Boston's current edition as fun-loving as '04 champs

Closer Jonathan Papelbon douses David Ortiz in the Red Sox locker room after the sweep of the Angels. Jeff Gross/Getty Images

World Series Coverage   Monday John Donovan: Rox, Sox built to last Albert Chen: Ellsbury an unlikely hero Joe Sheehan: Scenes, notes from clincher Red Sox celebrate World Series victory Sunday Sox clip Rockies 4-3 to win World Series John Donovan's Report Card for Game 4 Jon Heyman's 15 Greatest Mr. Octobers Lowell takes home Series MVP honors Dynasty in the making for Red Sox? Clock strikes midnight for Rockies' ride Time.com: Red Sox are the new Yankees Saturday Red Sox down Rockies 10-5, take 3-0 lead John Donovan's Report Card for Game 3 Tom Verducci: The Sox are superior John Donovan: The Coors Field factor Jon Heyman: Four keys to Game 3 Friday Melissa Segura: Corpas gets his wish John Donovan: Rockies' lumber slumber Jon Heyman: How the Sox got Beckett Joe Sheehan: Electric night at Fenway Thursday Schilling, bullpen shut down Rockies 2-1 John Donovan's Report Card for Game 2 Tom Verducci's five cuts for Thursday Albert Chen on the Red Sox's bullpen John Donovan: Rockies turn to a rookie Joe Sheehan: Postseason drama lacking Tale of the Tape: Rockies vs. Red Sox World Series Fungoes Joe Lemire on Rockies-Red Sox Schedule/Box Scores Game 1: Red Sox 13, Rockies 1 Game 2: Red Sox 2, Rockies 1 Game 3: Red Sox 10, Rockies 5 Game 4: Red Sox 4, Rockies 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Jonathan Papelbon decided to change things up as he took off his shoes and slipped into his red and blue "cinco ocho" Crocs. With a can of beer in each hand, he bypassed an encore presentation of the "Irish Jig" and went into what can only be described as his version of a "Crip Walk".

Nearby, his old dance partner Kevin Youkilis had more important matters on his mind as he shook a couple of uncorked battles of champagne toward Jason Varitek.

"No, not right now," said Varitek, as he tried to peel through the sheets of plastic covering his locker. "Hold on."

"Yeah, no problem," said Youkilis as he turned around and walked two steps away before running back and unloading the champagne over Varitek's head. "That's right. You will drink it and like it."

Say hello to the new "Idiots."

It was exactly three years ago to the day in this very stadium where Johnny Damon gave the Red Sox the now infamous nickname that characterized their magical run to the team's first World Series title in 86 years.

"We are not the cowboys anymore  we are just the idiots this year," Damon said before the 2004 ALDS against the Angels. "So we are going to go out and try to swing the bats, find the holes, and, hopefully, good things happen."

That fun-loving, goggle-wearing, midget-carrying bunch embodied everything that was good about the game. Every hit, every out, every win during that post-season elicited the same type of unabashed joy you'd find from a group of frat boys playing the game on a Sunday afternoon in the park between a few cold ones.

On a picturesque Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, the Red Sox showed that "The Idiots" were once again back; playing, dancing and drinking it all in just like old times. Although this group apparently wants to be called something else. What yet, they're not sure.

"I don't know," said Papelbon as he contemplated a name over the remnants of his Budweiser. "How about this: We the ballers."

While it would certainly fall in line with his new dance moves and Jim Jones' "We Fly High" playing in the background, we'll give him and the team some time to mull that one over.

Whatever they call themselves, this group has captured the same energy and enthusiasm of the squad that sweept away the Angels three years ago. "This is a great group," said Manny Ramirez. "This team is better [than 2004]."

After getting swept out of the playoffs by the White Sox in the ALDS in 2005 and finishing third in the AL East in 2006, their lowest finish in nine years, the Red Sox rediscovered their swagger this season, winning their first AL East title since 1995. Their series clinching win over the Angels showcased the newfound strut in their step as Ramirez and David Ortiz admired their back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning a little longer than usual and later spearheaded the celebrations after the game, dousing their teammates with buckets of water.

"You pick your poison," said Curt Schilling, who won his first postseason game since the "bloody sock" World Series game in 2004, striking out four and allowing six hits in seven innings. "There is no way to get either of those guys out when they're both on."

Right now the entire team seems to be "on," which is why this group is beginning to draw comparisons to that lovable group of "idiots" three years ago.

"It's no different," said Red Sox owner John Henry after the game. "It's the same feeling. All the pieces are fitting together so well. It's a great feeling to see this group celebrate like this and we're not done yet."