I know none of this means anything, but.... There were some pretty intriguing similarities between last night and Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees. I believe the final score of both games was 4-2. On both occasions, our starting pitcher came through with a gutty performance. Furthermore, Varitek and Bellhorn both went deep to break out of dreadful slumps. Let's hope tonights game mirrors Game 7 of that series as well. Sure would be nice and poetic to see Coco Crisp put the final nail in the Rays coffin. Also, I hope Beckett doesn't forget that bush league play by Bartlett (no attempt at all to get out of the way) when these teams square off next year. Give him the Matsui treatment (ala 2004).
About Bartlett, yeah I was thinking the same thing. The dopes in the announcing booth mentioned it during the game before Bartlett hit the HR about how Beckett might throw at him. Interesting about 2004, didn't really think about that. I will admit I'm worried about Papelbon tonight, he said he was pretty sore and it showed in his velocity even though he retired the side 1-2-3. Hopefully the Sox won't have to use him and they still win. I think it's absolutely important Lester gives the team 6 innings minium. Anything after 6 is huge.
I completely agree about Papelbon. He looked like Beckett in terms of his drop in velocity. I really think the SP matchup is hugely in our favor. Garza has electric stuff, but he's a headcase. In addition to that, there's no way Lester has another terrible performace like the one he had in Game 3.
Agreed about Garza. If the Sox can score early and get into his head I think he could implode. Again like last night I think the Sox need to score early and often to put the pressure on TB because I think they tighten up as soon with the defense the past 2 games.
i think the red sox did in 2004, when they signed a deal with the devil, its the only logical reasoning to explain the turn of events from 2004 to now pre 2004 Red Sox lose that game to tampa...That one world series open the flood gates
Lester went from unhittable to letting the bottom of Tampa Bay's order all get on base and take the lead. ughhhh
he could of but bases are loaded and most likely red sox tie the game right here, and maybe take the lead by the end of the inning
That pitch is a ball all game long and now he decides to call it a strike. Edit: Nevermind just saw he said Drew didn't check his swing.
Oh well tip your hat to TB, they were the better team this year no doubt about it. The Sox gave us a good couple of days, they easily could have quit in Game 5 but they came back and gave us one of the best come from behind wins ever. Game 6 was a gutsy game by Beckett. Lester deserved better but Garza pitched a hell of a game tonight. Good luck to them but Go Philly! Anyway I had a feeling tonight could have went either way, again tip your caps to TB and let's give it a day or two and then start talking about next year and what to do for 2009.
What a sucky day first the Fins lose and look bad while doing it. Now Boston gets eliminated from the playoffs one game away from the WS to friggin Tampa Bay a team I have grown to hate. The Celtics season starts in 9 days so thats a positive.
Red Sox fans this song is for you enjoy [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB1KDqWuY-k&feature=related]YouTube - Na Na Na Na hey good bye[/ame]
They have enough bandwagon fans already. Congrats to the Rays and their REAL fans. They have a great team. Would have been great to have Lowell
not being a baseball fan, I get my pleasure from odd places.. for instance.. I think it is WONDERFUL that Tampa, and the Marlins with their bargain basement saleries manage to overcome gagillions of dollars worth of top tier talent.. and the two hobo teams just somehow keep on winning. There are baseball clubs that have not sniffed the WS for centuries.. and here we are in Forida again playing for the rings. I'll give it a day or so for fitzy to gather himself up for a new crying session.. muswt be tough to be him eh.. first the Fins bash his pats, now Tampa beats his sox.. WOOT !
Another pathetic post.. haha Congrats to Tampa. Also, I'm really proud of this Sox team fighting the way they have all season. We certainly didn't catch all the breaks this year, but this team overcame them and put themselves in a position to play for a title. That's really all you can ask for in this game. It's a pleasure to root for this group of guys. Looking forward to next year. In the meantime, go Celts!
Thats what always amazes me about criticisms from other states about our fans. As much as people dog us, this state has had its share of champioships over the last 10 years. Factor in UF, FSU and UM in countless sports (all 3 in football). The Marlins twice, the Heat, the Lightning and now the Rays making it to the WS. Thats a nice haul.
Ill be a rays fan until next year when the yankees are back to their old self and win the world series!
According to WEEI here in Boston, the Red Sox inquired about Jake Peavy in a potential deal with the Padres, but when the Padres requested 2 of the following: Masterson, Buchholz or Bowden AND Lars Anderson.. the Red Sox told them to go pound sand. What a ridiculous asking price. Also, apparently Lars is untouchable.
This is more of the Padres not really being interested in trading Peavy, but throwing out ridiculous demands for two reasons: 1) Just in case someone bows to those demands they get ALOT in return and 2) So Peavy cant say they didnt listen to offers if infact he really wants to leave. Its really a win-win for SD IMO.
Boston made a great run after being down 3-1 and down 7 runs with 7 outs to go in game 5.This Red Sox team has nothing to hang their heads about(I wish my Halos had showed as much fight).I will tip my cap to the Rays,I kept waiting all year for them to "fall apart" but to their credit they hung in there the whole way.
No thanks. Peavy is a good (or maybe a great) pitcher in the NL however I absolutely question his 'toughness' in big games and also how he'd fair against AL line ups and in smaller ball parks. Lars is absolutely untouchable. He's expected to reach the bigs around 2010 (maybe getting a cup of coffee in '09) and it would be the perfect time to come up as Lowell will be in his last year of his contract, you can slide Youk over to 3rd and pencil Anderson in at 1st. The kid is only 22 years old and has 35 HR power. Buchholz is also untouchable in my opinion too. Yeah he stunk this year but it had nothing to do with his stuff. He had poor pitch command with his fastball and got spooked when guys got on base. He's still young and has 'ace' stuff. You don't trade someone like that. I'd absolutely think about giving up Bowden, Bard or Masterson in the right deal for a long term young catcher ala Taylor Teagarden or Salty (if scouts really think he can be an everyday MLB catcher). Obviously I'd really like to keep Masterson because I do think he'd be a very very good set up guy for Paps but it's clear we need catching help.
But winning championships has nothing to do with the fans. People aren't knocking the teams, they're knocking the fans because they don't show up. It will be extremely interesting to see how many fans the Rays draw next year.
Rays don't deserve a WS title because the fan base is a joke. Rays get into the World Series and all of a sudden there are thousands of Rays fans and claiming they have been rooting for them since the start. BS Go Phillies PS: Is anyone here going to start a Celtics thread or should I go ahead and make one?
Probably which ever team had spring training at or around the Tampa area. I wouldn't be shocked if most of the TB fans were once Yankee fans considering the Yanks had ST there for years and years. Or maybe they were Braves fans since they were somewhat close to GA compared to other franchises. I'm sure a lot of the fans rooted for which ever team was good around the time they really got into baseball.
That's a little harsh....they have never had a winning record, never won more than 70 games in a single regular season. Lets not rip the team as unworthy strickly based on their fan attendance and the bandwagon issues.
the Braves are going to be serious contenders for Peavy. He would be playing near his home state of Alabama where Peavy has said he'd love to be close to. Peavy has also said he has a strong desire to stay in the NL...And the Braves have the prospects they'd be willing to part with that the Padres would ask for in return.
