Read All About It
In case this story isn’t covered by the New York papers, permit me to advise all those Yankee fans who read this blog about the outcome of tonight’s Game Seven. The Sox prevailed, and will return to the World Series for the second time in this new century. The World Series is what we call the championship of major league baseball; it’s a best of seven competition; first team to win four games is crowned the champion. Twenty zero, baby.
Now the secret to the Sox success was, as I previously noted, that the luck changed. That, and the fact that we outscored the Indians 30-5 over the final three games. But really, how much luck did we have tonight? Lofton called out at second base after that throw by Manny; Lofton held at third on that weird play in the top of the seventh, and then Blake hit into a double play; Tek’s pop-up dropped in for a ground rule double in the eighth, when Peralta and Blake bumped into each other, and then all hell broke loose. So yes, the Sox were pretty good over those final three games, but they were good and they were lucky.
The metaphorical end of the ALCS occurred when Youk hit the Coke bottle in the bottom of the eighth. Those Coke bottles are a couple miles up in the air; somewhere in the stratosphere, and as John points out, even Manny hits them only rarely. That monster homer was a fitting end of the ALCS for Youk, who batted 500, and knocked in seven runs, and would have been the MVP had it not been for Josh Beckett, who after all kept the Sox alive in Game Five, just long enough for the luck to change, which it did in the seventh inning of that game. And as Rico points out, Youk is a member of the tribe, the tribe that matters.
So come Wednesday night, we’ll be playing in Fenway again. At least two more games in the park. These Rockies are on fire, and took two of three from the Sox earlier this year. So we need the luck to remain on our side. That, and Beckett on the mound, and someone new knocking in five RBIs every night. A little more of that would be just fine.
Now the secret to the Sox success was, as I previously noted, that the luck changed. That, and the fact that we outscored the Indians 30-5 over the final three games. But really, how much luck did we have tonight? Lofton called out at second base after that throw by Manny; Lofton held at third on that weird play in the top of the seventh, and then Blake hit into a double play; Tek’s pop-up dropped in for a ground rule double in the eighth, when Peralta and Blake bumped into each other, and then all hell broke loose. So yes, the Sox were pretty good over those final three games, but they were good and they were lucky.
The metaphorical end of the ALCS occurred when Youk hit the Coke bottle in the bottom of the eighth. Those Coke bottles are a couple miles up in the air; somewhere in the stratosphere, and as John points out, even Manny hits them only rarely. That monster homer was a fitting end of the ALCS for Youk, who batted 500, and knocked in seven runs, and would have been the MVP had it not been for Josh Beckett, who after all kept the Sox alive in Game Five, just long enough for the luck to change, which it did in the seventh inning of that game. And as Rico points out, Youk is a member of the tribe, the tribe that matters.
So come Wednesday night, we’ll be playing in Fenway again. At least two more games in the park. These Rockies are on fire, and took two of three from the Sox earlier this year. So we need the luck to remain on our side. That, and Beckett on the mound, and someone new knocking in five RBIs every night. A little more of that would be just fine.
posted by pops | 12:46 AM
9 Comments:
I will weigh in on this understated gloating by Berg and hope Daled and Rico chime in on the pinksock nation.
Is the pinksock nation ready to become the object of criticism from other fans and press? Are the pinksock's ready for the inevitable expectation for annual appearances in the ALCS and WS by their nation? Are the pinksock's fans ready for increases in ticket and concession prices to cover a large team salary that will certainly get larger to meet future expectations? Welcome to the world of the 'evil empire' as named by the Boston press for the New York Yankees.
"we have met the enemy and he is us."
The pinksock's will be overwhelming favorites in the WS so heaven help you if you meet the the 2001 D- Backs or the 2003 Marlins. How could the pinksock nation accept that and simply be satisfied with the ALCS?
All of that said I am not a happy Yankee fan (with the Torre affair)and I have much anxiety about next year and the return to the organization that brought me the Yankee's teams of the 80's and early 90's.
Good luck in the 2007 WS and good luck as member of the 'we need to win a WS every year' world of the New York Yankees.
G-man
Chuck G, I respect pops' noble efforts in trying to give you some background as to who I am. It's as good a starting point as any, but I will continue to embrace anonymity, the rationale, at least in part, behind the Rico moniker. That pops compares us through our "fatal flaw," is priceless, to say the least.
Also, I'd like to congratulation you on stealing my thunder. But, before I do that, some quick clarification: This thread is more appropriate for discussing the baseball, the playoffs or the late fall/winter classic. The other thread was about Bloom, the patriarch, and what Montaigne would have thought about the confidence of experts (primarily economists, but baseball pundits, why not?)
Of late, (read the last month that is the postseason), I've been talking about how wonderful it has been to take a step back and, at the very least try to look at the MLB objectively. Meanwhile citizens of Red Sox nation laugh at me and my team, and I just whisper under my breath about how I hope, for the nation's sake, there aren't too many mirrors in New England.
But now, with Chuck and the media bringing attention to it, I feel I gotta drop what I had promised hersh could/should/would wait until after the World Series.
We're in the midst of a paradigm shift, if it hasn't already been completed. That the Red Sox and, more importantly, their fans, have become the embodiment of all they used to stand against, doesn't really require me to support it, does it? That it cuts even deeper than you're prepared to admit...that will come with time, baby steps for now.
That the Yankees' post season ended, in no small part due to a swarm of insects.....
Earlier today a guy I work with started casting aspersions with impunity in the elevator. I respond, (without having to resort to gay jokes, we're yankee fans after all, and shouldn't have to stoop that low, at least not until the Sox sign Arod, but that's for another post...although I could see how it would appeal to values voters in the red sox nation) and his only response was:
"Since when has being a baseball fan been an existential exercise?"
Forgiving him his unfortunate word choice, I said, "I'm not sure. I never claimed to hail from the nation but....the day a Red Sox fan is no longer required, by definition, to look inward...."
My ellipses consist of four dots for a reason...trying to keep this brief...er. But I merely tip my cap to Theo for building a terrific club, and can't help but wonder if anyone out there understands what this transformation means for their team and, most of all, for themselves.
I think talking about Torre only obfuscates the bigger issue, that execs at Fox were freaking out at the prospect of a Cleveland Colorado series. But I will say that part of being a manager is demonstrating an ability to make good decisions. And, while we're talking about economics, you could make the case that the Yankees, like the US economy, could benefit, in the long run, from a recession. To say nothing about the Yankees' as opposed to our economy's ability to survive a recession...
But back to the baseball actually being played: The best observations I've read today regarding last night's game:
"...but you don't lose three straight games by a combined score of 30-5, as the Indians did after building a 3-1 lead in the ALCS, and then turn around and blame the third-base coach." But seriously, wtf?
"...consider for a moment that over the last two games, the Red Sox scored 23 runs while David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were combining to go 2-for-14 with four walks and two RBIs. That might not scare you, but you don't have to pitch this week."
To echo Chuck's sentiments, good luck in the world series and making yourselves presentable for work each day. Take comfort, at least for now, that you're colleagues prob don't see what's very clear to my eyes, and I believe Chuck's as well.
congratulate you...discuss baseball...jesus!
Apologies for god knows how many editing abortions in that "attempt" at multi-tasking
While I prefer fits of verbal rage inspired by my top notch hating, soon to be discussed reasons give rise to this much needed break from silence. Big words and blaming bugs seems like a recipe for bullshit. I believe the medical term for such behavior—turning your pain outward—is projection. And what, Ol’ Chucky and Rico, is it that you are projecting? I believe it is this: Since you are bad, and we have become you, we are therefore both bad and hypocritical. Nice try. You are understandably angry but remember that anger and sadness may lead to irrationality.
It is uncontested that the pinstripes' principles are built on expectations, that those expectations may lead to a loss of integrity (Torre) and, more importantly, that it is the Red Sox heading to the World Series in 2007. What is at issue, however, is whether the Sox have developed the very same attitude as the white haired management from NYC and their fans (this is not hating you fans but is instead pointing out your flawed reasoning). You claim that since we have 2004, and are heading back in 2007, we have become an organization built solely around those Yankee expectations that are not recently attainable. But the facts do not point to this conclusion; such reasoning has no merit.
There has been no Sox “transformation,” as you call it. We have not transformed into you nor have we followed in your way. The only thing that has happened is perhaps a “revelation” from the faithful. And what is our revelation? That no one, especially us, wants to be you. This cross faith discussion is by no means accidental. Loving the Red Sox gives us a unique cross religious experience; we, as a nation, believe and, in return, our team acts—a fruitful combination of many religious values. As you surely know, Christianity is faith based and Judaism is action based. Manny points upward to Jesus and Youk is a Jew. We still believe and now we are going forth. Coincidence? No Chance.
Consider this: Did we expect that twice in four years we would come back and do the impossible? No. Did we expect that, after you Yanks came so close to us at the end of the season, it would end like this? No. Do we look like you? I think not—we are shabby and unshaven, dipping, spitting and chewing big wads.
We have not transformed—our values have merely been passed down from one generation ('04) to another ('07). We do not share your values nor yupr expectations. We value the crazy, the unthinkable, the anxiety—the unexpected. So I submit this to you and hope that as your pain settles your ability to reason will return—the very fact that we maintain the attitude that “there’s always next year” allows us to prevail over your expectations.
Just like in ’04 when the curse was poorly invoked by you Yanks, the Indians tried to exploit Manny’s comments. But the curse existed in itself—it could not be invoked. The same remains true today. Stop thinking in the inverse! Doign things backward accomplishes nothing.
We don't exist upon expectations and we have not transformed. You fail to see what really has happened. We remain true to ourselves and it gets us through.
And suddenly I'm compelled to raise the issue of humility, as though the URL of the blog is any less ironical. (Had to add a superfluous syllable for LJ's benefit...if you're a different Michael, my bad).
I can’t fault you for at least trying to make sense of my post. That in the process of doing so, you gave in to your genetic/evolutionary programming and took the path of least resistance (telling me what my conclusions, supporting evidence and logic were)…yeah, introspection can be a bitch. That I firmly believe your post makes my case for me….hey!
Great lines: “Do we look like you?” Let’s ignore for a moment the veiled racial and discriminatory over/undertones of that question...particularly as viewed through the lens of the Red Sox franchise...suffice to say, if all you see is a bunch of “shabby and unshaven” dudes, “dipping, spitting and chewing big wads”...as they say in some circles, the correction, when it comes, will be that much more sudden and painful.
“We don't exist upon expectations and we have not transformed. You fail to see what really has happened. We remain true to ourselves and it gets us through." Yes, we hate you for your freedom and expect you to stay the course.
“Big words and blaming bugs seems like a recipe for bullshit.” We know Rove is smiling...And I did do a little digging, even went to a Barnes and Noble in midtown, and I can assure you, the recipe for bullshit calls for a heavy dose of “a unique cross religious experience.” But yeah, keep seeing what you want to see, steadfast in your faith that nothing has changed. I hope to hold fast to empiricism while embracing skepticism and humility...allowing my actions and those of others to hopefully rise above the cacophony.
That a better response would have been: “Can you count, suckers? I say, the future is [yours/ours]....if you can count!” and to leave it at that...almost goes without saying. It’s just that I had already typed all the other stuff.
This is most interesting, but as the Sox are achieving post-season success, now the Yankee writers become so prolific.
I'll respond shortly; I know you all can't wait.
This section has been obfuscated beyond all recognition! I guess that's what happens after a seven game series: winners and losers look for signs and explanations.
I think a simple summation would be as follows:
1. Red Sox hating will soon mature into legitimacy. This will require Yankees fans to be more creative. No more goddamn "Joba Rules" and "Got Rings?" t-shirts. Give me a break. Real hating requires inventive, witty slogans like "Brokeback Jeter".
2. Youk is Jewish, and I think we all know who the God of Abraham roots for. (He batted .500 for God's sake!)
3. "See the ball, hit the ball" - Manny was quoting Basho when he said it, and that's my response to all your theories.
Keep it simple,
young hersh
I posted that anonymous comment...my bad.
Mr. Rothenberg, while emailing my father I realized I'm going to need to come up with a new moniker for you, but there's no reason to reinvent the wheel....any thoughts?
Also, please define "post-season success." ....retroactive preemption....go!
And "Yankee writers!?" ...please! I came here to discuss Montaigne....on my terms and at my pace, admittedly, but still Montaigne.
And Hersh, just saw your reply...you'll come around, or the nation will prove me wrong.
...with bated breath,
Rico
Rico,
You need not call me Mr. R. When I was young, I was called berg, and you may have seen comments signed that way, especially if I'm writing to my old friend G-man, who knew me when. If you think berg too generic, in light of your friendship with John, you can use D-Berg, which is how they distinguished me from Susan (S-Berg) in law school. Or if you're not into the whole brevity thing, you can fall back on Mr. Berg.
I leave it up to you.
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