ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – True to himself to the very end, Josh Beckett gathered his things, made no excuses and offered no alibis.

"We’ve all got toothaches in this room," Beckett said when asked if he could finally shed light on his injuries in the wake of the Sox’ 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. "There isn’t a healthy [player] in this room. Obviously, it didn’t end up the way wanted, but it was a lot different than it was at this time last time. This year, we played for each other. Last year, we played with each other. And this was really fun."

Even if it ended without a championship.

Asked to expound on his comments regarding the differences in the Sox of 2007 and 2008, Beckett denied his remarks had anything to do with the departure of Manny Ramirez. Still, manager Terry Francona repeatedly made remarks about how the Red Sox were unified and pulling in "the same direction" over the final weeks of the season, a period defined largely by the absence of Ramirez.

As for Beckett’s health – of lack thereof – the pitcher declined to disclose any specifics about the problems plaguing him in October. Beckett did say, however, that he will not need surgery of any kind during the offseason. He also gave every indication that his problems had far more to do with a strained oblique than it did with his elbow, where he experienced some ulnar nerve irritation in August.

"My arm’s fine," Beckett said. "That should answer your question."

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Mike Timlin stopped short of formally announcing his retirement, but the veteran reliever said farewell to team officials and teammates as if he were doing so for the last time. Timlin was even gracious with the members of the media, taking time to shake hands and express his gratitude.

"It’s been a pleasure," Timlin said.

Any chance he’ll show up in somebody’s camp next spring?

"Like I said, it’s been a pleasure," Timlin said.

Expect a formal announcement soon.

* * *

In case you’re wondering, Tim Wakefield left no doubt that he wants to return to the Red Sox and pitch again next season, which hardly comes as a surprise. The Red Sox have until just a few days after the World Series to exercise (or not) a regenerating $4 million option on Wakefield’s contract, and he remains a bargain for a club with a projected payroll of somewhere between $140 million and $160 million.

Despite his poor outing in Game 4 of the ALCS, Wakefield made 30 starts and pitched more innings (181) than any Sox starter but Jon Lester (210-1/3). Any suggestion that the Game 4 outing would inspire his retirement was both reactionary and irrational.

"There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to play next year," Wakefield said.

* * *

Sox general manager Theo Epstein addressed reporters briefly after the game to offer quick thoughts on the `08 season. Epstein declined to address any issues about the team’s offseason priorities until later in the week and refused to categorize this season as a failure despite the disappointing end.

"It’s all relative," Epstein said. "There are probably some fans who are angry and feel like we had a [disappointing] year, and they have a right to feel that way. I happen to disagree with them,’’ Epstein said. "But anytime you lose your last game, especially in baseball, it stays with you."

Like manager Terry Francona and his players, Epstein expressed delight at the way the club "came together" in the final weeks and said that he believes the experience will be beneficial to the younger players on the Red Sox’ roster.

Finally, one Red Sox player wisely noted that, in a way, the Sox were responsible for left-hander David Price being on the mound for the final outs of Game 7. Had the Sox failed to beat up the Rays bullpen in Game 5, especially, Rays manager Joe Maddon undoubtedly would have left Price on the bench, where he spent most of the series.

Of course, had the Sox failed to beat up Tampa’s bullpen in Game 5, the series would have ended in Boston.

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.