been a curse, and said it was the management that made things happen. He says the guys are not cocky, that "Boston is like a dynasty" and that "the city needed the happiness" from the wins. Jay asked him about the "who cares if we win" quote- and Manny explained that he said that to take pressure off his teammates... and that after he said that, they went on to win seven in a row. How very true, Manny.

Manny also cracked a few jokes at Jay's expense, first bringing out a batter's helmet for him but doubting whether it would fit his chin -- and then asking Jay if he was related to Kevin Youkilis, because he said they "have the same chin." Jay shrugged and said his dad got around, so he would check-- which cracked Manny up so much, he had to fistbump a bemused Steve Carrell.

Best part though is when Jay asked Manny about getting called out at home plate in Game 3 of the Series, and Manny says very seriously, "I was safe." So Jay showed him the clip, Manny watched it, and then responded, "Yeah, I think I was out."

video courtesy of NBC and the Tonight Show

He was relaxed and funny and lighthearted- and the number of times he talked lovingly about the Sox made my heart happy.

Here's a bonus clip from earlier in the show, when Jay talked to Steve Carrell about his Red Sox fandom- and Steve expressed his fascination at learning about Coco Crisp.

video courtesy of NBC and the Tonight Show

Quiz time! Is this:

A) an LSD-induced hallucination
B) a costume rejected by Siegfried and Roy as being "too out there"
C) a Christmas light display by the scariest Santa ever
D) Papelbon's prophecy come true

Nah- it's just David "The Bedazzler" Ortiz. With a bedazzled scorpion on his jacket. Naturally.

Following on the heels of his appearance this morning on Regis & Kelly, and his compatriot's appearance on the West Coast on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Big Papi grabbed the late night spotlight for his appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Conan is a Brookline, Mass. native- and a huge Sox fan- so Papi came bearing gifts of a Papi-sized bat and a personalized O'Brien road jersey.

They talk about Papi answering his own door to give out candy at Halloween (to which Papi crosses himself in remembrance), and how Papi's wife invited over 250 kids for the occasion, unbeknownst to Papi- who was grilling in the backyard with friends. Conan asks if Papi invited all those kids in to the house after giving out candy, and Papi quickly (and resoundingly) responded, "NO!"

Papi also reveals that his secret to psyching pitchers out is to let his beard grow.

Conan gets Papi to re-enact his batter's box routine and his little high five-bow thing he does with DiceK... and then Conan suggests a few additions. I would not be in the least surprised to see Conan's hip waggle show up sometime in the dugout celebrations next season.

Best part? When Conan asks Papi what it's like to walk around Boston, with everyone wanting to be near him and talk to him and hug him- and Conan says, "You're like Santa at the North Pole."

I lied. The best part is Papi pointing at the camera and saying, "THEO. DO IT." (sign Mike Lowell)

OK, I lied again. The VERY best part really is Papi sharing, with a completely straight face, the advice he gives to reporters as they're leaving the lockerroom after a game: "Go home and get some ass." And then Papi and Conan do the DiceK high5-bow-hip waggle. Wise words, Papi.

video courtesy of NBC and Late Night With Conan O'Brien