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.