First Time poster, long time reader...

Just want you guys to know you're doin a helluva job here..

SOSH got nuthin on ya lol

Thanks Dunny! We appreciate the kind words.

There is only one way this game can go down. Bottom of the 9th, 2 out, men on 2nd and 3rd. Boston leads by one. Jeter at the plate. Easy pop fly towards Manny to end the game, but he drops it both runners score and Red Sox fans give up and cheer for the Blue Jays. Count on it.

Does anyone know if Wilner is doing a pre-game show?

The always-helpful is Rob here to answer that.
3:00 FAN update: "...our pregame show starts at 7."
And now back to the Swirsky Show -- time to turn off the radio!

Who is going to be on tonight? Hinske? Lilly? Craig Burley as featured in the Wall Street Journal?

Mr. Update Guy didn't say who it was, but I imagine CBAFITWSJ would be the first choice for the BJADPPGS.

First Time poster, long time reader...

That's better than being a long time poster, first time reader. Welcome.

Mike knows how to reach me. :)

Beltran again. I wouldn't have predicted that the most unstoppable forces in the postseason would've been Astros...or assuming that they were Astros, that it would be Beltran and Lidge.

Beltran is unstoppable. So far, Morris doesn't look much better than he did in Game 2; here's hoping Munro isn't as good. Everyone deserves another seventh game tomorrow -- both teams and their fans.

Albert!!!

2-1 Cards.

For the WS I am still going with my original-- Sox and Cardinals

Hopefully you're lucky enough to be watching on television, Coach. The Cardinals' radio play-by-play man's call ("Get up! Get up! Come on! Oh yeah! Oh yeaahhh! Woo! Oh yeah, Albert!") was a bit much for me, even though I'm pulling for St. Lou.

I'll try the Astros' radio guy.

I've been enjoying the Astros radio broadcasts when I've been able to tune in all playoffs.

I think I also heard that if the Astros-Cards game is still going the FAN will join it at 7.

The latest update on the FAN says if the NLCS is still on at 7, they will join it in progress. If the game is over by then, Wilner does his stuff until the ESPN pregame starts.

Yeah, Mike, I'm watching. Brenneman is solid and Brenly's much better in the booth than the dugout, so if they muzzled Lyons, the Fox audio would be fine.

Morris sure didn't help himself with the leadoff walk; he's been horrible with men on base all year. Womack wasn't charged with an error but still gave up an extra out when the probable DP ball got caught in his glove. Fortunately, Ausmus fanned on the hit-and-run and Vizcaino ran into the third out.

Has there ever been a lineup that featured four guys in a row, names all starting with the same letter, as good as Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell and Berkman?

Stats are for 2004, followed by career

BA OBP SLG OPS+ BA OBP SLG OPS+
Biggio: .281 .337 .469 106 .286 .373 .435 116
Beltran: .267 .367 .548 136 .284 .353 .490 111
Bagwell: .266 .377 .465 117 .297 .408 .542 150
Berkman: .316 .450 .566 161 .303 .416 .563 148

All four of these guys are HoF calibre talents - I think Bagwell and Biggio are both good enough to make it now, though I think it's unlike that Biggio will unless he gets to 3000 hits. Obviously Beltran and Berkman need to continue to be productive players for many more years to make it but they have started quite nicely.

I don't think I'd realized just how good both Bagwell and Berkman have been for their careers.

Hey, anyone have a webradio broadcast link? Houston? Thanks,

http://www.detnews.com/2004/tigers/0410/17/a01-306142.htm
For some excellent reading material COMN

SAD SAD story of how Gambling ruined Cecil Fielder's life. Looks like he's currently in hiding because he doesn't have the money to pay back all the debts he has.

subculture, e-mail me and I'll send you a link. Usually when we post them they vanish a few days later.

Wow, Beltran is a machine...wouldve been a double but Walker has a cannon

And now he scores on a Bagwell double

58 pitches for Morris through 3 innings, and 36 for Munro through 2 innings. At least the bullpens are in pretty good shape. Well, the Stros bullpen is never really in good shape.

http://www.jimrome.com/home.html
COMN to hear Schilling blast Slappy. Also Kevin Millar said he saw blood in Schilling's sock when he came back into the dugout after his outing, what a gamer!

http://www.yesnetwork.com/yankees/news.asp?news_id=676
That Fielder story is really sad. The description of his credit line at Trump's casino really shows how addicted he is.

COMN for more good reading: medical geek Will Carroll on exactly how much pain Curt Schilling was in last night. It's fascinating, and made me appreciate his effort last night even more.

correction: it's not a direct link but look on the right side of the pg

Ron, 6-4-3, you're right about the Fielder story being sad. As someone who struggled with the affliction of compulsive gambling for most of my life, I can appreciate what Cecil is going through. In my piece about Pete Rose a long time ago, I pointed out the obvious:

Baseball’s gambling issue isn’t limited to Joe Jackson and Pete Rose. There is no precise definition of "compulsive gambler," so studies produce different results. Perhaps as many as five percent of the general public, and certainly more than one percent, are pathological. So you can assume that at least seven, possibly dozens of current MLB players are "problem gamblers."

That doesn't mean they're wagering on baseball; it could be casinos, other sports, cards, whatever. This extends to former players, and people in any other walk of life. It's an insidious disease, with denial being a prime symptom. When you get on the addiction bus, you don't necessarily have to ride it to the end of the line, but many do, experiencing -- and inflicting -- great suffering. I'm grateful every day to have been abstinent for the last few years; it's improved my life and that of my loved ones.

I sincerely hope Fielder gets some help. The money is gone, his reputation is damaged and his family scarred, but he's still a young man and can recover from this.

Wow...amazing link! Thanks Ron!

It's funny to hear Curt compare A-Rod to Jeter. Then Curt implies he has no respect for either Bonds or A-Rod even though they're both future Hall of Famers.

The Astros' pitching philosophy should read: "If you can throw somewhere around 90 mph per hours You're In!". It doesn't matter if you can't locate your pitchers or if you don't have any variations. Just throw 90 mph and be somewhat sucesful at it.

What a joke. McLane is probably bitting himself that Pettitte can't pitch because this series would be over by now.

About Beltran, if he's a 5 tool player why not let him pitch? Might as well take a chance with him, the way things are going.

Great links. Curt's radio comments are typically honest to the point of being blunt, and Will Carroll's article helps us appreciate even more what a gamer Schilling is.

Mike F. Lamb owns Morris, small sample size or not. He plays 3B like a DH, though.

Pujols, trying too hard, just took the bat out of Edmonds' hands. Bad decision; hope it's not costly.

That reminds me: I don't want to jinx it, but at this point, is it safe to assume that Schilling isn't avaliable for the Series, if by some miracle Lowe and the Sox win tonight?

"And they get him! Yes sir!" Nice commentary, indeed. What a great game to listen to.

Scott Rolen doubles on a ground ball to shortstop Jose Vizcaino.

A bit late, I know, but what happened there? Gameday has the ball up the LF line. I assume it was a popup that Vizcaino didn't catch, then Pujols tried to score all the way from first?

Wow, what a play that was by Ausmus to end the fourth. From the camera behind the plate, it was clear he'd made a great tag, but the replay from the third base angle showed just how far he had to go to nail Pujols -- about ten feet. Though he made a superb effort, it's still a shame Albert ran through the stop sign without giving Edmonds a chance to cash in two.

It would have been a single through the 5.5 hole, Rob, but it bounced off the wall in shallow left into no-man's land.

I don't think Schilling is necessarily done. If he didn't aggravate the injury last night, he might make one Series start and even be available for a second start or a relief appearance should it go the limit.

Good call by TLR to hit for Morris, but Mabry strands a couple. Another great game in the old-fashioned hardball league.

He plays 3B like a DH, though.

Uh oh, I think you offended Mr. Lamb, Coach.

Great grab by Lamb.

Quiet thread here. I suppose everyone is saving their posting for the main event...

Beltran needs to stop hitting the ball so hard, because right now it's not helping at all. Ohh well. 6-7-8 coming up in the 8th, [pinch hitter], Biggio and Beltran.

A battle of the bullpens it is.

Oh, this Houston guy is a hoot. An exchange, between him (A) and his partner (B):

B: If the Cardinals lose today, they go home.
A: And stay there!
B: [pause] Well...it depends on how you define home, or how you define "is."
A: "Is"? Isringhausen, of course!

This is great.

SOSH got nuthin on ya lol

This place is Monty Python, and they're the Three Stooges... There is context here, and culture. Over there, its lots of NYUH-HUH-HUH.

Which is fun, too.

While on the train, I picked up the Newspaper (Dead-tree, is that right?) version of the Star... and it mentioned Buck and Dan are doing the play-by-play for TSN for the world series.... I haven't seen it mentioned on here yet, so thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention.

I think that'll be awesome...

although, when asked Buck about whether he'd return to Blue Jays with John Cerutti gone, "Not with the people currently in place" or something similar.

Also, while taking the train IN, I noticed on the big Inglis sign (for those of you who don't know, its an advertising sign on the way into Toronto from the west with a "quote of the day" always)... It said "It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies" (or something similar).... I wonder if they were thinking of the Yanks game... :-)

No, Buck and Dan aren't doing play-by-play, I imagine that they'll do little 1 minute analysis bits for Sportscenter.

Answering my own question on Schilling:

From the doctor who fixed up Curt: “We’ll do what’s medically correct for him and appropriate for the time but my anticipation is that Curt will be there for the World Series.”

To clarify: Buck and Dan cannot do commentary, because the game is being broadcast on Fox and rebroadcast on Sportsnet. TSN doesn't have the games.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1098222610186
COMN for Star story. They're just filing reports together, whatever that means. Check out this quote from Buck, though:

Is returning to Canada permanently a possibility, with the death of John Cerutti creating an opening at Rogers Sportsnet?

"I wouldn't think that would be an option with the people involved right now," he said.

Apparently my midterm affected me more than I thought.... my bad, I was in a tizzy of a daze of a confounded kerfuffle. I guess I read what I WANTED to read. (It did seem sorta odd at the time)

whatever that means

Never mind, I read further in the paragraph and they're doing, as 6-4-3 says, "little 1 minute analysis bits."

Actually, if you just saw the headline, you would think they were going back on TSN together:
Martinez 'excited' about reunion with Shulman

First and second for Bags here. I don't know what to cheer for...I guess I'll go for a Cards win and an exciting Game 7 tomorrow.

I dont think I can handle it if this game goes to extras. My body can only take so much excitement.

Lidge vs. Pujols to start the bottom of the ninth, followed by, of course, Rolen and Edmonds. This will be fun.

Very gutsy move to do a double steal with 2 outs when you already have a speedy Beltran at 2nd.

What a loud crowd.

Well, that sucks. The HBP comes around to score, Izzy's done and it's going to be Lidge vs. Eldred or Haren. Backs against the wall, boys...

So, what happens if this game goes past 8:00? Presumably FOX starts Yanks/Sox on FX? And us Canadians are left out in the cold?

Pulling Berkman? Is Lane that much better a fielder?

Second-guess time. It seems that, fairly regularly, managers use Closers for two-inning saves, something they don't do in the regular season.

Why not, in preparation for the playoffs, bring on a playoff-bound closer for a two-inning save or two in September? September wasn't about winning and losing for the Cards as much as it was about getting ready for the playoffs. Couldn't "stretching out your closer" be part of such preparation?

Lidge. Nasty. Just Nasty.

I'm not sure if that'd help. I'm not a pitcher, so I can't really say, but Foulke's thrown (exactly) 100 pitches in the past three days. Can anything prepare him for that?

Wow Lidge just abused the 4,5, and 6 hitters.

I've never even heard of Lidge before the playoffs started (I generally don't watch the NL)

Pulling Berkman?

I don't get it either, jsoh. Having Lane available to pinch-hit for Lidge might have made the difference next inning. Usually he's double-switched in for Biggio.

Holy doodle, it's still Isringhausen! Last thing I figured Tony would do.

Well...that was fast. 41 pitches after three innings for Izzy, who I never thought would pitch a third inning.

Well, Isringhausen is now on deck, so I think he's done for the day. Would he have gone 4 if he was due up 9th?
Marlon Anderson, Roger Cedeno, and everyone's favourite sitcom star Yadier Molina on the bench.

Eldred is getting ready in the bullpen, so says Shulman. And now Tavarez is up! Sure hope he doesn't break his other hand opening the bullpen door.

Tavarez is up? Wow, I thought the break of his non-pitching hand would keep him out of the rest of the series. Didn't Kevin Brown miss a few weeks when he broke his hand?

Yeah, but Tavarez is nuts.

Really? What gave you that impression?

This should be interesting.

Did Brown break his throwing hand or his catching hand? Tavarez broke his left (non-throwing) hand... the day after, they said he did some tossing, and was able to catch ok.

Not sure about Brown.

Really? What gave you that impression?

Episode 2F of Too Many Molinas!, where Tavarez breaks his hand...doing something. That was one of the scripts done by an outside writer, so I wasn't "hands-on" with the show that particular week.

So far for him: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 Extremely Obvious Beanballs.

[That was poorly-shown sarcasm. As I typed that, they replayed the Tavarez meltdown.]

I feel obligated to quote Mike Wilner : "He's gone crazy, but I think it's a good crazy" (originally about Pedro Martinez)

Next question : Will this merit an episode on Too Many Molinas?

Brown broke his catching hand, too. Might've been a worse break, though.

Memo to Taguchi: Lidge doesnt really need your help in striking you out. But by all means. Keep waving at those pitches in the dirt.

:)

Somebody call 911 Lidge is abusing the Card hitters!

Will this merit an episode on Too Many Molinas?

Jobu's the producer; I couldn't tell you. Are we talking about the "pitching-with-a-broken-hand" storyline?

Question: Lidge is due up third here in the 12th, and there are no pinch-hitters left on the bench. What do you do? I might just ride him for a fourth inning, he's been cruising here. Strikeout, 0-2 flyout, strikeout in the 11th is amazing.

Brown broke his catching hand, too.

Maybe they've both seen "Bull Durham"...

Anyone know the Yankee's line-up for tonights game? are Olerud and Lofton replacing Sierra and Clark

Options B through D are Springer, Miceli, and Gallo, I might put in Lidge, but that probably isn't wise.

Heh. Both Pujols and Beltran slid into first base...

Wow. Lidge has pitched longer inning-wise than Munro, the starter, and he's thrown fewer pitches.

Speaking of which, Brandon Backe is going to pinch-hit for Lidge. He used to be an outfielder, I think?

According to gameday:

Damon
Bellhorn
Ramirez
Ortiz
Varitek
Nixon
Millar
Mueller
Cabrera

and for NY:

Jeter
A-Rod
Sheffield
Matsui
Williams
Posada
Lofton, DH
Clark
Cairo

Oh my . . . baby got Backe.

I don't remember the last time a pitcher pinched hit for another pither.

In case you didn't hear it, or you don't have QuickTime, or whatever, highlights from Schilling on Rodriguez

"that stupid-ass play by A-Rod..."

"It was frickin'... so unprofessional, it's a joke. You want to kno0w something? The way to look at it, you would never see Derek Jeter doing something like that. Ever. Jeter's a pro, he's a class act, he's a pro, and that play was anything but class."

"A-Rod to me he's like Barry Bonds, a phenomenal player... but from a respect standpoint, there's not a lot there to begin with."

Didn't Kevin Brown miss a few weeks when he broke his hand?

Actually, that's what LaRussa said. Apparently Brown needed a pin in his hand; Tavarez I think they're just wrapping his ring and pinky fingers. Something like that.

Whats with this not-wanting-to-score thing we got going on here? I know that Too Many Molinas! is popular and all, but all of America is chomping at the bit to see the start of The Greatest Rivalry In Sports.

Backe?!?!?!?

Apparently, he was a 2B.

Here are the ALCS lineups:

J. Damon cf
M. Bellhorn 2b
M. Ramirez lf
D. Ortiz dh
J. Varitek c
T. Nixon rf
K. Millar 1b
B. Mueller 3b
O. Cabrera ss

D. Jeter ss
A. Rodriguez 3b
G. Sheffield rf
H. Matsui lf 0
B. Williams cf
J. Posada c
K. Lofton dh
T. Clark 1b
M. Cairo 2b

Gameday has Yankees with Clark at 1, and Kenny at DH

(Wow, that Houston Box Score looks nuts!! It'll need a full page in the newspaper)

Late again....

Who's coming in to "relieve" Backe? Frank Menechino?

Miceli was warming up, wasn't he?

I remember a Florida game vs. Toronto that was in 17 innings or so, and they almost had Guzman come in and bat for the pitcher!! That was too funny.

Announcers: "No, Juan... put the bat down".

Oswalt? Well, I guess it makes sense.

See. If we had McCarver doing this game, he could have told us that that walk was as good as an HR for STL.

Miceli? Leadoff walk? Oh, too bad Houston. It looks like Game 7 tomorrow night, then. ;)

Oswalt is warming in the Cards' bullpen.

DGriebeling: You mean this game? ;)

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041020&content_id=900613&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp
Wow, I just noticed the Mariners announced Mike Hargrove as their new manager. Let's see if he's still got it.

COMN for the mlb.com link

It looks like Game 7 tomorrow night, then.

There will be seven!

Miceli continues his remarkable string of giving up bigbigBIG homers

You could say that he's the Byung-Hyun Kim of 2004. That sound you just heard was Epstein calling Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker to see if Miceli's avaliable.

Nicely done Rob, that looks like the one...

Take note of the following names that played that game:
Clemens, Quantrill, Renteria & Heredia.

Interesting

Good timing there, Jimmy.

I liked how Bagwell, without even looking up, had started walking off the field before Edmunds even got out of the batters box.

He's heard that sound before...

"So when do you change pitchers, Darrell?"
"Well, you listen to the sound of the bat hitting the ball. It makes an awful noise." (Darrell Johnson ex-Sox manager explaining things)

they almost had Guzman come in and bat for the pitcher!!

The Jays did play a game that went 15 innings in 1980, and Dave Stieb came in and played the outfield. Even got his first at bat (he flied out.)

He didn't get another at bat for 18 years, which at one time I thought might be a record (longest time between at bats - but it isn't.)

Sawkiw: 'Latin players == fiesty'. Nice!

I liked how Bagwell, without even looking up, had started walking off the field

That was a great shot. The entire stadium is going loco, and Bagwell is just trudging off the field.

Kudos to Fox for the kick ass intro to Sox/Yanks Game 7

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B08280TOR1980.htm
Some news: Brandon League is on the pregame show tomorrow at 7.

Magpie: COMN for Stieb's leftfield appearance -- Thursday, August 28, 1980. (I spend wayyyyy too much time on Retrosheet.) He made his cameo on Friday, when the 15th and final inning was played. I wonder why it was suspended -- it was an August day game at The Ex in 1980, so I have no clue.

Well, time to go down to the room with the TV to watch the "real" game. Enough of this boring National League stuff, what with all the dull walk-off homeruns. I want some police in riot gear and effeminate slaps with my baseball!

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/mp3clips/newmoviespeeches/moviespeechhenryvcrispinday.mp3
Here we go...

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall see this day and live old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispin's:'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in their mouths as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

Stieb's leftfield appearance

You'll notice the 3B coach had some respect for his arm. He didn't have any fielding chances, but with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Edwards singled.

Wynegar scored but they held Cubbage at 3rd. They knew he had a gun!

First pitch ball to Damon

And with that folks, we are under way!

I hope this question doesn't start a war... but if A-Rod was ruled to be "interferring" when he knocked the ball out of the glove of a guy trying to tag him,

How come a runner from third can try to knock a catcher into next week with the hopes of nothing more than knocking the ball out of the glove of a guy trying to tag him?

Again, McCarver says Bellhorn led the majors in strikeouts.

I told him about Adam Dunn last week, why isn't he listening?

I take it people don't like McCarver ;)

I really don't mind the McCarver's, the Lyons' they don't irk me as much as they do some others. So what if they have different views than what we'd like? Sure some of McCarver's stats are wrong, but name an announcer/play by play guy that isn't occasionally misinformed.

Same goes with Joe Morgan, he doesn't bother me either.

And that's a good question Daryn.

The short answer (IIRC) is that a catcher is interfering with the progress of a runner when he blocks the plate, so a runner is free to plow right through him. Arroyo wasn't interfering, so you can't hit him.

I had read a more complete answer somewhere today, but I can't find it right now.

He was in...

Why the hell would you send Damon on that hit? How many runs have the BoSox run themselves out of?

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/interference/
Daryn, the Box's own Craig Burley explains all of these issues for you at The Hardball Times today. COMN.

How about Mientkewicz on that play though? I know he's the "second man" in the play, but from the replay it's very clear that Mientkewicz was just wandering aimlessly in the middle of the baseline.

TIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That great play by Matsui/Jeter/Posada should not be forgotten though, that was just lovely baseball.

See. Papi was soooo pissed at Sveum, that he decided to clean the mess up.

How many runs have the BoSox run themselves out of?

One more, thanks to Papi.

Not only are they making outs on the bases, they're making the WRONG outs. Third out of the inning at 3rd, now the second out of the inning at home.

Ortiz may have saved Dale Sveum from the goat horns. I can't believe he sent Damon on a ball that was hit sharply enough and after Damon hesitated to boot. Still a long way to go.....

Mientkewicz was just wandering aimlessly in the middle of the baseline.

Mientkiewicz jammed on the brakes and stayed out of the running lane. It was probably in Rodriguez's head, but he would not have impeded the path to the bag.

I'm willing for them to argue that Posada's knee kept Damon's foot off the plate, but if that isn't the call, then he is IN there

ok, I read Craig's article, basically its the "swipe".. if A-Rod had knocked it out with his hip it would have been ok... or by running him down...

Brown chooses to touch the base, rather than have his glove slapped!

I can't believe he sent Damon

You haven't seen much of Dale Sveum's work, have you? The Wendell Kim of the American League. The Boston fans, with remarkable unanimity, want to draw and quarter him.

I'm willing for them to argue that Posada's knee kept Damon's foot off the plate, but if that isn't the call, then he is IN there

It almost doesnt matter. There's no bloody way that Damon should have been sent in the first place. Being aggressive on the basepaths is a winning strategy against the Devil Fishies and the Royals of the world, but against the good teams, its gonna kill you time and time again.

But thats not quite something the Red Sox have picked up on yet.

The Wendell Kim of the American League.

In that case, Sveum needs a snappy nickname, just like Wave-em-in Wendell has.

Send-him Sveum anyone?

Being aggressive on the basepaths is a winning strategy against the Devil Fishies and the Royals of the world, but against the good teams, its gonna kill you time and time again

With two outs and Cabrera on-deck, it'd a good play to send him. It took two pretty good throws to get him.

With one out and Ortiz coming up, it's inexcusable.

Dr. Prison Fence checking in from the ice-cold auxiliary press box at Yankee Stadium. I'm proud to report that this is my final assignment of the season. I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming: Train 48, guest starring Kent Williams.

Wakefield, by the way, is not 40 years old. He turned 38 in August.

It took two pretty good throws to get him.

Yeah, and these are the New York Yankees. They make those plays. You save that stuff for when you're playing Seattle and Kansas City.

Jeez, we saw them do the exact same thing here on the final day of the season on a much tougher play to get Chris Gomez at home. Remember?

Dr Prison Fence!! Howareya!

Wakefield, by the way, is not 40 years old. He turned 38 in August.

So what's he got left? 8-10 years probably. He's in the prime of a knuckleballer's career.

Brown seems to be leaving the ball up in the zone a touch, and with the exception of Bellhorn, the Sox seem to be mostly laying off the crap in the dirt.

He's gonna be gone by the 4th, I reckon.

Can Keith Foulke possibly pitch tonight? I'd rather see them use Pedro as a closer if it comes to that...

I'm ecstatic, Pie full of mags, because there's some unique symmetry going on. Including Spring Training and the playoffs, I've covered 162 games this season -- and it all ends tonight. Can you say Crown Royal on the rocks?

Can Keith Foulke possibly pitch tonight?

THT claims that he's thrown 100 pitches in the last 3 days. I'm thinking no.

I honestly have no idea who they'd go to in the 9th with a slim lead. Timlin maybe? There is the small issue of him mostly sucking this series tho. Embree?

Yeah, and these are the New York Yankees. They make those plays

For all their strengths, the Yankees are not a good defensive team.

Yankees are not a good defensive team.

Which in many instances, is manifested as poor range in key defensive positions. Which is something completely different from being able to execute relay throws.

Hmmm. Seems I was a little optimistic with my 4 IP prediction for Brown.

Bye-bye Brownie . . . this is not going according to Torre's plan.

Pie full of mags

When you anagram my name you get MICRO DYLAN which I like and MORAL CINDY.

Which I'm not keen on.

CROWN ROYAL ON THE ROCKS!!

Yeah, I can say that.

the Yankees are not a good defensive team.

They don't have great defensive talent, but they (Jeter anyway) do do that sort of thing well - hitting the cutoff man, making relays...

Jesus hits a GS!!

Hello!!

http://me.woot.net
Now that was not according to Torre's plan.

BASEBALL JESUS SAVES!

Mystique. Aura. I'd like you to meet The Curse. He's a little ornery right now.

Sheesh. Damon of all people.

JESUS CHRIST HAS HIT A SLAM!!! Maybe this is the Red Sox's year.

"There hasn't been a bigger swing for the Red Sox in a long long time."

Not for at least two days, anyway.

Jesus hits a GS!!

I do believe we may have the header for tomorrow's roundup.

I do believe we may have the header for tomorrow's roundup.

With the subhed being "Casts Yankees out from the temple"

:)

Kudos to Fox for the kick ass intro to Sox/Yanks Game 7.

Yeah, that was pretty good. You can't go wrong using music from the "Rocky 4" Soundtrack. And has Damon delivered the knock out blow? If Boston blows this now, they might want to move to Washington instead.

Mystique. Aura. I'd like you to meet The Curse.

The thing is, last night Curt Schilling had his tendons sewn into place so they wouldn't flap around and with blood oozing into his red socks, went out and pitched for seven innings.

It was a performance out of Myth and Legend, which always overpowers mere Mystique and Aura...

It was a performance out of Myth and Legend, which always overpowers mere Mystique and Aura...

Touche.

There's also a X-Men joke in there somewhere, but I dont posses sufficient nerdliness to make it.

I think the Sox need another touchdown to feel safe, I still don't have a good feeling about this. To think, they could be up 7-0 if not for Sveum doing his John McLaren impersonation.

jsoh, I've always assumed your name was josh, but just spelled strangely (perhaps intentionally, or perhaps by mistake the first couple times and it stuck), but it just dawned on me it could be Jays Season of Hell....

Any insight?

What do you suppose "The Boss" is contemplating at this point?

Only 21 more outs to go. I was getting nervous with that 2 out walk.

jsoh, I've always assumed your name was josh

While the theory that you propose is quite interesting, I'm sure it'll come as a bit of a disappointment that your first guess is whats closer to the truth.

When I type my name quickly, it always seems to come out as 'jsoh'. or 'sjoh'. or even 'jsh', 'sjo', 'jsh', and sometimes 'the guy whos about to make your life miserable'. So much so, that the guys at work keep on calling me Jsoh.

Makes for an easily remembered handle tho (for me at least)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041020.wcadaver20/BNStory/Sports
COMN for more details on the Schilling surgical procedure.

What do you suppose "The Boss" is contemplating at this point?

Possible options:

1) MURDER!!!
2) Exhuming Babe Ruth, having him pinch hit for Lofton.
3) Desperately trying to silence the voice in his head that is chanting "2000! 2000! 2000!"

2) Exhuming Babe Ruth, having him pinch hit for Lofton.

I think Ruth is needed to relief

Fox's music selections for the clips on the lead-in to the commercials have been awesome.

'Shellshocked' after Jesus' slam, and now 'Yankee Rose' over the obligatory Jeter montage.

Fine, they could sacrifice the DH and have him do both.

Other option:

4) Beltran + Pedro + Nomar + Beltre + Daisuke Matsuzaka = World Series, right?

Italics Begone!

Yeah, that was pretty good. You can't go wrong using music from the "Rocky 4" Soundtrack.

For the REAL Rocky diehards, 'No Easy Way Out' certainly would have been a good choice for intro music. But of course that would require someone in the tech crew having some SERIOUS Rocky 4 knowledge.

To quote Ivan Drago, when speaking candidly about the Yankees current situation...

"If they lose, they lose"

Hmm. Cairo has the magic HBP pixie dust thing going on.

Anyone have a count on the number of HBPs during the ALCS? Seems like 5-ish?

Did that pitch hit Cairo, or just invade his personal space?

Did that pitch hit Cairo, or just invade his personal space?

I think it made a lewd comment on the way by. But thats about it.

See. The power of Clutchy McClutch. He just knew that hitting it to Manny would cause him to boot the ball allowing Cairo to score easily.

I think Manny's distracted by his hair again... D'oh!

Am I the only one getting really tired of Jeter's fist pumping?

Uh oh, the eyes that McCarver once called "the calmest he's ever seen" suddenly don't look so calm anymore.

And after studying his handy book of "Jeter's many facial expressions" McCarver realizes that he's never seen that specific expression on DJ's face.

Amazing stuff Tim.

"I dont think that I've ever seen that expression on Derek Jeter's face"

[DELETED - TOO HOT FOR DA BOX! ORDER 'UNRATED SNAPPY RETORTS TO MCCARVERS JETER-MANCRUSH' ON DVD TODAY!]

Anyone have a count on the number of HBPs during the ALCS? Seems like 5-ish?

I know the number of ejections (grumble)

Yes, Jeter's fist pumping gets old quickly.

I love the fist pump. I want these guys to be intense, to care about the game, to be involved... unfortunately, all the fist pumping doesn't erase that JC GS

I just loved Jeter's fist pump at home plate last night, just before he had to walk back to first on A-Rod's b*tch slap on Arroyo's glove.

No. Freaking. Way

Jesus is the answer.

And don't worry, the bold is gone.

Who lit a fire up Damon's behind?

Oh Christ.

This is absoultely unbearable. :-(

Jesus Christ Superstar.

Who lit a fire up Damon's behind?

You mean, who's his daddy?

It's obvious who's Vasquez's daddy is....

Right about now, Bill Simmons is writing a column, in which he introduces either (and I'm not sure about this - my sources are sketchy) the Derek Jeter Face or the Javier Vazquez Face.

Heh. Baseball Jesus doesnt have the fist-tap down yet.

Vazquez still in the game?

How is there a David Ortiz "MVP" chant in NEW YORK?!? Earlier I heard "Let's go Red Sox"

Yikes.

Vazquez still in the game?

For now. I think Loiza is warming up in the pen.

Yes, Vasquez is in, E------ L----- is warming up.

What I'm wondering is... why the heck are Ramirez and Ortiz swing at all? Vasquez can't seem to find the strike zone with even OnStar...

This is not going to be a fun offseason if te Yanks get blown out here.

Steinbrunner: SIGN EVERYBODY

I know Torre's leaving him in, but homers followed up by 4 pitch walks to Bellhorn in front of Ramirez and Ortiz are a sign I could not ignore.

SoSH is hilarious right now. They're snapping at people for counting down the outs and encouraging Lowe to no end. I guess when you've been let down as many times as they have, no lead makes you feel comfortable.

L----- is coming in. I'm giddy.

Y'know... I'm voting for the Yankees only because they seem weaker, and have a better chance of losing in the World Series.

I just want the curse to live on... is that a crime? Does that make me evil?

I just want the curse to live on... is that a crime?

We'll always have the Cubs.

Always.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B08050CLE2001.htm
no lead makes you feel comfortable.

COMN for exhibit A.

As a die hard Sox fan, I think secretly I want the curse to live on... just so that i have something to complain about...

I think under all that pine tar, I think there's N & Y hidden on Nixon's helmet... eesh!

Is this just a glitch in the Yankee scheme of things, or is it the start of the empire beginning to crumble, as da Box has been predicting

Atheist writing here. Fair to say that Jesus was mad for being nailed earlier? Ouch sorry.

To quote Marv Albert: A Kick Save! And a Beauty!

Hopefully Beltran and Pavano don't choke being in NY next season.

Please don't take this out of context, but does anyone see the irony in Damon hitting his grand slam at 9:11?

I'm PRAYING that the Yanks sign Pavano. No, not because I want their team to improve but simply because of...

ALYSSA MILANO!!!

I think I'd attend every Yankee home game in hopes of spotting her. Well, I'd have to alternate of course between Mets/Yankees game in hopes of spotting the kinky Anna Benson at Shea!

All while attempting to scoreboard watch the Jays!

So, if Sox win, who's the MVP? I'm thinking Ortiz, but part of me also thinks it should be Foulke.

Holy Lord what was that.

I've heard rumblings Mrs. Benson posed for Penthouse but I can't find any pics to prove it........

the kinky Anna Benson

Do you mean Amber Benson? Tara from Buffy, right?

OK, why is she at Shea?

And is she really kinky, or does she just play one on television?

A quality job by Lowe to say the absolute least.

http://www.annabenson.net
Anna Benson... Kris Benson's wife. COMN (if you weren't being sarcastic)

Anna Benson, wife of Kris Benson

Frankly, I don't really see what the big deal is.

Okay... ALCS MVP candidates:

David Ortiz
Keith Foulke
Johnny Damon (every vote coming on this game)
Curt Schilling (bloody sox... c'mon!)

if you weren't being sarcastic

Nope, didn't know who you were talking about.

Oh.

I see.

I see.

It's gotta be Ortiz, snatching the trophy straight from Hideki Matsui's hands.

Anna Benson, wife of Kris Benson

Damn... I vote to have Jays sign Benson... Kris or Anna, I don't care...

ALCS MVP candidates

I imagine they're removing Hideki Matsui's name right about now...

Gotta be Ortiz.

One thing we did learn though...

Do you mean Amber Benson? Tara from Buffy, right?

MAGPIE WATCHES BUFFY!!

Explain yourself Magpie...

LOL j/k of course, it's okay to watch teen shows aimed at getting teenage GIRLS as their audience... especially when the star is Sarah Michelle Geller...

The Astros or Cardinals will do their part. The Curse will live on. Hopefully in seven games. In the most excruciating way possible.

Did I just see Pedro warming up? Damn! Sox aren't taking any chances.

This looks good on the Yankees. But I'm torn; I hate the Red Sox nearly as much.

But of all the teams left in the post-season, I'd have to hope the 'Stros win the WS. Yes, even though Roger Clemens is pitching for Houston.

LOL j/k of course, it's okay to watch teen shows aimed at getting teenage GIRLS as their audience... especially when the star is Sarah Michelle Geller...

I've been known to watch the Lizzie Maguire show from time to time but anyways back to the game...........

The Curse will live on. Hopefully in seven games. In the most excruciating way possible.

How's about the Red Sox go ahead 3-0 over the Stros and then in games 4,5,6 Steve Bartman makes a few cameo's and ends up altering the game somehow.

Then in Game 7 the Sox blow a 10 run lead in the ninth when it's capped off by Carlos Beltran's record 9th homerun of the playoffs. A grand slam in this case, to win.

Sounds like the perfect scenario to me.

Did I just see Pedro warming up? Damn! Sox aren't taking any chances.

I'm closing my eyes and praying that Tito Francona is not going to pull another Grady.... by putting Pete in and lose it...

MAGPIE WATCHES BUFFY!!

Religiously.

The best scenario would be tos ee the Sox lose this game, in the ninth, with Pedro on the hill. Somehow.

Jeter strikes out again. This guy has been awful in the series, and yet still gets worshipped by the media because he had ONE lead changing basehit in a game that his team lost. Unbelivable.

I watched Buffy when it was on, it was ok but I preferred Angel.

"How could any of those wins be bigger than tonight?"

Well, the ones that won the bleeding World Series were a little bigger.

DUH!

Me too Magpie.....

And I always thought that Steinbrenner should have played the First..... and Jeter would have been one helluva Caleb.

Magpie, the fact that you are proud of it gains you instant credibility in my book, so atleast to me your "street cred" has been restored ;)

I think NYC might stop tomorrow. Mayor Bloomberg may call for a holiday or a possible "Day of mourning." One thing is for sure though, I'll make sure I rub it in to all my friends who happen to be Diehard Yankee fans. And when they try and get at me with "Where were the Blue Jays? Watching it on TV, that's right" I'll simply say. "Yes but the Jays lost with a 50 mil payroll while the Yanks choked with a 180 mil payroll." And I'll make sure to put extra emphasis on the CHOKE part.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!

**Cue cheesy dance music**

For a baseball season that couldn't end soon enough, as a Blue Jays fan and a baseball fan, this series makes it all worth it, and then some.

Thank you Red Sox. NOW FINISH THE JOB!

Did Francona just lose his head? or Steinbrenner just bribed him on bullpen phone?

I believe Kevin Brown's LCS ERA stands at 21.60, which is further proof that $15 million just doesn't buy what it used to....

I watched Buffy when it was on, it was ok but I preferred Angel.

Well, I like Buffy best when Angel was there. And Oz. And Spike still had his teeth... although I sure loved the Angel episode where he became a puppet. Tee-hee!!

Hey, I just got back from work. Did I miss anything?

I was supposed to have a glimpse of the opening title for "Too Many Molinas!" but the production team (NFH) disapeared on me. I knew I should have paid him "something" instead of "nothing". Damn these complicated union rules....I just want to make TV magic.

Agreed Hamboy.
Taking out Lowe right now would be reverse Grady X10. Aside from grazing Cairo's shirtsleeve, Lowe has been Billy Chapel in "For Love of the Game" Good.
What the hell is Bob Sheppard saying? "mmsfnuhsdfuhdf jfhndshhfd Ronan Tynan..." "I died 10 years ago...but nobody told me..."

Hey, nice cameo during God Bless America for the Toronto flag! The bad thing is, when that flag is right next to the US flag, it means the Jays are in last place.

Are they actually bringing Pedro in during a 7-run game on 1 day rest? Francona has made some head stratching moves in this series, but they've all paid off, so who am I to doubt.

This is not good, despite seeing the Yankees lose. George will flip his lid and sign Beltran, Pedro, etc. He may have done so anyway, but now he has more incentive. This would be the biggest choke job in sports.

Ronan Tynan doesn't look as happy as he was lastnight, is he?

And did anyone catch that flag that said "Toronto" next to American flag?

Hey! Anyone else notice the "Toronto" flag during the close-up of the US flag during God Bless America? What's up with that?

WHY?!?! WHY?!?! Why is Pedro coming in? This is ******* stupid. This is only the ALCS. The curse isn't reversed unless they get by St. Louis.

MAGPIE WATCHES BUFFY!

It was a great show. Well, for three seasons it was, anyway; then it went downhill to the point where the sixth and last half of the seventh seasons were pretty much a garbage dump. You could count the really good episodes of the last three seasons on the fingers of both hands.

Curse my sluggish fingers!

Did you guys see that Toronto flag next too the......

sorry, I just didn't want to feel left out.

At Yankee Stadium, they have all of the flags lined up near the Giant US flag. They go by division, and which place each team is in the division. The team closest to the US flag is the AL East team in last place... Toronto.

Hillbilly Zombie in the house.

Tonight's game story: Jesus Is Risen

And it looks like Pedro Martinez is coming in to get some throwing in?

Does this mean Wakefield starts on Saturday? Arroyo? Luis Tiant?

Wouldn't this be a chance to let Mendoza soak up some innings... oh, wait, it's just a seven run lead. My bad.

I don't know...

Dave,

You sound bitter. You're more than welcome to have last place if you really want it that badly.

I should clarify on my last post.

They have all of the TEAM flags lined up around the back of the stadium near the US flag.

Okay... I see what Francona is doing... he just wanted to hear "who's your daddy" chant!

to the point where the sixth and last half of the seventh seasons were pretty much a garbage dump.

See. I have to partially disagree with you there. I thought that season 6 was the best out of all the seasons, and thats not just because of Once More With Feeling.

Season 7, however, was a festering pile o' dog manure.

Pedro comes in, and Matsui has the hardest hit yankee ball of the night. Tito's on George's payroll. Guaranteed

Dave,

You sound bitter. You're more than welcome to have last place if you really want it that badly.

Huh? I'm a Jays fan, just pointing out some of the nuances at Yankee Stadium that our Canadian friends might not necessarily know. Just had to point out the last place thing for two reasons:

1) To put in some drama

2) To make light to the Season From Hell that we will soon laugh about 3 years from now when the Jays win the world series... RIGHT?!?!?

Ruh-oh. Back-to-back doubles and the lead is ... six.

Bernie crushes one, as most of Boston starts eating their hat.

87 MPH fastball? Sheesh

Man, gotta love the mindlessness of the Yankee fans. Down by 7 in the 7th, they STILL chant "Who's your daddy?"

I take it that our friends at SoSH aren't too happy about this move by FranCOMA. Only 69 pitches from Lowe too. Hopefully it doesn't backfire.

I thought that season 6 was the best out of all the seasons, and thats not just because of Once More With Feeling.

'Once More With Feeling' was of course great. It's about the only thing about Season 6 that was.

Allow me to add my voice to the chorus of people who don't know why Martinez is pitching.

Here comes Pedro to blow up like Batista!

I'm to start "lynch Francona", Toronto chapter.
What **** is going through your head???

Sorry Dave. Was catching the wrong vibe. I'm just so god**** p***** off right now. This is the dumbest idea I've ever seen in my entire life. Lowe gives up 1 hit in 6 innings and they decide they'd rather have 55,000 screaming Yankee fans back in the game.

Can someone check - is Francona even alive right now, or has he been replaced with some sort of zombie? One that cant figure out how to work the dugout steps.

I agree with the decision to pull Lowe, but like the rest of you I'm baffled that Pedro got the call. It's a good thing from my perspective, though: it makes this game more interesting, and it hurts Boston for the Series.

What part of NY you in JaysFan36?

I'm hoping, for your sake, that your nestled up safely in Roscoe or somewhere desolate so that you don't have to feel the wrath of tons of Yankee fans tomorrow.

But why wouldn't you want to see that? It sounds like SO much fun!

I can't wait!!

Pedro... don't blow this!

our friends at SoSH aren't too happy about this move

A sample of the response:


Pedro on extremely short rest doesn't give you a better to win. This is insane. Words cannot describe the lunancy of this move.

Poor managing. Nothing else to say. This is STUPID.

Great move get the crowd involved.

OK, that's about enough of that little experiment.

This is far worse than Grady's non move last year. This is so f'n stupid on so many levels I honestly cant believe I am watching this.

how hard is it to manage a baseball team?

why why why why



So I'd say they're a little concerned...

And just as they did in Games 5 and 6, SoSH has switched from the original game thread to the "relief game thread."

Time for the stopper!

Pedro Martinez is now officially the Incredible Hulk of pitchers. 96 mph? That's insane.

Last time I checked, this wasn't all-star game, where every pitcher gets to pitch a inning.... eesh... totally brainless move...
If Pedro comes back out for 8th, I'm starting a "assasinate Francona" fund!

Pedro hit 96, and then 77 on consecutive pitches. Pretty nice, I'd say.

I'm ... really not as shocked at the move as you guys are. I realize it's short rest, limits their options, yadda yadda. But I mean, you know... "Go for the jugular" and all that.

Bellhorn erases some of the lunacy...

Speaking of SoSH...

I've heard that their "entrance exam" is practically insane and that the questions are basically rediculous. Although I did hear from someone that most of the questions are trick questions that have cheesy answers like "wicked fahhhh" which translates into wicked far for normal people.

Any word on this?

Dave,

Rochester. MUCH closer to T.O. than NYC. That's why I'm a Jay fan. Grew up in Scranton (Phillies/Yankees/Mets country). Big time Red Baron fan (AAA for the Phillies). Graduated from college in May and decided to "root root root" for the "home" team. hehehe I actually work with a fair share of Red Sox fans and Yankee Haters. I think people here like Abby Wambach and Women's Soccer more than baseball. Sacreligious I know...

-Bob

I think people here like Abby Wambach and Women's Soccer more than baseball.

EWWWW!!!

I feel for you Bob. If only you were lucky enough to work with some Yankee LOVERS or ADORERS... it would make this loss so much sweeter!

Jobu's REALLY out of place comment of the night:

Hey, anyone remember Popples? I had like six of them.

WTF!!??!

And out of nowhere comes... AL LEITER!!!

It's a shame, because he's pretty good when he talks. But those could be the first words he's uttered in atleast 30 minutes.

In the 2+ years I lived in Rochester, I never met another Jays fan.

Mind you, I spent most of those years drinking at the Distillery or the Lux Lounge, but still. :)

A good explanation for the 7th, courtesy SoSH:

Pedro coming in was not an ego move. Pen is tired, they were looking at options, Pedro was scheduled to throw today anyway. So everyone said beforehand he was coming in. The plan was always Lowe goes 5 or 6, and Pedro comes in. So it didn't work out that great. That was bad pitching. No need to ascribe it to ego.

Moffatt, I guess we were never in the Distillery at the same time! Great wings. It's been a few years though, so I suppose I predated you a tad in Rochester. And yes, I was the only Jays fan I knew too.

Pedro was scheduled to throw today anyway

Esqueeze me? a baking powder?

He pitched Monday. He rested Tuesday. And Wednesday, for a pitcher who needs extra rest than most, is schedule to throw today (in game situation, not on the side)? That's hardly plausible explanation. I think better explanation is, big George bought him.

I lived in Rochester from August-July 2000-2001 then again from August-May 2002-2003... so you were probably gone before I got there. I went to U of R and taught Econ at Genesee Community College at Dansville.

Hey, anyone remember Popples?

I had forgotten until now. Thanks for unpleasant reminder. I suppose this is the retribution for the stuff-messing-up-of?

[SoSH explanation of Pedro's appearance]

Its a good explanation, but it still bloody blows my mind. Leskanic didnt pitch yesterday. Mendoza hasnt pitched since the debacle on Saturday. Timlin/Embree are going to come in today anyways, since Foulke is spent.

Everybody knows that Pedro of recent years JustDoesntHaveIt when he's tired (aka after 100 pitches). Even with a 7-run lead, bringing him in on 1 day rest just strikes me as an absolutely stupid move.

Just 'cause the plan called for Lowe for 6, there was no indication whatsoever that he was slowing down. Sure. Keep someone warmed up in the pen, but let him start the 7th. If he gets thru it, then great - you just need 2 innings from the pen. If not, you got someone to take over immediately.

This oughta lead to some mighty exciting bottom of the ninth.

I went to U of R and taught Econ at Genesee Community College at Dansville.

Weird! ME TOO!

"Stolen base away"????
what kind of assinine comment is that? is there any yankee who can steal home?

Think this will impact Joe Torre's position next year? A firing, or not?

Moffatt,

I LOVE the Distillery. I am there almost every Sunday for NFL. The Loaded Fries are freaking excellent! Can't beat half price appetizers after 10 EVERY night. Sports Page on Monroe is sweet too. Went there last night because its the offical Rochester "Red Sox" Bar. $5 during Sox games gets you a burger and a dog or two dogs, and a pint of Labatt or Rolling Rock. Obviously I'm not fron here or I woulda just called it a "hot" hehehe :) Rolling Rock reminds me of home though. So does the Yuengling which is becoming immensely popular in NY in the last year and a half.

-Bob

Weird! ME TOO!

It's the typical career path for Batter's Box posters.

Am I the only one who can't believe the Sox are actually winning?

By the way, I just started reading the thread, but good on Magpie for posting the St. Crispin's Day speech. The LaserDisc of Ken Branagh's version of Henry V is one of my prized possessions, and his delivery of that speech is a knockout.

Yeah Moffatt... not only that, the Yanks are looking like the Sox, they can't do anything right.

Leskanic's got a bad shoulder. He pitched the other night, but he's generally day-to-day as to whether he can lift his arm. I'm not sure why he's on the LCS roster for that very reason.

Obviously no faith in Mendoza whatsoever and Foulke is obviously cooked.

I think this was probably always the plan because it was Pedro's throw day.

And I think Leiter was right. He simply wasn't quite loose when he went into the game. Once he got warm, he looked pretty good.

Heh. Jesus' heroics tonite have raised his LCS average to .... .176

I LOVE the Distillery.

I loved it because it was a 10 minute walk from my office, so I could walk over there from school, have a pitcher or five, then take a cab home. The half price apetizers rocked as well. I think they were the only reason I didn't die of malnutrition my first year there.

I quite miss Rochester. I could really go for some Dinosaur BBQ right now.

I'm not sure why he's on the LCS roster for that very reason.

I think he's on the roster because he's not Terry Adams

Any chance ByungHyun Kim making World Series roster for Boston?

They're up by 7. Why am I nervous?

Because you're hand's stuck in the toaster.

Question of interest.... Has anyone ever come back being down 7 runs in the 9th?

If the Yanks somehow manage to comeback, what's more impressive? Their comeback today, or the past 3 days for the Sox?

You're nervous because they're the Red Sox.

Jonny is right, though: It does look like these two teams changed uniforms before the game.

Because anything can happen, jsoh.

Because you're hand's stuck in the toaster.

No. Thats not it - its my foot thats stuck in the toaster oven. I think Mo Phat might be on to something tho.

This Boston/New York series reminds me off one of those generic screw ball comedys where the frat house full of slackers, losers, and malcontents overcomes all odds to better the crusty dean and the rival Alpha male fraternity.

Enough with the talking and commercials -- I'm still holding my breath and now my face is turning blue.

Someone sign up Bill Buckner for the WS roster and quick...

Yay! Now they can lose in the World Series!

WTF!?!?!?

GO BACK SPORTSNET!!! GO BACK@@!!!!

Thank you.

Jobu: I you get Fox, turn there, it'll have coverage. Lots of jumping around, and some shots of some fine lookin Bostonian ladies at the bar celebrating...

Yay!!!

For the stathead inclined, this is a bit of a mixed outcome: Now instead of hearing bleating about how money buys championships I get to hear bleating about the importance of intangibles.

$180,000,000 doesn't go as far as it used to, eh Cashman?

Did anyone watching on TV see the looks A-Rod was giving out to the celebrations? They showed it a couple of times right after the win. All I gotta say is that look could have melted ice.

Jesus speaks...

So I wonder what Alex Rodriguez is thinking... you were almost there.

Anyway, here they are. Ninth Inning reflections from SoSH:

If you count outs, I will hunt you down.

I love you all.

I feel so very good.
So.. very, very good

I am almost feeling comfortable.

It is very quiet at the Toilet, except for the large contingent from the Nation.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say Dan Shaugnessey can blow me.

Is this really happening?????

I'm shaking

START SPREADING THE NEWS......

The curse of Arod begins.....

Look at 'em dancing on Yankee field....have you ever seen a more beautiful thing? (that wasn't naked or female)

I can only imagine what's going on at SOSH as the Sox dance on the Merc's field......incredible.

I never liked Johnny Damon... after seeing him interviewed twice today, I think I like the guy, even if he looks like a caveman.

I still don't like Pedro, Manny, Ortiz, Timlin, and the rest of the gang though.

Jobu: though I'm not a mathy by any stretch, you should really change that 'or' to an 'and' (in that wasn't naked or female). Hairy backs just don't do it for me.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course.

http://www.battersbox.ca/archives/00002327.shtml
DG, I've had a soft spot for Manny and Ortiz ever since they showed up in one of my dreams and beat the crap out of Joe Torre for me. COMN and scroll down.

If Houston wins tomorrow, Clemens returns to Fenway.

Fozzy, you have to assume ladies or A-Rod might be reading this too

If Houston wins tomorrow, Clemens returns to Fenway.

Expect him to start Game 3 at Enron...

and Game 7 at Fenway...

Oh. My. God.

Could this be the year that all the demons get exorcized?

And here's Ortiz, Series MVP.

And Theo looks like, and parties like a frat boy. Awesome.

True Jobu, no need for (g)love slaps from the billion dollar man.

Alright, I gotta say it, enough of this 'classy' bullshit.

The first gift for my birthday (it's past midnight)

The sox humilate the Merc's on their home field, and I win the ejection pool!

I don't even have to click. Who could forget the indignation felt by Man-Ram and Papi when they realized that Yankee fans were taking over SKydome and not allowing the O-Drum??!
Stupid Lieber.

Could this be the year that all the demons get exorcized?

It's possible.

But it's also possible the reverse could happen.

It's possible Clemens could be the one to drive a stake through the heart of the Red Sox World Series drive, in Game 7, at Fenway.

It's possible that all this curse malarky, instead of being buried once and for all, could, when all of this is said and done, be more intrenched into the Boston psyche than ever before.

It's possible we could see a repeat of the Boston Tea Party. Except this time, instead of tea, it will be droves of suicidal 'Sox fans plunging to the bottom of the occean.

It's possible -- but not very likely :)

at least not if there's a God...

JayWay: I'm sure that would make for a good show on Fox; they eat kinda that stuff up :)

I can see it now, intertwining shots of panicky people with face shots of Jeter and A-Rod.

have you ever seen a more beautiful thing? (that wasn't naked or female)

Shouldn't that be *and*? Although this is Jobu we're talking about ;)

aww shoot. Apparently Im way behind the times.

Hey, Fozzy already covered my homoerotic comments! Can't we move on?

You guys act like you've never seen a naked beautiful man on your kitchen table before....

Just a re-cap. Prize to be distributed tomorrow!

Under:
Me ("I love Elvis and Beach Boys. Check out my hair")
Prof. Mophatt
Mike D
Paul D
Magpie (The chill from the Schil)
Jeff "I've never met Ilkka Sinisalo" Geauvreau
Rob (The John Wasdin of MVP pitching)
Wayne "Jobu Can't See Me" H
DGriebeling (Care Bear STARE!!!)
Jason "Dont call me rebar" Robar
Keith "I have marginal" Talent
"I'll sue you if you mention me" Lucas
Jim "The Bad Guy" TBG
Thomas (I can't post on time)

Over:
Donkit R.K.
Jack Foley
Dr. Zarco
6-4-3 (Tanyon "I'm over achieving" Sturtze)
Wunderbat (via satelite phone)
Dan (Pedro "Lambada: The Forbidden Dance" Martinez)
Tassle (Fan "interference")
Flyin' Ryan Lind
Emerald "I can be purchased on the shopping channel"
Reidmar the Mediocre (Do you remember Beakmans' World?)
Dave "Harry Heck" Till
A (my name is too short to do anything fun with)
Craig "Everybody look at your hands" B
Johnny "The bad guy in 80s movies is always" German
Geoff "That is too say Jeff" North
He Grimlock

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/NYY153102100_1024x768.jpg
I can't believe we had riot police but no ejections. Anyway...COMN for a great shot to snicker at, if you're into that whole anti-Yankees stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Hello new desktop.....

Thanks Rob!

I was hoping Timlin was going to stick around to get the final out but I was glad Olerud wasn't it. Seeing Timlin on the mound made me think of 1992 again - "Timlin to Carter". Those were the days!

The Red Sox won, and more importantly, the Yankees lost. It's nice to see the Yankees choke. Looks good on 'em. A-Rod looked pissed, wasn't that great? Jeter can now go fist pump himself. Man, what a series!

I don't think we can lose now with this year's World Series. It should be a good match-up either way. I'd like to see Houston win it but I think St. Louis is going to take it tomorrow. I really feel the Astros blew this series tonight. You don't send a guy like Pete Munro to win you the biggest game in franchise history. I'm sure Astros fans were really encouraged when Munro says "I'd rather face myself than face Clemens". Yeah, Clemens goes on 4 days rest tomorrow but the Cards have the momentum again. And the last time Clemens pitched a Game 7, he didn't exactly have a scintillating game. Heck, the Yankees won in spite of him. Well, here's hoping for another good game tomorrow.

the big Inglis sign

My favourite billboard in the entire world. Sometimes when I visit Toronto, I take the Gardiner rather than the 401 just to see the skyline and the Inglis sign.

Fun fact of the day:

WORLD SERIES RINGS

Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Javier Vazquez, E----n L----a (combined): 0

Ed Sprague: 2

I can only conclude that Ed Sprague is twice as good as any of those people.

WORLD SERIES RINGS

Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Javier Vazquez, E----n L----a (combined): 0

Ed Sprague: 2

When the Jays won in '92 and '93, did they not give championship rings out to everyone in the organization - even the office workers?

In that case:

WORLD SERIES RINGS -

Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Javier Vazquez, E----n L----a (combined): 0

Samantha Fischer of North York, Ontario (Secretary to the General Manager, 1990-1993): 2

http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0838000/
I don't know who this person is, but according to her birthdate and city, she's the exact female equivalent of me... just obviously more successful.

she's the exact female equivalent of me

Only difference being, you have the benefit of being real.

Wait. You are real, right?

Jobu's Half-Man, Half-Amazing. But I think his knee is in pretty good shape.

http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0838000/
Ooops, sorry.

Please COMN to see my mystery doppleganger.

Wait, I don't get it. What about my knees?

Read this at a message board at ESPN.com and thought it was pretty interesting:

Has anyone else noticed that it's been 18 years since the Red Sox were last in the World Series in 1986 and 86 years since the Red Sox last won the World Series in 1918? Coincidence?

"The Red Sox won, and more importantly, the Yankees lost."

You said it. I didn't feel the series would be complete if I didn't once again publically state my infinite dislike for the New York Yankees. Especially Derek Jeter and Alex Cheater. Also, Joe Torre, Ruben Sierra, Riveira, The Chef, Jorge, Gordon, and so on.
I do, really hate that team. Everyone except Johny O, and Godzilla. These lone exceptions seem to be Yankees only by some cruel twist of fate. As such, I don't hold it against them. But for the rest of those slime balls and weasels. I'm glad you lost. So is 90% of the clinically sane North American population, along with 75% of the clinically insane pop. Your over paid. There, I said it. Now go home and count your ridiculis piles of money, cry on your wives/girlfriends magnificent breasts, and hoepfully I can write another ode to your collective failure this time next year.

I'm a little sad, because Matsui has played so very well that I want to see more of him before the season's over. And I would have enjoyed the Astros against the Yankees just to see Clemens pitching against 'em.

And I would have enjoyed the Astros against the Yankees just to see Clemens pitching against 'em.

If memory serves, Clemens has some history with Boston as well.

Yeah, it's just not as recent. ;)

If 'Stros make it.... I'm torn... as a bosox fan, who's also a clemens fan... I have Sox jersey with Clemens, 21 on the back... ugh!

Expect him to start Game 3 at Enron...

and Game 7 at Fenway...

About that. Didn't the National League win the Allstar game, thus home field in The Series?

'Fraid not, Lime. The AL took it again.

'Fraid not, Lime. The AL took it again.

Yup. Unlike last year, when one could complain that Eric Gagne cost the Marlins home field advantage, if the 'stros make it this year, they've got their own man Rocket to blame for not having home field!