MLB playoffs

[Clockwork Orange]

Here's the schedule, the bulk of which starts Tuesday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1894320

Go Cardinals!

[Rock Chalk]

I hate the Braves. Please dear God, if there is any mercy left for me, let the Astros win a playoff series against the Braves (this year please, let me be specific, dont want you waiting fifty years to do it).

Thank you.

[FADERPROOF]

Here's the schedule, the bulk of which starts Tuesday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1894320

Go Cardinals!
Sorry about you luck of getting the Dodgers/eventual WS champs in the first round.

[Rock Chalk]

You are smoking crack DF.

[FADERPROOF]

You are smoking crack DF.

They said that back in March when I said that my Dodgers were going to win the division this year.

[Rock Chalk]

Im telling you, Dodgers will be out in 5 games.

[TexanBob]

I hate the Braves. Please dear God, if there is any mercy left for me, let the Astros win a playoff series against the Braves (this year please, let me be specific, dont want you waiting fifty years to do it).

Thank you.

LOL!

And, Lord, if You're reading this, please let Biggio and Bagwell come up HUGE this postseason. Three or four clutch homers apiece will do. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

[-Slap-]

LOL!

And, Lord, if You're reading this, please let Biggio and Bagwell come up HUGE this postseason. Three or four clutch homers apiece will do. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

You might want to lower your sights a bit and hope they both don't suck like they do every post season.

For once you have better pitching than Atlanta and that might make the difference.

[PatsWin2002]

Go Red Sox!

Or maybe I should say....."here we go again".

Gotta love that Schilling.

[Darkhawk24]

We all know the Yanks will beat the Sox in some sort of drama fashion to make it to the World Series. Baseball just loves to watch the Redsox fans suffer.

Go Astros!!!!!! I'd love to see Beltran win a world series! :D

[PatsWin2002]

The MLB schedule sucks.

As usual, NY gets all the prime time spots while the rest of us get 1PM, 4PM, 10AM, 10PM or whatever else is left.

All the kids get screwed.

[Darkhawk24]

Yanks bring in the ratings! :D

I like rubbing salt in the Redsox fans wounds. Especially since i'm a bitter royals fan that has to sit through 100 loss seasons! :D

[PatsWin2002]

Yanks bring in the ratings! :D

I like rubbing salt in the Redsox fans wounds. Especially since i'm a bitter royals fan that has to sit through 100 loss seasons! :D

Actually, I think the Sox/Angels series has more national interest. This is solely based on marketing and the fact that New York has so many people.

That's it.

I hate that fact that I follow the Sox on a daily basis and watch 90% of the games, yet when they finally make the postseason the games are played when everyone is at work and can't watch.

Just another reason to hate NY I guess.

I'd like to see an 8PM start here and that would give Anaheim a 5PM start. Then the kids could watch as well as everyone else.

[Rock Chalk]

Truths about this season's playoffs:

1) The Red Sox will choke, its a given.

2) Atlanta will beat Houston, cause the baseball Gods despise Alec for talking sh*t.

3) The Dodgers will lose in the first round.

4) The Cardinals will fade like the 100+ win Mariners a few years ago.

5) The Script calls for the Yankees to win....again.

[Bronco LB 59]

Slap

Can you clear your mailbox please? I can't send you a reply to your roto baseball message.

Thanks

Chris

[-Slap-]

Slap

Can you clear your mailbox please? I can't send you a reply to your roto baseball message.

Thanks

Chris

Done.

:strong:

[football idiot]

Roger Clemens will pitch a perfect game to beat the Red-Sox 1-0 in ten innings in game 7 of the world series. Pedro will come in to relieve Schilling after 6 innings of shut-out ball, throw 3-innings himself, and then give it up to Roger, who will also hit the home-run that wins the game.

This is life as a Red Sox fan. Imagine the most absurd, impossible, and painful eventuality. and its bound to come true.

[Clockwork Orange]

Sorry about you luck of getting the Dodgers/eventual WS champs in the first round.

We've seen this Dodgers/Cardinals movie before.

http://www.allposters.com/IMAGES/Ssport/SMITPHU16HM01.jpg

http://www.bigleagueheroes.com/TempImg/images/bigleagueheroes/jackclark.jpg

:yep:

[FADERPROOF]

We've seen this Dodgers/Cardinals movie before.

http://www.allposters.com/IMAGES/Ssport/SMITPHU16HM01.jpg

http://www.bigleagueheroes.com/TempImg/images/bigleagueheroes/jackclark.jpg

:yep:

Time to re-write the history, they said anything about STL's rotation? Perez, Weaver, and Lima will be our 3 starters, with Ishii as an emergency starter.

[Clockwork Orange]

I believe that it'll be Woody Williams, Jason Marquis & Matt Morris for the Cardinals.

Chris Carpenter is still out, but Steve Kline is back in the bullpen.

[-Slap-]

Man, no offense fellas, but those are some ugly rotations.

Hey, Clockwork, you could make the Dodger fans' morning complete by posting a picture of Tom "Buffalohead" Neidenfuer.

[Breck Bronc]

The MLB schedule sucks.

As usual, NY gets all the prime time spots while the rest of us get 1PM, 4PM, 10AM, 10PM or whatever else is left.

All the kids get screwed.Actually, last year the Cubs/Braves pushed the Yankees out of the first round Fox primetime slot that they've had since their postseason run started in 1995. There was a lot of complaining from New York that they didn't get the coveted timeslot :) .

At least Johan Santana will join the Yankees in the spotlight tonight.

[PatsWin2002]

Actually, last year the Cubs/Braves pushed the Yankees out of the first round Fox primetime slot that they've had since their postseason run started in 1995. There was a lot of complaining from New York that they didn't get the coveted timeslot :) .

At least Johan Santana will join the Yankees in the spotlight tonight.

I hope Sanatana pitches a gem tonight. It will be a wild atmosphere for him. Plus they're predicting a temperature of about 49 degrees.

[Evenrude]

Roger Clemens will pitch a perfect game to beat the Red-Sox 1-0 in ten innings in game 7 of the world series. Pedro will come in to relieve Schilling after 6 innings of shut-out ball, throw 3-innings himself, and then give it up to Roger, who will also hit the home-run that wins the game.

This is life as a Red Sox fan. Imagine the most absurd, impossible, and painful eventuality. and its bound to come true.

There is alot of truth to that..... :-[

I think this may be the year though.....

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/CS_10.5.jpg

"I understand if I don't go out and do things I've done in past Octobers, the season will be a wash as far as my [21-win] contributions go. That's what was expected of me when I came here." -- Curt Schilling

GO SOX!

[PatsWin2002]

GO SOX!

I tried to give you good karma rep but it won't let me.

If I only had some Yankee fans to give some negative rep to......

Again, this could be the year.

[Smelvin]

Yikes...6-0 Cards in only the 3rd.

Nice showing Dodgers.

one and done.

See you in another 8 years.

Sincerely,
The Playoffs

[Darkhawk24]

I heard they asked Odalis Perez to toss Batting practice to the Cardinals so they could prepare for the NLCS.

[bendog]

he was pitching pretty good till Walker lit him up. I was jogging on the treadmill. Some brainless chick had faux news on; they were discussing Clinton's bj (no ****e) but I had one tv on with the game and no sound. Finally the chick left and we turned on the sound.

[FADERPROOF]

Yikes...6-0 Cards in only the 3rd.

Nice showing Dodgers.

one and done.

See you in another 8 years.

Sincerely,
The Playoffs

How are the Giants doing in the playoffs this year?

[FADERPROOF]

Boston up 8-0 over anaheim right now.

[Evenrude]

20 minutes 'till game two........

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/KM_10.5bg.jpg

"We're gonna win it all, not just what they give us, tell 'em we're comin', and hell's coming with us.'' Kevin Millar

[Breck Bronc]

The Cooler has come up huge for the Yankees tonight. Let's see if Hideki Matsui can win the game after Arod's huge double.

[Breck Bronc]

Wow, that might be the hardest line drive sacrafice fly I've ever seen. And the play at the plate wasn't even close. That was a huge win for New York, obviously. The Twins and especially Nathan have to be mentally crushed. Will Nathan come back strong later in the series or will he be the next Byung-Hyun Kim?

Time to switch channels and ESPN constantly zooming in on Bartolo Colon's fat, pimply face.

[FADERPROOF]

And the ump...I mean Red Sox...beat the Angels in game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in the series, as it heads back to Boston.

[Breck Bronc]

Boston's in excellent shape now. They could have Schilling and Pedro rested and waiting to pitch games 1 and 2 versus either New York or Minnesota. Can the northeast handle another Red Sox/Yankees ALCS? They've only played 142 times in the past two seasons. Minnesota and Anaheim still have something to say about that, though the Angels need a small miracle to come back in Boston.

[-Slap-]

I think the Red Sox are going to win it all this year. There's a more deserving candidate for the Bambino's Curse now.

[FADERPROOF]

I think the Red Sox are going to win it all this year. There's a more deserving candidate for the Bambino's Curse now.

If the red Sox do win it all, I'd hate to be a fan of the NL team that lost the WS to them.

I can invision the hate for that team that people will have, God help them all.

[PatsWin2002]

If the red Sox do win it all, I'd hate to be a fan of the NL team that lost the WS to them.

I can invision the hate for that team that people will have, God help them all.

Do you know who we beat in 1918?

The Cubs!

Someone had to win. :)

[-Slap-]

Do you know who we beat in 1918?

The Cubs!

Someone had to win. :)

[PatsWin2002]

Slap - you ain't kiddin.

I have a 1915 World Series Program that I brought out last night and rubbed for luck.
I kept it face down so you could see The Babe in trhe team pic on the back.

[FADERPROOF]

Slap - you ain't kiddin.

I have a 1915 World Series Program that I brought out last night and rubbed for luck.
I kept it face down so you could see The Babe in trhe team pic on the back.

Damn man, didn't know you were THAT old. :)

Great game in ATL earlier, 4-2 win in 11 innings off a Rafael Furcal walk off HR.

And let's go Dodgers now, 1-1 series coming back to LA.

[orange 4 life]

Damn man, didn't know you were THAT old. :)

Great game in ATL earlier, 4-2 win in 11 innings off a Rafael Furcal walk off HR.

And let's go Dodgers now, 1-1 series coming back to LA.

lets go dodger blue!!!!!!!

man, this is the first time since '88 i really have anything to cheer about in baseball.
dont let me down guys!!

jake

[FADERPROOF]

lets go dodger blue!!!!!!!

man, this is the first time since '88 i really have anything to cheer about in baseball.
dont let me down guys!!

jake


7 straight playoff losees will do that to us.

we're up 1-0 now after a Jayson Werth solo HR.

[orange 4 life]

7 straight playoff losees will do that to us.

we're up 1-0 now after a Jayson Werth solo HR.

bases juiced.
3-0 count on finley...

...fly out to center.

THAT SUCKED.

we're putting runs on the board, and couldve/shouldve had more (i thought he'd at least draw the walk at 3-0), but weaver isnt performing as well as he could.

we need this win.
i just hope everyone keeps their heads up after that missed opportunity.
no one thought we had a chance in '88 either.
too bad kirk gibson isnt waiting in the training room!!

jake

[orange 4 life]

..and now bradley gets stranded at 2nd after a WICKED breaking ball that froze cora.

i just hope the guys are ENcouraged by getting guys aboard instead of DIScouraged that theyre not getting them home.

i dont like the way this is playing out.

im checking out for the night.

ill talk to you tomorrow at 10:30 when i get back to work.

lets hope we're both in a good mood!!

GO BLUE CREW!!!!!!

jake

[FADERPROOF]

..and now bradley gets stranded at 2nd after a WICKED breaking ball that froze cora.

i just hope the guys are ENcouraged by getting guys aboard instead of DIScouraged that theyre not getting them home.

i dont like the way this is playing out.

im checking out for the night.

ill talk to you tomorrow at 10:30 when i get back to work.

lets hope we're both in a good mood!!

GO BLUE CREW!!!!!!

jake

Well, unless we can comeback and figure out how to score guys that get on, we're done.

[SoCalBronco]

6-3 St. Louis 7th inning.

Good Night DF. :)

[Rock Chalk]

Astros managed to choke. Oh well, cant win em all and they had won a crapload in a row as it were. We will take em in Houston.

[FADERPROOF]

6-3 St. Louis 7th inning.

Good Night DF. :)

SoCal, the Chief fan of the Major League.

[SoCalBronco]

how am I a Chief fan? what an insult. I am a white sox fan so i suffer enough as it is.

[FADERPROOF]

how am I a Chief fan? what an insult. I am a white sox fan so i suffer enough as it is.

Chief fan of the MLB, your team can't win a championship, barely ever wins a playoff series, so you confide in other teams suffering.

[SoCalBronco]

yeah but i dont have a mullet or a goat for a wife...(cough) nappy (cough).

[Darkhawk24]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20041008/capt.sts12510080456.dodgers_cardinals_sts125.jpg

[Darkhawk24]

Denfan it's easy to hate when our teams suck! :D We just need to have fun at someone elses expense!

[orange 4 life]

well, that stunk.

our chances are slim and none now, but i dont give up easy.
i didnt give up in '88 when everyone said we had no chance against the a's, and i didnt give up in game one when eckersley took the mound.

i didnt give up in '81 either, and that year we were down 2-0 to the YANKEES.
if we could win four straight then, we can win three straight now.
not likely, but its not like it hasnt been done before.

time to repeat '81.

jake

[Smelvin]

thanks for coming Dodgers.

Way to make a lasting impression in your one playoff appearance per decade.

See you in 2015

[PatsWin2002]

The Red Sox were down 0-2 last year to Oakland and came back to win.

Same thing with Cleveland in 1999.

It can be done. It really weakens you going into the next round because you usually use your #1 pitcher to win game 5.

But, whatever. You do what you gotta do.

[orange 4 life]

thanks for coming Dodgers.

Way to make a lasting impression in your one playoff appearance per decade.

See you in 2015

that was the yankee's attitude in '81, right before fernando and co. beat them 4 straight.

jake

[PatsWin2002]

that was the yankee's attitude in '81, right before fernando and co. beat them 4 straight.

jake


Fernando made this (then 14) Red Sox fan very happy that year. He was somethin' else.

[orange 4 life]

Fernando made this (then 14) Red Sox fan very happy that year. He was somethin' else.

i hear that.
i was just nine, but i remember like yesterday.

[orange 4 life]

The Red Sox were down 0-2 last year to Oakland and came back to win.

Same thing with Cleveland in 1999.

It can be done. It really weakens you going into the next round because you usually use your #1 pitcher to win game 5.

But, whatever. You do what you gotta do.

quite true, but the next round is the traditional SEVEN game series, so you should have time to recover.

jake

[orange 4 life]

you know, when baseball announced the wild card and third division, i friggin HATED the idea. i thought it ruined the mystique of the game, but as time has gone on, it seems to me that baseball playoffs have never been more exciting.
i only wish the cubs were in on the fun.

jake

[orange 4 life]

of course i want the dodgers, but if they couldnt get there, what wouldve been better than the "someone HAS to win" series the cubs and sox couldve had.
i'd like to see the sox come out of the al, but ANYONE but the yankees PLEASE!!

jake

[FADERPROOF]

thanks for coming Dodgers.

Way to make a lasting impression in your one playoff appearance per decade.

See you in 2015

6 championships and 18 pennants fly high at the Dodgers organization, Giants have how many?

I'd be happy about LA not making the playoffs much either if I was a Giants fan, we're giving you guys some time to catch up.

[FADERPROOF]

The Red Sox were down 0-2 last year to Oakland and came back to win.

Same thing with Cleveland in 1999.

It can be done. It really weakens you going into the next round because you usually use your #1 pitcher to win game 5.

But, whatever. You do what you gotta do.

It can be done, but that STL line-up is downright scary.

The only breaks you get are the 7,8,9 hitters, and Matheny had his way with us last night so they're able to pick up the slack.

Only Houston and Boston have the ability to beat these guys in the playoffs, cause they're the only teams ho's pitxhing can compensate for the bats that th Cards have. STL's SP isn't that great, so you need the pitching to hold their bats down in order to win, LA hasn't been able to do that and there's not a chance we survive in a slugfest against them. Hell, we hit 3 HR's last night and still lost by 5.

2 big momentum killers of the game was Finley popping out with the bases loaded, and Tracy not pulling Weaver in the 5th when he got in trouble. After Renteria hit him, Weaver should've been pulled, then Weaver hits Aanders on the wrist and he should've been pulled, but we wait until Matheny drives in a 2 run single up the middle before he gets pulled and instead of it being 4-3, it's not 6-3.

We're at the premier pitchers park of the league at Chavez Ravine now, hopefully that can stifle the Cards bats a bit and we can win these next 2 games, and go back to STL with the series being 2-2.

[Evenrude]

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/monkeysweep.jpg

Next?

[PatsWin2002]

Next?

Of course they had to scare the hell out of us as usual.

Well, lets see what happens. We get to be like the Yankees this year......sweeping the first round and just sitting waiting for our next opponent with our #1 guy ready to go.

If the Twins/Yanks goes 5 games it will benefit the Sox no matter what.

So, I just got off the phone with one of my best buddies. We talked about 3 times during the game and we were on the phone when Ortiz hit the winner.

I reminded him of how we were also on the phone 18 years ago when Hendu buried the Angels with a homer.

On a side note, I'm still laughing at how Bill Simmons from ESPN said Ortiz is like a combination of Mo Vaughn, Esther Rolle, and Ghandi.

Ha!

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/matchgame/3x5pictures/EstherRolle1.jpg

[-Slap-]

The Angels will be back. Arte Moreno isn't going to sit on his hands. We'll see Carlos Beltran and/or Edgar Renteria in Angel uniforms next year.

[Rock Chalk]

Beltran is going to stay with the Astros. I think anyway. If Houston will pony up and pay for Berkman and Beltran next year, Carlos already stated he wanted to stay in Houston. He doesnt want to be there alone though and he feels Berkman and him can be a great foundation for the future of the team.

We'll see, I certainly hope Beltran doesnt leave. Ive become a big fan of his since we got him.

[Evenrude]

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/matchgame/3x5pictures/EstherRolle1.jpg

That's freakin' hilarious......... Hilarious!

[BritBronco Maniac]

Crucial win today for the 'stros! Show me the money

The way I see things going now:
Houston best STL in the NLCS
Boston finally beat the yankees in the ALCS
Houston then beat Boston for the title

[Rock Chalk]

Crucial win today for the 'stros! Show me the money

The way I see things going now:
Houston best STL in the NLCS
Boston finally beat the yankees in the ALCS
Houston then beat Boston for the title

Hey, I like yer thinking.

One step at a time. Lets take care of the Braves first tomorrow with The Rocket on the mound and our boys untouchable at home.

[Sideburn]

Hey, I like yer thinking.

One step at a time. Lets take care of the Braves first tomorrow with The Rocket on the mound and our boys untouchable at home.
Honestly, I wouldn't throw the Rocket tomorrow. I know they will, but with his age, I'd save him. It's not like they are going to be waiting on the other series to finish and get extra rest. Maybe you don't take the risk though. I dunno, I'm not that baseball savvy. I'll root for the Red Sox to see what a city imploding on itself looks like. I want to see them win it just for the enjoyment of watching people destroy themselves (out of extreme joy mind you) and their city. For a brief moment, when that last out is made, in the last game of the world series, time will stop, and the biggest sigh of relief will escape. That is the magic of baseball.

PS...the cubs will never win until they admit a goat to the games.

[PatsWin2002]

I'll root for the Red Sox to see what a city imploding on itself looks like.

Welcome aboard!

After last year there's nothing that can hurt us.

The Yankees must be beaten and beaten soundly, for their ability to come back (timely home runs, fluke bounces, wild pitches, bad calls against the other team, gift calls in their favor, fan interference in their favor, etc.) is such a statistical anomaly that it defies logic.

They need to be swept.

Being a Bronco fan you must like horses.......so, let me introduce you to Mr. Schilling...he's our horse. Get on! Plenty of room up here.

[Breck Bronc]

Right now the Yankees are living off of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Tom Gordon, Mariano Rivera, and a huge homer from Ruben Sierra. The rest of the team just isn't that good anymore. Seeing them trot out John Olerud, Miguel Cairo, Kenny Lofton, Tony Clark, Esteben Loiza, and the awful Felix Heredia doesn't remind you of the 1996-2000 Yankees.

The Yanks better hope that Mussina can beat Schilling in game 1, because I wouldn't be too confident with Lieber, Brown (though he looked better against Minnesota), and Vazquez pitching in games 2-4. I wonder if El Duque will be able to pitch for New York. You'd think he'd replace Vazquez in the rotation. I'm so surprised at how poorly Javier Vazquez is pitching this year after watching him throw so well for the Expos since 2000. I guess the AL style baseball and NY media spotlight are too much for him, thus far.

After playing a major league record 26 times last season, the Red Sox and Yankees will play at least 23 times this year and at most 26, again. And if you remember back to spring training the Yanks and Sox played a few hyped up Grapefruit League games after the whole A-rod trade situation in the winter. I guess it was destiny that these two teams would meet again in the ALCS, or at least payroll destiny :yep: .

I have a feeling that the Red Sox are going to make quick work of the Yankees and face St. Louis in the World Series. It should be fun to watch.

[DB-Freak]

The Red Sox beating the Bankees? Unheard of!!!!

[watermock]

I'm so ****ing pissed off I an incapable of making a coherent post.

[Sideburn]

Welcome aboard!

After last year there's nothing that can hurt us.

The Yankees must be beaten and beaten soundly, for their ability to come back (timely home runs, fluke bounces, wild pitches, bad calls against the other team, gift calls in their favor, fan interference in their favor, etc.) is such a statistical anomaly that it defies logic.

They need to be swept.

Being a Bronco fan you must like horses.......so, let me introduce you to Mr. Schilling...he's our horse. Get on! Plenty of room up here.
Well thanks. I'm all for seeing history made. Sox could win it this year because they traded Nomaaahhh to the cubbies. Cubbies still refuse to allow a goat to sit in Wrigley so they will remain in a world of hurt. The Cards are looking good right now, but I'm sure they'll find a way to choke it off. Oh well, thats why they play the games. Oh FYI, I rooted for the Red Sox last year too. I'll root for them every year until they win it. I just want to see them win it. And I'll always root against the Evil Empire.

[Rock Chalk]

Astros come in with a rally in the 2nd inning to take a 5-2 lead over atlanta in game 4.

COME ON ASTROS!

[BritBronco Maniac]

I think everyone who loves Baseball, and hell, anyone who just loves a bitter sports rivalry, is hoping the Sox and Yankees goes 5 games.
If the Sox don't beat them this year there really is a curse, the Sox pitching is a different league to the Yankees this year

[Clockwork Orange]

Check this out.

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/MLB_wyd.jpg

These were being sold on MLB.com. I went there to see about it and it said that they're currently out of stock. So either droves of Yankee fans bought them up or MLB got pushed into pulling them off the market.

Either way, Pedro really shouldn't have made that comment. Game 2 should make for some interesting fan interaction. Shirts, signs, chants, you name it, it'll be aimed squarely at Pedro.

[Clockwork Orange]

Yep, turns out Red Sox Nation wasn't happy about the shirts and thus they were pulled by MLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1899757

[FADERPROOF]

Yep, turns out Red Sox Nation wasn't happy about the shirts and thus they were pulled by MLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1899757

Maybe the Red Sox fans should be more critical of a certain SP that said that NY was his daddy instead of being critical of the MLB for making those shirts.

[PatsWin2002]

Maybe the Red Sox fans should be more critical of a certain SP that said that NY was his daddy instead of being critical of the MLB for making those shirts.

Pedro said that off the cuff when he had cameras and microphones in his face.

Whatever.

People got upset when the MLB main site was selling the shirts instead of just the Stinkees own site.

It was perceived as catering to big 'ol NY again.

[orange 4 life]

we'll see who's who's daddy when the series is over.

boston wins this one, and i dont think its going seven.

jake

[sutoazul]

go Boston!!! the best left-right handed batters in baseball will destroy the mediocres NY pitchers.

[FADERPROOF]

Look slike Houston is gonna beat ATL...

[Rock Chalk]

God, thank you. You have answered my prayer and the Astros have finally gotten their first playoff series victory.

Everything from here on out is gravy.

[PatsWin2002]

God, thank you. You have answered my prayer and the Astros have finally gotten their first playoff series victory.

Everything from here on out is gravy.

Congrats. I didn't want to see the Braves ruin another fall classic anyway.
Atlanta - Worst sports city in the country.

If Schilling's ankle is really OK then we could be meeting later.

[bendog]

I'm hoping fro a repeat of 67, but no one will throw three complete games like Gibson.

Who made the last out, anyone remember?

[PatsWin2002]

I'm hoping fro a repeat of 67, but no one will throw three complete games like Gibson.

Who made the last out, anyone remember?

Who made the last out for the Sox in Game 7 in 1967? I'd have to look it up.
I was just 3 months old. :)

[bendog]

It was the 68 world series game 7 that Flood misplayed a ball that resulted in two runs, and ended the cards. Lolich won 3 games, all complete games, and hit a home run in that series. Gibson and Lolich in game 7, both coming off 2 compete game wins.

[Darkhawk24]

It sure is great to see Beltran perform so well in the playoffs! Now help lead the stros past those evil Cards!

(But becareful they will complain about a umpires call for the next few decades! :D )

[FADERPROOF]

It sure is great to see Beltran perform so well in the playoffs! Now help lead the stros past those evil Cards!

(But becareful they will complain about a umpires call for the next few decades! :D )

That was one of the worst calls in history.

Royals have an asterik by their World Series in 1985.

[Darkhawk24]

Saffffffffffffe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[FADERPROOF]

Saffffffffffffe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

ESPN sportscenter had a little segment with that umpire that made the call, aired a couple days ago to be exact.

Pretty good segment on him, he basically can't get over that call, has 2 full blown pictures of it, had an artist paint it in ink colors for him, it's the pictures that stand out the most on his walls of paintings and award and everything.

He said it's to remind himand everyone that we're not perfect, we're humans and make mistakes. But man, that was one hell of a mistake to make.

[Darkhawk24]

I don't doubt it. I was to young to really enjoy the WS anyways..... I was like 7 years old..

[bendog]

what did KC get for him?

[Darkhawk24]

bendog,

John Buck - C from Houston hit 12 hrs for KC after being traded and playing in AAA for Houston
Mark Teahan - 3B from Oakland in AAA right now
Mike Wood - SP from Oakland

Not a great package but considered fair market value since Beltran is a free agent this off season. I have been a huge Beltran fan since his rookie season and it was pretty tough to see him traded. He was a joy to watch....

[FADERPROOF]

I don't doubt it. I was to young to really enjoy the WS anyways..... I was like 7 years old..

Same here, I was 6 the last time LA won it, pretty tough to celebrate it.

[FADERPROOF]

bendog,

John Buck - C from Houston hit 12 hrs for KC after being traded and playing in AAA for Houston
Mark Teahan - 3B from Oakland in AAA right now
Mike Wood - SP from Oakland

Not a great package but considered fair market value since Beltran is a free agent this off season. I have been a huge Beltran fan since his rookie season and it was pretty tough to see him traded. He was a joy to watch....

Teahan and Wood both look like quality players in the future, Oakland just had the expenses to deal them with Chavez signing a big extension at 3B and we all know about Oaklands pitching staff who will be 4 deep now that Harden has really turned it up.

[Darkhawk24]

Yeah it was fair market value I am just bitter I can't go to the ball park and see my favorite player anymore.

[FADERPROOF]

Yeah it was fair market value I am just bitter I can't go to the ball park and see my favorite player anymore.

Don't worry man, I would have to travel over 2,000 miles and be on the edge of the Pacific Ocean to see my favorite player.

[bendog]

I hate baseball dollars. Did the rox get anything for walker, other than not having to pay him next year ... or do they have to pay him next year too?

[FADERPROOF]

Actually I got to see Beltre once, interleague last year against Cleveland, coolest time I've spent at the Jake.

[TexanBob]

Beltran is quickly becoming a favorite in Houston too (after last night he could probably run for Mayor and win). My only concern about him is he's streaky and I wish his average would gain about 30 points. But Carlos' home run swing looks effortless and he is so smooth on the bases and in center field. And he seems to be a soft-spoken ego-less man. I was really impressed with the story I heard about the way he left KC and honored Tony Pena.

It seems he's happy in Houston but who knows if more money will lure him elsewhere. His message to McLane was that if the Astros signed Berkman and Oswalt to long-term deals, he would stay. He just doesn't want to commit to the Astros and then wind up in another rebuilding movement.

[Evenrude]

Almost time for the first pitch in the Sox - Yankees series..... time to rub my midget for luck.......

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/pedro_reuters.jpg

[Dukes]

Almost time for the first pitch in the Sox - Yankees series..... time to rub my midget for luck.......

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/pedro_reuters.jpg

Wow that picture is strangely disturbing!

[Clockwork Orange]

So is the score of this game.

6-0. Mussina is dominating the Sox hitters.

[WaffleBoy]

I was hoping the Sox would play loose, but the curse is already in their heads.

The Boy Wonder ;)

[-Slap-]

I was hoping the Sox would play loose, but the curse is already in their heads.

The Boy Wonder ;)

Schilling had nothing tonight.

[Arkie]

I guess it would be a nice consolation prize if the Red Sox would come back and win the series vs. the Yankees, but they won't be able to keep up with the Cardinals bats.

[Rock Chalk]

The Cardinals got lucky last night Bosko.

The Astros are destined to go to the World Series.

Remember, Alec told you all back at the All-Star Break.

[PatsWin2002]

I hear the Astros are praying for Rain so The Rocket can pitch a game sooner.

[BritBronco Maniac]

No wiggle room left for the Astros now. Win or go home.
I think they can win tonight, but the middle relievers have really sucked so far in this series. Its not looking good :(

[Rock Chalk]

One down, three to go ;D

Roy O pitching today. If he can go through 7, Lidge can close the game. His stuff is nasty and he has a great command of the mound ESPECIALLY against the Cards.

Then in Game 5, if Backe can get us at least 7 (which I think he can, he was pulled too early in Game 1 IMO), then we stand a good chance of winning this series. We HAVE to take our home games though, if we lose one here we are screwed. I dont think Houston can go into St.Louis for the last two games of the series and take both of them.

[FADERPROOF]

Can Boston win a game?

Last night was embarrassing, 19-8, hell theres been NFL teams that havent scored 19 today.

[Rock Chalk]

6-5 Houston in the 8th with Lidge coming out to pitch! Couldnt be more happy about this however we left the bases loaded yet again.

[DONKEYSHOW]

Can Boston win a game?

Last night was embarrassing, 19-8, hell theres been NFL teams that havent scored 19 today.

Yes they can!!!

[PatsWin2002]

Yes they can!!!

Unbelievable.

The streets are jammed with people and the bars close in 10 minutes.

And there's no public transportation at this hour. The cabbies will rule the night tonight.

[DONKEYSHOW]

Unbelievable.

The streets are jammed with people and the bars close in 10 minutes.

And there's no public transportation at this hour. The cabbies will rule the night tonight.

First pitch in game 5 in mere hours..I would simply get a room downtown for the next few hours and start it all over again.

[PatsWin2002]

First pitch in game 5 in mere hours..I would simply get a room downtown for the next few hours and start it all over again.

Most of those poor bastards have to go to work tomorrow.

[DONKEYSHOW]

Most of those poor bastards have to go to work tomorrow.

What about you Southie! You going to work tomorrow? .I have a feeling most Boston businesses will be on casual Friday mode with a few Sam Adamss' mixed in!

[PatsWin2002]

What about you Southie! You going to work tomorrow? .I have a feeling most Boston businesses will be on casual Friday mode with a few Sam Adamss' mixed in!

Yup, but this is no big deal for me. I'm a night owl.

I don't go to bed until 3AM or so every night. Sunday nights are the worst because I sleep latest Sunday morning. And sunday night there's so much to talk about.

I'll leave the house tomorrow about 10AM to head to the office.

[DONKEYSHOW]

Yup, but this is no big deal for me. I'm a night owl.

I don't go to bed until 3AM or so every night. Sunday nights are the worst because I sleep latest Sunday morning. And sunday night there's so much to talk about.

I'll leave the house tomorrow about 10AM to head to the office.

Have any beeahs today Southie? I would hope many... Great day in Boston man. Great town, great people. I have no problems with any of the Boston teams winning, because the fans there are 2nd to none...Cept Bronco fans of course.

[PatsWin2002]

Have any beeahs today Southie? I would hope many... Great day in Boston man. Great town, great people. I have no problems with any of the Boston teams winning, because the fans there are 2nd to none...Cept Bronco fans of course.


Crazy day here. The fans are great here.

No "beeahs" today. BTW, I live south of Boston - not in "South Boston" where you'd hear "beeah" a lot. Southie is part of Boston just like in Good Will Hunting.

I live about 20 miles south toward Cape Cod. I'm 17 miles north of Plymouth (y'know the Mayflower and the rock with the 1620 on it).

[PatsWin2002]

Best sign seen so far..........directed at Sheffield:

"Who's your Dealer?"

Ha!

[Clockwork Orange]

I can already see how this is going to unfold. The Sox will take games 5 & 6 and hope will spring anew. They'll take a lead into the late innings of game 7, staring at the greatest comeback in baseball history......then find a way to lose.

I see it that way only because it's the most gutwrenching scenario remaining and that seems to be the way things go for the Sox.

On another note, it's been amazing to watch Beltran & Pujols head to head. Talk about being on fire, I'm shocked that either of these two isn't getting 4 fingers put up by the opposing manager every time they come to the plate.

[FADERPROOF]

Beltran is impressing the hell out of everyone, including those owners willing to open up the check books for him in the offseason.

[PatsWin2002]

Beltran is impressing the hell out of everyone, including those owners willing to open up the check books for him in the offseason.

I think we could find a spot for him here. :thumbsup:

[BritBronco Maniac]

I really can't see how they are not give Beltran the free pass every time

Astros are big dogs tonight on the money line, but I actually like their chances. I think the pitching match up is in their favour, as Woody has struggled in Houston. Houston also have that home record going for them. The only worry is if Backe can get to Wheeler and Lidge. Also those two guys will be pitching for the third straight day

[Rock Chalk]

Lidge had less than 20 pitches yesterday and Wheeler had even less.

Backe can pitch a full game. Garner f*cked up in game 1 by pulling him too early. His stuff was still good enough for strikeouts and groundouts and popouts. We would have won that game and St. Louis would have been facing elimination tonight had Garner not squandered Backe and went to that horrid bullpen in the freakin 5th inning.

You watch, at home, in front of his home town crowd and playing for their playoff lives, Backe is going to pitch an incredible game and we wont even have to use Wheeler (Lidge will be used tonight if we are up in the 8th inning)

[Rock Chalk]

I think we could find a spot for him here. :thumbsup:

Sure, squander his talent on a team going nowhere ever. Brilliant idea patsie.

Id rather see him go to the Yankees than the damn BoSox. At least he will get a ring or twelve with the Yankees.

[Clockwork Orange]

I'm convinced that Johnny Damon is on the Yankees payroll.

[PatsWin2002]

The Yankees are the luckiest team ever. They have gotten EVERY close call at a base in this series.

Manny was safe in game 1. Ortiz was safe just then.
Cairo made a great a slide earlier tonight, but just as easily could've been called out.

Of course that didn't happen. Because if it did, we'd have this game wrapped up.

I mean, it's not like they're not good enough....they get so much help at critical times it's amazing.

[Rock Chalk]

Maybe its not luck, maybe its skill.

Its probably luck.

Kinda like your Patriots.

[Clockwork Orange]

That call on Ortiz at 2nd was bogus.

Brings back memories of Chuck Knoblauch and the phantom tag of 2nd base a few years back.

[PatsWin2002]

Maybe its not luck, maybe its skill.

Its probably luck.

Kinda like your Patriots.

I'm only talking about the human element of the game. We got screwed in 1999 too.

I don't even mean balls and strikes. The umpires always screw up in New York's favor.

[Clockwork Orange]

Please don't bring in Curtis Lecantpitch. Please don't.

[Clockwork Orange]

What a catch by Beltran.

Backe & Williams are dueling tonight. 1 hit allowed each thus far.

[PatsWin2002]

Please don't bring in Curtis Lecantpitch. Please don't.

He did well last time out.

I was hoping they'd let Mirabelli catch for Wakefield, but Tito won't do it.

Cuz we could use his offense. I could see him planting one in the Monster Seats.

Letting Ortiz steal was brilliant. I loved it - especially because he made it. Naturally the umpire got it wrong.

After they took the bat out of his hand the previous at-bat.

[Rock Chalk]

What a catch by Beltran.

Backe & Williams are dueling tonight. 1 hit allowed each thus far.

Helluva pitching clinc eh Clockwork? Kinda like the rest of the series' hittin clincs.

[Rock Chalk]

that catch by beltran was bo jacksonesque man. I mean, just a beautiful thing to see.

[Rock Chalk]

I gotta tell you, Brandon Backe is pitching one helluva game (not to take anything away from the Cards pitcher either). He is fully living the dream almost every american male has. To play *insert sport* for his favorite team with players he grew up idolizing in the freakin playoffs and doing a marvelous job.

You cant HELP but root for this guy.

[Rock Chalk]

Congrats Patsie, your team lives to lose another day ;D

[Clockwork Orange]

Shrek comes through again and the Sox are still alive.

I'm stunned at the pitching and defensive clinic being put on by two great offensive teams playing in a park condusive to high scoring games.

Williams & Backe both deserve kudos, they were brilliant.

[Rock Chalk]

and Isringhousen and Lidge come on to pitch shutdown innings.

Going into the bottom of the ninth and still tied at 0.

[Clockwork Orange]

Isringhausen & Lidge pick up right where the starters left off.

Looks like it's going to come down to whose pitcher is going to make the first mistake.

[Rock Chalk]

BELTRAN WITH A BASE HIT TO LEAD OFF THE NINTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God damn I dont want to lose him!

[PatsWin2002]

GREAT catch by Beltran.

What a night for baseball.

[Rock Chalk]

Walk Off 3 Run Homer By Kent The Astros Win The Astros Win The Astros Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PatsWin2002]

Wow, that ball was CRUSHED.

[Clockwork Orange]

Why did it have to be that piece of **** Jeff Kent?

Ah well, the Cards haven't lost a home game in this postseason. If they hold serve at home they'll be fine.

[Rock Chalk]

I woke up everyone in the house just now!

[-Slap-]

Pornstache to the rescue.

[PatsWin2002]

Keepin' the Faith

[Rock Chalk]

Talk all the sh*t you want people, the Astros just swept the "best team in baseball" at home!

And for the record, the Cards havent lost at home this postseason but the Astros are the team that is going to send them home crying!

BIATCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we go to the Series Slappy, I promise I will never talk sh*t about baseball again.

[PatsWin2002]

Congrats Alec. That's gotta be great for that part of the country.

I loved the guy with the sign that said, "St. Louis - Now YOU have a problem!"

[Clockwork Orange]

Big talk, the Cubs sure thought they had it wrapped up last year and oops! Don't count on that trip to the Series until you've got that 4th win.

Of course if the Cardinals take the next two you'll just say that it's just baseball and you never really gave a **** anyway.

[Rock Chalk]

Naw Clockwork. If St. Louis wins I wont care but not because I dont give a sh*t. Because God already gave me what I asked for the Astros, one playoff series win. Everything else, so far, has been gravy bud.

I will root for the Cards if they win. I told patsie I wouldnt but the Cards were my first favorite team when I was a kid (and The Wizard Ozzie Smith is still my favorite all time player).

Its funny how this worked out for me too. See, I started off as a Cards and Royals fan because I was from Kansas and my family has roots in the midwest. KC and StL were the teams that were closest to us and I grew up watching them.

We face StL in the playoffs this year, for a chance to go to the World Series. We are there at this point because Kansas City gave us Beltran. If Houston goes to the world series, and wins it, it will be because of my first two favorite teams that they did so.

I believe. I didnt always have contempt for baseball and I have slowly but surely been drawn back since McGuire and Sosa went off on the homerun festival in what...1998? Each year I have watched more and more, started watching earlier and earlier. Because the All-Star game was here in Houston this year, I began from there, the earliest since the late 1980s for me.

And I further promise not to rub it in IF Houston does win. Like I said, anything beyond beating those fvckhead Braves is just gravy.

[BritBronco Maniac]

Obviously the game was too late for me here, I just woke up and checked the scores, awesome!
What a pitching line by both starters. Especially Backe, 1 hit through 8! You called it Alec.
Maybe all the hitters decided to take the night off?
Clemens up next... :)

[TexanBob]

I can already see how this is going to unfold. The Sox will take games 5 & 6 and hope will spring anew. They'll take a lead into the late innings of game 7, staring at the greatest comeback in baseball history......then find a way to lose.

I see it that way only because it's the most gutwrenching scenario remaining and that seems to be the way things go for the Sox.



My co-worker the Yankee fan says the scenario will be the same as yours except he thinks the winning home run will be hit by A-Rod whom the Red Sox could have had this winter if they had been more generous to the Rangers.

[FADERPROOF]

I'm glad Houston is doing this, because not many people gave them a snowballs chance in hell to win this series.

I knew it would be tough, the pitching match-ups were favorable for Houston with Rocket and Oswalt going in games 3 and 4 at home, I said Houston would win if they took 1 of the first 2 games. They didn't, so it's not guarantee they'll win because we're talking a win a Busch Stadium is needed, but you gotta like the chances with Clemens on the mound for game 7.

[FADERPROOF]

That being sadi, I would like the Cards to go and win it all, I've always wanted the team who knocks my team out of the playoffs to win the championship, just makes losing a little better on my part.

I take that back, no way in hell did I want the Colts to win to it last year, or the Jaguards in 1996, but for the msot part, whoever beats my fave team, I want them to take it.

[Kid A]

I'm pulling like crazy for the sox tonight. i won't pretend to have as much invested in this series as a Boston native, but I was pretty nervous the last couple nights. Schilling has to overcome his ankle tonight and pitch the game of his life.
I would also like to see the Astros win. I like seeing Beltran have his chance to shine after years of watching him play here in KC. The cards and their "best fans in baseball" have to be shocked that they got shutout with their lineup.
Both these series have been very entertaining. I hope the last few games live up to the previous ones.

[PatsWin2002]

Yup. It all comes down to Schilling's new boot.

If he didn't get hurt, we're probably closing this out tonight. The big guy wants the ball so you gotta give it to him.

[Clockwork Orange]

If the Sox do win tonight, who starts game 7? Lowe?

[orange 4 life]

man, i want to see the sox win this thing, but i have a bad feeling this might be the end of the road.

too bad, considering i agree with patswin.
had schilling been healthy, it would be BOSTON with the one game edge.

jake

[Jens1893]

If the Sox do win tonight, who starts game 7? Lowe?

whod be game 7 starter for the evil empire?

[Clockwork Orange]

whod be game 7 starter for the evil empire?

Kevin Brown, I believe.

Damn you Bellhorn.

[Clockwork Orange]

Bellhorn comes through! 4-0 Sox.

[Evenrude]

If the Sox do win tonight, who starts game 7? Lowe?

Wakefield would start game 7.... but Lowe and Arojo would both be there if his knuckler isn't working......

[orange 4 life]

im just amazed.
i thought the sox would win this thing in six before it started, and after the 3-0 yankees start i thought NO WAY it goes to seven.
i still think a game seven boston win is highly unlikely (who pitches?), but who the hell knows anymore?

what an amazing series.
if boston pulls off the miracle, it'll be one of the greatest comebacks in SPORTS history.

jake

[orange 4 life]

Wakefield would start game 7.... but Lowe and Arojo would both be there if his knuckler isn't working......

i see someone beat me to my question!!

wakefield is the right move of course, but does anyone really think he'll get it done?
..and do lowe and arrojo have enough in the tank?

i dont know.
i WANT boston to pull it off, but it just seems SO improbable.

i foresee a high scoring affair again, and the yanks have more firepower.

jake

[Clockwork Orange]

Hats off to Schilling. 7 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, no walks. Brilliant performance.

Now the exhausted Sox bullpen has to try to finish the job.

[flair]

Shut the Yanks down Sox

[-Slap-]

That's gotta be interference on A-Rod.

[-Slap-]

It was totally obvious. What the hell was the first base umpire looking at anyway?

[-Slap-]

Here's comes Torre, but it was plainly the right call.

Now the Yankee fans are going to start acting like animals.

[Sassy]

Mess on the field....
Wild.

[Clockwork Orange]

Great job by these umps tonight getting together and getting the calls right. No question that Pay-Rod swatted that ball out of Arroyo's hand.

Yanks fans having a tantrum now.

[-Slap-]

Reminds me of Reggie Jackson sticking his fat ass in the way of Dodger shortstop Bill Russell's throw in the 1978 World Series. The umps choked that one big time, though.

[Clockwork Orange]

I haven't seen anyone pull a stunt like that since Vince Coleman actually reached into a 1st baseman's glove, took the ball out and tossed it away after a pick off attempt in Montreal many years ago.

Coleman was correctly called out, as was Rodriguez.

[Clockwork Orange]

Kind of like Kent Hrbek yanking Ron Gant off of first base in the '91 World Series. Umps completely botched that one too.

[Clockwork Orange]

And the Sox get out of it. 4-2 going to the 9th.

[-Slap-]

The Cubs had this guy named Jose Cardenal who was a real character. Once there was a brushback pitch that triggered a melee while Cardenal was the runner on first base. When order was restored, he calmly went back out and stood on second base. Got away with it, too.

Who was it Kent Hrbek lifted off first base on a pickoff throw in the 91 Series?

[The Big E]

Umps have nutted up and made the right calls tonight. I hate the friggin' Yankees, actually trying to act innocent like it was a legit play. FU A-Rod and FU Jeter.

I thought for sure the curse was rearing it's ugly head, but maybe it'll have to wait until game 7. Go Sox.

[Clockwork Orange]

Who was it Kent Hrbek lifted off first base on a pickoff throw in the 91 Series?

Ron Gant.

Looked like a friggin' wrestling match at first base and the umps still didn't get the call right.

[flair]

whooo that was tense they need a red flag for baseball bad .

[-Slap-]

Kind of like Kent Hrbek yanking Ron Gant off of first base in the '91 World Series. Umps completely botched that one too.

Already got my answer.

:thumbsup:

[Clockwork Orange]

I won't even bring up Game 6 of the '85 World Series.

Oops I just did. **** you Denkinger.

[flair]

Come on Sox lets get some more runs.

[flair]

I won't even bring up Game 6 of the '85 World Series.

Oops I just did. **** you Denkinger.

That game was the hardest baseball game to lose in my life.

[Clockwork Orange]

That game was the hardest baseball game to lose in my life.

To this day, my Father still blows a gasket if I dare mention it.

[Clockwork Orange]

I find it funny that Yankee fans start acting like morons and littering the field when the bad calls don't go their way.

Lord knows they've had the benefit of many in the past.

[Hogan11]

The Cubs had this guy named Jose Cardenal who was a real character. Once there was a brushback pitch that triggered a melee while Cardenal was the runner on first base. When order was restored, he calmly went back out and stood on second base. Got away with it, too.

Who was it Kent Hrbek lifted off first base on a pickoff throw in the 91 Series?


I remember Jose....huge afro on that guy.

[Clockwork Orange]

http://espn.go.com/media/mlb/1999/1017/photo/a_stretch.jpg

The infamous phantom tag by Chuck Knoblauch.

[flair]

make them forfiet

[Clockwork Orange]

http://espn.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/jeffrey_maier.jpg

Jeffrey Maier steals one from Tony Tarasco and the umps hand Jeter a HR.

[-Slap-]

I remember Jose....huge afro on that guy.

It was huge. The National League's answer to Oscar Gamble.

[FADERPROOF]

bottom 9th, Yanks need 2 to not put it into game 7.

[Clockwork Orange]

If the Red Sox can get three outs here they'll be the first team in baseball history to force a game 7 after being down 3-0.

Only two teams in sports history have ever come all the way back to win a series down 3-0. The Maple Leafs back in the 50's and the Islanders back in the 70's if memory serves me right.

[flair]

Come on Sox lets make NY sweat.

[-Slap-]

Full count on Gojira.

[FADERPROOF]

If the Red Sox can get three outs here they'll be the first team in baseball history to force a game 7 after being down 3-0.

Only two teams in sports history have ever come all the way back to win a series down 3-0. The Maple Leafs back in the 50's and the Islanders back in the 70's if memory serves me right.

Yep, both NHL teams are thw only 2 teams to do so.

[Clockwork Orange]

Tying run comes to the plate as Foulke walks Godzilla.

[FADERPROOF]

lead-off walk to Matsui

[Clockwork Orange]

Bernie goes down swinging.

[FADERPROOF]

Posada up with 1 out

[-Slap-]

Nothing drove my old man crazy like a reliever walking the leadoff hitter.

[FADERPROOF]

2 out now

[flair]

one away come on Sox

[Clockwork Orange]

Posada pops out.

Sox are one out away.......

[Hogan11]

I understand Posada is going to have offseason plastic surgury....he's having one of his kneecaps taken out and placed in his chin.

I'll say one thing for him, he has a very hot wife...

[Clockwork Orange]

Sierra walks and the winning run is at the plate.

[flair]

This isnt good

[Sassy]

Down by 3....Say Hello to game 7!!!

[Clockwork Orange]

Struck him out! Game 7 tomorrow night!

[-Slap-]

28 pitches from Foulke in that inning. Might be a problem tomorrow night.

[FADERPROOF]

Francona talked as if Lowe was going in game 7 tomorrow.

[flair]

Sweet

[Clockwork Orange]

How huge would it be for Red Sox fans to not only watch the Sox finally get over the Yankees in the playoffs, but to be able to hold the biggest choke job in baseball history over Yankees fans heads?

[Evenrude]

Personally I would start Lowe and bring in Wakefield out of the bullpen, but the official word is Wakefield starting.

Oh and F**k Jeter, F**k A-Rod(Hole), F**k Gary "Who's your dealer?" Sheffield and double F**k Posada and the NY fans.

I'd rather not win a World Series for 200 years as a Red Sox fan than win one as a Yankee.......

http://logoshak.com/~asgsport/images/Boston_Red_Sox_1932.gif

[Rock Chalk]

I haven't seen anyone pull a stunt like that since Vince Coleman actually reached into a 1st baseman's glove, took the ball out and tossed it away after a pick off attempt in Montreal many years ago.

Coleman was correctly called out, as was Rodriguez.

Haha, I remember that. Thats when I was a Cards fan. McGee, Coleman and my boy Ozzie.

Stupid Twins beat us in the World Series. That was the first time one of my favorite teams had a good shot to win a championship.

[Rock Chalk]

28 pitches from Foulke in that inning. Might be a problem tomorrow night.

Naw, he seemed like he had command of his stuff. One of those walks I thought should have been a K, but you know, thats me. Lidge did 40+ the first night, then came back and pitched 20+ two nights in a row. If Houston is ahead in the 9th, Lidge will be out again and so should Foulke. Unless of course the BoSox have another super closer to help out. The astros dont have that luxury anymore. Too bad we couldnt have kept Wagner for another year. Dumbass said we would never win crap and here we are the following year with the best shot in the teams history to win it all. (yes, its still a long shot at this point, but considering the history its the best shot yet).

Anyway, I think Foulke will be good for one more inning tomorrow if he has to come out there and do it. Great pitchers dig deep ;)

[Mr Chatterboodamn]

for those who are fans of smaller market teams (padres, rockies, etc..) like myself:

I am puzzled as to why most people would consider a boston win over the yankees solvent of the underlying problems with baseball. these are the two biggest spending teams by far. i know the yankees spend more, but clearly boston is just as much a part of the talent drain that is killing the league. this boston team has curt + pedro + foulke, a .300+ lineup, and pokey reese and mienkiewicz (sp?) on the bench and we're supposed to feel sorry for them and their struggles with this supposed evil empire??? i'm sick of all of these late season moves that drain the best talents from the teams clever enough to draft or develop them. boston has perpetrated more talent hoarding than new york this year and was actually favored to win the series at the outset. I don't buy the cute underdog story anymore. go national league (even though its representitives are just as guilty as the yanks and sox). just sick of the yanks and sox. way more sick of the sox though.... disgusting organization and even more disgusting national media empire behind them (gammons, king, zimmerman, et. al.). it's like this self-hating religious thing or something. go yanks in game 7 and go national league in the series. not that parity is really any more fun, but at least there is some guesswork in determining if your team can contend or not. or maybe boston should win: the patriots seemed underdoggish vs. rams but they seemed more like the evil empire against the panthers last year.

[PatsWin2002]

for those who are fans of smaller market teams (padres, rockies, etc..) like myself:

I am puzzled as to why most people would consider a boston win over the yankees solvent of the underlying problems with baseball. these are the two biggest spending teams by far. i know the yankees spend more, but clearly boston is just as much a part of the talent drain that is killing the league. this boston team has curt + pedro + foulke, a .300+ lineup, and pokey reese and mienkiewicz (sp?) on the bench and we're supposed to feel sorry for them and their struggles with this supposed evil empire??? i'm sick of all of these late season moves that drain the best talents from the teams clever enough to draft or develop them. boston has perpetrated more talent hoarding than new york this year and was actually favored to win the series at the outset. I don't buy the cute underdog story anymore. go national league (even though its representitives are just as guilty as the yanks and sox). just sick of the yanks and sox. way more sick of the sox though.... disgusting organization and even more disgusting national media empire behind them (gammons, king, zimmerman, et. al.). it's like this self-hating religious thing or something. go yanks in game 7 and go national league in the series. not that parity is really any more fun, but at least there is some guesswork in determining if your team can contend or not. or maybe boston should win: the patriots seemed underdoggish vs. rams but they seemed more like the evil empire against the panthers last year.

You may find this hard to believe, but I agree with you.

They need to fix baseball. Just the fact that NY is in it every damn year is maddening. They spend so much money that they usually get first dibs on players and amass the largest number of them.

They are built for the regular season AND the post season.

I think about the fans of the Expos, Royals, Brewers, etc. and think it totally stinks.

This thing with the Yankees is a lifelong uphill battle of unfairness and shooting ourselves in the foot.

If you're not a part of it then it'd be hard to understand fully.

[Clockwork Orange]

For me it has nothing to do with big market vs small market. It's wanting to see the arrogant, spoiled, ungrateful Yankee fans have to swallow a bitter plate of crow.

Red Sox fans have had to hear about Dent, Buckner, 1918, Curse of the Bambino, etc from Yankees fans who have the nerve to be unhappy about the fact that their team hasn't won a World Series since 2000 and have only been in the World Series 6 times in the last 8 years. Those ingrates deserve to get punched in the mouth. Having to listen to the Sox fans they've tormented for so long rail them about the choke of 2004 for the next few decades would be a fitting punishment.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

for those who are fans of smaller market teams (padres, rockies, etc..) like myself:

I am puzzled as to why most people would consider a boston win over the yankees solvent of the underlying problems with baseball. these are the two biggest spending teams by far. i know the yankees spend more, but clearly boston is just as much a part of the talent drain that is killing the league. this boston team has curt + pedro + foulke, a .300+ lineup, and pokey reese and mienkiewicz (sp?) on the bench and we're supposed to feel sorry for them and their struggles with this supposed evil empire??? i'm sick of all of these late season moves that drain the best talents from the teams clever enough to draft or develop them. boston has perpetrated more talent hoarding than new york this year and was actually favored to win the series at the outset. I don't buy the cute underdog story anymore. go national league (even though its representitives are just as guilty as the yanks and sox). just sick of the yanks and sox. way more sick of the sox though.... disgusting organization and even more disgusting national media empire behind them (gammons, king, zimmerman, et. al.). it's like this self-hating religious thing or something. go yanks in game 7 and go national league in the series. not that parity is really any more fun, but at least there is some guesswork in determining if your team can contend or not. or maybe boston should win: the patriots seemed underdoggish vs. rams but they seemed more like the evil empire against the panthers last year.
Steinbrenner has been buying championships for years. I don't care how any other team beats the arrogant ass and his NY ringers, I'm rooting for them!

[orange 4 life]

You may find this hard to believe, but I agree with you.

They need to fix baseball. Just the fact that NY is in it every damn year is maddening. They spend so much money that they usually get first dibs on players and amass the largest number of them.

They are built for the regular season AND the post season.

I think about the fans of the Expos, Royals, Brewers, etc. and think it totally stinks.

This thing with the Yankees is a lifelong uphill battle of unfairness and shooting ourselves in the foot.

If you're not a part of it then it'd be hard to understand fully.

nice post.

i still follow baseball, but i dont pretend to care about it like i did in the old days of garvey, baker, cey in the late seventies or gibson, sax, shelby in the 80's.
i still root for the boys in blue, and of course i cheer for the rockies now that we have a team in denver, but the PASSION that was there back in the day just doesnt exist anymore.

baseball has been RUINED by the escalating salaries and by the RIDICULOUS difference in team salaries.
its just not the same, and SOMETHING needs to be done.

its kinda scary, when you think about the past issues in baseball combined with the CURRENT problems in hockey.
thank God football is strong, but sports AS A WHOLE arent what they were.

im every bit as passionate about the broncos as i always have been, but sadly the other sports have become more curious and less passionate.

its never too late to fix the problems, but the way things are now isnt encouraging.

jake

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Johnny Damon looks like he should be a backup singer for the Bee Gees,

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Game 6 starting in about an hour between Astros and Cardinals. I have to admit I counted out the Astros back at the break. The Cardinals have the best hitting lineup in the league but the Astros have been able to play with them all the year. Pete Munro to go for the Astros instead of Clemens.

Four hours later the Red Sox at the Yankees for game 7. No MLB team has EVER came back from 3-0 in a series.
It would be a good thing for baseball if the Red Sox could win tonight.
This will be one of the most watched baseball games of all-time!

[BritBronco Maniac]

I too will be pulling for the Sox tonight. Not because it would be a victory for small market teams, but because it would be great to see the yanks commit the biggest choke job of all time!
Baseball's economics may have ruined most of the regular season, as you know 60% of the league has no chance, but the playoffs are fantastic. The Bosox and Yanks have made the regular season boring to an extent, but watching them play, especially in the playoffs is one of the most captivating matchups in all of sports.
The other reason to pull for the Sox, is so that I can laugh my a$$ off when they lose to the 'stros in the series!
For all of baseball's small market problems don't forget that Florida won it last year, they were mid market at least

[FADERPROOF]

When it comes to small market vs. big market teams, sorry but Red Sox fans have no room to talk about the Yankees buying these rings, and I say that because I can't either as a Dodgers fan.

How'd you guys get Manny? Schilling? Foulke? Pedro? IF the Sox happen to break the curse this year, it's just as much a bought championship as if the Yankees would've won it this year.

[Darkhawk24]

When it comes to small market vs. big market teams, sorry but Red Sox fans have no room to talk about the Yankees buying these rings, and I say that because I can't either as a Dodgers fan.

How'd you guys get Manny? Schilling? Foulke? Pedro? IF the Sox happen to break the curse this year, it's just as much a bought championship as if the Yankees would've won it this year.


No doubt buddy. That's why i've been rooting for the Yankees. The Yankees are the only BIG market team to all the rest of the big market teams. Try building a team with cheap David Glass payroll in KC. 40 mill.....

[Evenrude]

The Yankees payroll is 60+ million higher than the Red Sox. That's higher than the total payrolls of alot of teams. If the Red Sox don't pay out what they do they essentially hand the division and League championship to the Yankees. Until they get a hard salary cap in baseball that's the only way to compete on a consitant basis with the Yankees, but go ahead and lump them together ::)

[Kid A]

For me it has nothing to do with big market vs small market. It's wanting to see the arrogant, spoiled, ungrateful Yankee fans have to swallow a bitter plate of crow.

Red Sox fans have had to hear about Dent, Buckner, 1918, Curse of the Bambino, etc from Yankees fans who have the nerve to be unhappy about the fact that their team hasn't won a World Series since 2000 and have only been in the World Series 6 times in the last 8 years. Those ingrates deserve to get punched in the mouth. Having to listen to the Sox fans they've tormented for so long rail them about the choke of 2004 for the next few decades would be a fitting punishment.

Right on. Although sometimes question whether Red Sox fans really suffer worst than most (after all their team is competitive and exciting to watch every year as opposed to small market teams), they deserve to have this on the Yank fans.
Tonights game is potentially one of the biggest baseball games of our lifetimes in terms of how it will be remembered. I was thinkng that it would eb a lot easier for the Sox if it were at Fenway, but a victory will be much sweeter if the nation gets to see the Sox celebrating on the Yankees "hallowed" grounds while the Yankee fans have no choice but to shut the hell up and take it.
How is it giong to end? I can't even guess. I can only hope it involves A-Fraud making an error and Jeter being the final out.

[FADERPROOF]

The Yankees payroll is 60+ million higher than the Red Sox. That's higher than the total payrolls of alot of teams. If the Red Sox don't pay out what they do they essentially hand the division and League championship to the Yankees. Until they get a hard salary cap in baseball that's the only way to compete on a consitant basis with the Yankees, but go ahead and lump them together ::)

And when the hard salary cap issue came up and teams voted on it, guess what the Red Sox voted?

Red Sox have basically gone with the "can't beat em, join em" mentality when it comes to the Yankees and the salary cap. And you do get lumped together because you even if you are 60 million under the Yankees, you're 100 million above some of the teams in the MLB.

Red Sox winning would be a bought championship as well, there can't be much of an argument when you look at the nucleus of the team and pitching staff and notice that they were from other teams that the Red Sox were able to acquire in FA or in trades due to their payroll.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

And when the hard salary cap issue came up and teams voted on it, guess what the Red Sox voted?

Red Sox have basically gone with the "can't beat em, join em" mentality when it comes to the Yankees and the salary cap. And you do get lumped together because you even if you are 60 million under the Yankees, you're 100 million above some of the teams in the MLB.

Red Sox winning would be a bought championship as well, there can't be much of an argument when you look at the nucleus of the team and pitching staff and notice that they were from other teams that the Red Sox were able to acquire in FA or in trades due to their payroll.

So the Red Sox finally spent some money to compete with the Yankees? Good!!!!!! Like I said, anything, anyway it takes to beat the Yankees is alright in my book. The Yankees have a huge advantage in that they have revenue that no other teams have. This has enabled them to buy their championships all these years.

New York Yankees $ 184,193,950
Boston Red Sox $ 127,298,500
Anaheim Angels $ 100,534,667
New York Mets $ 96,660,970
Philadelphia Phillies $ 93,219,167
Los Angeles Dodgers $ 92,902,001
Chicago Cubs $ 90,560,000
Atlanta Braves $ 90,182,500
St. Louis Cardinals $ 83,228,333
San Francisco Giants $ 82,019,166
Seattle Mariners $ 81,515,834
Houston Astros $ 75,397,000

[FADERPROOF]

So the Red Sox finally spent some money to compete with the Yankees? Good!!!!!! Like I said, anything, anyway it takes to beat the Yankees is alright in my book. The Yankees have a huge advantage in that they have revenue that no other teams have. This has enabled them to buy their championships all these years.

New York Yankees $ 184,193,950
Boston Red Sox $ 127,298,500
Anaheim Angels $ 100,534,667
New York Mets $ 96,660,970
Philadelphia Phillies $ 93,219,167
Los Angeles Dodgers $ 92,902,001
Chicago Cubs $ 90,560,000
Atlanta Braves $ 90,182,500
St. Louis Cardinals $ 83,228,333
San Francisco Giants $ 82,019,166
Seattle Mariners $ 81,515,834
Houston Astros $ 75,397,000

My point exactly, that Red Sox fans really can't complain about NY doing all these buying championships because if they do win, they bought one as well.

60 million under NY, but 27 million over Anaheim(who the played in ALDS), 44 million over St. Louis, and 52 million over Houston. So if Boston wins and faces STL, they are payroll equivalent to 3-4 all-star claibur players, and if it's Houston they face, what exactly is the difference of the Yankees being 57 million dollars in payroll over them, compared to them being 52 million dollars over Houston?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

My point exactly, that Red Sox fans really can't complain about NY doing all these buying championships because if they do win, they bought one as well.

60 million under NY, but 27 million over Anaheim(who the played in ALDS), 44 million over St. Louis, and 52 million over Houston. So if Boston wins and faces STL, they are payroll equivalent to 3-4 all-star claibur players, and if it's Houston they face, what exactly is the difference of the Yankees being 57 million dollars in payroll over them, compared to them being 52 million dollars over Houston?
Like I said it doesn't matter how to me. If the Red Sox were winning all these championships with the highest payroll year after year, I'd be rooting for their opponent.
I believe you'll find most of America is rooting for the Red Sox tonight.

By the way, 4-3 Cardinals batting in the 5th.

[-Slap-]

The Yankees payroll is 60+ million higher than the Red Sox. That's higher than the total payrolls of alot of teams. If the Red Sox don't pay out what they do they essentially hand the division and League championship to the Yankees. Until they get a hard salary cap in baseball that's the only way to compete on a consitant basis with the Yankees, but go ahead and lump them together ::)

We will, and correctly so.

The second highest payroll in sports shouldn't be crying about anyone buying a pennant.

[thedudeabides]

who's going to be the new Buckner after tonight?

I'm feeling a bellhorn or mueller

[Evenrude]

I think we all agree that the system stinks and there needs to be some sort of revenue sharing/salary cap in baseball. If the Red Sox management voted against one then I would have to disagree with them...... but to equate them with the Yankees when they have only 69% of their payroll and haven't won a title since 1918 is unfair in my opinion.

Screw it.... I'm not going to argue about it. There will be no asterisk next to a world series title if Boston would happen to get it..... if they had to give the Yankees a bit of their own medicine to get it, so be it......

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Extra innings in St Louis. 4-4. Astros got one in the ninth to tie it up.

[FADERPROOF]

I think we all agree that the system stinks and there needs to be some sort of revenue sharing/salary cap in baseball. If the Red Sox management voted against one then I would have to disagree with them...... but to equate them with the Yankees when they have only 69% of their payroll and haven't won a title since 1918 is unfair in my opinion.

Screw it.... I'm not going to argue about it. There will be no asterisk next to a world series title if Boston would happen to get it..... if they had to give the Yankees a bit of their own medicine to get it, so be it......

Just let me ask you this, say Houston wins and goes to the World Series and Boston wins as well, what is the difference between the Yankess having that big advantage over Boston due to 60 million more and Boston having a 60 million dollar more payroll than the Astros?

Buying Free Agents and trading for great players from lesser teams that can't afford them anymore is exactly what both teams do. The big x-factor and only thing between the two teams that seperate them is A-Rod, which Boston was going after as well.

[FADERPROOF]

That being said, the MLB won't go and doesn't want a cap. They want Red Sox and they want Yankees to spend,spend,spend on players and to continue to be the 2 best teams in the MLB.

Whjy? MLB would love to have these two teams meet every single year in the ALCS and have a big primetime game on the weekend between the two during the season. From when they first meet in mid-April, until the time the meet in the ALCS, the MLB just constantly cashes in on the rivalry and cashes in on the much interest audience. It sucks for most teams, but MLB knows that Yankees vs. red Sox overall will never become old and every year something new and exciting happens that keep this very interesting to all.

Parity would hurt the MLB from their standpoint, Red Sox vs. Yankees are the face of the MLB and the big money maker of the MLB. They would abolutely hate to see an ALCS involving Kansas City and Tampa Bay, or Toronto and Cleveland, just because the interest generated would not be there. Florida vs. Cleveland in 1997 was the most exciting WS I've witnessed, and guess what? Ratings fell down the crapper for that one. A game 7 that went into 11 innings didn't generate nearly the fan interest that a Boston vs. New York ALCS would've.

MLB knows what the majority wants, and the majority wants NY vs. Beantown, and they are going to keep doing whatever possible to keep parity and to keep a salary cap out all to keep having these two teams atop their divisions, fighting it out for the AL East, and continuing onto the ALCS.

[watermock]

So that is good? What about a level playing field?

[BritBronco Maniac]

Tough loss for the 'stros tonight. Even though they didn't 'need' the win, they invested a lot of effort going 12 innings plus.

I think the decision not to walk Pujols in the first game back to haunt them.

At least Clemens will be ready to go in game 7 and Oswalt will be available out of the pen

[PatsWin2002]

So that is good? What about a level playing field?

I'm all for it.

Let's not forget that when MLB tried to level the playing field a bit with a luxury tax, George just laughed and ponied up that dough too.

The bottomless well of money wins out - even in the face of good sportsmanship.

Face it. The Yankees suck and there's just no defending that. :laugh: