So I was at a podiatrist’s today, dealing with Ariel having an ingrown toenail. And out of curiosity, I asked, “So what are Schilling’s chances tonight?”
He shook his head and laughed. “Non-existent. There’s no way. A shoe isn’t going to do it. He needs surgery.” He then proceeded to describe the flapping piece of meat that was once the Red Sox ace’s tendon. “If he makes it out of the second inning, it’ll be a miracle,” he said.
Which means that the Sox have exactly one shot: Get to the Yankees’ starter early, knock him out of the game, and then have it boil down to a duel of two exhausted bullpens.
Can the Red Sox really pull out two miracles in the Bronx? I really don’t know. Common sense and history both say no freakin’ way. I predicted the Sox in five. Obviously that’s not happening. But just dwell on this:
Can you imagine if the Yankees wind up owning not one, but two records of futility? Not only do they have that monumental 22-0 loss under their belts, but just think how amazing it would be if, in the same season, they became the first team in the history of baseball to be up 3-0 in a best-of-seven contest and lose. Steinbrenner would wind up looking like that poster from “Scanners.”
PAD
• 
As a baseball fan nothing would make my year more than to see King George’s head explode at the stroke of midnight Wednesday night/Thursday morning. I will admit that I’m not a passionate fan of either the Yanks or the Sox (I grew up a Cincy fan, so you can imagine my suffering the past few years), but personally I am tired of Steinbrenner and the Yankee fans feeling that the season is a disaster if they don’t win the World Series.
As a Minnesota Twins fan I hope to God that the Yankees go down.
Don’t care if the Yankees win or not, I like the way most of them play however.
The thing I don’t understand is how Red Sox players and fans can be so arrogant, about what they have accomplished this season and seasons past.
I mean if it weren’t for the wild-card, they would never even make the play-offs.
Should the Sox come back and defeat the Yankees in 7, everyone should rest assured that it will only be in service of what will almost certainly be the grandest, most hearbreaking Red Sox flop of all time in the World Series. It is BoSox fate to forever create and subsequently destroy hope in the team’s fans, and a near-miraculous comeback against the hated Yankees is just the sort of tease that squad would use as a launching pad to a loss of devastating, perhaps even apocalyptic, proportion.
The perfect scenario? The Sox win the ALCS in 7 games, go up 3-0 over the NL winner in the Series, then become the second team ever (the Yankees would have just been the first, obviously) to blow a 3-0 lead in a best-of-7.
Yeah, that would be the Sox, all right.
>> The thing I don’t understand is how Red Sox
>> players and fans can be so arrogant.
Whoa, I’m nearly speechless. Have you ever actually
met a Sox fan? Yeesh.
All you East Coasters tick me off…The Yanks and Sox…ho freakin’ hum.
It won’t matter which team wins. Houston or St. Louis (praying to the baseball gods now…) will beat either team in a best of seven.
If the Cardinals win tomorrow they will most assuredly win Game 7 at home. If Houston wins, they will stomp all over the tired pitching staffs of either team. Houston is hot and only the Cardinals can cool them down. St. Louis has the best fans! Busch Stadium will be LOUD.
Besides, Cards-Yanks is what the COUNTRY wants. Red versus Blue. Tradition versus Tradition. Midwest hard workin’ bunch versus New Yawkers. Match-up of the century!
Of cours, if the Cards lose tomorrow all bets are off…
Anything can happen in baseball if you wait long enough. Sooner or later a team will come back from a 3-0 series deficit and win a seven-game series. It’s gonna happen. The question is, will it happen this year with Boston?
Attitude is everything in a baseball game. The Sox have to go in there with the mindset, “We need to win this one ball game.” And then, if they win, they need to go in the next game thinking the exact same thing. History means nothing. It really doesn’t. The problem is, players sometimes get superstitious and psych themselves out in subtle, negative ways. The Sox gotta do just the opposite if they want to break the “we’re gonna choke” mindset.
Besides, Cards-Yanks is what the COUNTRY wants.
I rather doubt it.
I just have to wonder, after the past three games, if the eventual ALCS victor is going to have anything left in the tank for the actual World Series.
“I just have to wonder, after the past three games, if the eventual ALCS victor is going to have anything left in the tank for the actual World Series.”
My motto has always been ‘It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, just so long as we finish ahead of the Red Sox’
I have to admit a loss of interest in the playoffs since the Dodgers were eliminated.
Oh well, it leaves me more time to finish watching my Angel dvds. I just got to the point where Cordelia has been revealed to the viewer as being the boss behind the Beast. Angel is Angelus and has just killed the Beast. I took a pass on the show when it was still on the air and now regret it. Good stuff and well written.
There’re omens that it’ll be a seven game Sox-Astros Series.
Game 7 of the World Series is scheduled for the American League park. On Halloween.
Now, just imagine the possibilities of Game 7 in Fenway on Halloween, Clemens pitching for the Astros, Stephen King (who’s working on a book about the Red Sox) throwing out the first pitch. We’d be talking about a potential disaster that’d dwarf Buckner, Bucky, and Boone combined. Particularly if the game went to 13 innings…
I am a “anybody but the Yankees” fan. No rational reason, just am. Go Cardinals, Houston, & Boston!
Jim in Iowa
Tonight’s game, like every game, is up for grabs. There is no way to predict what will happen. I mean, did anyone REALLY think that Myers was going to not only strike out Matsui on four pitches, but make him look like Mark Bellhorn in the process? Who the hëll knows what happen. Sure, there will be a nation of fans/commentators/blitherTimMcCarveridiots who will tell us they knew how the game would play out and they are all, to the last person, full of šhìŧ.
Have fun: it’s a baseball game for Chrissakes!
Mark
“My motto has always been ‘it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, just as long as we finish ahead of the Red Sox.'”
How interesting. My girlfriend is a Sox fan, and her continuing refrain is “It doesn’t matter if the Red Sox win, as long as the Yankees lose!”
I confess to being completely mystified by the whole business. I just stick around and unkink her shoulders every time the Sox pooch it. I’ll sit next to her as she goes through the emotional roller coaster that all Sox fans do.
Not that I’m a baseball fan, but no team who’s city has ever hosted the Democratic National Convention has ever won a World Series.
Thank you, Sportscenter…
Thatcher wrote:
“Not that I’m a baseball fan, but no team who’s city has ever hosted the Democratic National Convention has ever won a World Series.”
Tch, tch. Bad research by those Maroons at Sportscenter. Chicago hosted the Democratic National Convention in 1968, and Chicago won the series in 1906 when the Chicago Cubs played the Chicago White Sox (that’s one way for Chicago to definitely win a World Series, eh?).
Thatcher wrote:
“Not that I’m a baseball fan, but no team who’s city has ever hosted the Democratic National Convention has ever won a World Series.”
Those guys must have said “has never won a World Series in the year the DNC was also hosted in the city,” because a look at the DNC Web site shows host cities like New York, L.A. and Atlanta — all of whom have won a World Series.
A quick check showed that since 1900, a city has only hosted the DNC three times in the same year it has also hosted a World Series (1924, 1932 and 1976), and yes, in all three instances, the host city lost. Pretty weak argument, if you ask me. Of course, Boston could make it four tonight…
let’s go rangers! wait, what?
Only a Yankee fan would think that Red Sox fans are arrogant.
Yankee fans exude arrogance … it seeps from their pores like a bad perfume.
Go Sox!
My perfect baseball season?
Meteors fall from the sky and crush every stadium. They gain super powers.
Nuff said.
Personally, the irony of a Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox World Series (considering the political climate) is something I’m rooting for.
And just another offhand politics/baseball question: All you Democrat Boston Red Sox fans, if you could only choose one, which would it be — a Kerry presidential victory, or a Red Sox World Series victory?
Yes, it’s a cruel choice, but then again, it’s a cruel world.
“Those guys must have said “has never won a World Series in the year the DNC was also hosted in the city,” because a look at the DNC Web site shows host cities like New York, L.A. and Atlanta — all of whom have won a World Series.”
Yeah, what he said.
As long as Scott Rolen, hated by Philly fans everywhere, doesn’t make it, I’m happy. I love Schilling, but I also think Jeter is amazing.
Well. It’s the 4th inning and Schilling’s still pitching.
Reflects pretty poorly on PAD’s podiatrist’s medical opinions.
Or will reflect poorly with Yankees fans in the event this is a miracle. Which would exonerate the podiatrist…
Well, it is the 7th inning and Boston is up by 4! Go figure.
Jim in Iowa
“Meteors fall from the sky and crush every stadium. They gain super powers.”
Super-powered baseball stadiums? I’d pay to see that!
“RUN! IT’S THE GREEN MONSTER!”
“Rawrrrr.”
“Only a Yankee fan would think that Red Sox fans are arrogant.”
You are correct sir. About 10 minutes ago Fox showed a Yankee fan with a “God is a Yankee fan!” sign…
Peter, you might need a new podiatrist.
Seriously, was that not an amazing performance? I thought he was going to get hit all over the stadium, and yet he was nearly unhittable.
And how about the umps correcting themselves on two calls? And getting them both right? Absolutely amazing.
“Well. It’s the 4th inning and Schilling’s still pitching.
Reflects pretty poorly on PAD’s podiatrist’s medical opinions.”
No, it reflects pretty amazingly on how unstoppable the human spirit is, how ingenious medical innovations are in terms of creating supports for damaged tendons, and…most importantly…just how much the baseball gods hate Keith DeCandido.
Wow. All I can say is, wow. What an amazing performance by Schilling who did indeed shut up 55,000 fans, and what an impressive win by the Sox. Hoo-ahh.
PAD
Sox won! First team in history to force Game 7 after being down 3! First team history the win the series after being down 3? Tune in tomorrow to find out.
Same Sox time, Same Sox channel.
Interesting interview with Schilling afterwards on Fox. He said he became a Christian 7 years ago and that God gave him the strength tonight.
Whatever you might think of it, it was an interesting contrast with Arod (or is it A-Rod?) swiping the ball out of the mit of the Red Sox player. Glad the umps caught that one. It is one thing in the heat of the moment running bases to try such a stunt, but I was disappointed to see him even after he got back in the dugout arguing that he didn’t do it. I was glad when the Rangers traded A-Rod to New York. He was never a team player (and yes, I know, it is hard to even call the Rangers a “team”).
Jim in Iowa
Jim in Iowa wrote:”He was never a team player (and yes, I know, it is hard to even call the Rangers a “team”).”
hehehe. But they did fairly well for not being stocked with big name players, actually in the wild card race ’till the last week or so. Usually around the beginning of August everyone writes off the Rangers (including the Rangers).
Go Astros! (only time of year I really pay attention to baseball, except on Sunday… Sunday is for FOOTBALL!!!)
You know what I woinder is how will the New York papers report the bit at first. He’s clearly in the wrong. If A-Rod is a man he will admit to it. If he tries to proclaim his innocence he’s a jáçkášš. (unless of course that would open it up to suspensions.)
I almost don’t blame him for trying, but after he got overruled he really needed to stop the protest. (unless he really really didn’t realise that’s what he did.)
He may be confused by the rule…if he had just run Arroyo over and Arroyo dropped the ball he would have been safe…only because he swiped at the ball is he eligible to be ruled out.
Of course the second question is why wasn’t Meintkowitz (sp?) called for interferance for being in the baseline while not making a play on the ball?
*smile*
Yes I am a Yankee fan…but I am more of a fan of the game and seeing it played and umpired correctly.
This year I was really rooting for the Twins. It shoulda’ been their time. (and especially since Cory Koskie hails from my neck of the woods).
So, the Yankees beat the Twins and we’re back in the classic rematch.
I like to go for the underdog.
And last night history was made.
Could this Boston team be a Team Of Destiny?
Golly, I can’t wait until later today to find out!
This is baseball at its finest, to be savored and appreciated for the incredible physical and psychological battle that it is.
Classic!
Before the game I said half-jokingly to my wife: “They probably stapled down Shilling’s tendon…” Did I call that? Nope. My name is not Tim McCarver.
Mientkiewicz was running hard to get the ball from Arroyo. He backed out of the line as fast as he could. If anything, he can be blamed for forward motion.
Mark
Die Hard Yankee Fan here.
I said from the beginning that it would be the Yanks in 7. Little did I know that it would be a heart attack inducing 7 games (stranded 18 runners on Monday!!!!).
Tonight will proove if my powers of prognostication hold any validity.
Peace,
Doug
b-ase-b-all?
foot-ball?
These words are strange to me… but I’m just a caveman… 🙂
No… actually watched the last two games… very impressive. And I can actually tell PAD is a fan of the game, much the way I’m a fan of the game of basketball.
**PAD – Wow. All I can say is, wow. What an amazing performance by Schilling who did indeed shut up 55,000 fans, and what an impressive win by the Sox. Hoo-ahh ***
If he were just a Yankees fan, he wouldn’t even give credence to the other team’s players… much like most Sooner fans.
Anyway, I never watch this game… but I am tonight.
Travis
If he tries to proclaim his innocence he’s a jáçkášš.
Well, he did. And then he made a comment that makes it sound like the umpires are out to get the Yankees. Which is a crock.
It’s really sad and pathetic when, either as a player or a fan, it’s more important that the call go your way, rather than the call be made correctly.
The Yankees have more at stake tonight than the Red Sox. If the Sox blow it, it was expected. Just another heartbreak patch on a quilt of post-season despair. If the Yankees blow it…all the riot gear in the world cannot help those poor NYPD. Imagine being the first team to blow a 3-0 series lead?
it is because of this extra pressure that I expect the Boston Miracle to continue tonight. I think if the Sox can get some runs early like they did last night, the Yanks could start to pull apart at the seams.
See, here’s the amusing thing: The Yankees are already losers.
Granted, they’re in the playoffs, but they’ve been in plenty of playoffs. But the road to those playoffs include a three game set at Shea where they were swept by the Mets, a historic 22-0 shellacking, and now they’ve done what no other team in the history of MLB has ever done: Wound up in a game 7 after blowing a 3 game to none lead.
So the question of tonight isn’t whether they’re going to be losers–they already are–but just how BIG losers they’re going to be. Are they going to be losers who avoid total humiliation, or are they going to be mega losers?
PAD
As a diehard Yankee fan, and someone who watches just about every game they play during the regular season, I can tell you guys one thing, beyond the stupidty that has of course ensued here by turning this conversation into whose fans are more arrogant and why this person hates who this team for whatever stupid reason.
Outside of Derek Jeter, the Yankees lack any killer instinct to put Boston away. Can they do it? yeah. But its no sure thing. All the Yankees heart and that thing that made them special has been long gone with Paul O’Neil, Scott Brosius, Tino and Andy Pettitte. I would trust those guys with diminished skill at whatever age they are no to KNOW how to beat anyone, and would have put the series away at 4-0. Instead, the Yankees had a bunch of superstars who now know how to get paid but dont know how to win when it really counts.
Mike
Boston 4, Yankees 2
Like I said before… if you wait long enough, anything can happen in baseball!
Yesterday, it almost seemed like the Yankees were just sitting there, waiting for the baseball heavens to open up and automatically anoint them winners again. But if they don’t do a gut check and change their attitudes, they may just find themselves watching the World Series on TV this year instead of playing in it.
and now they’ve done what no other team in the history of MLB has ever done: Wound up in a game 7 after blowing a 3 game to none lead.
Uhg, as much as it pains be to bring this one up, the Mets took the Braves to seven games in the 1999 NLCS after being down 3-0.
Though, this does give me hope that I could still see me dream World Series ending. Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox. Clemens comes on for relief (or outright starts) in game 7 to get the win over the Sox.
I think it would literally kill Bill Simmons, which would be a shame since I enjoy reading his columns so much.
It’s funny on the Canadian Sports channel had Shannon Stewart of the Twins on talking about how the yankees will get calls they shouldn;t and today was the day that didn;t happen.
Well, he did. And then he made a comment that makes it sound like the umpires are out to get the Yankees. Which is a crock.
That’s bullpucky. Giving an extreme benefit of the doubt to say in the heat of the moment that he didn’t know what he did, but after looking at the replay, he can not honestly say he didn’t go out of the running motion to knock the ball away.
I’m also pretty sure the Fans doing what they did didn’t help matters. The umpires won’t be threatened to make the call for the yankees if anything they might go the other way just to prove they aren’t threatened by yankee fans.
[b]Mike wirtes:[/b]
[b]Uhg, as much as it pains be to bring this one up, the Mets took the Braves to seven games in the 1999 NLCS after being down 3-0.[/b]
I don’t think that’s right. I think that the Mets were indeed down 3-0 in that NLCS series, but they only took the Braves to six games, not seven, before finally losing. So the Red Sox achivement this year still seems to be unprecedented.
Of course, the breathless “first time in HISTORY” stuff ignores the fact that they’ve only had seven game pennant races for a relatively short time (i.e. when I listened to the Brewers win the ALCS in 1980 on my little transistor radio while camping out in the back yard, it was still best of 5).
Still impressive, but it’s not like there’s been a century of play during which it could have happened and didn’t.
“Of course, the breathless “first time in HISTORY” stuff ignores the fact that they’ve only had seven game pennant races for a relatively short time (i.e. when I listened to the Brewers win the ALCS in 1980 on my little transistor radio while camping out in the back yard, it was still best of 5).
Still impressive, but it’s not like there’s been a century of play during which it could have happened and didn’t.”
But Dave, no one’s limiting the discussion to pennant races. What’s been said is that in all best of seven series in MLB since they started having them, going back to whenever the first World Series was, no one has ever come back from 3-0. For that matter, only three times in basketball and, I believe, in hockey, has a team down 3-0 forced a game six in a best of seven. And no basketball team and only one hockey team (if I’m remembering this right) has ever gone on to win the seventh game. So it’s pretty monumental. Unless, of course, you don’t give a crap about sports, in which case it’s actually pretty insignificant.
PAD