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Sox play for tomorrow

Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff October 17, 2008 08:06 AM

"Derek told me the ghosts would show up eventually."
-- Aaron Boone, early moments of Oct. 17, 2003

"I think that's the mystique of Fenway a little bit, of what's gone on here the last couple of years in the postseason."
-- Kevin Cash, early moments of Oct. 17, 2008

It was precisely five years, of course, almost to the minute, if anyone cared to notice. Five years since Aaron Boone homered against Tim Wakefield, since Boone made a prophet of teammate Derek Jeter, since we were reminded that the most astonishing things seem to happen when you mix the Red Sox with October.

Now, after so many years of bad, the Red Sox get to celebrate the good.

"I was telling Tek after the game," Wakefield said early this morning at Fenway Park, recounting a conversation he had with catcher and captain Jason Varitek. "I've seen a lot of comebacks here, but that's probably the most impressive one I've seen."

Exactly how impressive remains to be determined, if only because the Red Sox found themselves in a most remarkable position today as four team buses pulled away from Fenway to cheers at exactly 1:24 a.m.: The boys had another game to play. Already trailing the Tampa Bay Rays in games, 3-1, the Red Sox faced a 7-0 deficit in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series when their fortunes improbably turned, when their bats suddenly awoke, when a season gasping for air drew a slow, deep breath.

When the ghosts showed up.

But really, how else to explain all of this? For six innings of Game 5, the Red Sox were "comatose" in the words of manager Terry Francona, whose head was still spinning as he hurriedly and gleefully showered, dressed and packed in his office off the home clubhouse. Asked how the Sox could prevail when things looked so bleak, backup catcher Kevin Cash chuckled. ("That's a good word," he mused.) Dustin Pedroia spoke to no one in particular as he walked from his locker to the showers -- "That was [expletive] sick," Pedroia said -- and the spunky second baseman actually shook his head in disbelief.

There are comebacks and there comebacks in professional sports, and depending on what happens tomorrow and, perhaps, Sunday, let there be no doubt that Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS will go down as one of the truly greatest wins in the history of the Red Sox, in perhaps the entire 96-year existence of fabled Fenway Park. The Red Sox were beyond dead in this game. Their season was over. And then the Sox scored eight times in the final three innings to pull out an 8-7 victory over a stunned Tampa Bay Rays team, extending the ALCS and this remarkable stretch in their history.

The only question now is whether the Sox can come back and win this series, too, if they give even greater meaning to a victory that Varitek described as "huge" but was nothing short of colossal.

"This is one of the biggest wins we've had in this organization," said Varitek, who, excluding Wakefield, has been with the Sox longer than any other active player and has been a part of so many monumental victories from 2003 to today. "It can't hurt us right now."

Let's be honest: The 2008 Red Sox deserved better than what happened at Fenway in Games 3 and 4 of this ALCS, when the Rays pounded starters Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. They deserved better than what happened in the first six innings of Game 5. The Red Sox finished second to these Rays during the regular season and may not be as good now, either, but there is no way the difference between these clubs is as great as it appeared during what still might have been the final homestand of the 2008 Boston baseball season.

Now, depending on what happens tomorrow, Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS could go alongside Games 4 and 5 of 2004 ALCS, Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS, Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. In some ways, it goes up there with the losses in 2003 (ALCS Game 7) and 1986 (World Series Game 7), too. Those are the games that mark the time in the extraordinary postseason history of the Red Sox, whose Octobers frequently turn as brilliant as the autumn leaves.

"I got a text message from by brother (Joey, the bench coach with the Chicago White Sox)," said backup infielder Alex Cora. "All it said was, 'Wow.' "

And so here we are now, 171 games into this Red Sox campaign, the fifth Red Sox postseason in the last six years, the fourth trip to the ALCS. Somehow, the Red Sox have managed to make us say wow again. Could another trip to the World Series be on the way? Could another world title be in the stars? Could the Red Sox use this game as a springboard, as the catalyst to propel them beyond the Rays and back onto baseball's grandest stage?

Could they?

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow," said scheduled Game 6 starter Josh Beckett, shooing away reporters eager to speak with him now that he has another invaluable opportunity. "I have a press conference tomorrow."

In this case, tomorrow is actually today.

Tomorrow, after all, he gets another chance to pitch.

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94 comments so far...
  1. Phillies can't be feeling good right now

    Posted by VermontSox October 17, 08 09:18 AM
  1. Can we please have the "old" Beckett back - please? If not, we need to throw Lester to give us the best chance to win and get to Game 7 where anything can happen and I like our chances...

    Posted by SteveP October 17, 08 09:35 AM
  1. real nice piece Tony. I hope this made you a Red Sox fan!

    Posted by Jim Kaplan October 17, 08 09:39 AM
  1. Talk about "CORKERS"!This was or is the one.I've seen great comebacks,but this blows out the candle........Great at bat by Crisp.I believe that at bat truly stimulated the game.That's when I believed that something good was on the menu.......and they can say what they want but Gross could've,should've made that catch.He played so shallow with two outs...........The mistakes and throwing error by Langora have to be in there heads
    Now,Beckett gets a reprieve and you know he wants redemption.If they win #6,anything goes...........But as far as I'm concerned,they redeemed themselves

    Posted by Jack ....Melbourne,Fla October 17, 08 09:51 AM
  1. I'm hijacking this one since Toni seems to be on perpetual retread mode.

    Hoss Blog

    Game 5 Thoughts:
    1. Varitek sulking back to the dugout and Francona patting him on the back to comfort him after the decision was made to lift him for PH Casey. I was certain at the time, that this was Tek's last act in a Red Sox uni.

    2. J.D. Drew - Give credit where credit is due. He's clutch when it counts. Four different occassions over the last two post-seasons in which he has had enormous hits. His two run homer in the 8th was the key play of the game. Sox were still down 3.

    3. Masterson is gaining huge confidence from this postseason. I hope Clay Bucholz is taking notes on how to go after hitters and trust your stuff.

    Game Six considerations:

    1. Beckett has to cut it loose. If he cannot throw fastballs for swings and misses in the first inning, then I want to see activity in the pen in the second inning. No more flat 90 MPH fastballs while Terry waves pom-poms in the dugout.

    2. Sox need to make Shields throw strikes. Patience. Patience. If they lay off his ankle high stuff, then he may get rattled. He's an emotional tightrope guy. Get in his head early and try to get him out after 5 innings (a la the Yanks vs. Pedro in years past).

    3. Take the poseur Rays fans out of the game early. I want to see more "I can't believe this is happening" looks from Rays fans with the price tags still sticking out of their replica jerseys.

    Posted by Hoss October 17, 08 09:51 AM
  1. Tony, do you still think Boston can't come back from five ... er ... seven runs down?

    Posted by Chad Scarsbrook October 17, 08 10:01 AM
  1. And let's ban those so-called "fans" who left the game in the 7th last night, who booed Dice-K, Tek, Papi, and Wake, and the sportswriters who know so little about this team's history and character that they wrote off the season after Tuesday's loss. These people don't deserve the Red Sox. Send them to Pittsburgh.

    Posted by Jack Marshall October 17, 08 11:08 AM
  1. Hey VermontSox -- Phillies feel fine. If the Sox win, they can't pitch Lester against Hamels in Game 1. If the Rays win, they can't pitch Shields.

    Posted by MAPhilsFan October 17, 08 11:33 AM
  1. "We're kings of the world"...."the sky is falling"..."we're kings of the world"....the Boston media needs to be on a more even keel!

    Posted by Rico P. October 17, 08 11:38 AM
  1. I find it funny that Red Sox fans are going bonkers because there team got lucky in one game. The chances of the Rays actually losing this series is about 0%. We have home field advantage, the better pitchers in both games, and overall a much deeper team. Good luck next year Red Sox but this year belongs to the Rays.

    Posted by RAYsWorldChamps08 October 17, 08 11:42 AM
  1. I will admit it, i went to bed............

    I did however have a premonition getting in bed that i would wake up to my friends telling me that I missed the greatest comeback in red sox history like in fever pitch...........oh well!

    GO SOX!

    Posted by Anonymous October 17, 08 11:42 AM
  1. Type your comment here...

    Posted by Anonymous October 17, 08 11:46 AM
  1. GO SOX!!

    Posted by SHAWN October 17, 08 11:47 AM
  1. All-time. Really no other way to look at it.

    Posted by John Harrington October 17, 08 11:47 AM
  1. i just want to thank the fenway faithful who left the game in the 7th... it's because of you that i got to experience this comeback from 3rd base box seats. hope you enjoyed hearing what you missed on the radio on your drives home!

    Posted by Mike October 17, 08 11:49 AM
  1. Can someone explain how they "deserved better" in games 3 & 4, and early in game 5? They didn't hit at all and pitched poorly, thus got exactly what they "deserved."

    It's articles like this that make it EMBARASSING to be a Red Sox fan.

    Posted by Lunkman October 17, 08 11:50 AM
  1. First of all, Hoss, you're right on track. Love #3 at the bottom the best. One thing I'd like to add is that, regardless if it's Beckett or Lester, they need to put Upton/Pena/Longoria on their a$$e$. Those guys are waaaaaay too comfortable at the plate.

    Nice to see Papi try to bunt in the 9th against Howell. The 3-run HR in the 7th notwithstanding, I think he should be bunting more. Let Youk, Bay, and Drew (!) take their hacks, as they've all been more successful at the plate than Papi has.

    I think Lester should go in Game 6. He's been much better than Beckett and you can't play a Game 7 without winning Game 6, and Lester simply puts them in the best position to do so.

    Posted by denver_soxfan October 17, 08 11:55 AM
  1. We feel fine, actually.

    Both our potential opponents demonstrated an ability and a willingness to choke last night. We match up fine against both these teams. The only possible concern we'd have would be that the long layoff between the end of the NLCS and the end of the ALCS seems to have hurt the Rockies last year - but at least our bullpen will be well-rested.

    Posted by PhilliesPhan October 17, 08 11:57 AM
  1. I wonder if that's the first ground rule double ever to be recorded as a single? I know there have been homers recorded as singles (Robin Ventura).

    Posted by zitface October 17, 08 12:01 PM
  1. I wonder if that's the first ground rule double ever to be recorded as a single? I know there have been homers recorded as singles (Robin Ventura).

    Posted by zitface October 17, 08 12:01 PM
  1. Part of being a Sox fan is having a cyncial, defeatist attitude. The boys have done wonderful to help cahnge that over the last four years, but old habits die hard. I say give the fans who counted them out another shot. It makes the bandwagon even harder to derail in game 6.

    Posted by Jmac October 17, 08 12:06 PM
  1. Maz,

    Game 6 in '86, not game 7. The nation knew before the game that they would lose game 7. Stuffing corks back in bottle a the end of #6.

    Posted by richedhard October 17, 08 12:18 PM
  1. My team has HUGE heart. As we all know.

    They CAN do it.

    Posted by Velvet October 17, 08 12:18 PM
  1. Great piece, Tony. Here's hoping we are still here talking with smiling faces next week. But, meanwhile, I like the Sox' chances. That said, we're still down 3-2 and headed to a ballpark that made us look silly all year with 2 starting pitchers whose last performances we'd love to have back. But, doesn't this all add to the drama and make the victory all the more worthwhile?

    To all those losers who want to slag off fans who left early, give it up. They are beating themselves up enough about it already. Plus, don't anyone tell me they were 100% certain after 6 innings of a comatose offense these Sox were going to win. I stuck out the whole game, but I didn't think it was possible. I wanted it, sure, but didn't assume it. Please, get off their backs. Tek 3 auto-outs still turns the offense into only 8 innings of legit baseball and god only knows what Beckett will turn up.

    Posted by Daniel October 17, 08 12:20 PM
  1. I've seen a lot of Sox games since my first trip to the Fens in '67, but last night was something else! I was so amped I couldn't sleep!
    That being said, Beckett is going to have to deliver his own version of the 'bloody sock' game. Wake, Byrd and everybody else will need to be ready and those bats need to stay awake now. If we can get to game 7 Lester is going to have to be perfect because the Rays know they can beat him now. This is going to be real interesting from here, but if there is a team that can do it, it is definatley the Red Sox. GO SOX!!!!!

    Posted by Jon B. October 17, 08 12:22 PM
  1. The bats disappeared at the wrong time. They came back at an improbable time. Who woulda thunk it?

    Here's a chance for the "aces" to show their appreciation for an opportunity to redeem.

    Posted by DjM October 17, 08 12:24 PM
  1. I admit to a premature sadness after 6 innings but I couldn't, and the knew that I shouldn't actually change the channel. We don't give up on them that easily. Not at this time of year. Not these days. Sitting alone at home, I could feel like I was part of the millions of other Sox fans around the country willing the ball into play off of Pedroia's bat. I agree with Jack. If those of us at home keep hope alive, then those fans who actually had the opportunity to be at Fenway should be ashamed of themselves for leaving when they did. You spend the dough, you stick around and show em you're behind them.

    Posted by Jeff Anderson October 17, 08 12:27 PM
  1. Wow....

    Posted by John Smith October 17, 08 12:32 PM
  1. If you left in the middle of the 7th, shame on you, you don't deserve to be called a fan. Even if they lost, you had to stay and cheer the season, and possibly the end of the Tek Era. And while it's not the same as the Lakers 20 point choke in the finals, it ranks up there. But for it to matter, we have to windthe series (see Celtics/Nets Eastern Div Championships as Exhibit A) Come on Beckett!

    Posted by Aaron October 17, 08 12:33 PM
  1. Mazz, do you think the sox get a kick out of giving us all a heart attack each year?

    Posted by Let it beat October 17, 08 12:33 PM
  1. I still can't believe Maddon let Balfour pitch to Ortiz. Even in a slump Ortiz can deposit a flat 95 mph fastball into the seats. I was about halfway through saying that sentence to my buddy in the bleachers when Ortiz unloaded.

    Posted by Jeff D October 17, 08 12:37 PM
  1. Tuned in late, top of the 7th, with Papelpon on the mound, thought "what's up with this?", saw the 7-0 score, said goodbye to the Sox, not their or the Pat's year but can't complain and be greedy with the success of the Celtics, flipped to HGTV channel, then saw the final score this morning. Wow.

    Posted by Robroy October 17, 08 12:38 PM
  1. I wholeheartedly agree. I believe and will until it's totally over. Being a Red Sox fan means never saying NEVER!

    Posted by Christine Lawrence October 17, 08 12:40 PM
  1. Wow this is an amazing article. Good Job.

    Posted by Elizabeth McCarthy October 17, 08 12:43 PM
  1. This is the best thing you've written in a long time, Tony. You really capture the awesomeness of the moment. It's kinda strange to actually read something you write and have it contain optimism and hope.

    Posted by Scott October 17, 08 12:44 PM
  1. Great article! I'm surprised there was no mention of the 2004 ACLS series against the Yanks. That was an amazing feat to come back and win 3 games in a row to take the series!

    Posted by Blang October 17, 08 12:50 PM
  1. #7 Jack Marshall. Your comment is absolutley PERFECT.
    It is unbelievable what those 'fans" were doing. Absolutley Pathetic.
    Congratulations on your comment. Hope Red Sox Nation realize what happend...

    Posted by DavidBRS October 17, 08 12:55 PM
  1. Dont call it a comeback
    I been here for years
    Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear
    Makin the tears rain down like a mon soon
    Listen to the bass go boom
    Explosion overpowerin
    Over the competition Im towerin
    Wreckin shop when I drop these lyrics thatll make you call the cops
    Dont you dare stare, you betta move
    Dont ever compare
    Me to the rest thatll all get sliced and diced
    Competitions payin the price

    Posted by Kram October 17, 08 12:56 PM
  1. Hey Tony, what did you do with the piece you finished in the 6th inning? I hope it's still in the crapper!

    Posted by K. Maine October 17, 08 12:57 PM
  1. Maz, are you sure your from MA? Writing off the Sox when they're down 3-1 is not smart journalism. In the words of KG, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by chuckhndrsn October 17, 08 12:57 PM
  1. When almost all your starting pitchers get their brains beat out, it takes a toll on the players having to try and overcome huge deficits every day, however they did it finally for game 5 and will need to do that if the pitching is what it is!

    Posted by Dean October 17, 08 12:59 PM
  1. The fans at Fenway park and the "experts" of the Globe should be ashamed. They give up so easily on this team itīs ridicolous. People gave up after game 2! Whatīs the point of having a packed house if the fans only make noise when things go right!!?? Itīs easy to cheer when the team pulls one of the great comebacks ever. But when the team needs the fans, they boo...Varitek, Ortiz. Simply two of the most important players int franchise history, booed while the team was still alive. Really, embarassing. To everyone at Fenway last night: go home, and donīt comeback! Red Sox nation isinīt about a bunch of ungreatfull traitors!! GO SOX, I AlWAYS BELIEVED AND SUPPORTED!!! The fans at Fenway park and the "experts" of the Globe should be ashamed. They give up so easily on this team itīs ridicolous. People gave up after game 2! Whatīs the point of having a packed house if the fans only make noise when things go right!!?? Itīs easy to cheer when the team pulls one of the great comebacks ever. But when the team needs the fans, they boo...Varitek, Ortiz. Simply two of the most important players int franchise history, booed while the team was still alive. Really, embarassing. To everyone at Fenway last night: go home, and donīt comeback! Red Sox nation isinīt about a bunch of ungreatfull traitors!! GO SOX, I AlWAYS BELIEVED AND SUPPORTED!!! The fans at Fenway park and the "experts" of the Globe should be ashamed. They give up so easily on this team itīs ridicolous. People gave up after game 2! Whatīs the point of having a packed house if the fans only make noise when things go right!!?? Itīs easy to cheer when the team pulls one of the great comebacks ever. But when the team needs the fans, they boo...Varitek, Ortiz. Simply two of the most important players int franchise history, booed while the team was still alive. Really, embarassing. To everyone at Fenway last night: go home, and donīt comeback! Red Sox nation isinīt about a bunch of ungreatfull traitors!! GO SOX, I AlWAYS BELIEVED AND SUPPORTED!!! Jo

    Posted by John Riber October 17, 08 01:06 PM
  1. Man, how does it taste for those Red Sox fans who left early? It's one thing to admit it if you're in LA (hell, it'd probably chic), but everyone who left Fenway before the comeback will take that secret to his or her grave :-)

    Posted by Chuck October 17, 08 01:11 PM
  1. I was at the game last night. Not a lot of people really left. People get up and use the bathroom, get a beer/food every half inning. The stairs are so narrow, it gets quickly congested. It looks worse than it is.

    I heard that TBS kept showing people leaving in the 6th or 7th. If they panned to the same stairs in the 2nd inning of a game in the middle of July, it looks pretty much the same.

    Posted by Mark October 17, 08 01:13 PM
  1. I was at the game last night. Not a lot of people really left. People get up and use the bathroom, get a beer/food every half inning. The stairs are so narrow, it gets quickly congested. It looks worse than it is.

    I heard that TBS kept showing people leaving in the 6th or 7th. If they panned to the same stairs in the 2nd inning of a game in the middle of July, it looks pretty much the same.

    Posted by Mark October 17, 08 01:17 PM
  1. If Tek doesn't want to be hit for, then he needs to hit the ball himself. Quit sulking and pick it up. Granted Casey didn't do any better, but his bat didn't look slow. If Tek wants to keep his job, then he needs to get the cobwebs out of the brain, get the rust out of the arms, and stand up for himself.

    Finally, I don't have a problem with Beckett going out there in Game 6. Why? You know that he is furious about losing the lead in game 2. You know that he will do anything he can to get it to seven games and I believe that he will.

    Posted by Harv October 17, 08 01:20 PM
  1. Ditto Jack! Those fans that left early obviously did not BELIEVE like the rest of us did!! They are NOT real BoSos fans!! Real fans stick in good times and bad and they always BELIEVE!!

    Posted by Erin October 17, 08 01:25 PM
  1. Hoss can go with them...

    Posted by Bob October 17, 08 01:25 PM
  1. TESSIE, TESSIE, TESSIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by KOOLIE October 17, 08 01:29 PM
  1. How many times did Joe Maddon say "We can't dwell on it. Can't dwell on gthis loss. We must not dwell on this and move on" Red Sox nation, it seems to me that Masddon & Co are indeed "dwelling" on this defeat....If Beckett can stand the elbow pain (its not his oblique friends) this series has turned a 360 and its Deja Vu all over again!!!! Sox 2008 World Champions....The Phils are easy (no pitching after Hammel) after this very talented, Rays team!

    Posted by Harvey Ludwin October 17, 08 01:30 PM
  1. For one shining moment, Big Papi cast aside his Bizzaro World persona (Big Poopi) and hit the living crap out of the ball. That's when it was officially ON. It's on Tampa. Papi is lurking with a toothy grin. You can't pitch around Drew, which means you can't pitch around Bay, which means you're more likely to pitch to Papi because you're definitely not going to f*** with Youk. I'll tak to ya, Tampa! Tak to ya!

    Posted by Snerrick October 17, 08 01:31 PM
  1. On Saturday Beckett needs to earn his money. If he is in fact injured and cannot throw his normal pitches then he needs to "man up" and tell Francona he does not think he can get these guys out. The fact is the Rays offense is cruising and we need to shut them down in order to have any chance of winning.

    Posted by Eric Huether October 17, 08 01:31 PM
  1. Hoss,
    Right on with #1 of game 6 considerations. Tito needs the quick hook if Beckett doesn't have anything to offer. No waiting for the implosion or explosion!

    Posted by Glenn Oja October 17, 08 01:33 PM
  1. Beckett will absolutley let loose tomorow night. There is no way, with the competitor that he is, that he wont give the Sox a chance to win. Expect atleast 8 innings and no more than 3 runs.

    Posted by Tom October 17, 08 01:36 PM
  1. If if they lose the ALCS, at least the Sox made a race out of it. But that's being negative. I say, threepeat (as in three comebacks--2004, 2007 and 2008).

    Posted by Christie Bleck October 17, 08 01:37 PM
  1. I have been a sox fan for over 60 years and last night was an unbelievable experience. My problem with Francona has always been his coddling of pitchers and not pulling them when everybody knows they don't have it that night. If he plays to win at any cost they just might pull it off again.

    Ernie, Delray Beach, Florida

    Posted by Ernie Goldschmidt October 17, 08 01:38 PM
  1. It's amazing, what happens with the sox. Over the years, win or lose, some of the most amazing moments in baseball happen when the Sox are in the game. From Fisk's dinger to the Buckner ball in '86, to 2004's comeback vs. the Yanks, to last night's game, the Sox have always, always brought moments that live forever. You can't really say that much for any other team, at least to this degree.
    Wow. Never a dull moment. Thanks guys!

    Posted by Robin October 17, 08 01:41 PM
  1. I feel so blessed to be a Red Sox fan... what an amazing "era" over the course of these last five seasons. These '08 guys, like our recent teams, just have HEART. And, they are such a likeable bunch. Who knows what will really happen the rest of the way this season, but the result (if a losing one) will not be from a lack of emotion nor effort. This season's team has its own identity (especially with all the injuries), but they are cast in the same "new" Red Sox mold. Thanks, gentlemen, for such a fantastic experience last night / this morning.

    Posted by Donnie Nelson October 17, 08 01:48 PM
  1. Hey Hoss,
    pretty classless and unnecessary attack on Rays fans. We've got no shortage of Yahoos here wearing Sox or Pats fan gear. A few winning seasons doesn't give you the right.

    Posted by AL5000 October 17, 08 01:50 PM
  1. Hey Hoss,
    pretty classless and unnecessary attack on Rays fans. We've got no shortage of Yahoos here wearing Sox or Pats fan gear. A few winning seasons doesn't give you the right.

    Posted by AL5000 October 17, 08 01:50 PM
  1. I LIKE BASEBALL, thanks RED SOX

    Posted by eric October 17, 08 01:53 PM
  1. Everybody in the park last night booing Papi and Tek should have their freaking heads examined. Have we really become the 'what have you done for me lately' crowd like all those spoiled children in the Bronx?
    At least the people who left or were booing didnt get to enjoy an unbelievable comeback. Never forget what guys like Papi,Wake, and Tek have done for this team. None of them bitch about playing time, or make excuses when they struggle.
    You fans should learn to grow up.
    P.S.- The series would have already been over it werent for Dice-K's great game 1 start. If you have this short a memory, please head down to 95 to Philadelphia with the worst fans in baseball

    Posted by Henry October 17, 08 02:00 PM
  1. Boston Fans,

    I give you congrats on a tremendous comeback by your team. I think the only thing that last night proved was the heart and determination of the Red Sox. They were getting smoked, about to be obliterated out of the ALCS - but they found the heart to not go out like that. Its commendable. You should be proud.

    But make no mistake - this isn't the 07 Red Sox or the 04 Red Sox. The Rays are a better, deeper, younger, and hungrier baseball team than the Red Sox. Last night was a great lesson for the young Rays that the game is, as Yogi said, "Not over til its over". They won't make that same mistake again.

    The truth is, the Rays accomplished what they wanted to in Boston. They took two out of three in Boston, giving themselves two chances to close out the Red Sox at the Trop.

    That's all you can ask for from a roadtrip in the ALCS. Will the Rays be shakened by the meltdown? Nope. I don't think so. The team has never been bothered by a result from one day to the next all season, they won't do it now. I think the team understands where they failed and won't allow it to happen again.

    I think the victory yesterday delayed the inevitable. Tampa Bay will come back to the Trop and put the finishing touches on their first AL Pennant.

    Posted by JasonOfthetower October 17, 08 02:07 PM
  1. As a Sox fan, it goes without saying that I want them to win, and advance to the World Series. But if they DON'T, I'll commend the Rays on playing their hearts out, and having one of the best comeback seasons ever. However - as much as the Rays as a team might deserve it, the MAJORITY of their fans do not. I'm sure there are a select few who have always been Rays fans. Who were there the first 29 games of the season when their attendance per game averaged around 1,000 people. But, it makes me freakin' sick to see the Rays fans at Fenway taunting the Sox fans, when they couldn't have cared less about "their" team, until they made the playoffs. Whatever the outcome, the Rays should be congratulated on an amazing season, but their fans should quit with the trash talking, since I'm guessing that most of them can't name their starting rotation.

    Posted by Liz October 17, 08 02:44 PM
  1. Upton and Longoria hit homeruns...again!! Any chance that we'll see Beckett throw at either of them in game 6?

    Posted by Anonymous October 17, 08 02:48 PM
  1. Sitting in Fat Face Fenner's Fish Shack on Hermosa Pier for this game. Mid Seventh, I switched my drink from Sam Adams to Maker's on the rocks, "just to shake things up". I got everyone at my table to do it. After Papi's homer, we had the other table's doing it.

    Your welcome.

    Posted by Jim October 17, 08 02:50 PM
  1. Last night's 9-8 comeback win over the Rays reminded me of the day 79 years ago that started ne on the road to becoming a Red SOx fan. Though a Bronxite I was in Jersey City,NJ with my father visiting oneof his Irish cousins, Since I and was not interested in what they were saying I took a walk around the neighborhood. A kid across the street was on his porch listening to the radio and he jnvited me to join him, It was the 4th game of the 1929 World Series between the Phila. Athletics and the Chicago Cubs. It was the bottom of the 7th inning and the Cubs were leading 8-0. As I arrived the A's rally was just beginning. They scored 10 runs and went on to win the game and the Series. I was 9 years old and instantly became an A's fan.Connie Mack eventually sold most of the team to the Red Sox inthe 30's and since 1935 have been one of th Red Sox Nation,

    Posted by Pat McCann, Cocoa Beach, FL October 17, 08 02:57 PM
  1. Amazing, only the sox can pull that off. I watched THE WHOLE GAME it was tough but i hung in there. I just knew it couldnt be that easy for the rays, it just couldnt. And the sox played with the heart of champions. Now weve got ourselves a series its time for beckett to man up and PITCH we all know hes hurt so he just cant overpower hitters so hes gotta make do with what hes got and out think them. GO SOX!!!!!!!!! WE BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by GARY October 17, 08 03:02 PM
  1. Hello my fellow Boston fans. What a great night to BELIEVE in Boston. What a game.
    Go Sox. Papi welcome back. I will be rooting for you from Central Ohio. Red Sox Nation alive and well. Needs to work on their nerves and make them nervous. I will always believe win or lose. I will forever be your fan. Everyone say a prayer Beckett is on tomorrow night. We have an excellent chance if both he and Lester are on. They have the experience. I cannot wait for tomorrow.

    Posted by Mallory October 17, 08 03:02 PM
  1. If this opened the flood gates for the hitters then it will be a third ring ...

    Posted by bostongmw October 17, 08 03:33 PM
  1. i also hope that the so-called fans that left the game early got caught in traffic, they should be photographed like they do with the hulligans in england's soccer matches and never be allowed back, you could tell they are not fans of not only the red sox but baseball, just the rich people with the hottest ticket in town, they don't even know how the game works never mind how to yell, scream and do the wave, thanks to all the fans who stayed, i think they had a lot to do with that win, i live in FLA now but a life long fan of the sox and i see them when they do play in tampa, rays stadium is like fenway south , hopefully half the house will have a hat with a big red B on it ," it ain't over til it's over" hmm , i wonder what sport gave birth to that saying? GO SOX, and as far as the fans who left early, to bad you missed history, history will NOT MISS YOU

    Posted by marcogeorge October 17, 08 03:53 PM
  1. I'll buy the first one of you Bobby Soxers to dare to show up at Fergs in Saint Pete on Saturday night a Greyhound ticket home and a beer to go.

    Posted by Rayman October 17, 08 04:17 PM
  1. Question is:

    ?Will JasonOfthetower jump when his team loses in games 6 and 7?

    Posted by networkdood October 17, 08 04:28 PM
  1. Hey Jason - you're forgetting one very important thing. A little MO. Not as in Vaughn...as in MOMENTUM. Sox have it, Rays don't. In any series, momentum is way more important than whose "deeper, younger, and hungrier." The Rays needed to close it out last night if they were going to beat these Sox...and they didn't. They are in big trouble boy!

    Posted by A.L.F. October 17, 08 05:19 PM
  1. I have been thinking about this game all day, and about how I want to tell people how it was for me. I'm Irish and I live in Brazil, and I've been a Red Sox fan for God only knows how long. I listened to the games on Armed Forces Radio in Belfast when I was younger, and as time has passed, have moved on to cable TV and the internet. I've been to Fenway a couple of times, and seen the Sox get hammered in Yankee Stadium (I can't remember who pitched but we're talking the Ramon Martinez and Rolando Arroyo era). I remember ducking upstairs at a party in London England when I should have been talking to a girl to try and tune in to Pedro v Clemens in whatever playoff year it was. Before the game last night I thought the Sox would do a roaring tiger act and throw one last wounded pride knockout punch. I got home and tuned in when it was 2-0. A few minutes later it was 5-0. A little after that it was 7-0. I turned off and went to bed. But something kept me awake. I kept thinking....what if, what if. It was after 1 o'clock. I figured it had to be about the seventh inning. I thought what the hell. My computer is old and takes a hell of a long time to get going. On MLB.com I glimpsed a headline - Ortiz gives Sox hope. My computer crashed. I tried again. JD hit his home run. OHMYGOD I thought. My computer crashed. I tried it yet again. I got WRKO. Masterson got out of his jam. A few minutes later, well, we all know the rest.

    I think this series has been hard to understand and take for all Sox fans because its the Rays, not the Yankees or the Angels or the Indians. No disrespect intended. A wonderful 2008 club. But until now a joke franchise. And also because while I thought the Sox might not win it all this year, I figured they'd bow out because of a couple of key errors, or because of a pitching gem on the other side. I didn't think they would get as utterly humiliated as they have until now. I don't know what the point of this is. I have no point. But last night was a truly wonderful night of baseball, even from very far away and via horrible means of communication, and I hope Beckett can get us to Game 7, and after that who the hell knows?

    Posted by James October 17, 08 05:42 PM
  1. I am seriously SHOCKED that anybody would boo those guys, especially Papi and Tek. Hello, you morons, they're all class act guys...always have been...and deserve better than that.

    If you're booing your team when they're trying to rally to win a game...well, that's classless. Go away now.

    Posted by Seth October 17, 08 07:04 PM
  1. i am a lifelong sox fan... i have to say with the injuries to lowell, beckett and papi they just didn't have things lined up this season and were not peaking at the right time... i wondered if they would have the magic of previous years and did not foresee a world series... plus they just haven't had a great season against the angels and rays either..
    clearly i was wrong.... incredible win last night. needless to say i have a good feeling about the sox going forward... if they can wake up from that two game funk so dramatically, they can take two more games. can the young rays rebound from a once in a century collapse??? questionable.
    can't wait to find out

    Posted by chris October 17, 08 08:10 PM
  1. I was there last night. 40 years from now i'll be able to say the same thing. As i type this i still have tears in my eyes. Let's give some kudos to Tito for bringing in Papelbon down 5-0. Tito was sending a message to the team and to the world that he would fight til the end. In a way i'm happy Pap gave up another 2 runs as I was able to upgrade from Bleachers to 1st base 15th row for no additional cost!!! Yep, a bit of seat surfing as a few of "Fenway Faithful" perhaps those with more $$ gave up on our boys. Let's hope Tito treats this one game at a time. Perhaps we may even see Lester in Game 6?

    Posted by Sugarozz October 17, 08 08:45 PM
  1. Hey

    'RAYsWorldChamps08' Thanks for jinxing your team with your name...You think there is a 0% chance for the Sox to win this series. Well, there was a 0% chance they come back from a 7-0 deficit in the 7th inning of a game - LOOK WHAT HAPPENED! Go Sox and thanks for providing yet another memory (last night) that will be forever in my mind! I'd like 2 more memories please...Saturday and Sunday night!

    Posted by Brian Manning October 17, 08 08:49 PM
  1. Very cool James.My wife came down stairs and asked me why I was torturing myself.The next pitch Papi snapped out of it.Big game james is about to lose his nickname.

    Posted by joe October 17, 08 08:52 PM
  1. All I could think of Last Night was a speech I heard from a Movie. Well 24 Hours and exhusted from last nights emotional drain I rembered the line.
    " We will not go quietly and vanish into the night We will not go without a fight" (Independence Day)We all know that as a Red Sox Fan(40 Years of Memories I am 46 now) we can be down right mean when it comes to not winning. Well I am blogging to say Thank You once again. The pride and heart,detrmination that 08 Sox displayed is unparreled to any Team we have had. Win Lose or Draw you have once again proved that BELIEF in the Team is utterly unstoppable. Win SOX Win. Get this to SOX

    Posted by Evans Drapos October 17, 08 10:10 PM
  1. It's easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you've got the stock market beat. But the man that's worthwhile, is the man that can smile, when his pants are too tight in the seat. (Judge Smales). What the H does that mean? It means we can do this. We have done this. And we will do this. Great post Mazz. You and Chad Finn bring an additional dimension to fandom with writing this strong. GO SOX, AND GO JOSH!

    Posted by Capt. Stu October 17, 08 10:43 PM
  1. When did they transplant Johnny Damon's arm ont o Gabe Gross' shoulder?

    Posted by Mark C October 18, 08 12:15 AM
  1. Awesome article! I cried - partly because remembering the ending of that game was just that good, and partly because I am so tired because I stayed up to watch that game, and then was so full of adrenaline afterward that stayed up until 3:00 am.

    Posted by Psyched 2 Knit October 18, 08 01:04 AM
  1. The magic is back! GO SOX!

    Posted by Oh-captain-My captain33 October 18, 08 02:22 AM
  1. Mr. Massarotti, this was a fine article. And kudos to the commenters here for keeping most of the commentary confined to the arena where it counts, on the field. I'm a Rays fan, will be at the game tonight, and I BELIEVE in the Rays and their ability to get it done. Maddon's rule is to have 30 minutes in the clubhouse for the guys to get it out of their systems. That system has been working all year, and I believe it will work even after a devastating loss like Thursday's. In my opinion, whatever momentum Boston got from the last game will be counteracted and surpassed by the Rays homefield advantage. Big Game James will continue to earn his way into that nickname, and the Rays will win 6-5.

    Posted by pendleton22 October 18, 08 05:21 AM
  1. I am a 68 year old "DYING HARD" Chicago Cubs fan from Highland, Indiana [who met Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski in South Bend, IN. while he was a Notre Dame U. Freshman]. I have also become a Red Sox Nation rooter since their miracle year of 2004. After my beloved "CUBBIES" lose in the play-offs it is heart warming to display my Red-Sox banner and root for them [White Sox fans in my area don't like me very much]. Good luck to the 2008 World Series hunting Miracle Red Sox [game 5 WIN of the ALCS against the Tampa Bay RAYS was a come-back for the ages [I wish all the CUBS players saw this game]. I hope one day to come to Fennway Park and see in person the Cubbies play the Red Sox in a World Series Game.
    I thought I would also include a little Bio on my Cubs fan history.

    My very first Cubs Game was the 7th game of the 1945 World Series with the Detroit Tigers-which the Cubs lost. WOW! I MUST BE ONE OF THE VERY FEW TO HAVE SEEN THE CUBS IN A WORLD SERIES GAME. Of course I was very young then, but have come to appreciate over the years what being a Chicago Cubs fan really means. IT REALLY MEANS BEING ABLE TO FANTASIZE AND DREAM AND BEING 'YOUNG AT HEART' ALWAYS. Being able to see day games at home then. Going to Wrigley Field in the spring [heaven on earth for me]. Rooting for the underdog-almost always. Listing to my alltime favorite Cubs announcer Bert Wilson on WIND Radio [1944-1955]. Meeting & having my favorite Cubs players sign my baseball [Andy Pafko - Hank Sauer - Frankie Baumholtz - Kenny Holtzman - Ernie Banks - Kenny Hubbs - Lou Brock][ALSO PAT "Have your pensils & scorecards ready' PIPER]. Hoping that one day my two favorite teams [Cubs & the Boston Red Sox] will play in the World Series [EVEN IF I HAVE TO ROOT FOR THEM FROM HEAVEN]. Go Cubbies [Baby Bears]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL & GOOD LUCK - 'Hoosier Bob'

    Posted by Robert Hollingsworth Jr October 18, 08 05:38 AM
  1. hey raysworldchamps08 you and the rest of the bandwagon fans should shut up and watch the collapse because the sox have all the momentum now

    Posted by eric October 18, 08 07:45 AM
  1. Brian I have not jinxed anything. I used to be a Red Sox fan but when I relized that all they do is buy players and than drive them out of town I had to switch to a better team that runs its organization correctly. Anyone who feels any differently has little to no baseball knowledge.

    Posted by RAYsWorldChamps08 October 18, 08 09:09 AM
  1. What in the hell are you talking about raysworldchamps08? I am almost positive that if you look at the sox lineup, youkilis, pedroia, lowrie, lester, and ellsbury are all home grown players. Or have you not been paying attention. And as for the whole buying players and then driving them out of town, Manny gave up, Nomar was pouting like a little baby, and Damon didnt accept the money. Same thing goes for pedro. If you have any other arguments i will be more than glad to tell you how wrong you actually are. As for running the organization correctly, it seems to me that the red sox have become a blueprint for how to run a good franchise. Any other points you want proven wrong, please let me know

    Posted by smr9060 October 18, 08 03:15 PM
  1. The Rays may be a better team than the Red Sox at this point, but in a 2-game showdown, anything can happen. The Red Sox have plenty of playoff experience, which can't be emphasized enough. Coolness under pressure can make all the difference in the world. Let's see what happens tonight.

    Posted by FL_sox_fan October 18, 08 07:01 PM
  1. Very nice site!

    Posted by John605 April 25, 09 02:09 PM
  1. Very nice site!

    Posted by John605 May 22, 09 05:41 PM
  1. Very nice site!

    Posted by John1072 May 29, 09 07:05 AM
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Tony Massarotti

is taking a few days off to celebrate the arrival of summer.

0 Comments »
Updated: Jun 20, 10:42 AM

About Mazz

Tony Massarotti is a Globe sportswriter and has been writing about sports in Boston for the last 19 years. A lifelong Bostonian, Massarotti graduated from Waltham High School and Tufts University. He was voted the Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by his peers in 2000 and 2008 and has been a finalist for the award on several other occasions. He'll be using this forum to provide information, insight, and analysis on the Boston sports scene.

Tony's Top 5

Things to eat during the summer

5
Ice cream. Obvious, right? But we’re not talking about Haagen-Dazs. Go to a local stand and forgo the chain stores.
4
Spaghetti al limone. Do a Google search for the simple recipe and use linguine. Fast. Refreshing. Different.
3
Corn on the cob. Brush it with a little olive oil or butter and lightly salt. Then grill it. Trust me on this one.
2
Clams. Bellies or strips, steamed or fried. We prefer the steamahs, but go to your local shack and choose.
1
Lobster. If have a gas grill, buy the lobster pot attachment. Melt your own butter. Add some lemon. Nothing better.
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Updated: Jun 20, 11:10 AM

Featured Comments

No rush to anoint Rondo
Actually Tony is on-target here! Rondo has a great up-side, but there are still parts of the game where he is AWOL. He is extremely unique with his ball-handling skills and his rebounding is also a strength. The D is also eye-opening most of the time. He is a very confident athlete, hopefully not overconfident. The C's have never had a player quite like him! However, if he thinks he's indispensible, he better think again. This team has to win now while keeping an eye on the future!

CelticFanSinceRussell

In Boston, Bay stars
A four year $60 million dollar contract with a team option of a 5th year is not unreasonable to offer. The Yankees are in need of a left fielder after this season so it's imperative they get him signed because the rate will go up regardless at the end of the season because Steinbrenner will throw stupid money Bay's way even if it's just to drive the cost up for the Sox. Bay has earned it and proven he can play in a big market as well as the post season.

Mhaze

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