October 4, 2008
Sorry....
Confession #1: When I wrote my series preview article, I wrote the entire thing believing it was going to end with something like Orange County 3, Boston 1. It wasn’t until I was writing the last sentence that a force inside me wouldn’t allow it, I took Boston against all logic. My best friend, a Yankees fan, called me before the series and said “You don’t REALLY believe Boston will beat LA do you?” I honestly admitted, “No.” I didn’t mind pissing off every reader of the site when I trashed Johnny Pesky, but I couldn’t justify not picking the local nine when something in my gut wouldn’t allow it. Now, with Josh Beckett on the hill for the playoff opener at Fenway, wow, let’s just say I never saw it coming.
Confession #2: I wrote that article using ‚ÄúOrange County‚Äù because I think the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is the most ridiculous name in all of sports. However, while watching the game last night, my fianc?© read their name out loud and said ‚ÄúThat‚Äôs cool, L Triple A.‚Äù Yes, L Triple A is much cooler than Orange County. L Triple A, or L A cubed? Let the great name debate begin.
Confession #3: After reading Bill Simmons’ article on Manny Ramirez I went into a mini-depression and missed Manny to the point I got sick to my stomach when I saw Jason Bay’s name in the starting lineup for last night’s game. Of course, that quickly dissipated when Bay took the imposing Ervin Santana yard to help the Red Sox gain a much needed 4 run lead in the first inning. Do you realize through 2 games (a small sample size, I know), Manny is hitting .500 with 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored while Bay has put up .556, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, and 2 runs scored? Doesn’t something feel like its going to be a LA-Boston series?
Confession #4: The best, and worst, part about that first inning lead was seeing the look of excitement on my fianc?©‚Äôs face after Bay rocked the pitch to dead center. Then, seeing it immediately disappear once I said ‚ÄúWe‚Äôll need all four of them, Dice-K ispitching tonight.‚Äù She became introverted and quiet, finally mustering enough courage to ask ‚ÄúWhy,,,,,wow‚Ķmy..keyoard‚Ķjust‚Ķroke‚Ķ.sorry‚Ķeveryoea
Discussion
154 Comments on "Sorry...."
#1
Posted by bladams, October 4, 2008 2:03 PM
You ask "Do you realize....". Are you kidding? Don't you realize virtually every article about the Red Sox points that out and virtually everyone with any interest at all in the series is aware?
Bill Simmons article? Why don't you provide a way for a reader - like me - to go to it.?
#2
Posted by radiohix, October 4, 2008 4:32 PM
bladams
here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=manny
#3
Posted by Gerry, October 4, 2008 6:57 PM
ALDS stats don't reveal that Manny's two ALDS HRs were add-ons, whereas J.Bay's won the games.
MLB Trade Rumors suggests a Buchholz and J.Bay for Holliday trade. No. J.Bay is responding to Boston the way Manny never did . . . he loves it, and in 2009 will re-emerge with .300BA, 30 - 35HR, 100RBI and 20SB with excellent defense, and be integral to the team. Hey, he's already doing that; and that when Buchholz returns he will be all of 23-24, mature, and a better pitcher than most any we could possibly trade for.
Theo, sign J.Bay long term asap, and protect Buchholz.
#4
Posted by Mostly Running., October 5, 2008 4:25 PM
Bladams-
I think the assumption regarding the Simmons article would be that anyone with a white belt in Google-Fu could find the article in about three seconds (assuming a dial-up connection.
As far as "Do you realize..." goes, it is a great song. Listened to it twice since this piece was posted. Here's to that.
#8
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 7:54 PM
30 pitches in the first inning!... At this pace, Beckett is not going to last much.
#13
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:16 PM
Beckett inspiring so very little confidence in me.
We need bats...and STAT.
Otherwise...we are fucked.
Seriously...why now of all times?
#14
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:17 PM
Man...I really, really hope we'll carry through this one. My apprehension is climbing.
#17
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 8:21 PM
By the way, Gerry, I completely agree. Why trade Bay for Holliday? Both have almost the same numbers, age, and Bay has better defense!
Sign Bay long term, Theo!
#22
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:35 PM
Honestly I'd rather give those 3 RBI to the Angels defense than to Ellsbury.
#23
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 8:36 PM
Pedroia need to relax... Looks like he's trying to much IMO
#24
Posted by Bob, October 5, 2008 8:36 PM
by the way I would never ever ever trade for Holliday, I can't for the life of me figure out why everyone thinks he's a good player, look at his home/road splits, he's Dante Bichette jr., a complete Coors Field creation
#25
Posted by SamR, October 5, 2008 8:37 PM
Wow ... the Angels seem determined to hand us this series on a silver platter ... what a gift those 3 runs are ... Alright Becks ... Settle down and hold this lead
#28
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:48 PM
Ok Becks...we love you and all, but seriously...for the greater good, get the fuck out.
#29
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:48 PM
You are not completely healthy and you are not completely confident. Leave after this inning or the next one.
#30
Posted by Bob, October 5, 2008 8:49 PM
yeah, we're not winning this one, at least we get Lester in game 4...
#31
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:50 PM
Now, now Bob. We could win this one...we just really need to put a clamp down on our pitching. Our bat threat is still alive, but with a non-healthy Beckett I cannot be 100% confident.
#33
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:52 PM
Figures when these OC fuckers come to Boston they'll try their damnedest.
God why do we have such unreliable pitching and/or offense sometimes? This is why I cannot be an optimist with Boston. Optimism breeds naivete.
#34
Posted by Bob, October 5, 2008 8:53 PM
we have one single by Tek and the popup. So I'm not exactly thrilled about the bats here
#35
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 8:59 PM
Two things:
1. Lowell should not be batting. He is contributing nothing because of his hip.
2. I hate it when my roommate makes naive and optimistic statements. He says, "Oh now Beckett will come out fired up." Guess what you naive douche? 2-run Angels HR. Shut the fuck up. Stay apprehensive. It works and is a solid anti-jinxer.
#36
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:00 PM
But our offense can wake up any time... It's still too early to panic
#37
Posted by Bob, October 5, 2008 9:01 PM
Saunders seems to be the one Angels pitcher who has our number
#40
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:05 PM
Because Beckett is not going to survive another round of Texeira, Guerrero and Hunter :(
#41
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:13 PM
Fuck me man...Beckett's doing worse than Matsuzaka. I mean he has an excuse with the oblique but still...painful to watch.
Wow if these pitchers don't get their acts together (not Lester but Dice, Byrd, and Becks) we are fucked should we play the Rays. F-U-C-K-E-D.
#43
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:17 PM
I had to stop watching. My frustration meter was rising higher than that of Matsuzaka, and that motherfucker had run support via Bay and Drew.
We need our bats! NOW! Our pitching won't do shit.
#44
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:17 PM
Glad to be wrong. Incredible... i cannot believe we still have this tied
#45
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:24 PM
I still cannot be optimistic about this. Slightly hopeful yes...but optimistic no.
#48
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:27 PM
FUCK! Honestly...why be optimistic anymore? Fuck optimism and players feelings...just get the fuck out and get better.
#49
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:30 PM
See this is what I feared the most. I feared that the Angels would pounce on Beckett in his injured state and that they probably force a Game 4 where confidence might be lower.
I tend to not like interesting games and would rather just crush someone's hopes entirely, hence my distaste for those who wanted the 2007 World Series to end in Fenway and those who want playoff games to go all the way.
#50
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:31 PM
Why? well... we are playing completely awefull, and still losing for only one run... right now, I just trust in the bad luck of the Angels
#51
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:35 PM
And I agree, Colin, Beckett should not be playing tonight at all... He needs to be 100% to be effective, and he clearly is not
#53
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:40 PM
Hmmmm...staying doubtful. Dusty's been off since the end of September.
#54
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:41 PM
Well done Dusty...now we're going to suffer some LOBsters.
#57
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:46 PM
At least Youkilis can provide as much as he pissed me off sometimes.
#59
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:46 PM
Please give us a home run Bay. Give us something...
Our pitching won't.
#62
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:54 PM
Think about this: Without Bay, we will be facing elimination tonight...
#63
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 9:58 PM
That was expected. Seriously...why is Lowell playing Tito? I like him, but he shouldn't be playing.
#64
Posted by Bob, October 5, 2008 9:58 PM
Lowell is useless at this point, might as well get Kotsay in there. The fact that he couldn't swing at that pitch is ridiciulous, if he can't at least foul that off, he has no business playing
#65
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:58 PM
Of course, asking Lowell to walk, is asking too much...
#66
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 9:59 PM
In fact Kotsay has played good last time... i don't know what Tito is trying to prove.
#68
Posted by JaredK, October 5, 2008 10:05 PM
I like it, I've been wanting more MDC, less Masterson....if you look at their season game logs MDC has been trending up for quite some time....he was great in Aug/Sept
#70
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 10:08 PM
Wow! MDC more consistent than Beckett. Who would've ever seen that coming?
#71
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 10:11 PM
Now all we have to do is counter Arredondo. MDC's ability won't last forever.
#72
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 10:16 PM
At least MDC has defeated the best part of their lineup... the next inning should be easier
#75
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 10:26 PM
M.A.G., you have to learn not to say things like "it'll be easier next inning." That's a surefire way to ensure bullshit like what just happened, especially with 2 outs, something the Sox have been struggling with tonight.
#85
Posted by M.A.G, October 5, 2008 11:09 PM
And with Kotsay and Casey in the bench... Come on, Tito, any of them is better than Lowell right now!
#86
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 11:23 PM
Wow now the pressure's on.
Can Ellsbury produce some magic?
#88
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 11:24 PM
The frustration continues...
Slay the LOBsters...please! We cannot give the Angels hope.
#90
Posted by Colin, October 5, 2008 11:35 PM
Ok Paps dominated, now we really need to show K-Rod what goes down in Fenway...again!
And without Manny!
#93
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 5, 2008 11:53 PM
Lowrie: just crowd the plate. Take one for the team. Be the hero.
#95
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 5, 2008 11:56 PM
That, BTW, is why no pinch runner for Papi. He'll be coming up again.
#98
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 6, 2008 12:08 AM
We shouldn't be in extras in this one anyway, not after Beckett went full retard.
#100
Posted by M.A.G, October 6, 2008 12:11 AM
who we have after Papelbon?... assuming we survive this inning, of course.
#104
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:13 AM
That's what I'm worried about. We've got Byrd if we cannot score a run at all. I'm hoping to God we can. After that last bullshit display I can't handle another side of disappointment.
#106
Posted by Mostly Running., October 6, 2008 12:16 AM
TD-
I hope you live in a wooden barrel so you can knock on it with every dangly thing that hangs off your body. Yes, Lester goes tomorrow. Tonight is tonight and if we lose, there are no sure things.
I'm drunk after 9pm EDT. I remember the good old days in 2004 when I would have been sheets to the wind by 2 PM GMT for a game of this magnitude. Still means a lot though. ;)
#108
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 6, 2008 12:17 AM
I have no idea what that barrel comment means. None at all.
#113
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:21 AM
Thanks for giving LA a charity out.
Now we have the timely slumper...
#121
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:23 AM
And he still takes the good pitches. Cut the shit Dusty.
#123
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:24 AM
If we don't score next inning, that is if LA doesn't score before, I'm going to bed.
#124
Posted by Bob, October 6, 2008 12:25 AM
I'm trying really hard to be optimistic, but now it seems like even the umps are working against us
#125
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:26 AM
Well Bob with Ellsbury that's for damn sure. Fucking umps.
#126
Posted by Daniel Rathman, October 6, 2008 12:26 AM
How many rockets can Pedroia hit to get a freaking knock???
#127
Posted by Mostly Running., October 6, 2008 12:28 AM
Cartoon hobo style wearing a barrel.
Just saying you should knock on wood whenever talking about anything that appears to be a good thing for the Sox. Ex: Lester is pitching tomorrow. I'm going to pretend tomorrow does not exist, the sun will not rise tomorrow, wear hello! kitty panties to bed and knock on wood with my 3 inch penis.
Oh come on, I take the games as seriously as anyone, but everyone needs a little half-assed attempt at humor.
#128
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:30 AM
I might have to call this game to the Angels.
We've been LOBstering it up way too long. We cannot sustain. It's been our biggest weakness.
#130
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 6, 2008 12:30 AM
O.K., MR. Thanks for the translation. I'll stick to doom-and-gloom. No more rays of sunshine from over here.
#137
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:34 AM
See what happens when naive optimism hits Sox fans?
Fuck...we need some sort of magic come the bottom. I think I'm going to bed though. The stress is annoying.
#139
Posted by JaredK, October 6, 2008 12:35 AM
Well, if we do lose its on the offense. The pen has been used wisely...can't argue about the decision, Byrd coming out of the pen for the first time on a cold night or counting on Wake to throw strikes was probably not the answer
#141
Posted by JaredK, October 6, 2008 12:37 AM
Fuck, that is two seeing eye base hits and a bloop single...not like they are destroying Lopez
#143
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:40 AM
Last chance...I don't know if staying up will help me.
Ortiz has done little save for two walks (I could use three), Youk's contributed thank God, and Bay...well Bay needs to revert to Post-6th Inning Game 1 and 2 Bay.
#146
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:46 AM
With Youk down...I think the Angels might've taken it.
#149
Posted by Tessie's Dad, October 6, 2008 12:49 AM
Lester = Ace
Beckett = F*cking worthless piece of sh*t.
#150
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:50 AM
Disappointing debut Beckett...really...
The bats weren't to great either.
We can't have this fucking bullshit tomorrow. No excuses.
#152
Posted by Bob, October 6, 2008 12:51 AM
Lester better bring his A game tomorrow because the Angels will definitely bring theirs. The Red Sox just gave them a new lease on life and I'm not too confident on the prospects for the rest of this series
#153
Posted by Colin, October 6, 2008 12:54 AM
That's what got me so worried about this game.
We MUST accept no bullshit. Lowell needs to stay out. He doesn't do very much no offense Mike. Drew needs to come back in. Lester has to be 100% on. We cannot accept any less because these fucking Angels cannot have any more hope. No interesting matchups, no added pressure, just fucking stop them. I'm tired of this sort of crap.
#154
Posted by SamR, October 6, 2008 1:37 AM
Dissapointing start for Beckett though the bullpen made up for it as best they could (my confidence in them is growing) ... pretty good offense as well ... I think luck just turned on us tonight ... outside of the bloop by Ells we couldn't get a ball to drop to save our lives ... at least 5x late in the game I jumped at the crack of bat only to be dissapointed as it died out in the outfield or smoked straight at an Angel infielder ... so yeah I think we just got unlucky tonight and hopefully tommorrow with Lester on the hill (and Lowell on the bench please) we can bury the Angels for good
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