World Series: Game 1

Boston Globe photo

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. I had hopes for another dominating performance from Josh Beckett last night in game one of the 2007 World Series. But I never expect the impressive offensive display. 13-1, Red Sox win, in a game that could have been called after the Sox scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Beckett was awesome, of course: 7 IP, 1 run, 1 BB, and 9 Ks. He started the first by striking out the side, which Pedrioa immediately followed up with a homerun. Every starter had at least one RBI- except the season RBI leader, Mike Lowell (how ironic!). A new record of 8 doubles in a World Series game. And we disproved that old cliche that the game was closer than the box score indicates - it was never close. The Rockies looked totally defeated by the 5th - I was almost feeling sorry for them. Almost! Our lead even survived an appearance by Gagne - another sign that luck might be with us.

Josh's seven innings allowed Francona to rest the bullpen an extra day; the Rockies weren't so lucky. They used six pitchers - leaving some holes for tonight's game 2.

I'm trying to remain confident and humble. The Rockies hit the ball hard. They could explode tonight - especially if we used up all of our offense last night. "Baseball's a funny game." But if we can head to Denver with a 2-0 lead - we'd only have to win 1 out there, and be able to return to Fenway for Game 6 - and another on-field celebration!!

Meantime, I had to live through those inane idiots over at FOX. I'd forgotten how totally over-the-top their coverage can be, particularly on the pre-game show. And they've brought back Eric Byrnes - who was actually using statistics last night! Some other low-lights from the broadcast:

• Wow! Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis graduated from high school in Canada with a 4.0 GPA - but only managed to score 1210 on his SATs? Of course, since Joe Buck and Tim McCarver's combined SAT score was 1210, they were impressed.
• McCarver's favorite rock group is Van Halen - but only when David Lee Roth is singing lead.
• Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is so enamored of Derek Jeter, he actually wear's Jeter's Driven cologne - which McCarver describes as "breathtaking." As in, so bad, it takes your breath away?
• The DirectTv blimp- which I've never even seen at a sporting event prior to last night! - is "the prettiest blimp." Cuter than the Hood Blimp? I think not!

I do give them props, though, for putting a microphone on Red Sox bench player Royce Clayton. His exchange with Coco Crisp about the Taco Bell "free taco" promotion is a classic. SG has the transcript! I didn't get my Taco!!

Just a few hours more until game 2. Curt Schilling, our own Braveheart, takes the mound - against some dude named Ubaldo Jimenez. How's that for a great baseball name?