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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cardinals go from 11 Games Out to 11 World Series Rings

At the end of August, the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to be out of the playoff race and off to a disappointing season.  They were trailing the Wild Card leading Braves by 10.5 games.  Making the playoffs, let alone winning a world championship seemed improbable.  Friday night, they would complete the miracle.

The Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in game 7 by a score of 6-2 to capture their 11th World Series title.  Their 11th title is second to the Yankees, with 27, for most World Series championships in baseball history.  The Cards came back from being down three games to two and being just one strike away from defeat.  Coming from behind did not faze the fighting Cards one bit.  From being 10.5 games out of the playoffs to being a strike away from losing the World Series, the Cardinals did the unthinkable to end it by winning a ring.  This was the Cardinals second championship within the last 5 years after they won in 2006 over the Tigers.

After trailing 2-0 in the first, the Cardinals did exactly what they have done best...comeback.  They would score two in the bottom of the first.  Allen Craig would hit the tie-breaking home run in the third and they would never look back.  They would score a couple more to win the game by a score of 6-2 and win the series in the deciding 7th game.  Ace Chris Carpenter threw a gem as he went six innings and only gave up two runs and getting his second win of the series.  David Freese turned out to be the World Series MVP as he had a remarkable series going as he went 8 for 23 with a home run and 7 RBI. It was quite the series for youngster and hometown boy Freese.

The Cardinals ended a remarkable season with their 11th World Series trophy.  Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa's team battled perseverance and a large deficit to make the playoffs.  They would then defeat the best team in baseball in the Phillies in five games.  They would then go on and beat their division rival Brewers in six games.  As if that were not enough, they would come back from being down three games to two and a strike away from going home to win the remarkable game six with multiple rallies and then rally to win game seven as one.

The 2011 Cardinals were a never say die team and stories like this in sports are truly remarkable and remind us all why.....you gotta love the game.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

25 Years Ago Today....The Ground Ball


25 years ago today, we (well the people who were alive at the time) witnessed one of the most monumental plays in one of the most thrilling games in the history of sports.  The only words necessary are...."and it gets by Buckner!"  Game 6 of the 1986 World Series was one that no baseball fan will ever forget.

The Mets were down 3 games to 2 to the Red Sox.  They were down 2 runs in the bottom of the 10th inning.  They were 1 out away from being the team that would help break the "Curse of the Bambino."  The unthinkable would then occur.  The Mets would string a couple of base hits together to make it a one run game.  Then Mike Stanley would make a pitch to Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson that he wish he could get back.  The pitch would go wild and go to the backstop tying the game.  The Mets, who just minutes earlier seemed to be demoralized and getting ready to head home, were alive again and were a hit away from sending the series to a game 7 at Shea Stadium.  

Just two pitches later, one of the most memorable moments in the history of sports would have the city that never sleeps staying wide and awake.  

Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball to all star first baseman Bill Buckner.  It looked to be the simplest of ground balls.  The ball would trickle down the line and go right under the glove of Buckner.  The ball would roll onto the outfield grass and change the history of baseball and the life of Buckner forever.  World Series MVP Ray Knight would score the game winning run sending the series to a game 7.  A series that seemed to be over was now tied.  Buckner's impressive career would now be known for just one play.  A guy who would finish his career with 2,715 career hits and a batting crown in 1980 was known by many baseball fans as the guy who lost the 1986 World Series.  The people of Boston who have been waiting since 1918 to win a World Series were stunned in disbelief and "the curse" would live on.  

The Mets would go on to win game 7 in comeback fashion after trailing the series 3 games to 2.  One play changed the face of a franchise, the face of a player, and the face of baseball history.  The Red Sox would go 18 more years without winning a World Series.  Finally, after 86 years of waiting they would break "the curse" in 2004.  

The series of events that went down in this game were moments that we will never see again.  It was an ending that no person could ever script.  It was an evening at Shea Stadium unlike any other.  It was a night that every one of the 55,078 in attendance will relive for the rest of their lives.  October 25, 1986 would go down as one of the most memorable of all time.  

Monday, October 24, 2011

Plax Leads Jets to Comeback Victory Over Chargers


One trip to the endzone would not be good enough for Plaxico Burress.

Two would not be sufficient either.

A third touchdown would have to do.  Jets wide receiver finally decided to have the breakout game fans would hope to see from him on Sunday.  Plax only had four receptions but three of them would be for touchdowns.  It was a spectacular performance by the first year Jet and former Giant.  The Jets would fight back from being down 21-10 at the half to defeating the first place Chargers 27-21.

The Jets were coming off a win against the worst team in football last week.  They needed a win against a very good Chargers team if they wanted any sort of momentum going into their bye week.  They started off a little shaky in the first half, but once again they turned on the jets (no pun intended) in the 2nd half.  Their defense played lights out only allowing 96 total rushing yards.  They forced two interceptions off of pro bowl quarterback Philip Rivers.  Rivers was 16 for 32 with 179 yards and two interceptions and one touchdown.  The Jets did not give up one point in the second half.  It was the best their defense has played in a while.  The turning point came when the Jets trailed 21-17 early in the fourth quarter and the Chargers were driving to the Jets 25 yard line.  Darrelle Revis would intercept Rivers and nearly do the same thing he did last week and run it for a touchdown.  This time he got to the opponent's 19 yard line and the Jets would get one of their three touchdowns to Plaxico Burress to take the lead and hold on for the win.

The Jets were led by their rushing attack.  Shonn Greene ran for 112 yards.  Sanchez ran for 25 yards.  Ladanian Tomlinson ran for 14 yards and Joe McKnight ran for 11 yards.  They had 162 yards combined on the ground.  Mark Sanchez was good enough to get the Jets offense by throwing for 173 yards and the three touchdown passes to Burress.

It was a masterful second half performance by the Jets and another comeback victory.  The Jets are now back over .500 at 4-3 and the Chargers fall to 4-2 with the loss.  The Jets will have a bye next week before they hit the road to face the Bills.  The Chargers return home to face the Chiefs next Monday night.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Jets Snap Losing Streak and Get Back to .500


The Jets were in dire need of a victory on Monday night facing the winless Dolphins.  It started off sloppy early in the game, but the Jets kicked it into gear after an abismal start to defeat the Dolphins 24-6 at Metlife Stadium.  The Jets moved to 3-3 with the win, including 3-0 at home and the Dolphins fell to 0-5 with the loss.

The Jets came out of the gate at home not as expected.  Their first four drives were all three and out.  They could not get one first down the first four drives.  They still held a 7-6 lead in the second quarter without having a first down thanks to a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown from cornerback Darelle Revis.  Many questioned whether it may have been a pass interference committed by Revis to get the pick, but nothing was called and Revis would weave his way through defenders to take it from one endzone to the other.

The Jets would finally get offensive yardage on their 5th drive as they drove down the field for a touchdown to take a 14-6 lead.  That would be the score at the half.  The Jets would get a field goal in the 3rd quarter to take a 17-6 lead going into the 4th.  The Dolphins offense was stagnant.  They could not get the ball down the field whatsoever in the second half.  The Jets defense dominated and Matt Moore proved why he is a backup quarterback in the NFL.  He struggled all night, especially in the second half.  The Jets would score early in the 4th quarter thanks to a 38 yard catch and run by Santonio Holmes with the help of a couple great blocks down the field.  The Jets had a 24-6 lead and would hold on by that score.

Mark Sanchez had an average game throwing 14 for 25 for 201 yards and one touchdown as well as a rushing touchdown.  Shonn Greene ran for 74 yards and the Jets finally got back on the winning side.  Meanwhile, nothing is going right for the Miami Dolphins.  They have struggled mightily all season.  Matt Moore, who was playing for the injured Chad Henne did not look sharp throwing 16 for 34 for 204 yards and an interception.  It seems as the Dolphins will be in the race for quarterback Andrew Luck this year as they are looking like they will have one of the top picks in the upcoming draft.

The key thing for the Jets is that they won the game.  This was a much needed win just to get them out of their funk.  Yes, they beat a team who has been awful and arguably the worst team in the league, but it was a win that could build them some confidence going into next week.  The Jets will face the surprising Chargers team at home hoping to get back over the .500 mark. The Dolphins face Tim Tebow and the Broncos in Miami.

Monday, October 17, 2011

World Series Preview


Did anyone think that the World Series this year would end up being the Cardinals and the Rangers? Many came into the playoffs believing it would be a Yankees Phillies matchup, a rematch of the 2009 World Series.  There were not many who would have predicted the Cardinals, a team who seemed to be out of the playoff race in early September, to be in the fall classic.

The Rangers come into the World Series for the second consecutive year as they defended their American League crown.  This year, they hope to do what they did not last year and that is winning their first ring in their 40 year franchise's history.  They have the team this year to do it with a good blend of solid pitching, a great bullpen, and a powerful lineup.  Outfielder Nelson Cruz had an unbelievable American League Championship series after struggling in the division series.  Cruz recorded 6 home runs and 13 rbi in the ALCS against the Tigers after hitting below the interstate in the division.  It was an unbelievable turn around that was extremely essential in powering the Tigers into the fall classic.  Cruz had at least one hit and at least one home run in every game in the series except game 3.  He chose the perfect time to come up with clutch hits for the Rangers.  With other powerful bats such as Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Mike Napolini, the Cardinals pitching is going to have a rough go for it coming up.

The Cardinals come into the World Series as a team that is scorching hot.  After trailing the wild card to the Braves by 10.5 games they have become a team that does not want to lose and never says die.  They surged into the playoffs in comeback fashion.  They beat the best team and best pitching in the league in the Philadelphia Phillies and they beat a Brewers team on the road who was favored to win the series.  The Cardinals have been the hottest team and a lot of times momentum is key coming into the postseason. (cough cough 2006 Cardinals) The 2006 Cardinals were a mediocre team at best barely sneaking in the playoffs barely finishing over .500.  Yet, they had the momentum and confidence coming in the playoffs and that is all they needed as they won the World Series.  The Cards come in with a powerful lineup as well.  Led by "the machine" Albert Pujols, the red birds have power bats around Pujols to protect him in the lineup.  Outfielder Lance Berkman had a terrific season and earlier in the year was an MVP candidate.  Matt Holiday also had a very good season supporting Pujols and Berkman.  Realistically, the Cardinals do not have as good of a lineup as the Rangers do.  The key is that they have a solid lineup, one of the best pitchers in the game in Chris Carpenter, and they have the confidence.  That might just be all they need.

With that being said, I believe the Rangers lineup has been flaming hot.  Yes, pitching does win championships.  The Rangers do not have the best starting pitching, but they do have the bullpen that comes in and brings the heat.  For their bullpen and powerful lineup, I see the Rangers winning the World Series, but taking 7 games to do it.  Although this may not be one of the best matchups television and ratings wise, I believe this is going to be a thrilling world series with a lot of action and a dramatic finish.  The Rangers will finally get their first ring and Texas will finally have a team that can close games out in the end. (cough cough Cowboys)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Jets Lose 3rd Straight and Fall Below .500


The New York Jets had visions of a Super Bowl victory this season, but after five games they have a losing record and do not resemble the championship team they aspire to be.
So far this year, the Jets defense just has not been able to make the big stops and their offense has been extremely inconsistent. Sunday afternoon proved no different. The New England Patriots defeated the Jets in Foxboro Sunday 30-21. While Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and his offense played better than in previous weeks, their once highly touted defense was once again disappointing.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for an impressive 321 yards and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Patriots offensive attack dominated dominated the game. While Brady deserved lots of credit for his team’s performance, the sagging Jet defense played at times as if they were in another league. Maybe they are.
On the other hand, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had another average day, throwing for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Fans waiting for Sanchez to have a “breakout” game will have to wait. Jets running back Shonn Greene ran for an unremarkable 83 yards and a touchdown against the Patriot’s swarming defense.
In all reality, the Jets just are not as good as they were predicted to be coming into the season. The offense has not been very aggressive and the defense has brought little pressure on the opposition quarterback and it has struggled mightily to stop the run. If the Jets want any shot at getting to the playoffs, they are going to need to get their act together on both sides of the ball, defensively and offensively. If not, the Jets are looking like a team that will be on a couch in January watching the Patriots compete in the playoffs.
The Jets nest chance to redeem themselves with be a home game against the Miami Dolphins next Monday night. The meeting could be especially timely for the Jets because the Dolphins haven’t won a game this season and they lost starting quarterback Chad Henne to injury.
The Jets need to win this game to get back to the .500 mark and gain some confidence. Especially since they play the explosive and division leading San Diego Chargers the following week.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Ball Game Over. Series Over. Season Over.


Pitching wins championships.  The Bronx Bombers have had the bats going for them all year long but fatigue becomes a factor in October as well as players breaking down in clutch situations.  The New York Yankees did just that.  The Tigers defeated the Yankees Thursday night at Yankee Stadium in game five by a score of 3-2 to advance to the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees had ample chances in game five to win the game.  The problem is that they lacked the clutch and timely hits they needed from guys who are getting paid big bucks to get those hits.  In the bottom of the 4th with only 1 out and the bases loaded, the Yanks failed to get a run in.  In the bottom of the 7th they left the bases loaded after only scoring one run off a walk.  The most expensive player in all of sports struck out in yet another clutch situation.  Nick Swisher who also has struggled in October struck out to end the inning following Mark Teixeira's walk to score a run.  The Yankees complied 10 hits together, but none of them in a timely manner to get another run on the board.

This was 27 year old Tigers pitcher Doug Fister's biggest game since he joined the majors in 2009.  He pitched an absolute gem in his 5 innings only giving up a solo home run to Robinson Cano.  Both teams used all the pitching they could Thursday night going through multiple pitchers and putting everything on the line to try and advance.  The Tigers bullpen did the job and finally got the Tigers into the ALCS.  Since 1988, the Tigers have made the playoffs only one other time in 2006 when they made it to the World Series but lost to the Cardinals.

It has been 27 years since the Tigers have won the World Series.  Could this be the year they finally win it again?  They have got the pitching that can get them there.  The Tigers will face the Rangers Saturday in Texas to start the ALCS.  They will try and defeat the defending American League Champs and prove to a star studded Yankees team that good pitching will always go further than a good lineup.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Yankees Take Risk and Force a Game 5


Tuesday night, the Yankees took a monumental risk in starting 80 million dollar man AJ Burnett.  Burnett had struggled during the season and has struggled on the road in the playoffs throughout his career.  Nobody would have known after watching game 4.  Burnett pitched a great game going 5 and 2/3 innings pitched and only giving up one run and getting the victory as the Yankees manhandled the Tigers in Detroit 10-1.

AJ Burnett won the one game he needed to forget any of what he has done in the past.  Burnett gave up just one run walked four and struck out three and only allowed four hits.  It was not dominant, but it was just what the Yankees needed to force a game five.  Burnett has outfielder Curtis Granderson to thank as Granderson saved three runs from scoring in the first.  With the bases loaded, Don Kelly hit a line drive to center field and Granderson made an unbelievable leaping catch.  He would make another catch later in the game that would save some runs from scoring as well.

The Yankees banged out 13 hits and 10 runs showing what they do best.  Their offense is what carries them as that was clearly seen Tuesday night.  They strung together a lot of timely base hits driving in runs as they would cap it off with a 6 run 8th inning that would make the game out of reach.  They knew what they needed to do and the Yankees did just that. They forced a game five.

Game five will be Thursday night as Doug Fister faces Ivan Nova at Yankee Stadium.  Nova pitched a masterful game one beating Fister as he hopes to do again in front of the home crowd.  The Tigers will have a second chance to send the Yankees home packing.  Can the Tigers finally beat the Yankees in the playoffs? Can they stop the powerful lineup of the Bronx Bombers? Thursday night at 8:00, we will get the answer.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Jets Do Not Want to Return to Baltimore


Baltimore seems to be where all the wild things are.....Wednesday we saw the Orioles beat the Red Sox sending the Sox home in a crazy game and Sunday right next door we saw the Ravens make a mockery of the Jets.  The Ravens defeated the Jets 34-17 Sunday night in a wild game that was more of a defensive battle than the score indicated.

For the first time in NFL history Sunday night, we saw 5 touchdown returns.  The craziness started early. The first touchdown return was a 6 yard fumble return by Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain.  It was the result of Mark Sanchez not getting rid of the ball fast enough causing a fumble and the recovery for a score.  Immediately after that score, (just over 3 minutes into the game) Jets running back and special teams specialist Joe McKnight ran back a kickoff 107 yards for a touchdown.  Most returners would have just took the knee and taken it at the 20.  McKnight decided he may have a chance at a score and he followed his blockers and was left with just the kicker to beat for the touchdown.  He was nearly untouched.  3 minutes and 17 seconds into the game we saw a fumble return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

It was due to be a wild game in Baltimore.

After a rushing touchdown by Ravens Ray Rice and a field goal by kicker Billy Cundiff the Ravens would go up 20-7.  The third return touchdown and most controversial would come after that in the second quarter.  Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson would run back a fumble by Sanchez for 26 yards for a touchdown.  The play was reviewed, but the call stood that Sanchez did not have the ball as his arm went forward.  The fourth return of the game for a score would come soon thereafter with 6 minutes left in the first half.  Joe Flacco would make a careless pass right in the hands of Jets linebacker David Harris who took it 35 yards to the endzone for a score.

At the half, the Jets trailed 27-17.  The final return touchdown would come almost midway through the third quarter as Sanchez made a pass that we would have saw him make in his rookie season lobbing to to a receiver and not seeing Ravens cornerback Ladarius Webb there who would take it back 73 yards for the fifth return touchdown for a game, which was the new NFL record.

That would be the last scoring of the game as well as the Jets were destroyed in Baltimore.  The Jets were playing without pro bowl center Nick Mangold.  This would prove to be pivotal for the Jets as well as the Ravens defense.  They were blitzing all night and Jets inexperienced center Mike Baxter could not stop them.  Sanchez had one of his worst games of his career throwing 11 for 35 for just 119 yards and the interception.  His counterpart, Joe Flacco had just as bad of a game throwing 10 for 31 for 163 yards and the interception.  Both quarterbacks were awful in the game as the Ravens offense was led by their running backs Ray Rice and Ricky Williams running for 112 yards combined.

This road trip has been a disaster that the Jets want to put in the past.  They suffered a double digit loss to Oakland and to Baltimore.  Now, to end the road trip, they have to travel to Foxboro to face Tom Brady and their division rival Patriots as they hope to get back over .500 to improve to 3-2.  They hope to have Mangold back for the game as he will be much needed with the new and improved Patriots defensive line.  The Pats are coming off a dominant win at Oakland.  The Jets have a lot to work on this week and Sanchez and this offense is going to need to be a lot more aggressive than what we have seen if they hope to live up to Rex Ryan and the fans hopes for this season.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

October Has Arrived


October is here which only means one thing...playoff baseball. After a crazy ending to the season, the playoffs have begun.  In the American League, the AL East Champion Yankees have home field as they face the AL Central Champion Tigers.  The AL West Champion Rangers are home against the surprising AL Wild Card Champion Rays.

In the National League, the NL East Champion Phillies have home field as they play the NL Wild Card Champion Cardinals. The NL Central Champion Brewers are home as they face the NL West Champion Diamondbacks.

Let me give my preview of the playoffs and my predictions.

In the American League, I see the Yankees Tigers series being a very close series.  The Yankees had an unbelievable season with a lineup that will scare any opposing pitcher.  The problem is that their starting pitching is somewhat suspect.  After former Cy Young winner C.C. Sabthia, they are starting rookie Ivan Nova, followed by veteran Freddie Garcia.  Nova did have a great season going an astonishing 16-4 with a 3.7 ERA.  The problem is starting a rookie pitcher in the playoffs does not always turn out good.  Garcia did not have a bad season by any means going 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA.  What the Yankees are going to need is some good pitching throughout the playoffs.  The good thing is that they still have that lineup and it is rested and healthy now.  I believe their powerful lineup will get them past the Tigers, but I believe it will take five games to do it.

In the other American League matchup the Rangers face the Rays.  The Rays are a team coming into the playoffs as one of the hotter teams in the league and feeding off a thrilling comeback to win the wild card after trailing by nine games coming into September.  That reason alone makes me believe they will surprise the Rangers.  Great young pitching, a solid lineup, and an inspired team have me picking the Rays to beat the Rangers in four games and have Tropicana Field rocking once again.

In the National League, I have got to go with the Phillies over the Cardinals.  The Phillies have been just too good this season.  When you have a starting pitching rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt, it is hard to lose in a short series. For that reason, I am picking the Phillies to advance in four games.
In the other National League matchup it is a tough pick and also a fun series to watch.  The Brewers and Diamondbacks had unbelievable seasons.  I know I did not see either of these teams....well at least the Diamondbacks doing what they did this season.  Arizona has a very young team that exceeded everyones expectations this year going 94-68 led by the young starting pitching of Ian Kennedy going a remarkable 21-4 this season.  With that being said, I believe the Brewers offense lead by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder and starting pitching of Yovani Gallardo and Zach Greinke and just a little more postseason experience will get them by the Diamondbacks in five games.

In the end, I see the Phillies beating the Yankees in the World series in seven games.  The Phillies have been dominant all season and I see their dominant starting pitching continue to win through the playoffs as they get revenge against the Yankees from 2009 and take it in 7 games closing it out at home in Philadelphia.

One Night of Baseball That Will Never Be Forgotten


On Wednesday night, September 28th, 2011, Major League Baseball experienced enough events in one night to make a story for an entire season.  In no other night in baseball history, did we see the multiple meltdowns and dramatic finishes to three games that were all the determinants of the final playoff spots.

There were four games Wednesday night that would determine the winners or whether there would be a tie in the American League Wild Card as well as the National League Wild Card.  The Red Sox were playing the last place Orioles.  The Rays were playing the first place Yankees.  The Cardinals were playing the Astros and the Braves were playing the first place Phillies.  The Red Sox and Rays were tied for the wild card lead in the AL.  The Braves and Cardinals were tied for the wild card lead in the NL.  The events that would take place that night, I have considered making some sort of film for.  Never have I, nor any baseball fan seen such events happen in one evening and in such an important time as we did on this magical Wednesday night.

The Yankees led the Rays 7-0. The Red Sox led the Orioles 3-2.  The Braves led the Phillies 3-2.  The Cardinals had already won easily 8-0.  Boston fans were saying, "Ok we can breathe. The Rays are down 7 runs with 6 outs to go and we just got to close out the last place Orioles." Braves fans were saying, "Well, at worse we will play a one game playoff against the Cardinals and have a shot at the NLDS." Let's just say a lot of baseball fans were biting their tongue as it came close to the midnight hour on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals-Astros game would be the first game to end for the night as they won easily thanks to the complete game effort by Chris Carpenter.  The Braves saw the final score to this game, and maybe it put a little pressure on the entire team ton win as now it had become a must win game.  The Braves had a comfortable 3-2 lead going into the 9th inning with a closer having a career season with 46 saves and an ERA just above 2.  A single, 2 walks, and a sacrifice fly later and the Braves hopes of playing a one game playoff the next day would begin to vanish.  Closer Craig Kembrel had blown the save and the game was headed to extras versus a Phillies team who already had clinched home field and were just playing for pride and to prepare for the playoffs at this point.  The Phillies would go on to win the game in the top of the 13th inning.  The Braves had entered September with a 10.5 game lead in the NL Wild Card.  This arguably is the worst collapse in baseball history.  In 2007 the Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 to play.  It seems like the NL East has trouble swallowing victories come September.

Just minutes later, the AL Wild Card race would define "wild."

The Yankees were cruising through into the 8th inning in a game that had no significance for them as the Rays were just 6 outs away from what looked like to be the end to their season.  Then the bottom of the 8th inning came, and the Rays postseason hopes went from dead to alive in an instant.  It was like watching a man die, only to come back to life again out of nowhere.  The fighting Rays, who trailed the first place Red Sox by 9 games coming into September saw life again.  They strung together a couple of hits, a couple of walks, and a couple of hit by pitches along with a sacrifice fly to make the game 7-3.  Evan Longoria came up and hit a 3 run home run that would make a 7-0 game just minutes earlier a one run ball game.  If that was not dramatic enough, trailing by one in the bottom of the 9th with 2 strikes and 2 outs, Dan Johnson would come up for the Rays and crank a solo home run just over the right field wall to tie the game.  Tropicana Field could be heard from Disney World....well at least from the fans who stuck it out.  Many fans had left after trailing 7-0 thinking that is was a good run, but it looks like the season would be over.

Meanwhile, in Baltimore it was the bottom of the 9th and Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon struck out the first two batters to start the inning and was one out away from a victory.  Then, the inevitable would come not only in this game, but also in Tampa Bay.

The Orioles would hit a two doubles to tie up the game and put the winning run on second base.  Just like that, the game was tied and the Red Sox season was on the edge of a cliff about to end.  It seemed like it could not happen.  It seemed as it could not go down the way it was going.  The Rays had made a sparkling comeback and the Red Sox were choking right in front of our eyes.  Then, September Red Sox killer, Robert Andino came to the plate and would hit a liner to left.  140 million dollar man Carl Crawford looked to might have a play on it but as he slid to catch it, the ball dropped in, and his throw home was too late.  The Red Sox had blew the game they were one out away from winning.  Their only hope was to hope the Yankees, who were playing for nothing in Tampa, would get an extra inning win over the Rays to send it to a one game tie breaker.

Minutes later, all of Boston would go silent.

About two minutes following the Red Sox defeat, Rays star Evan Longoria would step to the plate again in the bottom of the 12th.  Seconds later, he would be at home celebrating with his teammates.  Longoria had done it again.  He hit a line drive home run just clearing the left field wall to not only to win the AL Wild Card for the Rays, but also knocking the Red Sox out.  The series of events did not seem real.  It was a fairy tale ending to an unbelievable month of September for the Rays and an epic collapse for the Boston Red Sox.

From 7pm until midnight on this Wednesday night on the last day of the regular season in major league baseball, we saw events that we most likely will never see again in the history of the game.  It was the most exciting, thrilling, heart capturing night in the history of baseball.  The way everything had gone down was absolutely bizarre and out of the ordinary.  The style we saw the Braves and Red Sox lose and the timing of it was insane and the way we saw the Rays come back was absolutely incredible.  It was one night, as a baseball fan, I know I will never forget.  It was a very disappointing night for the millions of Braves and Red Sox fans and quite the evening for Rays fans as well as Cardinals fans.

A night like this reminds me just why I love sports and the game of baseball, especially.  Teams just never give up and never say die.  It is something about sports that is truly inspirational.  25 players working together as one to try and fight for one goal....a world championship.  The events that took place Wednesday night were a good showing of what we love to see in sports.  We love to see the fight. We love to see the desire.  We love to see the hustle.  Its the factors of the game that true fans love to see and reminds all of us just why we love the game.