Clincha!
The Red Sox earned a playoff spot tonight beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a come from behind (after blowing the lead) win. They are the first team to secure a playoff spot.
A few thoughts: The Red Sox initially decided to keep the clubhouse closed off from the media to celebrate their playoff birth. I was thinking just how different this team is than another local team, the New England Patriots. The Pats are so secretive about this while the Red Sox, and baseball in general, is far more open to media cameras and microphones.
The Red Sox clearly gave NESN orders not to show any players jumping, drinking, or doing anything of a celebratory nature. All we say was Tina Cervasio doing some interviews (which were far from the celebration). By the way, I like Tina, but her questions are fairly lame. Things like "what are you feeling right now" and " what thoughts are going through your head" just don't work for me. It is a difficult gig she has, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
Tonight was a game where many of the most maligned Red Sox players really came through. Jason Varitek (game tying home run), JD Drew (2 run HR), Julio Lugo (go ahead 2 run HR) and Eric Gagne (2nd consecutive scoreless inning) chipped in big time. Good signs indeed.
As I mentioned many times, I hope the Red Sox go for the jugular and win the AL East. Their rotation is set no matter what and there hopefully Kevin Youkilis and Manny Ramirez will be available Monday or so.
Comments
when they lost the lead I thought, "here we go again", but to come back again and get the win was great.
Was hoping the Yankees would have gone another 14 innings, just to tire them out more, lol
Posted by: blmeanie | September 23, 2007 08:28 AM |
Andy, Great that we are in the playoffs but I can't say I am really psyched about it yet. They dropped the series ender on Sunday since you wrote your piece and the freakin' Yanks are back to within 1.5. I want the Division and it is looking bleak with Oakland and the Twins for our last 6 while NY faces the Rays and I believe the O's who have mailed it in for the last 45 games or so. I guess the series thing doesn't matter and we do match up well with Anaheim but man I want the Division. Don't know if Youk or Manny will be back b/f the playoffs, doesn't sound good for Youk and Manny seems to be Manny again. Be nice if we could do it this year.
Posted by: Jack | September 24, 2007 12:49 PM |
Jack, the Yanks lost today giving Boston a 2 game lead (2 up in the loss column with each team having 6 games left).
I think it really important for Manny and Youk to play 3-4 games before the playoffs b/c timing can take time to regain. I still have good hope they will nail down the AL East. But there is still work to be done.
Posted by: Andy | September 24, 2007 07:48 PM |
however it goes with Youk and Manny, they cannot play playoff games with Hinske playing in the starting lineup.
Ellsbury, Coco, Drew in the outfield if manny can't go, with youk at first or ortiz (yikes) and Cora or somebody at DH.
Posted by: blmeanie | September 25, 2007 10:05 AM |