We’re back! In living color! Welcome back everyone to another Life, Love… Sport (World Series Clash Edition). This week, everything revolves around the Sox. From their epic rally from a 3-1 series deficit, to their match-up with the Colorado Rockies and everything in between, the LLS will be full of Red Sox cheer today. And perhaps we shall also discuss some other topics, but they are less than pressing at the moment.
Well, finally, the Sox are back to where they belong and, frankly, what took so long? It’s been two long years since Boston has tasted the strong spirits of World Series baseball, it doesn’t need to be said that we liked it a lot. Yours truly was in Boston on the epic day when the hometown team won for the first time since mustard gas was in wide demand. And while I didn’t participate in any debauchery, the feelings of relief were everywhere.
Needless to say, the Sox didn’t win the pennant for the next two years – 2007 was different. They won the division, clobbered the Angels and then ran into the Cleveland Indians. And it was disastrous. I had Yankee fans all up in my grill about a potential loss to the Indians. At least until Josh Beckett came in and saved the day. I am quite pleased that Beckett has stepped it up this year.
A friend of mine who lives in the same hotel as Beckett reported that Beckett was close to having something awful done to his room last year. Plus, the Red Sox gave him a three-year deal last year, so he better live up to it.
Another positive is that Coco Crisp is finally no longer playing an integral role on the team. Ever since last year, when he was stupid enough to break his pinky during the second week of the season and then not play until freaking June, I have harbored a burning dislike for that guy.
The biggest story this week has to be my change in religion. Allow me to explain. Back in Game 6, when the bases were loaded and JD Drew was up to bat, I turned to our online editor and proclaimed, “If Drew hits a grand slam, I’m going to convert to Mormonism.” And lo and behold, what does Nancy Drew do? He hits a grand slam. So now, I bid my Jewish friends ado and join forces with Mitt Romney to take over the world! I’m so glad to know that $14 million can buy a grand slam.
Also, if there needs to be a Red Sox player in the next “Dancing with the Stars,” I think the country would be better off picking Papelbon. He would win that competition without a doubt. Unless Chad Johnson was somehow also involved.
Apparently, the World Series has two teams, one of which is the Rockies. They’ve won 21 of 22 games leading up to the game. They were also a team so far down on their luck earlier that they were selling regular season tickets for $5. Five dollars! You’d be lucky to use the restroom at Fenway for that kind of money. I’m sure that Colorado has some great players, but the only ones I really know are Jeff Francis and Todd Helton. Blame it on the media and its obsession with the East Coast, but it’s Colorado. When I think of all the baseball-crazy fans out in the country, the Rockies’ fans come in somewhere between Atlanta and Toronto.
When it comes time to pick the team that will win the Series, it’s a no-brainer. The Red Sox in five. Because when Josh Beckett gets locked in, it’s over. Also because I have a feeling that Dustin Pedroia will somehow play a prominent roll in this series. And because every Cinderella story must come to an end eventually.
Meanwhile, how awesome is it to be from the Boston area? By now, I’m sure you’ve heard how great each team is doing. Life can’t get any better. Everyone keeps talking about how Boston lost its mystique by becoming a winner. Which is complete bullcrap. I’m sick and tired of all those New York writers dumping on Boston because their team can’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Go bitch to someone who cares.
Speaking of Cinderella, the USF Fightin’ Bulls are no longer in the National Championship Game conversation. This is horrible news. I’m sad to say that the Fightin’ Bulls couldn’t defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
However, there is still hope of a BCS bowl game in Orlando. All they need now is to win the rest of their games and, since they hold a tie-breaker with West Virginia, they’re in (hopefully).
Final Fact:
Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas holds the record for most field goals in a game with eight, beating the Houston Texans on a last second field goal to break the record.
Maystrovsky’s article appears weekly. Maystrovsky is a member of the class of 2009.
