2004 vs 2007 Red Sox

So, I've been catching up on work and I haven't read anything about the World Series and I missed the parade today. But here is just a thought:

Regardless of who had the better team, the 2004 Red Sox will always be number 1 as far as I'm concerned. No one ever had to overcome more and no one ever will.

75 percent of this region was convinced the Red Sox were cursed. I say 75% now, but in all honesty, it was 100%. I was on record as saying "I'm agnostic when it comes to the Curse of the Bambino," which is mostly because as a Christian I didn't believe Babe Ruth or any other mortal had the power to do that. But it was getting harder and harder every year to argue against it.

Aside from having every single fan in the ball park night after night debate on how the Red Sox would collapse, you had old players, managers and general managers whose careers had been ruined. Grady Little was on record as saying that throughout the playoffs he had players coming to him saying they were terrified of becoming the next Buckner. I believe that.

Then, on top of that, you have to play the Yankees. You don't even understand how much of an inferior complex Boston had to New York. It was horrible. Yankee fans were correct in stating the rivalry was the equivilant of the rivalry between the hammer and the nail. And on the rare occassions the nail won, we were all reminded how irrelevant it was "NINETEEN-EIGHTEEN." It's true the Celtics are historically better than the Knicks, the Patriots are better than the Jets, and hockey is irrelevant. But New Yorkers knew better than anyone that Boston is a baseball town. If you beat Boston in baseball, you've beaten Boston. The region would have traded Super Bowl XXXVI for a World Series in a heartbeat. It might have even traded Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII for a World Series. And all of New York knew that.

(Random Aside- I never once before 2004 met a New Yorker who was a Jet fan. As soon as you'd try in chat rooms or message boards or real life to shield Boston sports from taking a beating by bringing the Patriots into it, you could never find a New Yorker who admitted to watching football. I've never once met a New Yorker who was a Jet fan since either. Do the Jets have any fans???? How do they still exist as a franchise?)

Then you go down 3 games to nothing and are losing in the 8th inning of game 4 with a man who had dominated the league for the last 8 seasons on the mound needing 5 defensive outs. You'd have to be, well, for lack of a better term, an idiot to not realize what was at stake and collapse and fold under the pressure. Cue Kevin Millar. That was amazing. It was a wild ride. The floor I lived on had predominantly people who were from New York. In fact, there was 1 other room besides mine with Red Sox fans. They looked pretty depressed before game 4, which was how I felt. I saw them though, wearing Red Sox gear, and I said "Hey, you gotta keep the faith. And what better way to break a curse then to come back and beat those... in 4 straight." I don't really think I believed what I was saying. I thought they were toast too.

Man, the excitement of that 2004 run will never be matched. Even if the Cubs come back from down 0-2 in the NLDS, go down 0-3 to St. Louis and come back and win the series, then go down 0-3 to the White Sox and come back and win a World Series, there is a precident.

Sure, 2007 had a better rotation than 2004. And it's true 2007 had a better closer. 2004 could hit the ball a lot better and their middle relief would get the edge. 2004 was an aging team which was on it's last legs, and 2007 is a young team on the way up. We'll really see that come 2008 when the Red Sox might win back to back World Series for the first time since 1915-1916. But in the grand scheme of things, 2004 opened the door for 2007 to accomplish what it did. I don't think 2007 could have otherwise.

After the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, in the middle of the celebration, Schilling called them all together and offered a toast along the lines of "To the 2004 Red Sox, the greatest Red Sox team EVER."

I agree with that statement a lot more now then I did then.

it's a sad day...

... because baseball is gone until the springtime.

CONGRATS to john and the red sox! i'm glad at least someone on our blog had a great ending to the season.

do pitchers have a report date yet?

in the meantime... i suppose there are still things to write about. like off-season trades and where a-rod might be going... how our teams could be better... why the nl is so tragically worse than the al... why people insist on bunting being appropriate for baseball... and that joe buck and tim mccarver really aren't all that bad. i like them! [course... i have to like mccarver, being a former phillie and all.]

congrats again to the red sox. they played like champions... there's no doubt about that!

Who is the Best Team in Major League Baseball?

Boston Red Sox
Seven Time World Series Champions
1903 1912 1915 1916 1918 2004 2007

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!

"WELL I LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER....OH- BOSTON YOUR MY HOME!!!!!!!!!"

"DON'T BLAME US IF WE EVER DOUBT YOU, YOU KNOW WE COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU-RED SOX YOU ARE THE ONLY ONLY ONLY"

This one was no where near as stressful as 2004. I remember hanging on every pitch in 2004, wondering who was gonna blow it. I remember "Ground Ball Back to Foulke" and expecting him to throw it into the first row of the seats. This one I didn't. I knew it was over tonight. I would have flipped out if the Cardinals pulled within 1 run in game 4 of '04, but I just got annoyed at the Rockies in the eight and delaying the inevitable. Really, Colorado had no business being on the same field as Boston. They are who I thought they were. A team that got hot at the right time and got lucky and played in the National League. And the Red Sox didn't let them off the hook. I don't have any great indepth analysis or anything right now. I might ramble on for a bit or I might stop the post here.

2007 World Champions. I really don't know what to say. There's no way to sum it up. It's definitely no where near as special as the 2004 Championship. But it's much better than any other year since 1985.

When Papelbon blew away Seth Smith, another guy I never heard of, two things happened. I screamed at the top of my lungs "HE GOT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and I noticed Varitek put the ball in his pocket. The Red Sox owners made a huge deal over the 2004 ball with Mientkiewicz. I hope they let Varitek have it. If they complain, I hope Varitek sells it on EBAY or something. Difference between 2004 and 2007: 2004-ground ball, I fall to my knees and almost have heart failure, hanging on Joe Bucks' every word (he sucks so much by the way, he keeps insisting Youk wasn't active in 2004. Why doesn't someone from Fox enlighten AND/or fire him? Note the stress on the AND...) 2007- up and walking back and forth excited, watching Papelbon be Papelbon and then yelling loud enough to block out Buck and McCaver before my baseball IQ dropped any lower.

My grandfather was born in 1915. The Red Sox won the 1915, 1916 and 1918 World Series in his life time. Then he turned 4 and they stopped. He died in May of 1987. The last World Series he ever saw was 1986 when the Red Sox blew a two run lead in game six in the tenth and a three run lead in game seven.

My grandmother was born in February of 1919. The Red Sox were defending World Champions. She died in November of 2003. The Red Sox won the very next World Series.

I had a friend I went to high school with who died in April of 2004. The Red Sox were gonna play in Texas that night, but it was rained out. It was very fitting, cause the last thing I wanted to do was watch a baseball game. He never got to see a Red Sox World Series Championship.

There are plenty of stories like that. Eddie Andleman is a talk show host around here who had his tombstone made up saying "Here lies Eddie Andelman. He never saw the Red Sox win a World Series." He's still alive, so I hope for his sake he wasn't watching in 2004 and didn't watch tonight. Otherwise, he'll need a new tombstone, and those are probably expensive.

As great as it is to be a fan of the World Series Champions, I've learned that baseball isn't everything. I never would have typed that before 2004. In 2004, my thoughts were about people who never got to see it. I guess now I am thinking about that too. But watching the game, my thoughts were along the same lines as Billy Chapel's in the movie For Love of the Game. He pitched a perfect game, and then the next day raced to an airport to meet his ex who was leaving him to take a job in London. He said something along the lines of "Last night should have been the best night of my life, but it wasn't because you weren't there to celebrate with me." I'm not saying it wasn't fun. But I am saying I would have enjoyed it A LOT more if I was in Amherst with my girlfriend Amanda, or if she were in Boston with me. She doesn't even reads this, so you know its true.

Boston Red Sox
Seven Time World Series Champions
1903 1912 1915 1916 1918 2004 2007

And counting...

Game 2

Well, I expected a each side to score more runs, but in the grand scheme of things, the result was the same I anticipated. The Boston Red Sox are now 2 games away from winning the 2007 World Series.

Schilling pitched well. He's been spectacular this postseason, minus that game 2 start in the ALCS. I honestly didn't think he still had it in him. He went 9-8 this regular season, and he's 3-0 in the playoffs. Granted he was hurt for a good deal of the year so I don't know if he's just healthy now or if it's adrenaline from pitching in the postseason or if he's looking for a big pay day next year or whatever. Doesn't matter. It only helps the cause.

On a personal note, I watched the game at home last night. I watched the entire 2004 World Series in Amherst and game 1 this year at a friend's house, so that was the first time I watched the Red Sox play in a World Series game at my house since 1986 when I was one year old. My mom says I watched then, but I don't really remember too well...

Diasuke pitches tomorrow night. The big debate is which of the three do you sit in the NL park? Ortiz, Youkilis or Lowell. I might sit Big Papi to tell you the truth. Crazy as it sounds, Youk and Lowell are too valuable defensively and Ortiz knees hurt. Sit him game 3 and see what happens before making a decision. Plus, you could use Papi to pinch hit for Matsuzaka. I think Papi would be best at that, seeing as how being a DH is pretty much just pinch hitting four times a game anyway...

Speaking of Youkilis, Fox keeps saying he wasn't active during the 2004 World Series. Before this postseason, I had 0 respect for either Buck or McCarver, cause they both are horrible. I gained some because they were better than whoever TBS sent to cover the Boston-LA of Anaheim Series. I've lost all that respect again.

I knew Youk was active in 2004 during the series. After they won the world series, I went to redsox.com and memorized the active roster. But if you hear Buck and McCarver say he wasn't active night after night after night, you begin to doubt yourself. I tried copying and pasting a link but it doesn't work. Go to redsox.com, then go to the press releases, then to the archives and check out October 23, 2004. Interestingly enough, the Red Sox active roster for the 2004 World Series includes 20 Youkilis, Kevin. I should announce the games. I know more about the Red Sox than either of those two.

Game 1

Firstly. Josh Beckett is the greatest postseason pitcher in Red Sox history. That is an undeniable fact. He is arguably the greatest postseason pitcher period. Another start or two and that'll be undenable fact...

Secondly, I can't say I expected the Red Sox to demonlish the Rockies like that. On the other hand, I can't really say I'm surprised either.

I overheard a Rockies fan on the Boston College Shuttle (last week there were Cleveland fans all over campus. Now, besides the three or four in the discussion section I teach they've all dissapeared. Since yesterday I've seen 2 Rockies fans. Where do these people come from? Where do they vanish off to afterwards?) complaining about how Beckett threw nothing but fastballs for four innings and Colorado was so rusty they couldn't catch up. I mention this because it's an excellent point to bring up. Rust had to be a factor. Major Leaguers should be able to catch up to any fastball if they see it over and over again a time and a half through the lineup. Therefore, I am willing to be the rest of the series will be more competitive.

It's interesting though. Game 1 of the ALCS was a blowout too. While it's nice to give Beckett run support, he really doesn't need to much of it. It would have been nice to save that type of production for whoever is pitching game 4 (Lestor?). But, whatever. A win is a win.

I was thinking about it. I know Colorado might win this World Series, but how good are they really? I think the Red Sox and Yankees are better than them. The Rockies are definately better than Baltimore and Tampa Bay. What about the Blue Jays? I give the edge to Toronto, especially if B.J. Ryan is healthy. The Rockies a 4th place team in the AL East. I think Cleveland and Detroit are better, and probably Minnesota, especially if Liriano is healthy. Colorado would be a 3rd or 4th place team in the AL Central. In the AL West, I think I'd go with the Angels as a better team. Seattle-Colorado is a toss up. Pitching to the Mariners, offense to the Rockies. I give the edge to pitching, so the Rockies are a 3rd place team in the AL West.

Regardless, the Rockies are a middle of the road team that finishes about 10 games out of the wild card in the AL, and they might win the World Series. Only in America! Especially now that the Expos don't exist...

Game 2 is tonight. Schilling is on the mound for what might be his last start as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Let's Go Boston!

World Series

Ok, I'm gonna be honest. If I saw any Rockies games this year, they were the 3 against the Red Sox in June. I checked the blog, and I made a reference to the series here, but that was more of an "I'm against Interleague play" type post. I don't really remember any of the three games, which could be either because the Red Sox were blown out in 2 of 3 and I blocked it from my memory, or I was working those nights so I didn't catch them. So, the Rockies are an unknown. Even if I did remember anything, that's all irrevelant now, as it seems they became a completely different team this past September.

That being said, I'm gonna be honest. I truly believe the American League is exponentially better than the National League. I truly believe the Red Sox are the best team in the American League. I don't know if I believe the Rockies are the best team in the NL or just the hottest. Either way, I think the Red Sox should kill them.

I think the Beckett, Schilling and Diasuke are better than any starter the Rockies have. I'd take Manny any day of the week over Matt Holiday. I'd take Mike Lowell over Garrett Atkins. I'd take Dustin Pedroia over Kaz Matsui. I think Youkilis can hang with Helton, and even if you give the edge to Todd, I'd go ahead and take Ortiz over Helton. I'd take Varitek over Torrealba. I'd take Papelbon over anyone. In 64 less games, Ellsbury had 1 more homer, 1 less triple, and 6 less RBI than Taveras. I think it's safe to say Ellsbury is at least as good as Taveras, if not better. The only advantages I'd give Colorado are at Shortstop and Right Field.

The Red Sox should win this World Series. Losing would be the biggest upset in team history.

Game 7

So what team lost the 2007 ALCS? Doesn't matter. They're irrelevant.

I can't believe it. Down 3-1 in the series, come back and beat two Cy Young Candidates to force game seven. Then jump out to an early 3 run lead, but almost blow it.

Up by one in the 7th, Julio Lugo drops an easy pop up, letting the game tying run get to second base. But Cleveland choked. Base hit to left field that easily could have scored Loftin, and they held him. Next batter grounds into a double play to end the inning, lead still intact. Excellent! I truly believe that wouldn't have happened before 2004. They would have been worried about ghosts and would have collapsed, fallen apart just like the Cubs after Bartmen. The ground ball would have went right past Lowell just like it did Rameriz in 2003. But Lowell threw it to Pedroia who threw it to Youk to end the inning.

That brings us to the bottom of the 7th and reason number 2 why John shouldn't manage the Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia up with a runner on third, up by one run and I think there's one out. I say aloud "I'd suicide squeeze here." This is very unusual for me. I am almost always against bunts. By almost always, I mean every time besides tonight when I called for a suicide squeeze. First pitch is a strike. "You're not gonna squeeze with one strike. That's stupid. Actually, no one's expecting it. Yeah, whatever. Suicide squeeze!" Dustin Pedroia swung away against my wishes and deposited the ball into the Green Monster seats. As I've stated before, what do I know?

What do I know? I know Boston exploded for 6 runs in the 8th. I know Coco Crisp made a spectacular catch to end the game. Most importantly, I know that the Boston Red Sox are going to the 2007 World Series to play the Colorado Rockies.

Do Or Die

170+ games comes down to this. The winner goes to the World Series. The loser joins 28 other teams in obscurity. After all, who lost the 1997 ALCS and NLCS? What about in 1987? Chances are, unless your favorite team was somehow involved, you have no idea. For the American League I think it was Baltimore in '97 and no idea for '87. Maybe Detroit? I can't even fathom a guess for the National League. Atlanta in '97? The Mets in '87? Whoever it was is irrelevant. As for who played in the 1997 World Series, Cleveland and Florida. 1987? Minnesota and St. Louis. I know that and I was two years old at the time.

Jake Westbrook vs. Diasuke Matsuzaka with the season on the line.

Don't let these past two games go to waste. Never mind that. Don't let these past 171 games go to waste.

To quote the legendary Ken Casey, "LET'S GO BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Game 6

With one swing of the bat, J.D. Drew and the Boston Red Sox both had a clean slate.

In the bottom of the first, the Red Sox loaded the bases with back to back infield hits by Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis followed by a walk to David Ortiz. Carmona struck out Manny and got Lowell to pop up to shallow right field, not deep enough to score a run. J.D. Drew came up, and Carmona threw three straight balls. Drew was taking all the way and Carmona delivered strike 1. I was watching the game with my friend Jose at his place and I said "I'd have Drew take this pitch too. 3-1, walk gets a run, Drew's up? Take it. But then again, what do I know?" He agreed with me, as Drew has pretty much sucked with the exception of the back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers he was part of against the Yankees in April and that three game series in Arizona. 3-1 pitch, Drew swings and drives it to centerfield. It looked to be a low line drive, so I'm yelling for it to get over Sizemore's head, whose running back towards the wall trying to chase it. It becomes apparent he's not gonna catch it, and I'm thinking "off the wall, come on, bounce around in the triangle." But the bounce never came. It ended up in the camera well in center field for a grand slam. Everyone in the apartment complex erupted. As I stated earlier, what do I know? I would have had Drew take it.

As far as I'm concerned, that one hit makes up for anything and everything. I'd take that grand slam and his pathetic season any day over him hitting 50 homers during the regular season but striking out to end that inning. If he hit 50 homers and batted .350 and knocked in 140 and won the triple crown or whatever, what difference does that make? The Red Sox win 100 games as opposed to 96? They get the top seed in the AL without relying on the tie breaker? But if Carmona gets out of a bases loaded nobody out in a tie game situation, the games completely different. I refuse to think about it. Moral of the story is J.D. Drew has been absolved of all his sins. What I am thinking about is the fact that for the fourth time in my life, the Boston Red Sox will be playing game 7 of the ALCS.

The Red Sox also got a clean slate tonight. Their backs are still against the wall, but the Indians are too. It's not so insurmountable anymore. Jake Westbrook vs. Diasuke Matsuzaka. I suppose "and friends" should be added to each. Recent Red Sox game 7 history has taught me to expect one team to go to its bullpen REALLY early. That doesn't necessarily mean the team will lose mind you.

For the past three or four days, the Boston Red Sox have been one loss away from elimination. Now, the Boston Red Sox are one win away from the World Series.

Here goes nothing

This is what it all comes down to ladies and gentlemen. We are guaranteed one last game of Red Sox baseball in 2007. Depending on what they do with this one game, we might be fortunate enough to have another.

I wanted to buy a Schilling Jersey for the game. I went to several stores looking for one. I found the home white one and the alternate home red one. The both had "SCHILLING" on the back, which is unrealistic as the Red Sox don't put the player names on the backs of their home jerseys. Boston fans know the players by number. I didn't get either cause if I'm paying that much I want it to be realistic. Also, I really wanted the road gray one anyway, for reason I may or may not have mentioned previously.

But alas, now is not the time to discuss that. Now is the time for playoff baseball.

I love that dirty water...oh, Boston you're my home!

Game 5

I'm shipping up to Boston (woah-oh-oh)
Shipping up to Boston (woah-oh)
I'm shipping up to Boston (woah-oh-oh)
Shipping off to find my wooden leg.

No idea what that has to do with baseball, but that's the song they play everytime Papelbon starts warming up on the mound at Fenway. It's pretty surreal. As he's running in from the bullpen, they play "Wild Thing" like in Major League. Then once he gets set on the mound and comes to the set, the Dropkick Murphy's "Shipping Up to Boston" blares. Hopefully Fox'll show it Saturday Night.

So, there's so many things I wanna say, but I haven't really had time to process. Basically, it comes down to these two points:

1. Two wins in the ALCS is just as irrelevant as one win is just as irrelevant as zero wins. Nothing has been accomplished.
2. Josh Beckett is everything that Roger Clemens never was, never could be and never will be. Clemens routinely choked and was knocked around, ejected in the second inning (many think purposely cause he couldn't deal with the pressure), allegedly begged to come out of the World Series, etc. Beckett is everything Bostonians expected Clemens to be, everything Clemens could have been, everything he should have been- but wasn't. Win or lose this series, Josh Beckett is the greatest post season pitcher in Boston Red Sox history. You put Beckett on the '86 team and there is no "Curse of the Bambino." You put Clemens on the 2007 team and there is no game five, let alone game six. Someone as dominating as him deserves another shot. He's pitched too well and worked too hard to not get a crack at Colorado.

So, it all comes down to this. Fausto Carmona vs Curt Schilling. Just win this game. Seriously. I don't want Cleveland to ever win a championship. I especially don't want Kenny Loftin to ever win a championship. Don't let them go into the World Series rested. Beat them, tire them out, do whatever. Just win this game. Game six is all I ask. Just win game six.

Calm before the storm

So, this is what it all comes down to. Josh Beckett vs C.C. Sabathia.

Just win tonight. All you have to do is win tonight. If for nothing else but to tire the hell out of Cleveland. Don't let Cleveland go into the World Series fully rested. Just win tonight.

Game 4

I thought for a few minutes what to title this post. The above is the only thing I could come up with.

World Championship caliber baseball teams do not allow 7 runs in one inning. It might happen once, as a fluke, in the regular season. But to happen in the post season is disgusting. Again, perhaps we could write it off as a fluke, until it happens twice...in the same series.

I sent my friend Luke a text message after the Indians fifth. "I don't think the Red Sox are going to the World Series..." I stand by that statement.

It's quite unfortunate. Aside from those two half innings, the top of the 11th in game 2 and the bottom of the 5th in game 4, the Red Sox have played excellent. I really don't think Cleveland is that good. That could be jealousy, it could be being a sore loser, it could be whatever you wanna call it. It doesn't matter. They're not. I just can't understand how the Red Sox could melt down twice in the same series like this. I don't know.

One thing I'll say for Cleveland: I think they love and care about each other. You can tell every time they score a run or win a game just by the way they celebrate. The Red Sox celebrate in a way I would celebrate getting a problem correct with other graduate students. In a very professional and business like manner. No big deal. We did our job. Kind of the feeling I got from the Yankees from 1996 till now. Cleveland celebrates like a family would a wedding or a birth or something. Perhaps this is an X factor or whatever. Something I think Cleveland shares with the 2004 Red Sox. I don't know. It's just something I've noticed.

The last two Red Sox teams to win the American League Pennant were 1986 and 2004. In both those series, the Sox trailed 3-1. In both those series, the Red Sox were also losing game 5 in the 8th inning. Perhaps this is just the only way for the Red Sox to win a pennant. I'm pretty sure either '85 or '86 was the first year of the best of seven LCS, so we can't compare to the 1975, '67, '46, '18, '16, '15, '12, '04, and '03 teams.

At any rate, I still take Beckett over anyone. Hopefully the Red Sox win game 5. Then they're better off than the 2004 team. '04 had to win two in a row at Yankee Stadium after game 5. If the 2007 version can live to see Friday Morning, games 6 and 7 are at Fenway Park.

Beckett, Schilling, Matsuzaka. Those are the three you would have wanted in control of your destiny before the season. The 2004 version had Pedro (2004 Pedro, not automatic win Pedro from '97-2002ish), Schilling (pitching with that sutured ankle or whatever...) and cast away Derek Lowe. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Panic Button

All day, people have been calling in WEEI and demanding that Coco Crisp, J.D. Drew, and Julio Lugo are benched for Jacoby Ellsbury, Bobby Kielty, and Alex Cora. Others are demanding Josh Beckett tonight instead of Tim Wakefield. There's even demand for Julian "Automatic Win Day" Tavarez to take Gagne's spot on the post season roster. That's not legal unless Gagne gets hurt... Francona heard the same cries in 2004, when Mark Bellhorn was 0 for games 1-5 in the ALCS and fan favorite Pokey Reese was riding the bench. Francona stuck with Bellhorn who hit the game winning homer in game 6, another homer in game 7 and either the game tying or winning (can't remember) homer in game 1 of the World Series. Will Francoma magic strike again? Get it? Francoma? Cause he's not making changes...like he's in a coma? And it's working? No? Ok.

So, it's 2-1, but it feels urgent. It feels like it's an elimination night. Win or go home. The last time I remember this sense of urgency is... never. Before 2004 there was always a sense of impending doom, and usually people are reluctant to urge doom. In 2005 the Sox were eliminated by the Sox before any mass sense could settle. In 2006 the Sox were hurt and just collapsed and the Patriots started up before anyone knew what hit them.

By the way, I don't believe I've ever honored the 2004 Red Sox World Series Roster. Teams always bring back old heroes for important playoff games to set the mood. I can't really bring any of them to be guest posters or anything, but I can name them all. This seems like as good a night as any to list, from memory, as any good New England boy and girl should be able to do at a moments notice.

3 Calvin "Pokey" Reese
7 Christopher Trotworth "Trot" Nixon
11 Bill Mueller
12 Mark Bellhorn
13 Doug Mientkiewitz (spelling?)
15 Kevin Millar
18 Johnny Damon
19 Gabe Kaplar
20 Kevin Youkilis
24 Manny Rameriz
28 Doug Mirabelli
29 Keith Foulke
30 Curtis Leskanic
31 Dave Roberts
32 Derek Lowe
33 Jason Varitek
34 David Ortiz
36 Mike Myers
38 Curt Schilling
43 Alan Embree
44 Orlindo Cabrera
45 Pedro Martinez
49 Tim Wakefield
50 Mike Timlin
61 Bronson Arroyo

what now?

well, i've finally turned baseball back on. it took me a little while to deal with the pain of the phillies leaving the postseason pitifully.

i mean honestly... they really sucked it up. no offense at ALL... which is obviously VERY abnormal for them... with their nl-leading highest scoring offense.

the one thing that's offering me a bit of solace is that the rockies still haven't lost a game since, like... september. they're currently 20/21... with another win coming soon. as i write this, they're up 6-1 in the bottom of the 7th. they seem unbeatable. i'm not sure why... but they just can't lose!

so what now? well.... i hate to say it... but, i'm rooting for the indians in the al... and the rockies in the nl. it feels weird to me to root against the red sox... cuz i'm used to rooting for them in the al. however, they're on my bad side right now. so, i'm rooting for the indians.

now... as for the world series... i have NO idea what to do. it's almost a guarantee that the rockies are going to the big game... and i may root for them no matter what. i just think their streak is unbelievable and makes it worth cheering them on.

the al is up for grabs. it could go either way at this point.

five more outs for the rockies until they're officially crowned the national league champions!

ps... the greatest thing about the nl playoffs being on tbs is the frank calliendo commercials. they CRACK ME UP.

4 outs away.

there aren't many things in life that i think are better than postseason baseball.

WHOA! 3-run homer for the d'backs. 6-4. you just never know.

i love baseball!!!!

Game 3

I hate the Cleveland Indians. I was once told hate was a strong word. If I could find a stronger one I'd use it.

I'm actually more disappointed in the Red Sox. Sabathia and Carmona were proven to be no match for the Red Sox the first two games. Therefore, there is no logical explanation for why the Red Sox are down 2-1.

Wakefield takes the hill tomorrow. I guess regardless of what happens Tuesday Night, they '07 Red Sox are in just as good a position as the '04 Red Sox were.

Game 2

Well, I honestly thought I'd be blogging about how Manny was a hero again. Don't get me wrong, he was. His two run bomb not only put him in first place all time for career post season homeruns, it also tied the game at 5 and set up Mike Lowell's go ahead 1 run shot.

But, the Sox blew that lead. And Eric Gagne, who has been the biggest trade deadline bust in the history of the world, came out in the 11th inning of a 6-6 game. He had a short leash, as evidence of the fact that he was pulled after walking someone, leaving men on first and second and only having retired one batter. Javier Lopez comes in to face old friend Trot Nixon, pinch hitting. In Boston, Trot never ever got a hit off a left handed pitcher. Until Sunday Morning at 1:30 AM that is. And then Cleveland just poured on, scoring 7 which is apparently a MLB record for most runs scored in an extra inning of a postseason game.

So, the series is tied 1-1. It's exactly what Cleveland wanted before the series began. We more or less have a five game series, one in which the Indians have home field advantage.

The Red Sox obviously need to take 1 in Cleveland. Otherwise the series is over. But I'm asking for 2. Take 2 out of 3 at Jacobs field and come back to Boston up 3-2. Then everything will be fine.

Game 1

The Red Sox dominated last night, 10-3. It wasn't even funny. Manny had another good night, making two spectacular catches in left field and knocking in three runs. Beckett was in cruise control the entire night and came out after six innings with a pitch count of 80. The announcers kept talking of him coming back on short rest to pitch game four. I'd only consider that if the Sox are down 2-1. Unlike any year previous to this in my life time, the Red Sox are the clear cut best team, so it's kinda unnecessary. Right now, at this instance, I think they can win with any of their pitchers on the mound. In '99 I would have done anything to have Pedro pitch every playoff game, because he was the one shot to win. Unlike Pedro, Beckett has help. No need to risk him getting hurt.

Schilling is on the mound tonight against Carmona. I was terrified of this matchup before the series, but something about the Red Sox winning 10-3 in game one relaxes me. I think I've been lulled into a false sense of security. We shall see tonight

...in other news...

The Indians will not win the World Series. A Cleveland sports collapse is like watching a great Shakespearian tragedy: You know everyone dies at the end, but you enjoy seeing how it happens.

Also: The Patriots are overrated.

Ok, I've made my World Series champion pick....

I think the Padres are going to win it all! They've been tearing it up recently.

Who agrees with me?

It feels weird...

Doesn't feel like it should be the ALCS. Not without the Yankees. It doesn't feel right.

No disrespect to Cleveland. I honestly think they have a real good shot at beating Boston. But something is missing without the bitter hatred between Boston and New York. Fans hate each other, the media members hate each other and the players sure don't love each other.

I used to root against the Yankees all the time in hopes of avoiding them. I can't say I wanted the Yankees to beat Cleveland. But I do miss the headlines and sidestories that could have ensued. Would have been much more interesting than the talk of the bugs attacking in Cleveland I'm currently listening too...

The Greatest 10 Word Phrase in the English Language

New York has STILL not won a championship this millennium.

Let's review. The millennium started January 1, 2001. Below is a team by team breakdown of championships won by New York teams in the four major sport teams since then.

New York Yankees- 0 championships
New York Mets- 0 championships
New York Jets- 0 championships
New York Giants- 0 championships
Buffalo Bills- 0 championships
New York Knicks- 0 championships
New York Rangers- 0 championships
New York Islanders- 0 championships
Buffalo Sabers- 0 championships

I'm pretty sure the Nets are moving to Brooklyn or something in the next few years, so let's look at them too.
Brooklyn/New Jersey Nets- 0 championships

So yeah, 9, maybe 10 teams. 0 championships this millennium. I could look at New England, which has 4 teams and 4 championships (that's less than half the teams, more than infinitely times more championships) this millennium. But I won't.

Anyway, in more relevant news (oh...he just said New York and it's sports teams are irrelevant...oh!!!), it's the Cleveland Indians vs. the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. Where is David Williams? I think he should be a guest blogger for this series.

Cleveland's good. Especially their pitching. I guess no matter who you get in the ALCS it's gonna be tough, but this seems a little too tough. I don't like how they won tonight and didn't have to use Sabathia in game 5. Now it'll probably be Sabathia vs Beckett, Carmona vs Diasuke, Westbrook vs Schilling and Byrd vs Wakefield/Lestor. I think Beckett can beat anyone, so it would have been nice if he took out Carmona, leaving Diasuke vs Westbrook and Schilling vs Byrd (advantage Diasuke/Schilling). True, Sabathia would then kill Wakefield/Lestor, but then you're up 3-1 with Beckett on the hill. Can't complain about that.

It might be worthwhile to screw around so something like that happens. I like Beckett vs anyone. I'll take my chances. I realize it's not automatic, but I'm counting any day he pitches as a win. Throw him game one. Pitch Wakefield game two, and if he loses to Carmona, big deal. So it's 1-1. Diasuke could beat Westbrook and Schilling Byrd, so it's 3-1 with Beckett vs Sabathia again. I'm still taking Beckett.

I don't like the Indians. I never did. I use to hate Manny Rameriz. Oh, I would fear him. He was so good he'd somehow knock in the guy on the on deck circle. He hasn't done that yet as a Red Sox, but I seem to recall it quite a few times when he was with Cleveland. The Indians and Red Sox have met up in the playoffs three times. In '95, the Indians swept Boston. In '98, I think it was 3 games to 1 Cleveland. In '99, the Red Sox had what was up to that point the greatest comeback ever, winning game 5 and the series after being down 0-2. In game five, Indian Manager Mike Hargrove intentionally walked Nomar Garciaparra twice to face Troy O'Leary, a true Irish Man. Both times, O'Leary homered. One was a three run shot, the other a grand slam. Mike Hargrove was fired afterwards. Pedro Martinez came out of the bullpen in the fourth and pitch 6 perfect innings. It was glorious. Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS might be my favorite game ever.

1948 was the last time Cleveland won a World Series. That year, they tied the Red Sox for the AL Pennant, and a 1 game tie breaker was played at Fenway Park. Clearly, the Indians won, and went on to beat the Boston Braves. So, yeah. all the more reason to not like Cleveland. I'd say it's about time to get some revenge.

P.S.- Yesterday, the New England Patriots beat the Cleveland Browns. To all our loyal Cleveland readers, Belichick says "Hi."

devastation

i can't even talk about it b/c i'm too sad.

it's like they just decided to stop playing baseball.

ugh.

Game 2

So, the Red Sox had a 2-0 lead. The Angels were up and a runner was on second. and a ball was hit to left field. Manny Rameriz, hustling as are his ways, overran the ball. The run would have scored from second anyways. The damaging thing is that it turned it from a single into a double.

The Angels tacked on two more that inning, the last on a double to left by one of the 25, Orlando Cabrera. My mom and my girlfriend both were mad at Manny, and began taunting me cause I'm a big Manny defender. Rameriz couldn't have caught the Cabrera fly ball. It landed closer to Crisp than him. Some people just really hate him for some reason.

In the fifth inning, Manny came up to bat and appeared to pop out. But the ball carried into the stands. Angels catcher Jeff Mathis reached into the stands and made an excellent effort, but a fan caught it. A lot of people are comparing this to Bartman and Jeffry Maier. I don't really remember the Bartman thing, as to whether he reached out or Alou reached in. But this is nothing like Maier. Maier was a little punk who reached out over the playing field in right field
and took a Jeter pop up and made it into a homerun. Major League Rules say when fans reach onto the playing field like that, they are to be ejected. The New York Yankees, as always acting above the rules, instead gave him tickets behind the dugout for the rest of the playoffs. This kid in Boston had every right to the ball, as it was clear Mathis reached into the stands.

Anyway, there was one outs when this happened, and Manny drew a walk to load the bases. Lowell hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game up.

Later in the game, Rameriz made a spectacular catch on a ball the wind was blowing all over the place. He got turned around two or three times before picking it off right before it hit the ground. If anyone else makes that play, they are applauded and talk of a Gold Glove ensues for the next ten minutes. Because it was Manny, the announcers talk about how it proves Rameriz obviously isn't in the lineup for his glove and he got extremely lucky on a routine fly ball. P.S.- I never thought I'd hear worse announcers than the Buck/McCarver or Miller/Morgan combos. Then TBS/TNT started broadcasting games. Rumor has it Don Orsillo is doing one of the National League series. Why can't he do the Red Sox? He actually has talent.

Anyway, game tied at 3 in the bottom of the ninth. Lugo leads off with a single. "Excellent," I proclaim, "now Manny will send us home happy." My mother and my girlfriend shoot me looks of disgust and then look at each other rolling their eyes. Pedroia's at the plate. Sox hit and run, which is a good thing cause its a ground ball that otherwise would have been a double play. 1 out, Lugo on second. Youkilis comes to the plate and the so called Greek god of walks strikes out. Nevermind the fact he's not a god...he's not even Greek. That brings David Ortiz up. I predict loudly that Ortiz won't come through, but Manny will bail him out. The aforementioned company doesn't like this prediction. The Angels intentionally walk Ortiz. "Fools!" I proclaim, "Why would anyone want to face Manny with runners in scoring position?" My mother tells me it's cause Manny's not that good and the Angels know they can get him out. First pitch, ball low and away. Second pitch, a swing like only Manny can put on the ball, and immediately my hands shoot up into the air. "I told you so!" I proclaim. I thought of proclaiming instead "I hate to say I told you so" but such a proclamation would have been false. I thoroughly enjoyed proclaiming it.

My mom, watching the Red Sox celebrate, said "Why would they ever wanna pitch to Manny in that situation?" I don't know Mom. I don't know.

P.S.- The Yankees are down 0-2 with Clemens on the mound. I really really really hope he vows to "Pitch like a warrior." There's a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie out. Wonder if he feels like advertising for them...

Game 1

Josh Beckett pitched the most dominating game in Red Sox post season history tonight. Some might argue this is a ridiculous statement, as Red Sox post season history is over 100 years old and I definately didn't see all those games. To steal a line from Jon Stewart in his book "America", those people are communists. Josh Beckeet pitched the most dominating game in Red Sox post season history.

9 innings, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts, no runs, no walks. The numbers don't do the performance justice. Beckett was unhittable. The outcome of the game was never in question. I don't remember a single Angel reaching second base. After allowing a lead off hit to start the game, he retired 19 straight and made them all look like fools. People were swinging and missing by several feet. It was glorious. I was reminded of vintage Pedro, but on a bigger stage. In fact, the only Red Sox post season performance that rivals this is Pedro coming out in relief in game 5 of the 1999 ALDS and pitching 6 perfect innings to beat the Indians. Yet, Pedro only retired 18 straight in that effort.

But alas. It's only 1 game. Only 1 win. One October win is pretty much as meaningless as zero October wins. Diasuke Matsuzaka takes the hill Friday in game two against Kelvim Escobar. Keep it up gentlemen. 1 win, 10 to go.