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?

Do or Die

So, tonight. Game 5 of the ALCS. We're down 1-3. If we lose, we go home and the season is over. If we win, the boys return to Boston for more baseball.

I'm not ready for baseball to be over. April seems like a long time ago, and there have been so many ups and downs over the course of the 162 games. Some great moments, too.

But I'm talking like it's over. There's plenty of time for rehashing the season - hopefully, around the 1st of November during a parade.

Tonight: BECKETT!! Our ace takes the mound, with the season on the line. He's the guy to do it! However, he can't do it alone. He needs the offense to produce. First, the "table setters" have to do their job - Pedroia, Youkilis and the bottom 3 in the order need to come up big. Manny, Big Papi and Lowell can't do it all. We need to make Sabathia pitch - none of this swinging on the first pitch crap. They've got to be patient!

GO SOX!!!

Random Wednesday Thoughts

For May 9th:

1) I haven't commented on the discussion about banning beer in Major League clubhouses. I had not idea that, typically, there are tubs of ice cold beer waiting for the players at the end of each game. It seems like they can chug a few before they leave. I know that these guys are (mostly) adults - but I find it hard to believe in this day and age, that a club would put themselves at such a risk for a liability suit. Plus - in how many lines of work do you see that happen? I mean, I'd love it if, at the end of the day, the administration put out a tub of beers in the teacher's lounge...

2)Josh Beckett looked awesome last night! He's now 7-0 - and clearly, the ace of the staff.

3) Remy and Orsillo have been so ON on NESN this year. There was the now-classic "pizzer" throwing episode. Last night, in Toronto, someone tossed a paper airplane from the upper deck - that made it all the way to the playing field. You start hearing paper rattle in the booth - and Orsillo tosses the most pitiful paper airplane ever constructed out of the broadcast booth. The result sends both men into a fit of giggles! And me too!

4) Bobby Cox is on his way to passing the record for being ejected from baseball games. I think he needs 3 more. Will they give him a trophy?

5) Interesting fact heard on the Braves pre-game show tonight. Of all the managers currently employed in the Major Leagues, one 1 is a former pitcher - Bud Black of San Diego. There are 13 former catchers - we've always said we thought Tek would be a good manager when the time came, and the preponderance of catchers seems to indicate they are good at it.

6) As I post this, Matsuzaka is in the 6th inning - 7 ks, 0 runs, 80 pitches. Fantastic...

Opening Day

Globe photo by Jim Davis
So, before I get caught up in tonight's hoopla, I just had a few comments on yesterday's phenomenal opening game. Yes, I know that I said I hate watching taped games, but I did watch most of this one last night - after following on Gameday all afternoon. The team was clearly pumped by the crowd and the memory of Sunday night's victory, because they came out swinging. They sent the starting pitcher, Jeff Weaver, to the showers after two innings and 70 pitches. (As one blogger noted, he was on track for a 423 pitch complete game). And the bats finally showed some signs of life. Tek had 3 hits, JD Drew had 3 RBIs, and there were tons of doubles - 7 to be exact.

Of course, the game started with the always moving Opening Day Ceremonies. Team introductions, "America the Beautiful" by Harry Connick, Jr. and then the "Impossible Dream Team" of 1967 threw out the first pitch(es). It was so cool to see some the first Red Sox players I remember - Billy Conigliaro, Rico Petrocelli, Yaz. And when Johnny Pesky was introduced and yelled "Play Ball!" well, I'm sure mine wasn't the only moist eye.

So, the first home game is in the books - and it was satisfying all the way around. And now we can have our second game at home - the Fenway debut of the Japanese phenom.