To be as clear as humanly possible, the Red Sox could have won the Wild Card Series over the Yankees. The Red Sox, quite simply, were not good enough. Had the Red Sox advanced past the Yankees, perhaps there'd be some more self-assuredness. The Red Sox aren't miles away, and with the proper attention, they can be in contention as soon as next year. They just need to remember that they're the Boston Red Sox and then act -- and spend -- accordingly.