It's fun to think about the contributions of each player on the playoff roster (alphabetical order):
Arroyo: After getting absolutely hammered in Game 3, came on to spell Foulke in the 10th inning of Game 5. Struck out A-Rod and Gary Sheffield.
Bellhorn: Was batting 0.080 for the playoffs after Game 4. In Game 6, hit into an inning ending double play in the 2nd with the bases loaded. But then hit the 3-run shot off nemesis John Lieber in Game 6. His HR in Game 7 was icing on the cake.
Cabrera: The Sox were down 2-0 in the 5th of Game 4 against El Duque when Cabrera drove in the team's first run, and subsequently scored a go-ahead run on Ortiz's single. Vital contribution given the margin of error at the time. And no fielding errors.
Damon: Went 3 for 29 (0.103) in the first 6 games. Got caught stealing in the bottom of the 9th of Game 5. Popped up a bunt in the 11th with 2 on and none out. Got thrown out at the plate in Game 7. But drew a key walk in the 14th of Game 5, scoring the winning run on Ortiz's walk off hit. And, of course, the salami.
Embree: Like the rest of the staff, got whacked in Game 3. But got some big outs (7 of them) in extra innings of Games 4 and 5.
Foulke: 5 of the highest leverage scoreless innings in 3 consecutive days. Although he owes a big drink to the short wall in Fenway's right field (Tony Clark)
Kapler: Not much impact, but did the job in his pinch running and hitting appearances, and in the field in relief.
Leskanic: Came on with the bases loaded in the 11th of Game 4, got Bernie Williams to fly out. Struck out Miguel Cairo with the final pitch of his career.
Derek Lowe: Two days rest. 'Nuff said.
Pedro: He wasn't anywhere close to vintage PEDRO. But he did keep things in control in his Game 5 start, his final at Fenway. And his Game 7 appearance gave us all something to talk about.
Mendoza: Someone had to pitch those 2 innings in those 2 blowout losses. That's about all I can say about the embedded Yankee.
Mientkiewicz: It wasn't his fault that he got stranded on 3rd in the 10th inning of Game 5. He was put in for defensive reasons, and did the job.
Millar: The WALK(!) was one his team leading 5 that series. Also scored the first Red Sox run in Game 6.
Mirabelli: After Wakefield sacrificed his planned Game 4 start, there was not much role for Mirabelli beyond 1 meaningless at-bat in Game 3. But he did catch Wake in Game 1 of the World Series, so honorable mention is noted.
Mueller: In addition to THE SINGLE(!!), he scored the first Red Sox run that same game.
Myers: Struck out the dangerous Matsui to lead off the 11th of Game 5. We'll take it.
Nixon: Score the 10th and final Red Sox run in Game 7. His main contributions that series were otherwise with his defense. And he won Game 4 of the World Series.
Papi: Costly pop fly in the 9th of Game 4. And a big base running blunder in the 12th of Game 5. But I guess he's forgiven....
Manny: His double in Game 2 was his only extra base hit. He didn't drive in a single run all series. But he got on base (0.400) to keep innings alive, and he scored on Papi's walk-off HR.
Pokey Reese: Didn't have a lot to do, but did give us peace of mind in the late innings.
Dave Roberts: Did not have an official at bat. But I guess he did something....
Schilling: Hard to believe, but he was a hero around these parts at one time.
Timlin: Would have been hard to see him get pinned with the loss in Game 4, so I really hope he buys Dave Roberts dinner and drinks whenever they're in the same town. But got some key outs in Game 5 despite struggling a bit. And consumed 5 and two-thirds innings.
Varitek: That sac fly against Mariano in Game 5 gets overshadowed by the WALK, the STEAL, the SINGLE, but was likely just as important to the series outcome.
Wakefield: The Sox don't win the series without those 3 innings in Game 5, despite the fact that they left Varitek in tears.
Arroyo: After getting absolutely hammered in Game 3, came on to spell Foulke in the 10th inning of Game 5. Struck out A-Rod and Gary Sheffield.
Bellhorn: Was batting 0.080 for the playoffs after Game 4. In Game 6, hit into an inning ending double play in the 2nd with the bases loaded. But then hit the 3-run shot off nemesis John Lieber in Game 6. His HR in Game 7 was icing on the cake.
Cabrera: The Sox were down 2-0 in the 5th of Game 4 against El Duque when Cabrera drove in the team's first run, and subsequently scored a go-ahead run on Ortiz's single. Vital contribution given the margin of error at the time. And no fielding errors.
Damon: Went 3 for 29 (0.103) in the first 6 games. Got caught stealing in the bottom of the 9th of Game 5. Popped up a bunt in the 11th with 2 on and none out. Got thrown out at the plate in Game 7. But drew a key walk in the 14th of Game 5, scoring the winning run on Ortiz's walk off hit. And, of course, the salami.
Embree: Like the rest of the staff, got whacked in Game 3. But got some big outs (7 of them) in extra innings of Games 4 and 5.
Foulke: 5 of the highest leverage scoreless innings in 3 consecutive days. Although he owes a big drink to the short wall in Fenway's right field (Tony Clark)
Kapler: Not much impact, but did the job in his pinch running and hitting appearances, and in the field in relief.
Leskanic: Came on with the bases loaded in the 11th of Game 4, got Bernie Williams to fly out. Struck out Miguel Cairo with the final pitch of his career.
Derek Lowe: Two days rest. 'Nuff said.
Pedro: He wasn't anywhere close to vintage PEDRO. But he did keep things in control in his Game 5 start, his final at Fenway. And his Game 7 appearance gave us all something to talk about.
Mendoza: Someone had to pitch those 2 innings in those 2 blowout losses. That's about all I can say about the embedded Yankee.
Mientkiewicz: It wasn't his fault that he got stranded on 3rd in the 10th inning of Game 5. He was put in for defensive reasons, and did the job.
Millar: The WALK(!) was one his team leading 5 that series. Also scored the first Red Sox run in Game 6.
Mirabelli: After Wakefield sacrificed his planned Game 4 start, there was not much role for Mirabelli beyond 1 meaningless at-bat in Game 3. But he did catch Wake in Game 1 of the World Series, so honorable mention is noted.
Mueller: In addition to THE SINGLE(!!), he scored the first Red Sox run that same game.
Myers: Struck out the dangerous Matsui to lead off the 11th of Game 5. We'll take it.
Nixon: Score the 10th and final Red Sox run in Game 7. His main contributions that series were otherwise with his defense. And he won Game 4 of the World Series.
Papi: Costly pop fly in the 9th of Game 4. And a big base running blunder in the 12th of Game 5. But I guess he's forgiven....
Manny: His double in Game 2 was his only extra base hit. He didn't drive in a single run all series. But he got on base (0.400) to keep innings alive, and he scored on Papi's walk-off HR.
Pokey Reese: Didn't have a lot to do, but did give us peace of mind in the late innings.
Dave Roberts: Did not have an official at bat. But I guess he did something....
Schilling: Hard to believe, but he was a hero around these parts at one time.
Timlin: Would have been hard to see him get pinned with the loss in Game 4, so I really hope he buys Dave Roberts dinner and drinks whenever they're in the same town. But got some key outs in Game 5 despite struggling a bit. And consumed 5 and two-thirds innings.
Varitek: That sac fly against Mariano in Game 5 gets overshadowed by the WALK, the STEAL, the SINGLE, but was likely just as important to the series outcome.
Wakefield: The Sox don't win the series without those 3 innings in Game 5, despite the fact that they left Varitek in tears.