Sports Writing

I loved seeing the Astros beat the Cardinals, if only because it cut through all the bullshit stories about Brad Lidge (who did have 3 saves, including 2 saves in 1-run games) and the stupid comparisons to Donnie Moore and the ‘86 Angels. (Or to BH Kim and the ‘01 D-backs.) It showed to me that momentum is overrated, that a good starting pitcher outtrumps any sort of ’team emotion’, and that any idea that the Astros’ loss in Game 5 was soul-crushing was just a nice way to tell the story of the game, rather than a reflection of the players’ own attitudes.

Good Lord, how many complete games do the White Sox want to pitch? Pitching, defense, and the ability to hit homers (and some judicious umpiring decisions) win pennants, apparently. Although of course after the Red Sox in ‘04 no one gives up down 3 games to 1.

Random thought: would it have been better for both the Sox and the Yankees if the Sox had swept that last series and it ended up being Yankee-ChiSox / Sox-Angels?

Kudos is probably due to Nomar for his quick action in rescuing two women who had fallen into Boston Harbor (link), although this witness’s description seems over the top:

You know, it’s not polite to laugh at other’s misery, but well, the Yankees sucked. The GIDP by A-Rod, the wallbanger by Bubba and Sheffield… woohoo! Apparently five straight post-season appearances without a title ties the American League record, although sadly for the Braves it was pretty much business as usual.

It stinks and it sucks and it stinks. Ugh. And to El Duque. El Duque and Contreras, all in one. Ick. Now all that is left is schadenfreude.

Excruciating game to watch. All the good work undone in one fell swoop, with that 5-run inning. Tony G might have a hard time walking around Boston now. Didn’t it feel like a bad omen when, after Buehrle had been on the ropes for so much of the game, the Sox went out and gave him what seemed like a 5-pitch inning?

O’ my darlin’ O’ my darlin’ O’ my darling Clement… You are lost and gone forever, O’ my darling Clement… Scott Podsednik homered. Now, I generally like Scotty Po, especially given that his steals have helped two of my fantasy teams greatly, but when Scott “zero homers in the regular season” Podsednik homers, that’s a sign that your pitcher doesn’t have it. 5-0 down at the end of the first inning? Ick. So Matt Clement, please take a seat.

I tried to list out the last MVPs to reach the World Series in their respective leagues: Barry Bonds, 2002, Giants Chipper Jones, 1999, Braves Terry Pendleton, 1991, Braves Rickey Henderson, 1990, Athletics Kevin Mitchell, 1989, Giants Jose Canseco, 1988, Athletics Kirk Gibson, 1988, Dodgers So gimpy Kirk Gibson was the last MVP to play on a World Series-winning team, all of 17 years ago… and that was in a year when it was either him or Canseco. Which is kind of why I’m not too concerned if David Ortiz doesn’t win AL MVP - as long as he gets World Series MVP.

“The first celebration should be subdued, and the fourth one should be crazy.” - Theo Epstein So the Sox beat the Yankees in a 10-1 blowout that was more than just the wild-card clincher. Sweet as that was already, the Indians had already lost by that point. But this was also the win that ensured the Yankees would go on the road against the Angels.

On that Weekly Dig cover of a Red Sox and Yankees fan kissing, the Boston Herald had the word: We wanted to see what would piss people off more – the gay aspect or the Sox-Yanks aspect,’’ Keohane said. “And we wanted to float the theory that sexual tension is the real force behind the heated Sox-Yanks rivalry.”

Down to the last game now for the Sox - that first game was wonderful, and in order not to jinx anything I decided not to say anything. Sigh. Superstition isn’t the most faithful mistress. Now it’s down to the last game: Sox win, they get the Wild Card; Sox lose, it’s down to a one-game playoff. It’s a better position to be in that the Indians, but man, oh man, it could have been so much easier.

David Ortiz makes grown men cry. If this isn’t the face (and the pointing finger) of an MVP then I don’t know what is. 2 out of 3 against the Yankees wins it now. 2 out of 3 at Fenway. It was always going to be close, but this - this is the best pennant race I’ve seen since I actively followed baseball. 2004 ALCS stuff.

It was so close - the Sox could have inched ahead! But instead, here they stand: three teams at 92-65, Sox, Yankees, and the Indians. Looks like it will have to come down to that last series. Do they always have to make Sox-Yankees so bloody dramatic?

I’m no fan of Derek Jeter (IMO a great offensive shortstop, mediocre defensive shortstop), largely due to the hagiography he gets - well, that, and he’s the face of the Yankees and all that. But this news about him getting racist hate mail is disgusting:

I’m not sure I can stop holding my breath long enough to describe the games fully, although it was good to see a proper win, not something eked out. But the Yankees won, and now it’s all square with about a week to play. Down to the wire. The Sox have the home advantage. Sheer heart attack.

What a way to get back to first place (a share of first, but first nonetheless): 2 runs off B.J. Ryan in the top of the 9th, after Erik Bedard settled in. Edgah continues to make some steps towards rehabbing his rep in Boston. And for a change it was the Orioles who suffered from the left-on-base syndrome. This pennant race is the most exciting one I can remember in ages.

I don’t want to talk about the Sox at the moment. Instead, I shall pass the time by looking at pictures of my dog Coconut, who’s pictured here enjoying the day off.

Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! Ortiz ties Jim Rice for 2nd most homers in a Boston season, the Sox unload a whole stretch of frustration and anger in the form of 4 4-hit games (Manny, Ortiz, Trot, Tek), and for a day, the Sox stem the pinstriped tide. Whew.

I don’t think the White Sox are collapsing, even if ESPN refers to the Great Collapse… I think Cleveland has just pulled together an awe-inspiring run.