The Turning Point

by B Cap on Sep 21, 2007 5:03 PM EDT

The lore of 2004 states that the turning point in the ALCS came when Dave Roberts stole 2nd base. I think though, that these things have many turing points and that for me that was crystalized by a key moment in game 3. I don't remember who it was that hit it, Matsui?, but a Yankee home run went over the Monster. The crowd groaned. The rout was being finalized and the Sox post-season was done. Someone out on Yawkee way had just caught a post-season home run ball. Yeah, it sucks, but hey - worth some money on E-bay or something to show the kids, right? Wrong.

A moment later the ball flew back over the wall and landed in the outfield between Damon and Manny. I remember the look on Manny's face. I know I'm totally speculating here, but for a moment it seemed all the self-absorbed "I'm-not-taking-this-seriously-I'm-just-Manny-being-Manny" crap just drained from his face. It got serious in a way I've never seen before or since. "Holy shit" it said. "they're throwing the ball back on the field!" It was like, until that moment, he hadn't actually really considered what baseball meant in Boston -- to the people of Boston.

To me, that was the statement that changed everything about how rooting has usually worked in Boston. That we normally HOPE the Sox don't lose. This, however, said most emphatically "We expect you to win." Whenever I hear people on this blog and elsewhere complain about the Sox I always hear, in some sense, the former. I don't believe in the power of prayer to change the physical world, but I do believe in the power of positive thinking.

Whenever I hear Yankees fans I hear the latter. We should, for once, take a page from their book.

What's it gonna be people? Hunch over your beers and hope to avoid disaster? Or confidence in the face of adversity? Go Sox. I mean it.

[editor's note, by Allen Chace]This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be here, proud to be a Sox fan. Thanks B Cap.

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Re: The Turning Point

Thanks Allen...another shameless attempt to take your job ;)

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 21, 2007 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

The problem with these attempts on my job is that it's not that great. Yeah, you can inflict your vision of the day's game on an unsuspecting public, while occasionally being able to throw in a post of your own idea or on a move made by the Sox.

But when I started, I was given a job before all other jobs: to wash Randy's new truck once a week.

by Allen Chace on Sep 22, 2007 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

As long as it was Made in America, Allen, it's an honour. ...I was gonna make a "wax on, wax off" joke here too, but that would be dated and immature.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 22, 2007 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

There you go again. See, it's important to make references that are dated and immature.

by Allen Chace on Sep 22, 2007 5:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

Damn Skippy!, though I'd like a new 2004, actually named 2007 - The Year we went wire to wire, and hit a speed bump near the end!

Awesome piece, though I have no live feed for this weekends series. Doh

by dumhic on Sep 21, 2007 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

High Five

This reminds me of a drunken conversation I had with a stranger on Yawkey Way in the 7th inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, laying out the blueprint of our comeback. Never saw the guy again, as after our cigarettes we went to back to our respective seats, be we nailed the general contours of the next four games.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Sep 21, 2007 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Re: High Five

You had tickets to game 4??! You lucky sonofabitch! Looks like you're plan worked out. Way to go!

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 22, 2007 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: High Five

My buddy hooked me up with a ticket. Great seat too.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Sep 22, 2007 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

Hey, nobody is saying to stop rooting for them...but to say "confidence in the face of adversity" is reaching a bit. Nothing in this lineup gives me any confidence. No Manny, no Youk (although his second half has been awful) and the bullpen is simply imploding. But, if you have confidence...go with it. I will just keep hoping they wake up soon...before it is too late.

by cblesz @ Over the Monster on Sep 22, 2007 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

Is your post meant to be ironic?

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 22, 2007 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

And don't forget that Lugo sucks (.287 BA since the all-star break).

by RSNexile on Sep 22, 2007 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

Yes, it is meant to be ironic. And yes...Lugo does suck. How many of those hits that generated a .287 average have driven in runs or been clutch hits. My guess is not many. How did he do the other night legging out that infield hit? Give me a break...you can have Lugo. To argue that he is anything more than a $9 million mistake is ludicrous.

by cblesz @ Over the Monster on Sep 22, 2007 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Re: The Turning Point

Your guess would be irrelevant given that you've consistently demonstrated that you can't be objective when it comes to Lugo.

And make no mistake about it -- I was one of the handful of folks here who argued against signing Lugo. I was right, but he's been nowhere near the calamity you think he is.

by RSNexile on Sep 22, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ironic

Just to be clear here's what "ironic" means.
Definition: Ironic

"Irony is a form of speech in which the real meaning is concealed or contradicted by the words used. Irony involves the perception that things are not what they are said to be or what they seem. Dramatic irony lies in the audience's deeper perceptions of a coming fate, which contrast with a character's lack of knowledge about said fate. A common metaphor for using irony is to 'have your tongue in cheek'."

Given that your comment contains the exact same editorial position you always espouse, it would appear that irony is a quality lacking in your post. Although I will admit that intonation is not something easily conveyed with the written word.

Oh, and what I'm employing here is known as "sarcasm".

Definition: Sarcasm

Function: noun
Etymology: French or Late Latin; French sarcasme, from Late Latin sarcasmos, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to tear flesh, bite the lips in rage, sneer, from sark-, sarx flesh; probably akin to Avestan thwarəs- to cut
Date: 1550
1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain
2 a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Sep 22, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions