While Boston players were mostly elated and numb after sweeping St. Louis to win the Red Sox's first World Series since 1918 on Thursday, it should finally hit home today.

The city is planning a parade for the team.

"I think that's when it will sink in that we are world champions," said former Eau Gallie High School and Florida Tech star Tim Wakefield, the opening-game starter for Boston in the Series. "That should really be something."

While several Boston players could be gone by Opening Day in 2005, Wakefield has one year left on his contract. With the Red Sox potentially looking at some heavy losses on their pitching staff, it's doubtful they'd be eager to move him.

One of the funnier moments -- or maybe not -- in the playoffs for Wakefield came when Fox baseball analyst Tim McCarver expressed a concern about Wakefield's innings. Even though Wakefield throws a knuckleball, McCarver said he was working too many innings and the Sox had to be careful with him because he was 40 and is an older guy.

Wakefield's 38, in incredible shape and knuckleballers have been known to pitch well into their 40s.

"McCarver," said Wakefield, "is killing me."