I should have known that the ALDS wasn't in the cards for the Sox... (SawxBlog Photo)
Right before the playoffs began a small miracle of sorts occurred. I actually won the opportunity to buy Red Sox Playoff tickets for the ALCS. I've been trying to legitimately do this every year the Sox have been in the playoffs for what's now going on the better part of a decade, and I was beginning to believe these things just didn't happen to real people, and it was just some twisted type of folklore that Red Sox fans passed down to each other, kind of like our version of the Keyser Söze story. It's always somebody's buddy, or a friend of a friend who wins, but it's never actually someone you know. Turns up after all these years the devil actually does exist, as finally the stars aligned, and my chance had arrived.
I still had to actually get the tickets, and after an hour of watching multiple tabs refresh in "Waiting Room Hell" I was about to abandon all hope. Then it happened, I finally got in - purchased my two overpriced $75.00 bleacher tickets, and immediately called my fiancée to let her know we'd most likely be seeing the Sox and Yankees square off in the ALCS for the first time since 2004.
We all know the rest of the story now, Red Sox choked and the Yankees swept in their respective ALDS games as I slip into a brief baseball coma. The real kicker to all of this is that I literally got my ALCS tickets on that Sunday Bloody Sunday. They obviously came on Saturday, just didn't check until Sunday, go figure - but seemed about right. I'm saving the tickets though as a memento and reminder of how weird 2009 has been, it seemed to be a fitting way for the season to end for me, still - I should be at Fenway Park tonight. Looks like it'll be the Yanks vs. Phillies now, hope the repeat happens.
Amen and I hope the Phils put up a better fight than the Angels.
Hey, what kinda guitar you got in the background?
Posted by: Crusher | October 22, 2009 at 05:05 PM
that sucks man about not being able to go.
I am curious your thoughts on where the Sox should look for help or any other Sox fan reading this.
Should we upgrade with some pitching? (Lackey anyone?)
Should they move Youk over to third for good and go after a 1st basemen?
Should the Red Sox re sign JBay?
So many questions.....
I think we should get a pitcher i personally am not to high on Lackey.
What do you guys think?
Going through Sox with drawls in Canada :(
HURRY UP SPRING TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!!
ps-go Angels,go Phillies....Break a arm Johnny Damon! that's how i am feeling right now :)
The Red Sox will be back hard next year don't lose faith.
n
Posted by: Neil | October 23, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Neil,
I agree another arm would make me feel better but I'm concerned about defense behind the plate and the need for another bat - Joe Mauer, anyone? I hope the Sox sign Bay but I also don't want them to overpay and that might be hard to do given the year he just had.
Posted by: Crusher | October 23, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Joe Mauer would be sweet! he is a free agent? let the bidding wars begin between NY and Boston again.But Mauer behind the plate and V-Mart at first and move Youk over to third fulltime and play Lowell once in a while.WOW that would be awesome.
I think Cliff Lee is a free agent to,i would like him under the tree for Christmas too.haha
Posted by: Neil | October 24, 2009 at 11:56 AM
At least you have tickets...wait, that's a constant reminder of how weird this season was. Hopefully we'll be able to get things on track and come back and nail the Spankmes in 2010.
Neil: I'd love Mauer, but he's tied up with the Twins until after 2010 season. Signs are pointing to him resigning this offseason too. I believe that V-Mart is pretty solid, and will benefit with a year fulltime behind the plate. I think the Sox will exercise the option for Tek, but I don't see him getting much play time. ESPECIALLY since both V-Mart and Kottaras can catch Wake.
As for the other positions, here's my wish list -
LF - Re-sign Bay or pick up Holliday. I was surprised that Bay's numbers were not nearly as great as I thought they would be. There's even talk of moving Ells into left and getting a speedy CF.
1st - Somehow through a prayer, get Adrian Gonzales from the Padres and move Youk over to 3rd.
DH - Lowell & Papi, can't eat either contract.
SS - Get Stephen Drew from the D-Backs. AGonz is good, but we need someone solid, and young. I like Lowrie, but he's hurt too much and no guarantee he'll be okay. Same for Nick Green, got hurt, but if he's okay he's your utility infielder.
We've covered the big bat need(Adrian G), the need to fill SS(Stephen D), and LF(Bay or Holliday). We need another solid pitcher, mostly because of inconsistent seasons from DiceK and Josh Beckett. Wouldn't mind getting either Halliday or Lackey, tho Lackey is a serious douche who will demand craploads of money. Still can't believe he's only 31.
Posted by: M@ | October 26, 2009 at 02:54 PM
@Crusher - that's an Ibanez acoustic, nothing to fancy - but my first ever "real" guitar. His name is Norman, and has really fast action, and goes out of tune a little faster than I'd like but still, best guitar ever :)
@Everyone Else - I still don't think I can think too deeply on next season...am in a weird baseball state now. That said, GO PHILLIES.
That's all.
Posted by: Derek Hixon | October 27, 2009 at 11:08 AM
GO PHILLIES! this is actually shaping up to be an exciting series, with the spanks facing the defending champs...
Posted by: Kris | October 27, 2009 at 12:21 PM