Sox Out of Cereal Business--Peter

Well, two days in a row in the off-season! Yesterday, the MVP. Today, the Sox left the cereal business. They traded Coco Crisp to KC for an apparently good setup reliever, Ramon Ramirez, even up. Looking at Ramirez' stats other than the one year he was injured, he looks pretty good. Great opponents BA, especially against right handed batters. Also a great change that behaves like a splitter, as well as a better than average curve and fast ball.

Hate to see Coco go, particularly after this last season, but this will both free up some dollars for the free agent market and, hopefully, force Ellsbury into more consistency with the stick.

Coco was a great guy for the three years he was in the Fens. maybe not quite as good as the Hose had hoped when they signed him to replace Damon, but 20 steals a year for three years, great fielding, and a .270-.280 BA ain't bad. Good luck Coco--Welcome Ramon.

MVP DUSTY!!!!--Peter

Well, here it is! Another off-season VIP. That's both Very Important Pronouncement and Very Important Person. Just announced--Dustin Pedroia is the American League MVP for 2008. Well deserved and many congratulations for Dusty! Let's see now: two years in the Bigs and a Rookie of the Year and an MVP. What's next?

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead - Jenn

Dad and I promised to keep you faithful Sox fans informed of any and all goings ons during the offseason. So as promised here's your first bit of GREAT NEWS.

No, we still haven't signed Jason Varitek and the rumors swirling around a Lowell trade are still swirling. But the news came out today that MIKE TIMLIN WILL NOT BE BACK!

Here's what Epstein said he told Mike Timlin at the end of the season: "we came to a mutual understanding that Boston probably wouldn't be the best fit for him. By the way what a career that guy had. I think he was my first free-agent signing."

And a collective sigh of relief escapes Red Sox fans everywhere. (At least it escaped my lips.) I don't dispute the career Timlin's had and he did help the Sox win their first World Series in 86 years. But as I've said numerous times this past season, there comes a point when it's time to hang up your spikes. I'm glad Epstein and Timlin have finally realizes that point is now.

Anyway, I thought that tid bit deserved a little blog space. When more comes out about Varitek or Lowell or CC Sabathia, I or Dad will let you know. For now... Go Pats!

It's Finally Midnight!--Peter

Well, I was going to post last night after the Sox tragically failed to extend their streak of elimination game wins, but I just couldn't bring myself to sit down in front of the computer at that moment. There we were--all the way back from the near elimination in Game 5 through a truly gutsy performance by JB in Game 6 to a perfect first three innings by Lester, supported by Dusty's no-doubt blast in the 1st inning--and somehow, the Rays came back to take a lead and then expand it to 3-2 getting into the late innings. Just as in Game 2, all we needed was just one well timed single and the outcome would have been totally different. Unfortunately, the Rays' pen was equal to the task and it was not to be.

I've occasionally mentioned on this site that I like to add the LOB's of each team to the actual score and see who would have won had all the LOB's managed to score. In this case, the Sox would be going to the Fens to host the start of festivities against the most futile team in MLB (more on that later), the Phillies, on Wednesday. Had all LOB's for each team made it home, the score would have ended up Sox 9, Rays 6. Just needed one or two more hits. But, as my wife says about many things we confront in life, "it is what it is."

Let's face it--the Rays earned the pennant. This was not a cheap shot. They likely will represent the A.L. well. I'll be rooting for them, partly because there are two players on the team from the geographic region surrounding Boston. Baldelli is from Rhode Island, about an hour's drive from Fenway and their best hitter, Carlos Pena, is, as I have noted many times now, from Haverhill, Mass., a shoe manufacturing city about 45 minutes northwest from the Fens. How do I know this, you ask? Simple! After being born in Boston, the family moved to Haverhill when I was four and I grew up there and attended high school in the city.

I referred above to the Phillies historical team futility. In addition to having only won a single Series (1980), they are the only team in MLB to have lost more than 10,000 games overall since they were founded. Pretty sad.

Next year, the Sox will be back at it, and, hopefully, go to the Series. After all, after the '04 title, the Sox faced the Chisox on the latter's run to the World Championship and were swept; in '06 they missed the post-season due to a series of key injuries; and we all know what happened in '07--World Champs again!

As Jenn mentioned in her comments today, we'll sort of shut down for the off-season, but will be on if anything super important occurs.

First super important item: Mike Lowell had hip surgery today, and all, according to radio reports, went well. He's expected to be totally ready for start of Spring Training. Have a happy off-season; keep your eyes tuned here; and see you in the spring--it's only roughly 118 days away--REALLY!!

Oh Well... - Jenn

As Dad said in his previous post, the Red Sox were refusing to lose. That is until last night. Our faithful Sox put up the good fight, but in the end, those newbies from Tampa Bay simply wanted it more.

So all our players are headed home to watch the World Series instead of taking part again this year. But that's okay. The Rays made a real go of it, and as much as it pains me to say so, they deserve their chance. They just better not f*ing lose!

So what is there left to say? Well as we all weep into our coffee this morning let's look at the bright side. First that spectacular come back from being down 7 zip in Game 5. I mean, would you really have wanted to lose after just five games and by a slaughter like that? Absolutely not! That come back gave us and our team the lift we needed to head back to the Trop and give it their all.

Then in Game 6 as Dad stated, Beckett proved me wrong and showed he still had the stuff needed to keep his team in it. While he didn't have his usual speed, he had the command. And after what I'm sure was an indepth conversation with John Farrell, Beckett discovered the way to beat the Rays was with his curve ball, not his fast ball. A long overdue homer from The Captain, helped put the Sox on top and keep those spirits up for the do or die game of the weekend.

That would be Game 7. A pitching matchup of Lester and Garza. We were all hoping it would be a reverse of their last outing. One where Lester was super hot and Garza sucked. While we got the first part of that desire, we didn't get the 2nd. Both Lester and Garza were white hot last night. Unfortunately Garza was just a little hotter - limiting the Sox to just two hits through the first six innings. And that would have been fine considering one of the hits was a home run by Dustin Pedroia to put the Sox up 1-0.

But after being perfect through the first three innings, Lester faltered in the 4th and gave up three consecutive hits to the Rays to tie it. The game continued downhill from there. Things looked up in the 7th when Garza put two men on, but he got out of it unscathed. And that was the rest of the game. Just as we thought there was a chance, the Rays pitching staff slammed the door. The Sox left 8 men on base. All they needed was two of those men to come home to tie up the game and give the Sox the glory they and Red Sox Nation wanted. But it never came to fruition.

Even though the Sox are headed back to Boston, they put up a great fight and showed why their fans are so loyal. Sure they'll lose here and there, but they never give up. As I said, the ALCS had two earlier opportunities to end in the Rays favor. But the Sox held their ground and fought tooth and nail to get to Game 7. Did we all want to see them kill the Phillies in the World Series? Sure. But the fact that they made it to Game 7 and got at least one run on the board at Tropicana Field can make every member of Red Sox Nation, proud of the oldest team in baseball.

But I'm not just sad because the season has come to a close. I'm sad because the end of the Red Sox season also means the end of Duffy's Cliff - at least for a few months. Dad and I are going on hiatus. (Sorry, TV term creeping in.) But don't worry, if something major happens in the off season, like there's a problem with Lowell's recorvery... bite my tongue or The Captain is traded to another team... kill me now, Dad and I will be here to report it and keep all you rabid Sox fans up to date.

And of course once the season starts up again in April, we'll be back reporting game by game as our beloved Sox try again for those beautiful jewel-studded rings. Thank you all for joining us on our maiden voyage. We had a blast and can't wait for Spring Training. See you all in a few months.

GUTS!!--Peter

The title says it all! There's just no other way to describe the performance of Josh Beckett. He gets hit hard in the ALDS by the Halos. He starts game 2 in the ALCS against the Rays with a chance to put the Sox two up in the league championships--and gets lit up again. He says he's fine, just "off a little bit", but it's clear something's not right with JB. But he's such a competitor you just know he's dying for another chance to prove he's still the best post-season money pitcher anywhere.

Well, the Sox 8-7 comeback the other night in the Fens gave him that chance, and he grabbed it, held it, and basically dared anyone to try to take it away from him. There was an instant in the Tampa 1st when his situation might have again caused questions. That was when B. J. Upton once again made like Carlos Pena and drove a ball so long, hard and high that it hit off a supporting beam deep in the Tampa stadium for a home run. In trouble? Not tonight--Not JB! He bore down and got the next two hitters to end the inning. After Yoooouk tied the game in the Sox top of the 2d, JB was almost unhittable. One inning later, Big Papi doubled, sending Dusty to third, and Yooouk came through again, plating the lead run on a hard grounder.

From that point on, JB was almost untouchable. He allowed three more hits, but kept them very scattered, and hit a batter on a two strike count. While one of those final Rays hits was a solo homer, it was just a pitch that was a little too good. Stroked by the Rays weak hitting shortstop, Bartlett, it left the game knotted at two. How does a guy who gets just a single roundtripper in the entire regular season hit one in a league championship series? It could have been worse, however, as the Rays catcher, Navarro had led off the inning with a single. But the captain of the Bosox, Tek, showed why he is so valuable to this team, even if he never gets another hit. Navarro had been put in motion and Tek threw him out. The ball was so perfectly thrown that Lowrie had time to stop for a sandwich and beer before applying the tag, had he wanted to. No throwout and the Sox would have trailed after Bartlett's HR, 3-2. With the tag, the shot just tied it and left the Fenmen in position to grab the lead again.

Which they immediately did in the top of the 6th. With two already gone in their half of the 6th, Tek again provided the heroics. Already a cumulative 0-14 in the ALCS, and not doing a lot better in the entire post-season, everybody was hoping he'd get a hit and start something going. Get a hit--Did he ever! Working the count to 2-0, he got a pitch he liked and drove it on a line into the seats in right center, just over the 379 marker--Sox, three-two.

Thus spurred on, the Sox continued their recent tradition of two out scoring. Coco beat out an infield hit, and, after a pitching change, Dusty was safe on an error by Bartlett, simultaneously sending Coco to third. From there Papi singled to center and the Sox had a two run lead. As it turned out, that was all they would need for the evening.

Okajima came in, working two innings and faced only seven batters over that stretch, allowing only a full count, two out walk in the 6th. Once again, as he has done more and more recently, Oki has shown he is again the Oki of 2007.

With the 8th, the Sox brought on Masterson. Once again, a tight spot for a rookie to gain his battle experience. He started a bit tight, almost immediately hitting the first batter he faced, and then running the count to 2-0 on Iwamura. A quick visit by Sox pitching coach Farrell, and all of a sudden, he was focused and on! The 2-0 count on Iwamura quickly became a K, after which Masterson really showed who's the Master. He popped up Upton and Pena in succession, closing out the 8th.

After the Sox went quietly in the 9th, you know what happened when the Rays took their final turn at bat. Papelbon came on in all his brilliance. It was a classic matchup. The Rays had come from behind this year when trailing by two or more runs, regular season and playoffs, 31 previous times. Facing them is a pitcher with a Major League record 24 consecutive scoreless playoff innings. Less than ten pitches later, all three Rays batters were on their way to the showers and the scoreless innings record was now 25.

The way this Red Sox team refuses to die is truly inspiring! First, they stage Thursday's amazing comeback. Then, JB comes out and defines the word guts--never asking or giving any quarter. Then, the pen turns off the lights and slams the door, supporting the heroic timely at bats of the offense. They remind this writer of the expression used during Larry Bird's prime with the Celtics--they Refuse To Lose.

Six down, five to go.

J.D.DOOO! And Big Papi Too!--Peter

Yes, I know JD's name is Drew, but the way he stood up in the final innings tonight--all I can say is "He really DO!" Here we were after the top of the 7th, down seven zip to the Rays. Everything the Sox did, the Rays jumped on. Pitching? From Dice-K on, the Rays hit it hard--frequently out. Hitting? Not tonight. After five, all the Hose had were a pair of harmless hits and nothing on the board to show for it. In fact, after six, the Sox were two for twenty.
As if it were the final blow to the spirit, Papelbon came on in the 7th--that's right the 7th--desperation--and immediately gave up a drive off the topo of the scoreboard on the Monster to plate two more Rays runs--7-0, Rays. Then, he became the Papelbon we know and expect--Laserman. Three quick outs.

Enter the Sox 7th. After two quick outs--more of the same, I'm disloyally thinking. Then, Lowrie leads off the inning with a double, but unfortunately is followed by a pair of outs. Not looking good. But, Crisp gets a single that puts Jed on 3d. Then, it happens! Dusty gets a hit and the Sox are on the board!

Picking up the spirit, Big Papi comes up--no home runs in 62 post-season at bats. With the count 1-0, he swings and it's a no-doubter--deep into the seats in right, no cheap shot, this. Sox now within three.

Papelbon returns for the 8th, well rested. I mean he should be--he hasn't pitched since game two--hasn't had any reason to. He's classic Laser. The death stare is exponential. In fact, it's so intense, they may license it for Hallowe'en. Three up, three dead--two of them 95 mph K's. That sound the Rays are starting to hear is the monster in the dungeon waking up and rattling its chains. But the Rays still lead ,7-4. For the moment....

Sox 8th: The Rays intentionally walk Bay, choosing to face JD. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Big Mistake. JD takes the first pitch for a strike, then uncoils on the pitcher's next offering. It's a line shot, but no question--it's gone, and the Rays lead is now just 7-6. That monster's rattling those chains harder and harder.

After a pair of outs seem to take some of the wind from Sox sails, the late season acquisition who's playing like he's always been here, Kotsay, lines a two bagger to center. Coco comes to the plate and battles with the pitcher2-2, 3-2, pitch after pitch, foul after foul, but still hanging in there, forcing the pitcher to sweat more and more through ten pitches. Finally, on the eleventh offering, Coco strikes. A line single to right plates Kotsay, and only because of a bit of luck on the poor throw from the fielder is Coco thrown out trying to stretch it to second.

Rays 9th. Pap's replaced by Masterson. So far, the rook has show flashes of brilliance, but he's streaky. Sometimes, he's (dare I say it) as hittable as a certain Jeckyll and Hyde former member of this team. He starts off looking like Hyde. First batter, a single. After a fly out, he walks a batter and it's two men on with just one out, and I'm thinking, no, not after coming all the way back! The pride of Haverhill steps in to face him, already having a homer and another hit tonight, not to mention a couple of other HR's in the series. Not this time, Carlos. Jeckyll's returned; Masterson's the Master and Pena grounds into an inning-ending twin killing.

Sox 9th--Dusty grounds out and Papi K's. But Yooouk gets an infield hit and, on Longoria's errant throw after a brilliant pickup, is standing on second. All we need now is a hit--anything that clears the infield grass will do. But Madden sends out the order. Bay's not going to win this one--'walk him', and four pitches later, Bay's on first.

JD steps up again, fresh from his heroics of the prior inning.After watching a couple of the newest Rays pitcher's offerings, he uncoils yet again. The ball travels on a low trajectory over the head of the rapidly retreating right fielder, lands fair and it's over. SOX WIN!!!!

This is the largest post-season comeback ever in the AL, and is second only in MLB history to the Philadelphia A's recovery in 1929 from an 8-0 trailing margin against, who else--the Cubs, to win 10-8.

Five down, six to go.