Question: When is it that the team winning two games out of a three game series feels like it was the loser?
Answer: Today.
What a rousing victory for the Red Sox. After their game one letdown (hold on, after the post-season celebrations to end all post-season celebrations, raise your hand if you did not see that coming), the Sox lost the second game in what must be one of the best feeling losses ever in Red Sox history. Sure, Foulke coughed it up, but we all know he takes awhile to get in a groove during the season. But no one doubts Foulke. But to have Mariano Rivera blow a save against the Red Sox again after his game four and five debacles in the ALCS? Then to read about his angry comments to the press about how the Red Sox are not inside his head, all I could do is think to myself, Man, I hope the Sox get to face him again in game three, because they are so inside his head to make him come out and say the Sox are not in his head!
I really would hate to be a Yankees fan today. No, I mean it; I actually feel bad for them today. To feel like Randy Johnson arrived and ripped the monkey off their backs on opening day much like Dmitiri Da Meathooks Young hitting three home runs on opening day gave Detroit fans hope that their Sausage Smacking Tuffy Rhodes imitating slugger would usher in a 35-5 run like the 1984 Tigers had on their way to a dominating season.
The sarcasm drips like ink from the quill today!
Let me make a quick interjection about the Big Unit: he is not playing the role of Curt Schilling for the Yankees. He is playing the role of Roger Clemens on the Yankees which was not filled last year. Last time I checked, the Yankees lost the World Series to the Diamondbacks in 2002 and to the Marlins in 2003 with Clemens before choking last season. Having Roger Clemens did not guarantee them a world series victory, so why do they feel that having Randy Johnson will allow them to make plans to suck up to Rudy Giuliani so as to get free World Series tickets?
I wish I had a chance to watch the game against the Yankees (damned 1pm games) rather than trying to listen to it on the radio while at work. But to get to Rivera like they did in the ninth inning, it was amazing. The walks, the hits, the general discomfort of Rivera on the mound against the Red Sox was a sight not seen before with the Yankees erstwhile closer. This is not to say I expect the Sox to get to Rivera every time he pitches and score four or five runs off of him.
What a game! What a shame there is no game tomorrow.
* * *
Best wishes to manager Terry Francona. He has had enough health issues in the past, he does not need any more. Of course, bench coach Brad Mills saw his honeymoon end before the end of the game as I hissed at him through the radio for not pinch hitting for Doug Mirabelli with the game on the line.
Of course, in retrospect, maybe I just wanted Varitek in the game because I desperately need some offense for my fantasy league team.
* * *
The Celtics, with or without Antoine Walker, are still not a bad team. Their win Tuesday night was impressive, even if their opponent was not very impressive. The Wizards are a good team, but they stunk at home against a banged-up Celtics team. Although foul-prone, the Celtics young bucks, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins, were aggressive on the boards and both showed good touch around the basket.
Although management probably feels otherwise, I would much rather see the team develop the young players at the expense of this season. However, I do not pay the bills, and, in retrospect, trading for Antoine put the Celtics back on the map-and that cannot be understated.
* * *
Answer: Today.
What a rousing victory for the Red Sox. After their game one letdown (hold on, after the post-season celebrations to end all post-season celebrations, raise your hand if you did not see that coming), the Sox lost the second game in what must be one of the best feeling losses ever in Red Sox history. Sure, Foulke coughed it up, but we all know he takes awhile to get in a groove during the season. But no one doubts Foulke. But to have Mariano Rivera blow a save against the Red Sox again after his game four and five debacles in the ALCS? Then to read about his angry comments to the press about how the Red Sox are not inside his head, all I could do is think to myself, Man, I hope the Sox get to face him again in game three, because they are so inside his head to make him come out and say the Sox are not in his head!
I really would hate to be a Yankees fan today. No, I mean it; I actually feel bad for them today. To feel like Randy Johnson arrived and ripped the monkey off their backs on opening day much like Dmitiri Da Meathooks Young hitting three home runs on opening day gave Detroit fans hope that their Sausage Smacking Tuffy Rhodes imitating slugger would usher in a 35-5 run like the 1984 Tigers had on their way to a dominating season.
The sarcasm drips like ink from the quill today!
Let me make a quick interjection about the Big Unit: he is not playing the role of Curt Schilling for the Yankees. He is playing the role of Roger Clemens on the Yankees which was not filled last year. Last time I checked, the Yankees lost the World Series to the Diamondbacks in 2002 and to the Marlins in 2003 with Clemens before choking last season. Having Roger Clemens did not guarantee them a world series victory, so why do they feel that having Randy Johnson will allow them to make plans to suck up to Rudy Giuliani so as to get free World Series tickets?
I wish I had a chance to watch the game against the Yankees (damned 1pm games) rather than trying to listen to it on the radio while at work. But to get to Rivera like they did in the ninth inning, it was amazing. The walks, the hits, the general discomfort of Rivera on the mound against the Red Sox was a sight not seen before with the Yankees erstwhile closer. This is not to say I expect the Sox to get to Rivera every time he pitches and score four or five runs off of him.
What a game! What a shame there is no game tomorrow.
* * *
Best wishes to manager Terry Francona. He has had enough health issues in the past, he does not need any more. Of course, bench coach Brad Mills saw his honeymoon end before the end of the game as I hissed at him through the radio for not pinch hitting for Doug Mirabelli with the game on the line.
Of course, in retrospect, maybe I just wanted Varitek in the game because I desperately need some offense for my fantasy league team.
* * *
The Celtics, with or without Antoine Walker, are still not a bad team. Their win Tuesday night was impressive, even if their opponent was not very impressive. The Wizards are a good team, but they stunk at home against a banged-up Celtics team. Although foul-prone, the Celtics young bucks, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins, were aggressive on the boards and both showed good touch around the basket.
Although management probably feels otherwise, I would much rather see the team develop the young players at the expense of this season. However, I do not pay the bills, and, in retrospect, trading for Antoine put the Celtics back on the map-and that cannot be understated.
* * *
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