Red Sox Meltdown

[swerb]

Have been trying not to get my hopes up too much, but Jesus ... this is amazing.

As are the Rays.

Great column here on Joe Maddon and his Maddon-ball madness. No rules. Players can show up when they want and wear what they want on road trips. All about the locker room self-policing itself.

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/eye-per ... -lately-pe

[pup]

Have been trying not to get my hopes up too much, but Jesus ... this is amazing.

As are the Rays.

Great column here on Joe Maddon and his Maddon-ball madness. No rules. Players can show up when they want and wear what they want on road trips. All about the locker room self-policing itself.

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/eye-per ... -lately-pe

It is really weird to me. I am in Boston. As this is going on. And nobody is talking it about it, at least randomly. Went to some supposed super sports bar near Fenway Sunday. Sox on 2/45 TVs. Two people in the bar watching the game like it is as important as it is...and nobody else even glancing at it.

Walking around Sunday, checking in on scores, had 100 people ask me about the Pats. 1 asked me about Sox. Went into Prudential Center or something over there, had the Pats game on the largest TV I have ever seen. No baseball on any other screen.

[e0y2e3]

Most of the better Sox fans I know want the melt down to happen to clean some of the bandwagon douches off of it.

Most of the bandwagon douches jumped ship.

And beyond that w/ all off the success they have had it just doesn't bother the fans that much.

[e0y2e3]

Also, there is the fact that the city isn't entirely made up of people from Mass and actually in the Back Bay they are < 50% of the population.

Anyhow, Nate Silver breaking down why it could be the biggest collapse ever: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.co ... um=twitter

[googleeph2]

But it's never been about the Boston Red Sox in the first place. It's always been about the self-absorbed fan base. So the recent success has had a socially redeeming affect on them? Huh. Guess it does make sense about people in Boston not being from there. But none of this seems to fit with the continued Patriot fans' obsession.

[e0y2e3]

Yes - Red Sox fans are the big bad wolf. The worst people ever. Wah wah wah.

[Am I Here Again?]

I am SO enjoying this! We moved up here in 2000: Pats won the Super Bowl in 2002 and twice more in the decade; Sux won the World Series in 2004 and again in 2007; Celtics won an NBA championship; this past year the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. I am SO VERY TIRED of hearing all about how wonderful all the sports teams are up here. Before we moved they were the Red Sux for sure and the Patsies. The Celtics were still hanging on to how wonderful things were back in the day of Bird. Bruins hardly got a mention. I'm hoping things are returning to the norm around here - at least until our exile is over and we can move out of here. All I can say is Go O's! Go Rays! Even as I wait for the Tribe's rain delay to end the O's announcers tell me the O's just took the lead in the bottom of the 1st, 1-0. That's it Baltimore, keep throwing water on the Wicked Witch of the East!!!! (Although the skankees certainly qualify for that position too.)

[googleeph2]

I say worst people ever, you say bandwagon douches. You say tomayto, I say...

Wait, you said both.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Shit..... the Rays are amazing!

Down 7-0, they score 6 in the 8th and then Dan Johnson just hit a PH, 2-out HR in the 9th to tie it.

Un-freaking-believable!

[pup]

I have to be honest. Of all the great channel flips in history, the flip back to the Rays game as the Skankee pitcher was in mid motion and Longoria hits that seed walk off jack might the best.

[Am I Here Again?]

Called DH at work to let him know that the Red Sux season hung in the balance depending on what happened in FL. While on the phone I looked at Gameday and said to the computer (for hubby to overhear, of course) "Come on Proctor, just give up a homer to Evan so the Rays can win the game". BINGO! Right after we hung up Longoria hit the game winner. SaWeet!

So.......the Tribe finishes in 2nd place in their division and the "Best Team Ever"

finishes in 3rd. Schadenfreude!!!
HaHaHaHaHaHa!!!! Money can't buy you championships...unless you're the skankees, of course.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHA.............AHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAAAHHHAHAHHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dnthateonthepronk]

Unbelievable

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

In three minutes it was all over. Unbelievable is right.

[bookelly]

Lest anyone forget, this team got off to an awful start...and it came back to haunt them.

[BruceK]

Rarely have I felt as much satisfaction in the misery of others.

[swerb]

Amazing finish to the regular season. If you ever needed an argument for the addition of the wild card spot ...

Be interesting to see if the Rays and Cards can keep the momentum going. We've seen it go both ways this last decade with teams that enter the playoffs on a run like this.

[Stu]

Amazing finish to the regular season. If you ever needed an argument for the addition of the wild card spot ...

Wouldn't the addition of the wild card spot have ruined the amazing finish, since both teams could have coasted into the wild card with Anaheim finishing 5 games back?

[swerb]

Amazing finish to the regular season. If you ever needed an argument for the addition of the wild card spot ...

Wouldn't the addition of the wild card spot have ruined the amazing finish, since both teams could have coasted into the wild card with Anaheim finishing 5 games back?

I'm saying the addition of one wild card team several years ago ... not adding a 5th playoff team.

[leadpipe]

Amazing finish to the regular season. If you ever needed an argument for the addition of the wild card spot ...

Wouldn't the addition of the wild card spot have ruined the amazing finish, since both teams could have coasted into the wild card with Anaheim finishing 5 games back?

If your sole purpose on the site is to sit and wait to snipe, at least comprehend what the guy's trying to say.

Christ.

Anyways, never saw anything quite like last night as far as baseball viewing is concerned. Kinda like the first Thursday of March Madness in regard to channel flipping frequency.

And it's always great to see a jag-off like Papelbon tank it.

[Jumbo]

Yes. 4 playoff teams per league is perfect. Do not stop at 2, or 3, and do not proceed to 5. In the "play-in" scenario, last night's games - heck, the last several weeks - would have been meaningless, since the AL and NL wild card contenders would just be setting up for a one game playoff or three game series anyway. Yes, every now and then, there'd be a good battle for that 5th spot...but by that point, it would be a battle between two teams with like 86-88 wins. Yawn.

Dan Shaugnessy's epic melt: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/09/29/sox_make_unwanted_history_with_historic_collapse

Nate Silver's recap on the magnitude of the collapse: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/bill-buckner-strikes-again

And, as a small consolation to Indians fans, I suppose this pushes the 2005 collapse down one - and possibly two, given the Braves - places in the top 10 for worst collapses ever.

[Stu]

If your sole purpose on the site is to sit and wait to snipe, at least comprehend what the guy's trying to say.

My apologies, I thought it was a reasonable assumption considering the talk for the last month has been about adding another wild card spot. Swerb clarified his statement without attitude, I appreciate that.

[cozmeesah]

Dan Shaugnessy's epic melt: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/09/29/sox_make_unwanted_history_with_historic_collapse

I think this is my favorite part:

Truly unbelievable. This feels like revenge for 2004 and 2007. It is as if the baseball gods are punishing Red Sox Nation for hubris and arrogance and good times that seemed so good, so good, so good.

Haha.... hahahahah.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

I sat watching all that unfold last night in utter disbelief and glee.

[Commodore Perry]

Simply unbelievable night of baseball. Rays down 7-0 in in the 8th. Down to their last out in the 9th, still down by a run, then get a pinch hit solo to tie it. Red Sox blow a 9th inning lead to lose it.

I'm so much more excited about the playoffs now. I was not going to watch the red sox and yankees in the playoffs AGAIN. But I'll check out the rays/rangers series for sure.

I'm not going to be able to watch the yankees-tigers series though. Watching CC, Victor and Jhonny in the playoffs brings back too many bad memories.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

Most of the better Sox fans I know want the melt down to happen to clean some of the bandwagon douches off of it.

Most of the bandwagon douches jumped ship.

And beyond that w/ all off the success they have had it just doesn't bother the fans that much.

Another reason to hate Boston fans.

They want their team to lose because they don't approve of other fans.

Complete idiots.

God bless Dan Johnson.

[JacksonDysonJackson]

One of the best nights of baseball I can ever remember.

Gotta love the chowds whining that the Yanks didnt use Rivera last night.

[swerb]

Another epic melt.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7034858/f

Great start to the piece ...

You know what? Fuck these guys.

Nobody should have to root for John Lackey or Carl Crawford or Jonathan Papelbon or Theo Epstein. Sure, there was a time when I felt morally and geopolitically bound to root for the Boston Red Sox, but that time ended in 2004, when Pedro Martinez left to go pitch for the Mets.

[Bigfist]

Amazing finish to the regular season. If you ever needed an argument for the addition of the wild card spot ...

Wouldn't the addition of the wild card spot have ruined the amazing finish, since both teams could have coasted into the wild card with Anaheim finishing 5 games back?

If your sole purpose on the site is to sit and wait to snipe, at least comprehend what the guy's trying to say.

Christ.

Anyways, never saw anything quite like last night as far as baseball viewing is concerned. Kinda like the first Thursday of March Madness in regard to channel flipping frequency.

And it's always great to see a jag-off like Papelbon tank it.

Leadpipe is my new hero! Thanks!

[Am I Here Again?]

Another epic melt.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7034858/f

Reminds me of Hammy's comment during last night's Tribe game. In reference to the the Sux rumored to be trying to acquire Bruce Chen to pitch Hammy said something like "and those guys wonder why anyone outside of Boston or New York wonder why everyone hates those teams". Seems like some people inside the Beltway want to join in the fun of hating!

I'm still enjoying last night's games.

[Am I Here Again?]

Lest anyone forget, this team got off to an awful start...and it came back to haunt them.

I wandered over to a TCF-lite, poor imitation site Boston Dirt Dogs. Below the headline-and-pic they have some headlines and comments that should have appeared in print but never will. I really liked this one from the Sept. 28th list:

Good Thing Those April Losses Didn't Matter. Sincerely, It's a Long Season

[Commodore Perry]

Another epic melt.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7034858/f

Wow. What a spoiled, entitled little brat.

[Jumbo]

Now, for the really important question: Can the Indians take advantage of this?

First, there have been a few rumblings that management is unhappy with Kevin Youkilis. Aside from being injured off and on, this season his production was down a little bit, and he reportedly did not handle moving back to third base very well (physically, mentally, and in the clubhouse).

Second, there's growing angst regarding what to do with their bullpen. Daniel Bard had a very bad September, and Papelbon blew game 162.

Third, there's desperation to do something!

Youkilis makes good money, but he has only one year left on his contract (plus an option for 2013). His value has never been lower since he became a major league regular. Can we swing a good deal by sending a reliever or two over to Boston for Youkilis? Get him back to first base where he belongs, and get his right handed bat to replace LaPorta.

[peeker643]

Melt-down complete with Francona out as manager.

He should be unemployed for about 3 days.

[swerb]

Now, for the really important question: Can the Indians take advantage of this?

First, there have been a few rumblings that management is unhappy with Kevin Youkilis. Aside from being injured off and on, this season his production was down a little bit, and he reportedly did not handle moving back to third base very well (physically, mentally, and in the clubhouse).

Second, there's growing angst regarding what to do with their bullpen. Daniel Bard had a very bad September, and Papelbon blew game 162.

Third, there's desperation to do something!

Youkilis makes good money, but he has only one year left on his contract (plus an option for 2013). His value has never been lower since he became a major league regular. Can we swing a good deal by sending a reliever or two over to Boston for Youkilis? Get him back to first base where he belongs, and get his right handed bat to replace LaPorta.

Chisenhall, Pestano, and a prospect for The Youkah.

He'd be perfect here. Can play 1b, 3b, hits for power, and just hits the ball hard and plays hard. It'll never happen, but I'd be seriously, seriously interested if the Bosox are open to moving him.

[Am I Here Again?]

1) Tito sounded really tired in his presser. Could be because of the way this year went, could be some medical issues (don't remember details if I knew them in the first place) or could be because he's had enough of the local press.

2) IF we were to get Youk he had better stay healthy. Word on the radio was that while he's been out he's been in the clubhouse most of the time (good sign) and he's been busy telling everyone else how to manage their lives (NOT good). But as far as a player goes he 1000% better than LaPort-a-potty.

And after listening to the sports guys gloating about how a tired Tampa team had to head to play tonight in the Ranger's park.....the Rays totally crushed the Rangers 9-1. Wow, wonder how well the Rays will play when they get rested...

[Adverb Harry]

Doubt this would actually occur, but the Sux may have interest in Wedge. That could be the best thing to happen...they'd effectively be out of contention for the length of his tenure!


https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/BrockandSalk/status/120139120474468352

[RedDawg53]

Doubt this would actually occur, but the Sux may have interest in Wedge. That could be the best thing to happen...they'd effectively be out of contention for the length of his tenure!


https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/BrockandSalk/status/120139120474468352

[scott]

Now, for the really important question: Can the Indians take advantage of this?

First, there have been a few rumblings that management is unhappy with Kevin Youkilis. Aside from being injured off and on, this season his production was down a little bit, and he reportedly did not handle moving back to third base very well (physically, mentally, and in the clubhouse).

Second, there's growing angst regarding what to do with their bullpen. Daniel Bard had a very bad September, and Papelbon blew game 162.

Third, there's desperation to do something!

Youkilis makes good money, but he has only one year left on his contract (plus an option for 2013). His value has never been lower since he became a major league regular. Can we swing a good deal by sending a reliever or two over to Boston for Youkilis? Get him back to first base where he belongs, and get his right handed bat to replace LaPorta.

Chisenhall, Pestano, and a prospect for The Youkah.

He'd be perfect here. Can play 1b, 3b, hits for power, and just hits the ball hard and plays hard. It'll never happen, but I'd be seriously, seriously interested if the Bosox are open to moving him.

I do agree he could help this team. Rooting for him would be harder than for Jamal Lewis.

[noles1]

Would it be possible to move both Perez's for Youk and throw in a prospect on our end.

Reason it may be an added bonus to Boston is they can take the Papelbon money and bring in an actual 3B with it while not having to throw 3 yrs and $30 million to Papelbon.

Doubt it has any chance of happening because it's not a typical Red Sox move, they'll just outspend on all fronts. Although the Ortiz FA does force their hand to draw a line on the Youk-Pap-Ortiz future.

[WiscTribeFan]

I think Youkilis takes his own life if he's traded to Cleveland.

[StewieG]

I think Youkilis takes his own life if he's traded to Cleveland.

That just makes me want this trade to happen.

[Jumbo]

I do agree he could help this team. Rooting for him would be harder than for Jamal Lewis.

Next to Papeldouche, Pedroia, and Beckett, Youkilis just doesn't compare. YMMV.

Whether he's available depends on whether the Red Sox want to keep him or Ortiz.

Also, this:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/876371-mlb-trade-speculation-the-cleveland-indians-should-go-after-kevin-youkilis

[motherscratcher]

I'd love to see Youk at 1B for the Tribe and I'd have no trouble rooting for him (or Pedroia or Beckett for that matter).

That BR article was fun to read. I especially like all of the options and scenarios he provided for how it could actually happen.

[WiscTribeFan]

Also, this:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/876371-mlb-trade-speculation-the-cleveland-indians-should-go-after-kevin-youkilis

I almost stopped reading when he wrote this about Sizemore:

(yes, I think they should pick up his team option for next year)

and did stop when he wrote this:

Some players like Choo, Sizemore and Hafner could easily rebound in 2012

Hafner and Sizemore cannot be relied upon for major production, and assuming they will is a sure-fire way to mediocreville, IMHO.

With Grady, if you love someone, let them go. If they sign with another team to an incentive-laden deal, it wasn't meant to be in the first place.

[Commodore Perry]

little late for this I know, but amazing none the less

[e0y2e3]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/r ... t:rtbutton

I post this link for nothing more than to ask, could the current PD staff ever put together something like that?

I hate that paper.

[motherscratcher]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/12/red_sox_unity_dedication_dissolved_during_epic_late_season_collapse/?camp=misc:on:twit:rtbutton

I post this link for nothing more than to ask, could the current PD staff ever put together something like that?

I hate that paper.

Now that MS Boyer lost her Cavs gig I'm not sure who is left there with the juice and talent to pull something like that off.

[WiscTribeFan]

And the entire re-shuffle of the Red Sox continues. Epstein reportedly inks a deal with the Cubs.

Wonder who they'll shoot for as their new GM.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... 1960.story

[Gradysmanldy]

Unless it's someone who thinks creatively and doesn't attempt to throw money at every horrifying mistake, yankeestyle, then I don't care.....will be the same team.

[Larvell Blanks]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/12/red_sox_unity_dedication_dissolved_during_epic_late_season_collapse/?camp=misc:on:twit:rtbutton

I post this link for nothing more than to ask, could the current PD staff ever put together something like that?

I hate that paper.

If all taht stuff happened in the press box, Hoynes would be all over it