Papelbon Steals Second Base!

That's right, I saw him do it! Only moments earlier, Alex Cora hauled in a harmless infield fly ball for the final out of the game. The Red Sox defeated the Indians 5-4, and in doing so, clinched the American League Wild Card spot, while simultaneously eliminating the Yankees from postseason play. Then, the celebration ensued! Knowing this would be fun, I worked my way around from right field down to the first base line and found a spot a rows off the field right by canvas alley. Players were celebrating, champagne was flying, and smiles were readily found.

Then, we looked out and Jonathan Papelbon, doused in champagne, wearing a ladies-pleasing sleeveless Red Sox jersey, marched over to second base, bent over, and started tearing it from the ground. From the look of it, it was not easy. Like King Arthur once drew Excalibur from the stone, so did Papelbon extract second base from the very foundation of hallowed Fenway Park (not being frivolously torn down any time soon, by the way). With the base held in one hand high overhead, Papelbon marched directly towards where I was standing. A huge cheer went out, and as he approached, he reached out and handed the base to someone in the front row. Yes, Papelbon did indeed steal second base. I never saw what happened to the base after that. I wonder if they actually let the fan keep it?

So, I did get my wish after all, being present at the playoff clinching game. My friend brought both his father and father-in-law to the game, which turned out to be pretty fun. His father-in-law confided in me that it had been a long, long time since he had been to Fenway Park. When I asked him how long ago it was, he thought for a moment and answered, "I really can't remember exactly, but I do remember that I saw Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle both hit home runs in that game. Ted's landed right around where we are sitting but Mantle's [he said pointing up towards the Dunkin Donuts sign] landed way back there". My jaw dropped, just for a second, and I realized someday that might be me, telling a grandchild that I sat here the day David Oritz hit two home runs in the first inning, or the time Papi hit a home run that broke my friend's thumb, or the time, in 2008, when we watched the Sox clinch a playoff birth.

Another fun moment in the celebration was when 3 players jogged out of the dugout, all soaking wet and carrying fresh bottles of champagne. They were (if I recall correctly), David Aardsma, Javier Lopez (who is really tall up close), and Manny Delcarmen. The three of them headed out to right field, towards the bullpen where the Boston policeman (who bumps knuckles with Papelbon each time Paps gets called in from the 'pen) was standing. We all watched as they got closer and closer. I felt like that scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Arthur and his men (hmm, another reference to King Arthur?) were charging the castle and the two guards just stood there watching, and the shot of them charging kept repeating as if they were never getting any closer. Suddenly, they reached their target, still standing rock still, and proceeded to douse him with champagne amid hugs and high fives.

So, that's it. The Rays won both halves of their double header yesterday to reduce the Red Sox' elimination number to a mere 2 for the Division Title. If the Sox lose just one more game, and the Rays win just one more game, the Rays take the title. So, I think, while it is not technically over, we can relax, and concede the Rays have earned that one. Now, continue to play hard, and try to win every remaining game, but rest everyone who needs it, get work in for everyone who needs it, and line up the rotation so that we'll head in to LA with all guns blaring.

My next game to attend is Friday, against the Yankees, the night the Red Sox have announced they will retire Johnny Pesky's number! We'll also be able to say a sad farewell to the Yankees for 2008. Way back in 2002, sports radio host, Eddie Andelman, tried to organize a Yankee Elimination Party. That party got canceled, and no such party has been possible until last night. The Yankees have had quite an amazing run. Understand this. Derek Jeter has never, up until now, played in a game that had to playoff meaning. Never. Pretty impressive.

(Photos Courtesy of Boston.Com)

Perfect Day for Red Sox

Yesterday simply could not have gone better for Boston. The Orioles had the Sox against the ropes, but a 9th inning blunder by Orioles reliever, Jim Miller, allowed the Sox to steal a win. Back to back bunts are not something the Sox are known for, but that is what ended the game last night. With Alex Cora on first, Coco Crisp bunted safely putting runners at first and second. Then, Jacoby Ellsbury laid down a bunt to move the runners up. If he acted quickly, it looked like Miller had a shot at getting the lead runner at third. He went for it, but in his rush he threw the ball past the third baseman and into left field, allowing Cora to score the winning run.

The Orioles bullpen simply could not keep them in the game, and the Red Sox snatched a well timed three game sweep. The Yankees, meanwhile, were very helpful in beating the Rays for the second straight night. With the Sox also winning, the Yankees moved no closer, but the Sox gained a game on the AL East lead, and now are only 3 games back. With the Rays coming to town on Monday for a 3 game series, the Sox are now in striking distance.

The Wild Card race also got easier for the Sox. Toronto gave the Red Sox a boost by beating the Twins last night, which increased their lead to 4 games over Minnesota for the Wild Card. Everything went just as we scripted it!

The Sox have today off to travel to Texas for 3 games. Josh Beckett will take the mound but will be on a limited pitch count in this first start since experiencing elbow issues. The Sox are 7-0 against Texas this season, but I would not put any money on a sweep on the road. We are not sure what Beckett will bring to the table tomorrow, and even if he pitches well, he'll be out early and the game will be in the hands of the bullpen. The Rangers will have Kevin Millwood on the mound, and he;s been pitching quite well lately. I certainly expect the Sox to at least win Lester's start on Sunday, but I think the best we can realistically hope for is to win 2 out of 3. Winning all three would result in a season sweep of Texas, and that just feels unlikely.

So, use today to catch your breath, send good thoughts to Texas for at least 2 wins, and be prepared for the most important series of the season to kick off on Monday!

(Photos Courtesy of ESPN)

Red Sox Undefeated in September

The playoff race always begins in earnest in September. No matter what happened earlier in the season, you always wait until September to see who is still standing. For example, back in June when the Tampa Bay Rays were in first place, Red Sox fans were heard claiming, "wait until September, they won't last". Well, maybe that's not the best example, since the Rays have more than lasted. How about this one from Yankee fans back in June, "wait until September, the Yankees will be right in the middle of the playoff race". Darn, another bad example.

Well, I think you get the message. The playoff race officially goes into its final phase starting in September, and the Red Sox are definitely in the thick of it. While they are an uncomfortable 5 games behind the Rays, the Division Championship is not out of reach. There are two big reasons for that. First, the Red Sox play 16 of their final 25 games at home, where they are 46-19. The second reason is that they have 6 games remaining against the Rays. The fastest way to catch an opponent is to beat them head to head. I'm not saying it will happen, but I am saying that playing the Rays 6 times in September gives the Sox an opportunity to make quick steps up the ladder.

Unfortunately, this season these two teams have been very territorial against each other. In six games against the Rays in Boston, the Red Sox are undefeated, sweeping both 3 games series. However, the Rays have simply returned the favor when playing in Florida, sweeping the Red Sox in both of the 3 games series played down there. If the same were to take place in September, I don't like the Sox' chances of catching them. Right now, there are 25 games remaining for the Sox. If the Sox and Rays split their remaining 6 games, there is no change in their standings relative to each other. That leaves the Sox 5 games back, with only 19 other games on the schedule. Making up 5 games in a 19 game stretch when you do not face each other is tough. It would require the Sox to go on a bit of a winning streak, which is possible with so many games left at home, and the Rays to get into a bit of a slump, which is not unheard of (just look at the Mets last year). But, the Rays have showed no signs of slowing down, so I think the Sox' real chance at catching them hinges on the head to head meetings, starting next week.

Last night, the Sox started September in proper fashion with a nice 7-4 win over Baltimore. I am glad to see that, especially since Baltimore has had a knack for being a thorn in their sides in the 21st century. Paul Byrd is proving his value in adding depth to the rotation, going 3-1 in his four starts for Boston. I think that is a nice fill-in for what the Sox were getting from Clay Buchholz. Jason Varitek and Jeff Bailey hit back to back solo home runs in the second inning to get things started, Dutin Pedroia remained hot driving in 2 runs, and Jed Lowrie doubled in two runs of his own in his bid to hold on to the starting short stop spot for the remainder of the year. for Lowrie, it may work out similarly to Jacoby Ellsbury last year who got extra playing time down the stretch when Coco Crisp was not 100%.

Jon Lester goes for his 13th win tonight against Radhames Liz. I am not too worried about Liz, his control is not great, and the Sox will take advantage of too many walks. The Sox also clobbered Liz earlier this season, running him from the game in the 3rd inning. So, this could be a good day for Lester. The one thing I'm going to keep an eye on with Lester is fatigue. Lester has been a work horse this season, but he is young and this is his first full season in the majors. We've seen with some players (like Buccholz last year) that fatigue can set in around this time of year. If the Sox can afford it as September progresses, it would be nice if Lester could get an extra day of rest in here or there prior to the playoffs starting - provided doing so does not hinder their chances at being in the playoffs at all.

(Photos Courtesy of ESPN)