Manager Joe Maddon spent nearly 30 minutes talking about this past season and the future today. Here are some of the most interesting points:

* He expects to bring back all of his coaches, who are signed through the 2011 season. "Absolutely,'' he said.

* C Kelly Shoppach is being unfairly blamed for his role in Tuesday's season-ending loss. "To point fingers at Kelly is absolutely wrong and unfair and it really surprises me that if anyone understands the game of baseball that they would do that,'' he said.

* Despite the disappointing and earlier-than-expected ending, Maddon said it was a great season.  "To recap this, you win the American League East and you go into a five-game division series against a team that matches up well against you based on their starting pitching and then you lose. So you don't just go crazy and think everything was wrong,'' he said. "From my perspective it's really been a great year. I have no regrets. I woke up really good this morning. I'm very proud about our group. Everything about our group is spectacular this season. We just got beat in a short series by a very good lefthanded pitcher that they could have named Sandy.''