Another Game Seven
Four years ago, after the Sox had been pronounced dead by pretty much everyone in the media, not to mention the Nation, and after they had miraculously come back to life in Games Four and Five, they had to go on the road for the final two games. In Game Six, their ace was hurting, but somehow gutted out a win, by the score of 4-2. Now doesn't it seem we've seen this movie before?
The other night, in Game Five, in the seventh inning, with two outs, and no one on base, TVs were turned off all across New England. I've read that fans were muttering on their way out of the park. Pretty much everyone had given the Sox up for dead. Now I won't repeat the details of Thursday night's miraculous comeback, the biggest ever in LCS play, the biggest post-season rally since the time of Herbert Hoover, but in case anyone is interested, you can watch all the hightlights, or the condensed game, on mlb.com. But let's just say it was, in its own way, as astonishing a result as the famous Games Four and Five of 2004.
And then tonight, in a hostile environment, we put our ace on the stand, and he was hurting, but somehow managed to keep things close, close enough so that when the Sox put a couple runs on the board in the sixth, they were able to take the lead, and then held onto the lead for the final four innings. And just like 2004, the bullpen was lights out. Okajima, Masterson and Pap combined for four innings of no-hit shutout relief. So now, for the fourth time in this millenium, the Sox will play in a Game Seven of the ALCS. Win or lose, they've made the series memorable. And more than that, they've completed the turnaround of Boston's image. No longer are the Sox the team that destined to fail, that's bound to break your heart in the end. Now they're the team that's never out of it, that's still in the game even when down seven runs, facing elimination, with only seven outs left in the season. They're the team no one should let up off the mat. I remember 2004 when Millar said, "Don't let us win Game Four." It's deja vu all over again.
We need one more great pitching performance, and it wouldn't hurt for someone in the lineup to have a breakout game, just like Pedroia did last year against Cleveland, just like Damon did in 2004 against the Yankees. Tune in tomorrow night for Game Seven.
The other night, in Game Five, in the seventh inning, with two outs, and no one on base, TVs were turned off all across New England. I've read that fans were muttering on their way out of the park. Pretty much everyone had given the Sox up for dead. Now I won't repeat the details of Thursday night's miraculous comeback, the biggest ever in LCS play, the biggest post-season rally since the time of Herbert Hoover, but in case anyone is interested, you can watch all the hightlights, or the condensed game, on mlb.com. But let's just say it was, in its own way, as astonishing a result as the famous Games Four and Five of 2004.
And then tonight, in a hostile environment, we put our ace on the stand, and he was hurting, but somehow managed to keep things close, close enough so that when the Sox put a couple runs on the board in the sixth, they were able to take the lead, and then held onto the lead for the final four innings. And just like 2004, the bullpen was lights out. Okajima, Masterson and Pap combined for four innings of no-hit shutout relief. So now, for the fourth time in this millenium, the Sox will play in a Game Seven of the ALCS. Win or lose, they've made the series memorable. And more than that, they've completed the turnaround of Boston's image. No longer are the Sox the team that destined to fail, that's bound to break your heart in the end. Now they're the team that's never out of it, that's still in the game even when down seven runs, facing elimination, with only seven outs left in the season. They're the team no one should let up off the mat. I remember 2004 when Millar said, "Don't let us win Game Four." It's deja vu all over again.
We need one more great pitching performance, and it wouldn't hurt for someone in the lineup to have a breakout game, just like Pedroia did last year against Cleveland, just like Damon did in 2004 against the Yankees. Tune in tomorrow night for Game Seven.
posted by pops | 12:30 AM
5 Comments:
Great post David, thanks!
Last night, after the game ended and reflecting on this series, my mind flashed back to some of the remarkable Red Sox moments over the years, including: Game six of the 1975 series (while Carlton Fisk's 12th inning homer gets the attention, let's not forget Bernie Carbo's three run home run in the bottom of the eighth that made it all possible), and Dave Henderson's ninth inning home run in game five of the 1986 ALCS against the Angels and that incredible comeback.
Yes I want to win badly tonight, but this battered and gimpy version of the Red Sox have provided us with yet another remarkable memory. And yes, yesterday I went to MLB.com to see the last three innings of game five - twice. I'm sure I'll be going there many more times.
It would be great to get eight strong innings from Jon Lester tonight.
Saw the game seven. All I can say is welcome to the 'Club of High Expectations and Disappointments'. True you made it to the post-season but it doesn't satisfy the way it used to.
G-man
Actually Chuck, while it would have been a great story if we had won (we'll always have game five to remember), it wasn't as crushing, as it was in pre-2004 days. This loss doesn't bring up the question that haunted us: "Are we condemned?"
I have faith in John Henry et al that that the Sox will continue to compete. Unless, of course they don't care anymore, which I doubt. And unlike the Yankees, Tampa Bay is a likeable team.
Actually it would be good if the Yankees become competitive again. See what you can do, ok?
Your talking points sound familiar to the Yankee fans who visit this site. My point is that the redsox no longer have the 'Curse' to lean on and the redsox are in a very similar situation as the Yankees. Therefore if you hate what the Yankees stand for you hate yourselves. "We have seen the enemy and it is us."
Enjoy the off season with thoughts of what might have been with a healthier line up and a Manny who cared about your team and teammates. Beating the Yankees will not be enough. Believe a Yankee fan, being competitive and/or going to the post-season will not satisfy without winning the World Series.
Oh by the way the Yankees will be competitive. They are always ready to win. Our rotation will be healthy and more mature. Position players will be replaced. Money will not be an object for the first year in the new 'Stadium'.
Catch you later,
G-man
Chuck,
As a fan of the post-curse Red Sox era, I will enjoy the winter with thoughts of the coming summer of 2009 as we, now, never look back. And I do look forward to the Yankees being competitive again sometime in the perhaps distant, perhaps not distant future.
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