“There’s no beating number one. No way. No how.”, or so says Bob Kaufman of “Bob’s Discount Furniture”, over and over, and over again during the broadcast of Red Sox games. Hopefully Bob’s truism doesn’t apply to the Yankees, as they are in first place right now! One would think that garish, simpleton infomercial-looking by-accident commercials would guarantee last place, but like big box stores & large city payrolls, size seems to matter…
There may actually be some noise this weekend at Fenway Park! Spoiled and pampered Red Sox fans are not so comfortable six and a half games back of the Yanks, and Boston has only a slim lead over two worthy Wild Card opponents. The Big Bad Bronx Bombers are frankly, in their rightful historical place, and anxious Sox fans have to fear not making the playoffs-yelling and screaming shall ensue.
Boston’s sports journalism reached new heights of shrill this summer, causing Sox franchise icon Big Papi to go postal in response to all of the “solid negativity”. The art of journalism has given way to the art of criticism, and the stampede of clever and instantaneous damnation. It’s mostly a problem of volume, the sheer amount of radio, tv, print and on-line everyday carping has created an alternate reality that players can’t breath in. It may be unlikely that these hounded multi-millionaires will stick around after their playing days to manage their restaurants and local charities.
The Red Sox hit a rough patch with six losses on the road against their division rivals, but this was only the 8th & 9th rounds of a fifteen round title fight, and the Fenway Boys will be standing when it is all done in September. The Yanks and Rays had to win, and they played at their absolute best to do so. Fine, a tip of the cap. But now the Sox return to Fenway where there is A LOT of baseball (eight weeks) still to be played. In particular, there are two more series with the Yankees. By then, the Sox will have regrouped and their new players and new lineups will have jelled. Expect the proud and tested Sox to get testy, and payback their rivals.
Super Bowl Preview In 2007, after an 18-0 season, the Patriots deserved to win the Super Bowl against the Giants, but didn’t. In 2012, they are lucky to be in the Super Bowl, after an almost undeserving win against the Ravens. This time it’s the Giants who look to be the deserving team, after beating the Packers and 49′ers at home. Yet the Patriots are favored by three. Maybe the oddsmakers feel Tom Brady got his bad game out of the way, and the artificial turf and domed stadium will be perfect for what the Pats do best, stretch the field and pass, pass, pass. Indy is the scene of Belichick’s most criticised call, fourth and four, but also the site of a great goal line defensive stand & subsequent sprint by Willie McGinest. Perhaps the best thing going for the Pats is the two-week Super Bowl break that could disrupt the rhythm of Eli Manning. But if Eli continues his excellent play, NY will prevail 30-24. (0)
Listen to the Ghost of Johnny Most discuss the Celt's 2008 Season
