Postgame Spread: Gutpunch Survived... Condition Stable

Monday, July 18, 2005

Last night at Fenway was the most insane baseball experience I've ever had. Having never witnessed playoff games in person, I can safely say it was the loudest sporting event I've ever seen. It started out fine, but unremarkable... we cheered Wakie for finishing the game, we gave Millar a standing O when he went out of his way to snowplow Cano and break up a DP, and we went absolutely bananas for a mere bases-empty double from Damon in the 8th. Run of the mill so far. But after the double, we stood for the rest of the game, and everything changed. We all screamed our nuts off and propelled the team to succeed. When Manny went deep, it was SO on. When Cano blew that double play, the place exploded. We all knew we were going to win. Doubt never entered my mind. Until Cora managed to double himself up, which from my vantage point (right down the line in RF, albeit 350 ft from 1B) he did not. But still, of all the things he could have done in his position, Cora did the single, solitary thing that could have killed the rally. (I daresay he should never have entered the game; I'm really sick of Bellhorn getting pulled for his defense when he's so dangerous offensively, even while struggling.)

Regardless of having lost the game, the great thing was that after having bases loaded w/ nobody out, and not scoring a single run off of that, nobody left the park whining about the Same Old Red Sox. We were too busy chanting SECOND PLACE! at the snarky Yankee fans. We were hurt, but losing 3 of 4 to the Yankees wasn't the end of the world. So despite being a second-degree gut-punch game, it was a great time nonetheless.

One last note. New favorite t-shirt seen at Fenway: "Bukkake Matsui", with white splatters all over Matsui's name. Faaaantastic.

3 Comments:

What about the fact that it was Patel on the mound for NY?
Seriously, boy howdy did they pull a winner from the nostalgia file!
Loved the game, was nearly confident that NY was going to blow it-
2 questions... what the hell was Rivera doing not in the game to start the 9th, albeit up by 4 runs? Unbelievable. I was shouting at the tv in the bar, pounding the table, rattling beers, and making Michelle either very amused or very nervous.
Question #2:
if Giambi's fielding at first in the 9th, is there ANY CHANCE IN HELL he catches that throw from Posada?

By Alex, at 2:39 PM
1: The Sox were lifeless all game long, and Flash had mown down Renteria and Papi, so why not? Besides, Mo didn't fare so well himself, and he pitched twice in three nights before that. I can see why. But I can see that with the chance to move within one game, maybe you use Mo now and deal with the consequences later.

2: Oh Giambi'd catch it, just like he caught Entamoeba Histolytica. I hear Giambi keeps a tub of "Nutella" in the clubhouse to use on his postgame meal.

3: If I were Michelle, I would have bought a shot of Banker's Club, doused you with it, and lit a match. But that's just me.

4: My biggest beef is the decision to pull Bellhorn. I just do not get it. He may not be dangerous right now, but he's light years beyond Cora, he's not a DP threat, and his defense isn't bad enough to demand late-inning replacement when you AREN'T WINNING. And I'd put my savings account on Bellhorn not doing what Cora did. Hell, Mo's control was off, he might have drawn a walk! Putting Cora in at all, particularly long enough to get TWO at-bats, was a Grady-grade disaster. I guess it was good to give Cora a chance and see what can do, but it was bad in that the question was answered.

By Jeff, at 3:17 PM
Yeah I read it in the Globe just before you posted. (My retraction was independent of your comment, by the way. Suck it, Trebek.)

I also read that a reporter asked about what was essentially my alternative (Millar at 3B) and Tito said Mueller is no longer an option at second base. Why, I don't know, but at least we know it was moot. Plus I'm not convinced Olerud as a pinch-hitter is any better if you want to avoid the DP threat. Olerud can barely walk the bases let alone beat out a relay to first. So, Alex Cora, I forgive you.

By Jeff, at 4:55 PM