As a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, I should be looking for a rooftop to jump off of, or at least curled up in the fetal position, but since they have won 2 World Series in 7 years, I am only going on a hunger strike. But what a night for a baseball fan. Last day of the season and the playoff picture was still not settled at midnight. Just wow-it was crazy and reminds me why I love baseball. I know there are not a ton of sports fans or at least sports threads on HF, but just wanted to share and see if anyone else was enjoying the baseball as much as I last night?
The way the Sox came apart in September created within me a certain ambivalence at the prospect of a post season... better they be put out of our misery now rather than stretching the agony out for a best of five series- though I suspect it wouldn't have lasted that long- Texas would have eaten Boston for lunch (assuming Boston would have taken the one-game playoff against Tampa- a stretch). It unfolded in typical King Tantalus style though with the Rays spotting the Yankees a 7-0 lead only to take the game in extras while Boston created an illusion of competitiveness by taking their own lead late into the game against the Orioles. Best they have a full off season to lick their wounds and not rush Clay Buchholz back for a futile post season that would have almost certainly compromised his recovery and shortened his career. Millionaires playing sports for a living- I'm almost ashamed to be able to comment at that level but I'm a diehard Sox fan as well and this was excruciating shades of '78. The beast was in its death throes as it was- this was far more humane an outcome for "Red Sox Nation" even as the tease of a possible post season berth dangled itself within easy reach only to be yanked away at the last possible second.
It was an amazing evening! The most thrilling time I've had watching regular season sports teams I have no interest in that I can recall. We had no teams make the playoffs from California this year too, I was wondering to myself when the last time that has occurred.
Stated much more eloquently than I can ever state it, but you are right on. I'm sure Tito make a few mistakes along the way this past month, but I would hate to see him leave. Theo on the other hand-if he has to go, he has to go.
I am a huge Yankee fan but loved watching the Rays win in dramatic fashion while the Red Sox choked. I read somewhere that the Boston game ended about three minutes before the Rays victory. Imagine the excitement for the fans who stayed at Tropicana Field to the bitter end. What a night...now it's on to the playoffs! Hope the Yanks starting pitching holds up.
I have always loved when teams great accomplishments occur at home. As thoroughly disappointed as I was as a Red Sox fan, I still thoroughly enjoyed the excitement and electricity at the Trop as a sports fan. Go Rays!! I guess.
There's only one possible explanation for the Red Sox collapse. Some entity, some evil force, has put a new curse on them. The entity might be living inside the body of Carl Crawford, not sure.
Its so nice to see a baseball thread here by fans, not just detractors or those who dont realize that the vast majority of professional players never make the major leagues or come anywhere near big salaries. that being said, i have heard alot about this years regular season ending being dramatic, and I have to disagree. I love baseball, but this is Bud Selig creating artificial drama to sell tickets to teams that are hovering on being out of the running. The drama comes when teams are allowed extra chances to get in, there has never been a collapse like the RedSox and Braves simply because there are more playoff spots than in the past, so there was nothing to lose before. When a team out of the playoffs drops 18 of its last 20 games or so, its not a collapse. For example, when we talk about the playoff teams and who gets the wildcard, the drama we are looking at is finding out who are the SEVENTH and EIGHTH best teams in baseball. Not the two top teams, or even the top four, or even six! Its the last two of the top eight out of thirty! Thats barely in the upper one-third of the standings. Thats not drama, watching two teams battle to find out who is the number eight team and defeat that ninth place loser after the top six teams have been decided. Next year they are going to add another wildcard spot to the playoffs, meaning thirty percent of teams will make the playoffs. It will come with dramatic realignment which will only please fans of teams who spend the most money at the major league level - or the Rays who spend their money wisely enough on homegrown talent but thats another story. Be prepared for your team to have a tougher road to hoe than in years previous, since there will be two divisions of fifteen teams. Also prepare for season-round interleague play (dont get me started about that!) The bottom line is that there will be more teams making the playoffs than were in a league in the first fifty-plus years of the 20th century. Thats not drama, giving a wildcard team a chance to edge in really diminishes the playoffs by watering down the talent on the field and extends the schedule terribly, wearing out players and fans by dragging it out. last, if you try to compare Longoria hitting his homer to Bobby Thompsons shot heard round the world in 1951, keep in mind that the Giants won the pennant and the VERY NEXT DAY entered the World Series. The Giants were beaten in that series, which commenced immediately following the conclusion of the regular season. Longo is a real cool dude though, very down to earth and an awesome hitter. So I was happy for him!
Finally found a baseball thread, though it is too late for my Phillies I'm still pumped about the world series. It has been an amazing post season. I couldn't believe how many teams were still in the fight the last day of the season. And there have been surprises all around, who would have though the Yankies would have lost to the Tigers? Or the Phillies to the Cardinals? I'm unfortunately going to have to say the cardinals win the world series in 6; only unfortunate because they beat the phils. Their line up is stocked full of people who are hungry to win. Pujols is a class act and almost always comes through for his team. Tony La Russa is a hell of a coach who knows what he's doing. He changes pitchers for ever batter after the 6 inning... it really takes the crowd out of the game, and puts less pressure on the set up and relieving pitchers. but he may have worn down his bullpen... we'll see Texas is sick too though. A team full of home-run hitters, good pitching, decent coaching. Victor Cruz is a monster, something like 5 of 8 hits in the ALDS were homeruns. Two of which were in extra innings. The biggest problem for Texas is that they are homerun hitters, like the Phillies. The cardinals have found ways to get around the sluggers. If Texas can get to the Cardinals starting pitchers quick in games one and two, they'll win the series. it'll be a good series regardless.
