October 20, 2004

ONCE A CENTURY MOMENT:

Boston Cashes In On Half-a-Schilling (Thomas Boswell, October 20, 2004, Washington Post)

We wanted drama to equal any Red Sox-Yankees series ever played. We wanted history, something that had never happened before in the annals of baseball. We wanted to be amazed, mesmerized, exhausted and, heading into Game 7 of the American League Championship Series with a trip to the World Series at stake, we also wanted to have absolutely no idea who would win.

Of course, no sane person actually thought that any such combination of events could possibly happen after last year's seven-game extravaganza of brawls, suicidal managerial decisions and, finally, a walk-off homer by Aaron Boone to end the whole battle.

But now we've got it all after a 4-2 Boston win in Game 6, plus extra plot threads and improbabilities that no one could possibly have guessed. Even though Game 7 won't arrive until Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox have become the first team in 101 years of postseason baseball to come back from a three-games-to-none deficit to force a Game 7. And at the Yankees' expense.

What are the stakes now? If the Red Sox, the team synonymous with collapses, misfortune and despair, win Game 7, then, in a blink, the blackest mark in Yankees history will actually be darker than any disgrace in all Boston annals.


As a wise man counseled a distraught brother-in-law during Saturday night's debacle: "No sweat, they're a team of destiny."

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 20, 2004 10:12 AM
Comments

Buuuuuuuuckner....Buuuuuuuuckner.....Buuuuuckner.....Buuuuuuckner......Buuuuuuuckner.....Buuuuuuckner.....


Don't worry, the Sox will figure out some way to lose.

Posted by: H.D. Miller at October 20, 2004 11:17 AM

As a ture wise man, Yogi Berra, once said: "Don't worry...we've been beating these guys for 80 years."

Posted by: Foos at October 20, 2004 11:47 AM

Best possible result— Yankees choke, then Houston in four. The "curse" remains intact, but the Yankees have a loss worse than any of their victims have ever had.

Then again, tonight some Red Sox player has the chance to make the fans forget (but never forgive) Mr.Buckner. You know that's got to be in the back of their minds.

Posted by: Raoul Ortega at October 20, 2004 12:35 PM

I'm a longtime Yankee fan, from Yonkers, who was extremely impressed with Schilling's performance last night. If his teamates were as inspired as I was, Vasquez or Brown will have some work cut out for them tonight. It may be a sloppy game and that means anything can happen. After last night, I'm giving the edge to the Red Sox.
oj- As a New Jersey native I'm surprised you've completely gone over to the other side. The Yankee organization has a lot of faults but they consistently deliver some pretty good baseball. They play the fundamental game with the emphasis on TEAM . Granted, the fans can be a bit obnoxious at times but we have witnessed some incredible moments over the years. If the Red Sox pull this off tonight New York's real baseball fans will be with them in the World Series. I know I will (I went to school in Boston).

Posted by: Tom C, Stamford,Ct. at October 20, 2004 1:06 PM

Tom:

Mets, Nets, Jets, Devils

The Yankees are a team only George Soros could love.

Posted by: oj at October 20, 2004 1:12 PM

You got to admit it. This could be the best LCS ever. Down 3-0 back on 2 extra innin games and a game with 2 very controversial, but correct calls.

Wow and the Astro Card series is great also.

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 20, 2004 3:03 PM

oj-

How far is East Orange from Shea? I could see The Stadium from the top of a hill near my street. The Giant teams of the late 50's early 60's made me a football fan and Mickey Mantle a Yankee fan. Namath meant the AFL was serious. It's not a question of one or the other, its the game well played. I believe George Soros has a residence near John Kerry on Nantucket? I'll bet you he's a Red Sox fan, (assuming he follows the game).

Posted by: Tom C, Stamford,Ct. at October 20, 2004 3:03 PM

It's always one or the other.

Soros, like Kerry, is a soccer fan, undoubtedly.

Posted by: oj at October 20, 2004 3:08 PM

But Eddie Yost is his favorite.

Posted by: Jeff at October 20, 2004 4:39 PM
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