The (Twitter) Pulse of (Red Sox) Nation

Just like a--holes, everyone has an opinion.  Thank God for Twitter because it allows this axiom to be proven true.  Sure, facts are there as well, but they’re usually not as entertaining.  This post presents a look at what the Twitterati are saying about the collapse of the Red Sox…

"The Sports Media"

@espn - Note to the Red Sox and Braves: objects in rear view mirror are closer than they appear. http://es.pn/qCSHxD

- A look at the current AL Wild Card standings…

@jaycrawfordespn - knock knock… who’s there? the rays! and they’re kicking the redsox doors, windows, and house in! WOW!

- ESPN’s First and Ten co-host Jay Crawford stating the obvious, in typical Jay Crawford fashion…

@MandaDavis8 - My parents picked the worst time to visit Boston.I really appreciate the pix of Fenway dad but I hope u have an escape route if #redsox lose

- Kentucky Wildcat Radio producer wishing her parents well

@TheBigLead - in March, 45 folks at ESPN made MLB predictions. Guess how many of them had the Red Sox in the postseason?  http://bit.ly/nQlBec

- The Big Lead’s founder Jason Jason McIntyre reminding everyone about ESPN’s early season affection for the Red Sox…

@hangingsliders - Tomorrow is Rosh Hashana.Who remembers last time #RedSoxplayed Game 163 on a major Jewish holiday? Yom Kippur. 1978. Bucky Dent.

- I was two years old in Boston and remember this game (sorta)…

@richardjustice - Red Sox 5.276 September ERA is the worst in team history–5.27 in 1932. Red Sox opponents have scored first in 20 of 25 games this month.

- Esteemed baseball writer for The Houston Chronicle gives us reason #213 why the Red Sox have swooned…

@PeteAbe J.Henry should address the Red Sox, say Francona + Epstein will be back. Then: "I’m not sure about the rest of you" + walk out.

- Red Sox beat writer for the Boston Globe with his take on how the Sox should be motivated…

@bradfo - Why the Red Sox still could acquire pitcher for one-game playoffhttp://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2011/09/27/why-the-red-sox-still-could-acquire-pitcher-for-one-game-playoff/

- WEEI.com site editor on remaining pitching options for the Red Sox

@Ken_Rosenthal - Sources: #RedSox still discussing whether to get starting pitcher for potential tie-breaker. Among targets: Royals LHP Bruce Chen. #MLB

- Fox Sports writer with the scoop on who might be pitching the deciding game #163…

@TheKrausHouse - If Theo thinks that Bruce Chen is going to save the season, he’s the one who needs to be fired. #RedSox  

@SoxOnTheBrain - The GOOD news is that #DavidPrice won’t be available tomorrow. You already know what the BAD news is, however. #RedSox #Rays

@AndrewBank - 9.7 on the Unintentional Comedy Scale  RT @nbc_sports: Red Soxtargeting Bruce Chen to pitch in potential 163rd game to get into playoffs."

- see @Ken_Rosenthal  tweet

"Celebrity Tweeters"

@jack_welch - Two games to go and Red Sox misery will be over..Hard to even root for this team now..odd feeling to have

- Former GE CEO and Massachusettes native chimes in on the drama

@KenTremendous - If they all clear waivers, I’d propose this trade: everyone on the RedSox 40-man roster to theMarlins for Ozzie Guillen.

- Writer for "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation" with his management strategy

@darrenrovell - Great Craiglist Red Sox pitcher spoof ad  http://bit.ly/n06ImG  via@MTLJosh, @SBNation

- CNBC sports business reporter … Just click the link it is worth it

@fivethirtyeight - Red Sox pitchers have averaged just 4⅔ innings per start so far in September.

@fivethirtyeight - [new article] September Collapse of Red Sox Could Be Worst Ever http://bit.ly/pIWTFA

- FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver with his always brilliant take…

@TheSportsHernia - If I’m a Red Sox fan, I’m electrocuting my testicles right now.

- I don’t think Tim Ryan, writer for www.thebiglead.com is a Red Sox fan…

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"Yankees Fans"

Featured Red Sox Hater for the day…

Touré

@Toure In your mind New book Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? is out now. Fuse (Hiphop Shop). MSNBC. Author: Never Drank the Kool-Aid. For speaking events—apbspeakers.com — Go buy his new book "Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness" @Toure - Tonight Red Sox fans are again forced to root for the Yankees. Ah fate. You’re so deliciously cruel to them. I love you.

@Toure - I’m in Boston. I sense anxiety, stress & trepidation. Seems a city on edge: the Sox have got Boston’s heart in its throat.

@Toure - Congrats to the Red Sox! Still leading the AL Wild Card race! Albeit tied with the hotRays. #TooSoon? #ChokeOnIt

@Toure - Any Red Sox fans wanna talk about the fear, panic, desperation and/or depression they feel? You can share w me. This is a safe space. #Not

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@jbame - What a great day to not be a Red Sox fan. Oh wait, that’s every day. Intense baseball going on this afternoon. #loveit

@dauber2010 - today will be considered a success if I wake up tomorrow and the red sox aren’t in the mlb post season #gorays

@HuberJayhawk - Oh Boston, a new low. I love it. As Ozzie Guillen would say: "f*cking Bruce Chen" #royals #redsox

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"Red Sox Fans"

@salaydog - http://bit.ly/nvucyc make the world a better place, punch a yankee fan in the face #RedSox

@SurvivingGrady - My alcohol-fueled, melancholic call to arms for tonight’s  #RedSox   game:  http://tinyurl.com/5ty9e67

@chowdaheadz - RT If You Still Believe in the #RedSox ! If we get 100 RTs before the First Pitch tonight 10 people will win a Chowdaheadz T-Shirt! #Believe

@danielgarcia9 - We’re having an amazing season ending. Red Sox and Rays are tied in the AL fight for playoffs. Lester hits de win tonight #LetsGoSox

@ladyredsox - #Boston #GoSox #redsoxnation come on Red Sox! No pressure! You just need to pull out the game of the season!

@csjennings - Please, please, please let the Red Sox pull it out today, baseball gods.

@arthurcr17 - Hoy se deciden los comodines.. Go Red Sox!

- "Today wildcards are decided"

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BONUS SECTION

After last night’s heroics, Ryan Lavarnway quickly became a "Red Sox" legend by hitting two home runs and throwing out a basestealer and more importantly?  Allowing us to forget that Jarrod Saltalamacchia exists…

@jonmorosi – Why Ryan Lavarnway (not Theo Epstein) is suddenly the most important #Yale man on the #RedSox payroll. Column here:http://on-msn.com/qylMiR

@alexspeier – Acing the test: How a Yale philosophy education helped positionRyan Lavarnway to save the #redsox season http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/alex-speier/2011/09/28/acing-test-how-yale-education-prepared-lavarnw via @WEEI

@ESPNJoeyMac – Now catching Ryan Lavarnway. Pitching Ryan Lavarnway. First base …

@HeidiWatney – I told Ryan Lavarnway before the game he was MVP of the day… 2 home runs and a caught stealing. #wentoutandprovedit

@NoRLlifestyle – Thank you Ryan Lavarnway!

Buster_ESPN – For those who like baseball history: Ryan Lavarnway bidding to become the Floyd Giebell of 2011.

@dschoenfield – Since MLBdraft began in 1965, only three Yale players drafted who reached majors: Ron Darling,Craig Breslow and RYANLAVARNWAY

Til next time…

questions/comments/suggestions?  I can be reached at BNichols@thepenaltyflagblog.com or via Twitter…

You can view the post directly at http://whatsontwitter.wordpress.com/sports-on-twitter/