2. Jon Lester's no-hitter - May 19 at Fenway Park

The young lefty's considerable talents catch up to his inspirational and remarkable comeback story as a cancer survivor in his nine-strikeout gem against the Kansas City Royals.

3. J.D. Drew to the rescue - June

With David Ortiz on the shelf nursing his wrist injury, Drew goes on a tear during the month of June, hitting 12 home runs with 27 RBI and 27 runs, a slugging percentage of .848 and a .337 batting average.

4. Red Sox rule All-Star Game - July 15 at Yankee Stadium

The Red Sox invade Yankee Stadium for the Mid-Summer Classic with seven players on the American League roster plus the team's entire coaching staff on board. To top things off, J.D. Drew wins MVP honors in 15-inning classic won by the AL.

5. Manny Ramirez traded; Jason Bay arrives - July 31

Ramirez' loopy almost-eight-year visit ends on a pouty, combative note as he essentially forces a trade. His replacement, Bay, could not be more gentlemanly.

6. Dice-K's perfect road record

Daisuke Matsuzaka's second season was vastly better than his first: 9-0 on the road, major-league best .211 opponents' batting average, sub-3.00 ERA and 18 wins.

7. Sox rally in ALCS Game 5 - Oct. 16 at Fenway Park

Trailing 7-0 in the bottom of seventh against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox stage an unbelievable rally, scoring four runs in seventh, three more in the eighth, then the final winning run in the ninth to stay alive in the American League Championship Series.

8. Dustin Pedroia wins AL MVP - Nov. 18

The scrappy second baseman's remarkable sophomore season (major-league high 54 doubles, 213 hits) is rewarded when he comes away with plenty of hardware for his efforts. Pedroia's loot: Silver Slugger, Gold Glove and MVP.

- COMPILED BY MICHAEL SILVERMAN ?1A