clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Aftermath of July 31st, 2005

By Randy Booth
Al Bello/Getty Images

I've said what I've needed to say about yesterday's game. Now I want to share some quotes about all the great things that happened yesterday.

It's doubtful, according to the accounts from Sox officials and other major league executives, that a trade was not made simply because Ramirez decided he didn't want to leave after all. But in a bizarre scene before yesterday's game, he and teammate Kevin Millar walked into Francona's session with the media.

''I want to introduce you to Manny Ramirez," Millar said.

Ramirez waved a hand to reporters. ''I'm back," he said.

(Source: Gordon Edes, Boston Globe)

I can just see Millar and Ramirez doing this. Does he really want to stay in Boston? I think so. Will it last until the end of his contract? Maybe not. But we need him, and he needs us. And for the time being he is a Red Sox, and I don't think we'll see him sitting out anymore.

''I was confused," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who was at home plate in the middle of receiving an intentional walk when the cheering erupted. ''I looked back [toward the dugout]. I saw my man."

(Source: Edes, Globe)

Not all of us may like Manny, but can't we agree that a lot of his teammates need him on this team? Not only for what he does with the bat, but in the clubhouse. I don't remember an incident where any players had any 'run ins' or anything Ramirez until recently after he sat out. Which was reported that he wasn't aware of Trot Nixon's injury, and wasn't asked to play, just asked if he still wanted the day off. There is a difference.

If players do have a problem with Ramirez, I don't think they'll last as long as Ramirez doesn't sit out and doesn't complain about anything. If he does, I'm sure we'll hear something. But I honestly don't think we'll hear anything except love from Ramirez until the seasons over.

Of course, there was Manny. A couple nights ago, he gets the sort of reception typically reserved for announcements like: "And now, ladies and gentlemen, the latest from REO Speedwagon." But yesterday, he was a guy in a sirloin suit and we were the foaming-mouthed dogs. With "We Want Manny" echoing throughout the Park, dude comes to the plate, sends 35,000+ people into apoplectic seizures, then slaps a ball up the middle to drive in what turned out to be the winning run. Cue additional seizures. Suddenly, it's Manny Time all over again, as we all step into the Wayback Machine and just forget that the last 48 hours ever happened.

(Source: Surviving Grady)

How can you not laugh and cry at the same time when reading Red and Denton's work at SurvivingGrady.com? Not only is it funny, but they hit everything right on the nose with this paragraph. True, oh so true.

This game was our July 24.

I know because of this weak-kneed, cleansed, purged, feeling. I know because this was the first time a game this season has made me jump up and bounce off the walls of my living room and scream and applaud and cry and want to hit my TV all at the same time. I know because right now, I am completely intoxicated though I haven't had a drop to drink.

(Source: Cursed to First)

Beth from Cursed to First describes the feelings of most of the members of Red Sox Nation during yesterday's game. I talk with Beth ocassionally, and I must admit that we think a lot alike. And I also must admit I think she is probably the best Red Sox blogger out there. But, on track now, when she mentions July 24th, all these memories flash into my head. I remember where I was, I remember where I was sitting, and I remember The Brawl and Bill Mueller's walk-off home run off of Mariano Rivera. I also remember saying to my girlfriend right before that pitch that, "it's a 3-1 count and Rivera only throws fastballs. He could hit one out." And sure enough, he did.

Beth is very good at reliving those memories for me.

And Gabey's catch to save the game. And Papi unloading into the right field corner on the first pitch. And Mike Timlin mowing down Terry Tiffee to hold the line like something out of Braveheart to end the eighth inning. And Curt Schilling walking his tightrope and coming out the other side in the ninth.

(Source: Cursed to First)

Great moments from a great game. How about that Gabe Kapler catch? He was either going to be a hero, or a zero with that play. And we must thank Curt Schilling for saving the game. I personally think it was one of his best appearances of the season as our closer. His fastball was consistent, and his splitter was on target. That's what we need from him, and that's what we got.

More From Over the Monster