Red Sox - 000 030 010 - 4 9 1Jonathan Papelbon's throwing error put the tying run at second base with no one out in the bottom of the ninth, but he snuffed the next three hitters on a soft liner to shortstop, a groundout to second (runner to third) and a swinging strikeout of Travis Snider.
Blue Jays - 020 010 000 - 3 7 1
The Rays routed Minnesota 11-1, so Boston remains 1.5 GB in the East. But the wild card lead is back to 7.5.
***
Paul Byrd (4.53, 98 ERA+) / A.J. Burnett (4.19, 103 ERA+)
David Ortiz on winning the division or wild card:
If you're in, you're in. It doesn't matter. We won the division last year. We look forward to being back in the playoffs this year. I never noticed the difference between winning the division and going in as the Wild Card. As long as you're in, you're in. That's what everybody looks for -- being in the top four.Yet, I also believe the East can still be had: Down by 1.5 and knowing the tiebreaker is Tampa's, the Red Sox need to make up 2.5 games with 10 left on the schedule.
Tony Massarotti is thinking about the post-season roster. ... Mike Lowell reports a "slight improvement" with his right hip. ... Check out these year's rookie hazing pix (Chris Carter has got some serious jugs).
***
Mike Puma, Post:
On the bright side, the Yankees don't have to worry about their season ending in a fourth straight AL Division Series meltdown. ...The Yankees can be officially eliminated from the division race tonight, if the Rays win and New York loses. Any Red Sox wins and/or Yankees losses totalling three will eliminate the Yankees from the wild card race.
"Why is everybody acting like this year is over with?" Jeter said.
***
Twins/Rays at 7
Orioles/Yankees at 7
White Sox/Royals at 8
East Magic #
Rays 90 61 ---
Red Sox 89 63 1.5 10
Blue Jays 82 71 9.0 2
Yankees 82 71 9.0 2
Orioles 67 84 23.0 E
Wild Card Magic #
Red Sox 89 63 ---
Twins 83 70 6.5 4
Blue Jays 82 71 7.5 3
Yankees 82 71 7.5 3
546 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 546 Newer› Newest»I just get to turn on the game, and this is what I get. Goddamn it.
ok, so it's as if Pedroia struck out
Yikes, close one for Tek.
What the hell was that? What the hell is going on this inning?
Thanks, Allan. I hardly remember him pitching.
It's always a little sad when the regular season ends, I think. Days are getting shorter, it's getting cold, leaves are changing... I like it, but it's a little poignant, I think.
I sure would like to see us in the lead for once when I get in.
When you need it most, it stops...
MIN: 000 0
FKR: 330
BAL: 110 0
MFY: 002
CWS: 00
KCR: 0
Holy crap that announcer really does put a "p" in "Ellsbury".
By the way, redsock, nice tribute to DFW in the header and avatar. I, like many of you I'm sure, am pretty bummed out about the whole situation, as he's played as big a part in my life as any other artist, living or dead. He'll be missed.
this is pathetic.
I think one of the coolest things of all-time would be if the last ever dong hit at Yankee Stadium was hit by...Kevin Millar
Yeah, I find fall depressing. Love the leaves and the crisp weather, but I hate November when the leaves are gone, the sun is gone, and baseball is gone.
I love autumn. Love love love.
Tiz has just not been consistently dependable this year.
Not completely UN dependable, but not consistent.
Also, good on the A Bartlett Giamatti (sp?).
Leaves are gone by mid-October here. Some are already turning. I see geese on their way south.
Ortiz has been hurt, and didn't get his swing back. It's his wrist, after all.
YOUK!
A and L, looks like you get one Sox series up there next year on weekdays--in August.
LOB laws broken!
YOUK! Thank God he didn't throw another breaking ball.
It's the last paragraph that gets me every single time:
Of course, there are those who learn after the first few times. They grow out of sports. And there are others who were born with the wisdom to know that nothing lasts. These are the truly tough among us, the ones who can live without illusion, or without even the hope of illusion. I am not that grown-up or up-to-date. I am a simpler creature, tied to more primitive patterns and cycles. I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun.
***
I am not that grown-up or up-to-date.
Burnett cursing at his fielders: "what's that, motherfucker?"
thanks James.
Jere, yes, we saw that. I'm also looking for a game or two in Detroit. But more importantly, we hope to get to Fenway. Jos1!
Fall is my least favorite season. I love summer best. Spring second because school ends, flowers bloom, and summer beckons. Winter next because of skiing and vacation. Fall...the end of summer and the beginning of school. It feels endless.
Shades of Fruitbat???
CATCH THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL RIGHT!!!
WTF?!?@? HOLY SHIT!
FUCK YEAH@!!!!!!!!
and we lead! The Mayour!
Holy crap that announcer really does put a "p" in "Ellsbury".
Thanks! Yes, he says Elspery.
3-2 US!!! OK Sosock and James, you can stop feeling sorry for yourselves!
Hell yeah! Blown check-swing call rattles Burnett the head case.
MEMO TO MOTHERFUCKING TITO:
Casey can hit!
Thank God for Casey's resurrection.
Mayoral RBIs!
For all his average has been so high, it seems like I haven't seen him get a base hit since June or so.
Yeah, J09 of Sox. I still want to be in charge of tix. Though helpers might be needed. I'm already looking at that Mets weekend--actually, would you be coming for weekdays, I take it?
win it for efd!
*Done feeling sorry for myself*
Jere, I don't know. I have to get through my writing deadline before I can focus on it.
There's a great road trip possibility for Sox fans in '09. @ Washington, then down to Atlanta for the weekend, then back up to Baltimore. And it's in summer.
win it for efd!
Yeah! They're there tonight and tomorrow.
*Done feeling sorry for myself*
There ya go! :)
Just want to say that I'm enjoying my plush seat on the AL East Title bus that SoSock is driving! Beep Beep!
Atlanta and Baltimore in summer, that would be tough for me.
Great quote, Allan. From Infinite Jest?
Former Commish Giamatti.
L: It's like the first few days of summer. I mean, the key is the order of series and locations--I was just noting that you avoid like 25 degree nights.
Man, these lineups are strange. Snider surely has earned the right to not bat 9th more than, say, Marco Scutaro.
And Terry must really dislike Canadians. Remember how displeased he was with Adam Sterns' crazy-ass catches?
okay, byrd, don't eff it up.
What does the bus say about the 7-0 Tampa lead over Twins?
just popping in on my phone. I see RUNS!
You'll have to ask the driver.
my GF was in the bathroom putting on her makeup when they scored the three runs, she came out and i said, GET BACK IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!
ok im out for thre rest of the night.
got it on record
EDIT: FUCK
Amy, if you haven't read what that quote is from, you must. It's one of the most beautiful baseball pieces anywhere, IMO.
Jere, I know, I was half-kidding. I love baseball road trips anytime, anywhere. I just love cold weather and HATE heat & humidity.
oh fuck
I need a new subtitle for the blog, though. For the playoffs, I guess.
Is that all part of the Lord's plan, Byrd, you dolt?
Paul Byrd has now pitched 32 innings against the Blue Jays. I don't know how one would look such a thing up, but I'd be interested to see how a list of leaders in IP vs. 1 team would look this year.
Green Fields Of The Mind
L: my "when you need it most, it stops" comment is from that piece too--YOU inspired me to say it with your comment two above it.
Also, if anyone doesn't know--Castiglione reads from it at the end of every season. I actually YouTubed it last year.
Wasn't Giamatti a big classics scholar, as well?
Bowie Kuhn got into the HOF this year. From what I understand, Giamatti ain't there. Disgusting.
fraking 9-0 in tamper?
to sum up Byrd's experience vs Toronto in 08: "Byrd Blew vs Blue Birds."
Wasn't Giamatti a big classics scholar, as well?
Big union buster at Yale also.
Jere: Nice headline.
I flipped through Paul Byrd's autobiography (at a small bookstore in Manhattan. Why the hell would they even stock that?) It was all about his former pornography addiction and quoted liberally from the bible.
Someone more clever than I could work another "blue" pun into that headline.
When I was at Penn, he was Provost, and was supposed to get the president spot, and didn't. Then he went on to head the NY Public Library.
He was also the actor Paul Giamatii's dad, which someone may have already said, but my computer is slow tonight and I can't get through the whole thread.
Laura, what IS it from?
Allan linked to it above. Green Fields of the Mind.
He was an excellent writer.
His other son was an actor also. Was on Judging Amy, a pretty lame TV show.
Union buster? That's really disappointing.
Nabakov was apparently a huge dick. That doesn't stop me from loving Ada, Or Ardor (which I just finished today, and must have been a pretty big influence on DWF). But it sucks to see people you look up to turn out to be less than you imagined.
Yeah, I then saw that. Got distracted by talking to Harvey.
I hate Kuhn, too, but why would Bart Giamatti be in the HoF? Did he really contribute so much?
Jed with the cheapest of doubles.
Bookmarked it for later. So THAT's why you all are talking about Giamatti!
To say someone was a union buster at Yale is like saying he was hot in the desert.
NESN showing an HR which needed replay in the Rays game. 5 minute delay, and they channged the call. "And they got it right." --TC. Though it didn't look clear to me...
I'm not saying he should, necessarily. But he's certainly been better for baseball than damn Bowie Kuhn.
Beautiful piece.
"It breaks your heart because it's supposed to."
Paul Giamatti is such a good actor. He was so good in Sideways, among other things.
Until Marvin Miller is in the HoF, it's all bullshit. I know they won't do it, but I wish they would while he is still alive.
Just read the first two sentences. Just the sentiment I was expressing before about spring, summer and fall.
To say someone was a union buster at Yale is like saying he was hot in the desert.
No shit. I was a graduate student there when we were trying to organize ourselves. What a mess.
Fan interference on HR calls has always seemed kind of silly to me. It makes more sense with instant replay, but there is no way an umpire standing in the infield can make a reasonable call. I always thought that a fan's body should be considered beyond the boundary of the wall. If he/she catches it, call it gone.
Been getting Cat settled in for the evening with some supper and her beads. Missed all our scoring and then the damn tie. Good thing he's got G* on his side ;<
Now I gotta run to the grocery store, dammit.
I expect us to be in the lead when I get back. And I'll stop at the station and gas up the bus :)
"Just read the first two sentences. Just the sentiment I was expressing before about spring, summer and fall."
Hence me saying the line "when you need it most, it stops," James telling me good call on the Giamatti ref, Allan linking the full piece....and so on
Hell yes on Marvin Miller.
Baseball writers, especially the older breed, have a pretty clear agenda.
No shit. I was a graduate student there when we were trying to organize ourselves. What a mess.
Universities have just been awful about this. Penn was awful too.
The TAs at NYU had a huge breakthrough, very hard-won.
I saw an episode of that dreadful NESN Comedy All-Stars, and the featured comedian was the driver in those stupid Olympia sports commercials. It was about as good as you'd expect.
Also, I'm reasonably certain there is no Olympia Sports "right around the corner" from Fenway.
And I'll stop at the station and gas up the bus :)
I know Allan and Jere are partying on that bus. I'm waving from the sidewalk, wishing you a happy ride.
The TAs at NYU had a huge breakthrough, very hard-won.
I'm fuzzy on this stuff these days. Was this recently or a long time back?
I just got a report on some anti-Harper protests today. People are showing up with pro-resister banners on all his campaign stops, and it's starting to make the news. But today in Ottawa someone was dragged away by security and there was some kind of struggle. Can't wait to see video!
"I know Allan and Jere are partying on that bus. I'm waving from the sidewalk, wishing you a happy ride"
I paid 15 bucks to get on.
Great essay. Made my hair stand up (sort of like Oscar Gamble, though mine is straight). Baseball certainly inspires great writing.
At City College in San Francisco, the union's done a lot of good work and we're treating...pretty well. Pay is at least livable. Other issues are ongoing.
I don't think the university professors are treated poorly---it's the grad students who are their assistants who are underpaid. Certainly Yale and Harvard faculty are not underpaid.
I guess James deleted the comment I was responding to.
Zen, re NYU, I don't remember exactly, but in the last 5 years or so. Maybe 3 years ago. I stopped keeping up on this b/c I'm not in the NWU (writer's union) anymore. But we have a friend who teaches at NYU and he has a very decent deal.
James' comment has disappeared, but it's amazing how bad these teachers are treated. I have a friend who teaches at a Uni here in Ontario, same crappy deal. I earn more than her as a word-processor than she does with a PhD.
Hence me saying the line "when you need it most, it stops," James telling me good call on the Giamatti ref, Allan linking the full piece....and so on
Guess I didn't get the initial reference since I had not read the essay!
"Guess I didn't get the initial reference since I had not read the essay!"
Well that certainly makes sense. I still like to clarify the order of things for anyone reading this 50 years from now.
If they're full professors, sure. But how many people have the oppy to make that? Assist profs on non-tenure tracks are not paid well, as far as I know.
But the grad students, that's a travesty.
It's also staff, "assistant professors" who never get the opportunity to become tenured or to work full time, tenured professors who aren't consulted on department issues, etc.
But yeah, some of those tenured professors make a whole lot of cash.
I know explicitly political comments are not allowed per blog rules, and I'll gladly refrain if I'm dancing too close to that line. Just let me know.
I'm 'onna see what's shaking at The Bar.
Yankee fans all talking about football, I expect.
Yeah, I was referring to Yale and Harvard profs since that's what James mentioned. Certainly the liberal arts profs at our college are underpaid, and even the law profs make a lot less than they could as practicing lawyers. For me, the lifestyle and satisfaction that came with teaching more than made up for the loss of income.
Hey, if Mussina wins his next game, he'll go for #20 on Sunday at Fenway--last game of regular season. Play the starters, Terry!
Yeah, I deleted it once because I double posted it in slightly different form, and I may have double deleted as well.
I still like to clarify the order of things for anyone reading this 50 years from now.
They can also look it up in Volume 15 of "The Complete Joy Of Sox".
Bring back Carl Everett, a certified Mussina-historic-accomplishments-last-minute-killer.
But I mean only full professors, with tenure or on tenure tracks. There are lots of profs who are not that. Assistant profs, adjuncts, etc. They're all considered profs by students.
My father used to represent professors with CUNY. The unis were as bad as any employer I'd ever heard of.
They can also look it up in Volume 15 of "The Complete Joy Of Sox".
When will the first three volumes be back in print? I'd like to finish off my library.
Twins get 1 in the 6th, trail 9-1. RALLY TIME!
CWS get 6 in the 4th on KC.
I know explicitly political comments are not allowed per blog rules
What? You are misinformed. We blather about political stuff all the time here.
They can also look it up in Volume 15 of "The Complete Joy Of Sox".
Real aficionados will have have the 315 volume set.
I know explicitly political comments are not allowed per blog rules
Some political comments are more allowed than others. (/orwell)
If this game is in Volume 15, how much longer do I have to do this to get to 315?
Kim just entered room, said "he looks just like Arroyo." Maybe she was the one who started this whole thing?
Byrd at 98, no one up, sez castig
Was your father a labor organizer, Laura? Lawyer? Harvey is a labor arbitrator (as well as a college prof) and worked for the NLRB after law school.
Ha! No, it was Nix. He asked me do I like Burnett since I like Brandon.
What is the sweat exchange rate? Does Yook sweat more in Canada?
DAMN! That was BAD.
Offering political comments is not a good idea, unless you share my opinions. (Be sure you know what they are.)
I suspect I'm pretty close on political positions to the moderators here, but I certainly don't want to ruffle feathers.
Papi being Manny.
you could tell right when the guy caught it something was terribly awry.
Media: Ortiz Being ... Manny!
Ooof. Can I start feeling sorry for myself again?
Oh, and when I say professors, I mean tenured professors. Or those on the tenure track. Adjuncts and instructors are terribly underpaid.
Labour organizer when he was younger, with textile workers, then a union rep/agent with textile workers, then college teaching staff. Also a complete asshole, so that's enough dad talk.
why not say Papi being Trot Nixon?
What is the sweat exchange rate?
Does he sweat in Celsius? Or just in litres instead of gallons?
why not say Papi being Trot Nixon?
I thought of that too.
Can I start feeling sorry for myself again?
Permission granted.
I was also gonna say what sock said, then Phil said what those people would say!
Javier Lopez, the Red Sox' 3nd most reliable reliever?
PEDROIA MVP!
Nice play. What took the ump so long?
James, if you're not a right-winger, chances are it will be fine.
I think the "make sure you know what they are" comment refers to wingnuts who often assume we love the democrats. Like if you say something bad about Bush, they say, "Oh yeah, well Clinton...", as if that's the point.
But gamethreads go all over the place. You don't have to monitor yourself too much.
I hear the sweet siren song of gin martinis. I'm out of here. Have a great night.
But I have also said I would prefer election stuff not be discussed at length.
Mmmm, martinis....
in play, martini(s) ...
Oh yeah, election stuff. Glad you said that. I thought he meant political views and thoughts, not the election.
MDC coming in.
James, this group is pretty tolerant of most things except sexism, racism, etc. You just get bombarded if you make a right wing remark! And definitely do NOT say anything negative about dogs, or you are banned for life.
James, this group is pretty tolerant of most things except sexism, racism, etc. You just get bombarded if you make a right wing remark! And definitely do NOT say anything negative about dogs, or you are banned for life.
Nice summary! :)
But we're tolerant of sexism when the sex in question involves Ellsbury's anatomy.
How is drooling over LBJ sexist?
Sorry, bad pun (by which I mean poorly executed).
Phil, there's a difference between sexual longing and sexism. We have lots of Heidi longing around here!
Probably well executed but poorly understood by me. My usual MO.
Mmm, longing...
OK, Phil, it really did go over my head!
(And I was just going to add to my summary that you'd better have a good sense of humor and thick skin to hang out here!)
Thick skin, really? Are we mean? I hope not.
Meanwhile I got my partner to read The Watchmen while I watch the game. It's a twofer.
How is drooling over LBJ sexist?
L, I must say I think you should judge baseball players based on their baseball skills and not their smooth VoulVou voice, legs and beauty. And LBJ has not been very good this year. Why don't you drool over the bald midget more? Huh?
(This whole comment is obviously tongue in cheek...)
Oh very cool. Everybody wins. (Except the Jays I hope.)
Hey, we were supposed to be leading when I got home - WTF?
And James, they may be pretty tolerant, but you do NOT want to piss off the bus driver! :)
(Actually I'm the freaking biggest pushover around according to my wife)
Believe it or not, I actually knew Ofer was being sarcastic!
How can you walk Kotsay while he's in this slump?
bald midget! ha ha
How can you walk Kotsay while he's in this slump?
Is GDGD that far behind? They just put up Bay's walk.
Laura, I was thinking of our friend who made our brain hurt when I said you need to be thick skinned.
They should BBI jedi to set up the GIDP from tek.
Oops, I meant Bay's hit.
they're loaded
They should BBI jedi to set up the GIDP from tek.
They basically did.
Hey, Tek got a double tonight! Give him a chance!
(Though I also fear the GIDP>)
RS - they did.
But Amy, she was a complete exception to our usual fare. My guess is she's been kicked off or stormed off from many internet communities.
he just needs a fly.... or a FC! 4-3 us.
4-3!!!!
Tek is 1 for 15 with bases loaded this year.
Nice slide, Jed.
And no DP!
I SEE RUN(s)!!
Laura, I was thinking of our friend who made our brain hurt when I said you need to be thick skinned.
I don't think that had anything to do with thick skins... I think it was a point on which the friend was predisposed to get angry. If you will, there was thick skin there, but it had one thin spot that you inadvertently hit.
Yeah, she was what we call the eggshell plaintiff in tort law. How were we supposed to know she was so fragile?
Laura, I was thinking of our friend who made our brain hurt when I said you need to be thick skinned.
I don't think that had anything to do with thick skins... I think it was a point on which the friend was predisposed to get angry. If you will, there was thick skin there, but it had one thin spot that you inadvertently hit.
I SEE RUN(s)!!
Singular. But in the 8th, that helps.
Also don't mention that wanker Tim Russert. Some here don't think he was a wanker.
After the earlier high-scoring update, we now have, around MLB: Two 11s, a 12, a 13, a 9, and two 8s.
I think it was a point on which the friend was predisposed to get angry.
I agree.
The way she reacted when her button was inadvertantly pushed, however, makes me think she may have many such buttons. Some people are walking mine fields.
I could be wrong, of course, it was just my impression.
Let's go EllsPerry!
John Parrish joins Steve Boros on the all-municipal team.
Oh yes, the Russert blowup. Believe me, had I realized someone on the thread really dug him, I wouldn't have started.
I don't remember who "she" is, which shows how much I've been paying attention.
Come on ELLPS!
Oh Vernon Wells would you just go away.
Ugh, too bad. At least we went ahead. And Tek gets the RBI?
Jeff Burroughs--does he get in on municipal or animal team or both or neither?
Babe Towne
Boros and Parrish, very nice! There must be a Townes or Towne somewhere.
i didn't think wells dove for stuff.
Whoa, large brawl in Cleveland, involving Sheffield.
Babe Towne
Carlos Muniz?
Moe Berg
Burroughs gotta be both animal and municipal.
Any Hamlets? Villages?
City Gaston?
Berg - very good!!
Muniz is funny.
Charlie Metro
There must have been some player named Ward also.
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