The Red Sox are going to win the World Series.
There. I said it out loud. And I am not afraid. I know we were in the same position in ’86, being up two games, but this, my friends, is not 1986. This is a team whose whole is so much more than the sum of its parts. These guys want to win. As much for their teammates (also known as friends) as they want it for themselves. Remember the Wakefield/Varitek exchange after the passed ball? No anger, no frustration, just support. Same thing last night. The Varitek/Mueller foul ball. No problem, they messed up, it’s over. So Schilling gets the guy two pitches later.
And yes, I did bow in respect when I uttered the name of Curt Schilling. I can’t think of any accolades that have not already been showered upon the man, no adjectives to describe his performance that haven’t been used to the point of being cliche. With complete disregard for everything, particularly his own body, he has helped lead this team to where they are. He expects perfection from himself and those around him, while inspiring them to greatness. He has singlehandedly shattered the myth of the “fragile baseball player”. He is beyond compare.
Tomorrow, Pedro Martinez pitches in what may very well be his final start as a member of the Red Sox. Expect greatness. This team must go for the kill. Shatter any illusion of “pulling a Red Sox” the Cardinals might be clinging to. Step on their throats until they are figuratively dead.
And this Red Sox team can do it. They have taken a 2-0 series lead while playing bad baseball. Four errors in each of the games from a team that was built with an eye towards improving defense. They have gotten away with at least one baserunning mistake. To me, this is good news, in hindsight of course. Eliminate the extra outs, keep runners off base, and the wins will come easier. It is hard to imagine we can keep the Cards big hitters quiet, but the damage is easily minimized by keeping everyone else off base.
Tim McCarver quotables from last night
“Usually guys who walk to first, run home”.
“Schilling is doing in one season…”…insert 30-second pause…”what some players take…15…or 16 years…to accomplish”.
Friggin’ brilliant.
And this just in – Joe Buck was voted as having the “most punchable face” in broadcasting.
Congratulations.
