On to the Series

Last night the Red Sox clinched the American league pennant for the 2 time in 4 or so years. I was in attendance at one of the most electric sporting events in my life. The atmosphere was amazing, the entire crowd stood and screamed at an average of 5 times an inning. When at the plate, any 3-0. 3-1. 3-2 count got us up and if there was a guy in scoring position, forget about it. With Dice-K on the mound, every 0-2 pitch, despite logic that said he would waste a pitch, everyone was on there feet. It got to the point very early when the elderly people in the area were complaining because they simply could not manage the ridiculous amount of sitting and standing. Fenway was overly loud. The feelings and thoughts of the crowd could be felt en masse when Lugo dropped that ball, it took something out of the Red Sox faithful. When Indians 3rd base coach, Joel Skinner, inexplicably held Lofton, preventing the tying run from occuring; I still felt a little uneasy, the Red Sox still needed a break. We all know the rest. Double Play to Mike "Gold Glove" Lowell and the Pedro-ia and Papelbon shut the door. The emotions were up and down last night but incredible 8th that shut the door was probably the most celebratory inning of any game that I have ever attended.

My first game seven, my first Red Sox clinching game. Needless to say, well worth the price of admission.

Quick Thoughts:

1. Jonathan Papelbon comes out of the bullpen to Wild Thing, this we know. What I didn't realize is that every time once he reaches the mound and the announcer says "Jonathan Papelbon", without missing a beat, Fenway chimes in with the song from the Departed (which has somehow been claimed as the theme of Red Sox nation this playoff run, i think i heard it ten times last night) Needless to say, it is ridiculously bad ass and it gets the crowd going over the top crazy. It is almost unfair how much that song gets you pumped up.

2. Sadly Da Bocker has retired from the Blog. Apparently for the large mass of people (the Da Bocker following) that miss the ever valuable red dot picks; he does have an email chain going around that you can request an invite to. It is called the jordan/sonny nfl pick love fest email chain and if you want to make sure that you are banned from it forever, we can arrange that too.

3. I think the fact that Beckett went back to the bullpen intimidated the Indians into not hitting well early. This way, they made sure they would not have to face him.

4. Very interesting decision to bring Okijima out there for a potential 3rd inning. Paging Eric Gagne, you are terrible, Eric Gagne . . . terrible

5. Close call win for the Saints. 2-4, someone is stirring in a stagnant / ridiculously horrible division.

6. Anyone else laugh hysterically everytime Brady airs it out to Moss? If you had been listening closely you could almost here KatzoRelaxo's spirit breaking. At least Ronnie Brown has been a bright spot (ooooo, was that too soon? my bad)

7. I do believe the Red Sox will beat the Rockies but its going to be tough to deal with the fact that they forgot how to spell the word "lose".

8. Why was Betancourt left out there for so long. Sure, he had been their best reliever but wasn't it clear early that he did not have it last night. And why not at least try Borowski? Is there no faith in him? Obviously not, I would have none in him. But isn't the point to have your best reliever close for you? If you are going to designate him "closer" then how are you not going to bring him in for the 8th before Rafael broke down?

9. Beckett deserved the MVP and I hope he takes home the CY

10. Why are some Red Sox fans chanting MVP every time Mike Lowell comes up? He is good, I get that but its' been going on for the entire postseason and I need an explanation. MVP of the team? of the defense? of hispanic players at 3rd base? goatees of america? of 5 hole hitters? It is confusing. Red Sox nation . . . quit it. Otherwise my MVP for JDD chants just don't hold water.

11. Another Pet peeve of mine, the "Yankees Suck" chants are old. Quit that too. Stick to the Hey Hey Hey Goodbye chant, Cleveland Sucks, and Warm up the Bus, ok? is that to much to ask. We aren't playing the Yanks, we didn't beat the yanks so give it a rest.

12. Red Sox in 6 against the Rockies.

go saints. go sox. go c's