World Series 2004: Red Sox!

I woke up feeling odd. Did the Red Sox really sweep the Cardinals to win the World Series? The morning newscast answered that question: here were the Red Sox buses, driving with a police escort from the airport to Fenway Park. Reporters were breathless, describing the last out, praising Manny Ramirez (World Series MVP), and lauding the 2004 Red Sox, winners of the World Series.

At the bus stop today, a gentleman Red Sox fan remarked "This will change the whole psyche of the Red Sox Nation." I know my own psyche has changed, for the better.

Today, Red Sox Nation wakes up to a new day as champions.

World Series 2004

The Red Sox are now one precious win from winning the World Series. In a clean game played with exemplary defense, the Sox beat the Cardinals, 4-1. Pedro pitched masterfully. He was the old school Petey. David ("the Big Cat") Ortiz, our designated hitter in American League games, came up huge on defense. And St. Louis just looked flat out dejected, after some missed opportunities.

I'm a Sox fan, a member of the ever-growing Red Sox Nation, and I know nothing is certain. But I'm in a heightened state of alert. We're right now in the same position as the Yankees had us a few weeks ago, up 3-0 in a best-of-seven. But the Cardinals don't look like the Red Sox.

World Series 2004

Red Sox have won their first two World Series games over the Cardinals. Two more victories left. Can this team do it? Can they!?

World Series 2004

So how have I followed this past ALCS on the Internet?

I have been enjoying the writing and links on The Joy of Sox, a BLOG by Allan Wood, who wrote a book about the 1918 World Series, which was the last World Series that the Red Sox won.

Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, by Larry Mahnken, provided a lot of sane analysis. He kept a very civil tone of discourse, and explained what the Game 7 loss meant to him.

I also have enjoyed the enthusiastic writing of ESPN's Bill Simmons (the Page 2 column). His column on Game 7 is a marvelous treatment from an old-time Red Sox fan.

Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN, a New York City radio sports show, gave a great introduction in their first show after Game 7. It's an audio clip. Search their archives for "Oct .21-Mike & Dog open the show after the Yankees complete their collapse in Game 7 of the ALCS."

I'm a stammering idiot compared to the writers and announcers above. But I try. In addition to this BLOG, I spout off my missives and non-sequiturs on alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox, a USENET newsgroup. And for real time action, find me on #baseball_primer, an IRC chat room. During the game, I'm online, firing the one liners as fast as I can type. My handle is easy: rickumali.

Go Red Sox!

World Series 2004

The St. Louis Cardinals have defeated the Houston Astros in Game 7 to win the National League Championship Series. They will face (deep breath) the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, starting Saturday.

ALCS 2004

The Red Sox are in the World Series!

With a decisive 10-3 win (although don't ask me to relive the game; that inning by Pedro took years off my life), the Sox pushed past the New York Yankees to the 2004 World Series.

Last year, I was officially baptized into the cursed and wailing fandom that is Red Sox Nation. Last year was pure heart ache and sorrow.

This year is the total polar opposite. Joy. Elation. Relief.

The Red Sox have done what no baseball team has done: come back from a 3-0 hole to force and win a best of seven series.

And now we're in the World Series!

ALCS 2004: Why Not Us?

Why not us? Tonight, the Red Sox beat the Yankees in Game 6, 4-2. The Red Sox have forced a series deciding Game 7. This is without precedent.

Tonight's game had everything: homers, overturned calls, cops in riot gear, and a mesmerizing performance by Curt Schilling, the hobbled ace of the Sox pitching staff. Game 7 is tomorrow. Or, more accurately, later today.

It all comes down to one more game.

ALCS 2004

The Sox are killing me. They're exhausting my spectator reserves. They're taking me (and all of Red Sox Nation) to the brink. And I'm following them. Good God, I'm following them. Game Five last night was epic. Monstrous. Outlandish. Red Sox 5, Yankees 4. Sox win. Sox win! Papi has etched himself a place in Sox lore. Manny had better step up. Damon too. But we're at the brink again. Good God.

ALCS 2004

The Red Sox won another thrilling game at Fenway. The series is now going to a sixth game, the Yankees having won three, but the Sox having won the last two. Thrilling baseball!

ALCS 2004

I just got back from my trip to Virginia. And I'm excited about Game 5. Being away from Boston and watching the Game 3 loss was demoralizing! Last night, at 1AM, with the score still tied, knowing I had a busy morning with a flight to catch, I gave up on the game. I was upset and frustrated. This morning, hearing the result, it hit me like a burst of adrenaline. We're down 3-1, but I'm feeling good. Pedro, don't let me down!

ALCS 2004

Where are the vaunted Red Sox bats? Red Sox lost Game Two, 3-1. But now the series returns to Fenway Park for three games. I've not lost hope yet.

ALCS 2004

Red Sox made it exciting against the Yankees, but they lost Game 1, 10-7. At least there's a game tomorrow.

The Yes Men

I watched The Yes Men last night. This was my third movie in a theater this year.

Completely hilarious. Mike Moore-esque (he makes an appearance), but more sly, more subtle, less obvious.

The subjects of the documentary, Andy Bichlbauer and Mike Bonnano, wrote a satirical web site of the World Trade Organization. In due time, their site reached the attention of conference planners, and they received an invitation to speak on behalf of the World Trade Organization. What they say at the conference, and at other speaking engagements, is the height of lunacy. It speaks directly to the corporate politeness that pervades diplomacy and the white collar work force. Everyone nods. No one's thinking.

A nice short movie, it reminded me to use my brain. To think things through critically. What am I being told? And why? In an election year, it's a necessary reminder.

ALCS 2004

The American League Championship Series will be the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees. A repeat of the matchup last year.

The first game is Tuesday at the Bronx. Bring on the Bombers!

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Red Sox! Red Sox! Red Sox!

Red Sox

Red Sox 9. Angels 3.

The second game is tonight at 10PM on the East Coast. Petey on the mound. He pitches better in warmer weather, and the West Coast is full of that warm weather mojo.

Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will be taking on the Anaheim Angels in the American League Division Series (best of five). The winner of this series will face the winner of the New York Yankees versus Minnesota Twins division series.

Sox fans in Red Sox Nation are cautiously optimistic. Me? I'm scared. I'm anxious. Let's get the series started!