Go! Go! Red Sox!!!

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

如果一个队员，有朝一日离开了REDSOX，他再代表新东家回到FENWAY PARK比赛的话，会不会受到REDSOX FANS的欢迎？

It depends.

今天晚上，REDSOX的前役LF，TROT NIXON，代表克利夫兰INDIANS回到了红袜主场比赛。很多观众穿起了珍藏的写着NIXON的衣服，有的观众打出标语，WE NEVER FORGOT YOU, TROT! WELCOME... TROT. GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

NIXON回来，防守的位置还是LF，观众还是同一拨，但他不再代表RS。没有人记恨他，靠近他的观众全部站起来，鼓掌，直到他接到LUGO的第一个球。当他上垒打球的时候，观众又全部站起来致意，NIXON像个大男人一样，对着大家挥舞了一下帽子，然后半蹲下来等着打球，CURT SCHILLING很客气的送了他一支安打。观众一样热情的为他鼓掌。

实在太感人了。。。要我是他肯定会眼泪流得稀里哗啦。。。

我一直很喜欢TROT NIXON，可去年他因为受伤，错过了很多场比赛，后来RS不留他，很可惜。我以外RS至少会再签他三年呢。

很多人走了，又回来，有的被人欢迎，但有的人却不会。这些离开的人里面，我最怀念的是PEDRO, MILLAR，ORLANDO CABRERA。

没时间说了，看这个连接吧。

The Departed: Nixon returns to Fenway

趴趴棒！

中午经过FENWAY PARK，一路都在塞车，想起来昨天晚上和虎的比赛因为下雨延后，没有想到就是延到今天下午。我赶快打开收音机，2下，1比0领先，这个令人担心的TAVAREZ今天表现非常不错。

从Dr. Vincent那里出来的时候已经2比1了。又经过FENWAY PARK，门口的票贩子已经都不见了，所以也只好打消了冲进去看的念头。听着收音机里面的解说，PAPELBON上来了，哗啦哗啦，K掉两个，投八球全是strike，啧啧，观众的声音简直都大过解说。最后GROUND OUT解决掉虎的SHORTSTOP。共用球13，11个strike。真牛真牛真牛！要是没什么意外，我家就会又多一个J，跟随趴趴棒，起名JONATHAN。可惜这个ID在泡网已经被一个摄影师占去了。

Top 10 Sox surprises

We all knew the Red Sox were going to be good, but did you think they were going to be this good?

BOSTON.COM的调查，很有意思。

但对我来说，今年最SURPRISE的，以上这些都不是。最意外的是在前天晚上的比赛中，前面看到第九局上半，鸟队还5比0领先红袜，可比赛结果却是红袜6比5获胜。

棒球比赛和JOEY爸爸上法庭APPEAL有一比，三个字：“Impossible is possible.”

Complete Game

多少日子没听说哪个RS投手投一场complete game了。昨天，红袜对虎，AL目前最强的两队交锋，Dice-K打头阵。看到第四inning的时候，Dice-K用了60球，一算，七局差不多该下了，无惊无险的比赛，看起来没劲头，就转到了中央四台，朱军采访潘长江。够恶心，转TNT。

可早上起来看，Dice-K居然投了九局，失一分六安打，他MLB生涯的第一场完投胜。照片都是大家在和他交换鞠躬。牛人，少见。上次看REDSOX完投胜是Wakefield，和YANKEES，两年前了，SO13个。看他们霹雳啪啦就被脆掉，怎一个爽字了得。

奇摩新闻厚脸皮，拿王建民和Dice-K相比，能比吗？呸！

2008，中国开打

昨天看到一个消息，说是MLB预备明年三月常规赛季开始前，在中国举行表演赛，对战双方有可能是RED SOX和YANKEES，同时还要在日本开始常规赛的首轮比赛。

不知道届时会有多少中国观众前去看比赛，不知道比赛会不会在北京，不知道北京有没有合适的场地，不知道票会卖多少出去，不知道价格会不会高的离谱，在这里看场常规赛，好的座位五百元一张黄牛票估计能买到。季后赛可能就要加倍了。

如果票能便宜些，坐飞机回去连看几场！向往中。。。

消息来源

不过，SOSH上面的家伙，都不赞成，还捎带着把中国说的那么可怕。

两个周末

46寸的SONY LCDTV买了好几个月，除了看local的HD台和DISH的中文长城套装，偶尔还有些阿拉伯学者的片子和儿子的冰河世纪天线宝宝，没看过别的。NBA playoff开始的时候，RS就每天念叨订COMCAST的HD PACKAGE，结果拖到上上个周五才打电话，告诉我的时候已经是周五下午四点了，COMCAST说下周一会来装。我一看RED SOX那个周末的播出计划，立刻说不行不行，能不能早点，好不容易改到了周日下午装，不过，聊胜于无。后来，这两个周末，没做别的，就看了五场球。每周末三场，红袜对洋基。

第一场，上上周五，对YANKEES系列的第一场。ESPN转播，看不到，只好在网上看GAMEDAY。刚在楼下痛斥了张耀宗一顿，一气之下跑上楼。不得了，今年四月的大热AROD又打了一支HOMERUN，COCO CRISP飞身掉到BULLPEN里面都没有接到。不过，上帝在为COCO关上一扇门的同时，又给他打开了另外一扇。第八INNING下半，号称打遍天下无敌手英雄遇到嗷嗷叫真拿他没辙貌似非常强大江湖第一牛人但只会一招CUTTER的YANKEE金牌CLOSER，MARIANO REVERA上来了。但一上来就被COCO啪啪啪打了一个TRIPLE，趁着YANKEES集体晕菜的时候，不仅追平比分而且超出，更为MARIANO的ERA上涨到30多奠定了坚实基础。结果第九上半日本左投OKAJIMA削掉三名打者顺利过关。

看看，这是我们英明神武的COCO。
这场穿了红配绿，俗艳。

第二场，星期六，FOX转播。HD的电视真是太清楚了。。连BIG PAPI的胡子都能数得清清楚楚，当然他那两个HOMER更让FENWAY PARK都沸腾起来。JOSH BECKETT虽然总是让人提心吊胆，但还算说得过去。最值得一提的是红袜的PAPELBON，这个家伙表现太出众了，稳稳当当。虽然每次投球都摆一个特凌厉的眼神POSE，但还是满脸可爱的孩子气。MLB上面的一段话，抄下来：“Papelbon got Damon on a grounder to short and, after a walk to Melky Cabrera, blew away Jeter on a high-octane fastball. Though the A-Rod-Papelbon clash would have been a spectator's delight, it was avoided when Abreu flew to center to end the game.”

对，第二场就是这样结束滴。。。

第三场，COMCAST的人下午来装好了BOX，我们在院子里种上了四株玫瑰树苗和两盆草莓苗及一盆香菜，希腊邻居还穿上他们的民族盛装参加了希腊独立日游行。天气炎热达20多度，只为了准备晚上的火热比赛。

第三场比赛有两个亮点。一是松板大辅第一次亮相与洋基的对战，一是同样作为ROOKIE的洋基投手Wright却被红袜连打四个HOMERUN。

大辅被美国解说叫成DICE-K，所以观众席上打出的标语也有很多骰子图案，还有很多写着中文的“三振”，还看到一个写着三振的日文发音，San Shin。美国人大概没什么人因为二战对日本人抱有仇恨，连DC都能种满樱花，来个日本投手更能够张开怀抱热情迎接。红袜和洋基的比赛历来都是体育记者追踪的焦点，记者席上的长枪排成一个巨大的方阵，里面还混了好多日本记者。DICE-K的表现也确实不错。虽然投了七局送出六分，但能看出对球的控制相当稳健，心理素质也超强。投到110+球的时候，还能交出完美的slider。七个三振，其中还包括了无敌大帅哥AROD（两次？）。邻居JOHN说他和当年的PEDRO很像。

然后就是那个平了大联盟记录的back to back to back to back homer. MANNY先打了第一个，然后JD DREW又打了一个，我说，LOWELL老头也是能打HOMERUN的家伙，话音未落，PIA～～～ 又是一个，我从沙发上坐起来大笑着说，VERITEK再打一个就好玩了，再一回头，VERITEK又打了一个吗？好象是刚才的重播嘛，但打球的那个家伙明明是VERITEK。。。

方圆十里都能听到欢呼的声音。THEO在演播室里面插着双手，只能看到口型，那分明是在说，欧买噶的。。。这在REDSOX历史上是第一次，但在MLB历史上，可能一共有四次。上一次是去年九月的DODGES，JD DREW也有参与其中。

BILL SIMMONS说，CHASE WRIGHT 被送去做永久性的心理治疗了。

然后就是这个周末。BOSTON GLOBE非常自大的说，这个周末REDSOX就会把和洋基的距离拉大到8.5场。那时是5.5场，洋基排名AL东区最末。后来还是没有。

第四场，周五晚上。还是DICE-K，但这回是洋基主场。一共丢了四分，第四局0 out的时候，DICE-K连着WALK了三个人，失分就不可避免了。两队上了好几个日本人，DICE-K，OKAJIMA，MATSUI，IGAWA忘记上了没有。裁判的好球带偏低，YANKEES球员都很气愤。

结果是11比4大胜。

这就是DICE-K。

第五场，输掉了。可怜的WAKEFIELD，虽然只丢三分，但RS运气差加攻击力全失，最后只得一分，无力回天。ORTIZ被DOULE PLAY好几次，气的快疯了。FOX和ESPN的转播，就都是AROD的镜头，他搞点什么都转播，多得连我那么喜欢AROD都看不下去了，这也太夸张了。

YANKEES FAN打出的标语，哈哈哈。

年薪30million，会开飞机的帅哥，AROD。

蝴蝶球大师 WAKEFIELD。

IGAWA投的很不错。

晚上张耀宗他们来看姚明。姚明现在怎么面目都变了，很狰狞的样子。RS说他是不怎么着好象就不剃胡子。可这也太难看了。

第六场，台湾姚明-王建民先发。我好矛盾呐，又希望小民投的好，又不希望红袜输。不过，今天小民投的不好。后来的比赛看的我昏昏欲睡，只在PAPELBON上来的时候才又醒过来。

帅帅的小民。

我：姚明和王建民哪个在美国棒球和篮球上地位更重要？
RS：当然是姚明。
我：那姚明排第几？
RS：现阶段可以说排前十吧。
我：啊？这么靠后（当然，王建民是绝对肯定完全排不到前十的，前二十都没戏）？
RS：那姚蜜们肯定不这么认为。
我：那姚蜜认为姚明排第几？
RS：第一。
我：那他们认为奥尼尔排第几？
RS：不知道。
我：那Nowitzki排第几？
RS：那能比吗？！
我：为什么不能比？
RS：Nowitzki是大前锋！
我：哦。

Not easy to take

输掉这个系列并不意外，但是被 SWEEP ，这个事实让人难以接受。

更难以接受的是，将近20万人次，平均100多元的票价，从中午到深夜，从深夜到凌晨，无怨无悔的支持着你们。得到这个结果，对他们来说，实在太过残忍。

如果倔倔到了纽约，变成了这副嘴脸，我一定不会原谅他的。

伟大的Ortiz

星期一演出完美再见本垒打。

他不是一个人！！！

洛丽塔

昨天晚上，第九局下半，Red Sox VS Indians， Red Sox 主场， 4 比 5 落后。due up 分别是 Pena, Crisp, Mirabelli. pena, crisp 很快就出局了，mirabella 这个替补投手，上来啪啪啪啪啪，3坏2好，full count，只要再 swing and a miss, 只要再 ground out, line out, fly out，任何一种 out ，全场比赛都会立刻结束。 领先了半个赛季的 Red Sox 将首度落后 Yankees 。我很紧张，嘴上说没戏了，心里说肯定没戏了，起身到厨房去了。

但是，奇迹出现了。

Mirabelli hit by pitcher! 被保送上一垒。其实这也没有什么，再上来的人还是一样会出局，那么比赛也会立刻结束了。

Alex Gonzales 上来了。 hit by pitcher again! Gonzales 很不高兴，WINDOWS NXP！又砸老子。。。。。他又被保送上垒。现在一二垒有人。

Kevin Youklis 上来了。 1-0， 1-1， 2-1， 3-1，对方的CLoser不断的投出坏球。啪，又一个坏球，差点砸中 Youklis 的光脑袋。四坏球，Youklis 又被保送上垒。

由垒上无人两出局到三保送搞成满垒。。。这个 CLoser 的热汗，在 100 度的高温下，变成了冷汗。

这个时候，红袜伟大的二垒手 MARK LORETTA 出现了。对方 Closer 先投了一个坏球，好的，没打！没打！！坏球！！坏球！！洛丽塔立功啦！洛丽塔立功啦！不要给印第安人任何的机会！

伟大的红袜的二垒手，他继承了红袜的光荣的传统，瑞米瑞斯欧提兹米拉贝利冈萨雷斯这一刻灵魂附体！洛丽塔一个人，他代表了棒球大联盟悠久的历史和传统！在这一刻！他不是一个人在战斗！他不是一个人！！

洛丽塔！洛丽塔面对着下一个球……他面对着全世界红袜迷的目光，和期待。印第安人在世界大赛的当中接到过无数好球，洛丽塔肯定深知这一点，他还能够微笑着面对他面前的这个人吗……一秒钟以后，他会是怎样的表情？

哗！安打！安打！！再见安打！！！比赛结束啦！！！红袜获得了胜利！淘汰了印第安人！

他们没有再一次倒在印第安人的球队面前！伟大的红袜！伟大的红袜二垒手！！AROD 上个星期三生日快乐——！！毛主席万岁！！万岁们的平均年龄39岁！！！

伟大的红袜，波士顿人的期望，这个安打是一个绝对理论上的决杀。绝对的拦不住，红袜人战胜了印第安人！

这个胜利属于红袜，属于欧提兹，属于其它的袜子们，属于Yaz，属于Big Dig，属于Williams Tunnel，属于KK HORN，属于所有穿袜子的人！

印第安人也许会后悔的，他们在九下两出局的情况下打得太慌张了，太臭臭了！他们失去了自己在面对臭脚时的那种勇气，面对红袜破烂的球场，他失去了猛扑猛打的作风，他终于自食其果。印第安人该回家了，也许他们不用回遥远的1492年，他们不用回家，因为他们大多数人都被赶到克利夫兰生活。再见！

PEDRO IS BACK!

好文章啊！

Pedro stands in way of 11th straight
New York Mets (47-29) at Boston (46-28), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Howard Kussoy / MLB.com

As two first-place teams loaded with superstars battle in front of a sold-out crowd at Fenway Park on Wednesday night, all of the attention will be centered on one familiar face.

Pedro Martinez, who won two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star Game MVP at Fenway during his seven years with the Red Sox, will take the mound for the first time in Boston since his departure after the 2004 championship season.

"It's great. I feel like I'm in very familiar territory," Martinez said. "I just have good memories of all [of] this. I still feel like I belong around the people. It's hard for me to face them.

"To me, they were my family when I was on the baseball field and when I was in the clubhouse. It's always hard to actually [see] a negative happen to a family member and to me those guys were family. No matter where it is, I'm the No. 1 fan for the Red Sox. Unless I'm competing out there, I want to see them have success."

Martinez returned to the Boston clubhouse before Tuesday's game, juxtaposed between the camaraderie of former teammates and the distance that comes from wearing a different color uniform.

"I wanted to like sprint in, but then I took time out to have respect for the other team. I went to the door and just screamed some guys names," Martinez said.

"It's fun to play with him. That's my little man right there," designated hitter David Ortiz said, pointing to a picture hanging on his locker of the two friends in Red Sox uniforms.

Martinez's friend Manny Ramirez showed how much their dialogue could change in two years.

"Pedro, get out of here. You're the enemy now," Ramirez said jokingly to his former compatriot.

Squaring off against Martinez will be Josh Beckett, the 26-year-old right-hander who was brought in this season to fill a void in the pitching rotation that Martinez created when he left.

Beckett has won two straight starts, including one of his best outings of the season against Philadelphia on Friday, allowing two runs and three hits over eight innings while striking out eight and carrying a perfect game through 5 1/3 innings. He is 4-0 at home this year with a 2.58 ERA.

interleague 2006
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"It's going to be great. That's the kind of stuff that you want. You want to be that guy. I have no doubt that our offense will be fine," Beckett said.

Both pitchers were traded to Boston at the age of 25, having had incredible success for their age, Martinez as a Cy Young winner with Montreal and Beckett as a World Series MVP with Florida. While Beckett's future with the Red Sox is a blank canvas, Martinez's tenure in Boston brought color to the downtrodden team, helping create a Red Sox renaissance.

"The way baseball used to be in Boston was clap when you did good and boos when you didn't," Martinez said. "In the seven years I was here, I got to see how Boston took a different spin at the stadium. That's something I miss. That type of atmosphere, [with fans being] so close to the players and at the same time so much fun.

"The music, the people, the hype, the intensity of it and the way we played the game. I think that will be my biggest legacy because at the time I came here, Boston was a sad town about baseball. Even though [the fans] were here, they were very pessimistic."

Before Tuesday's game, Martinez was unsure how the Fenway faithful were going to respond to their former hero returning in enemy cloth.

"They are true fans. I saw 86 years of agony from the fans here and they were here every day and that's why they have so much of my respect and so much of my care," Martinez said. "I believe that they are the most faithful fans. Whatever they do, I believe they're going to do it from their heart. If they clap for me, I'll be really happy, but if they don't, I'll just have to say that they're doing it to back up their team, which is the Red Sox."

Early in Tuesday's game, in between innings, Martinez saw that the fans would respond differently than they had with former teammate and Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, who, according to Martinez, "went to the wrong uniform."

Martinez was greeted with a chorus of cheers that could be heard in New York after a video tribute was run on the Jumbotron in center field, welcoming Martinez back. He stepped out of the dugout and acknowledged the crowd with a visual thank you card that included waving his cap and pantomiming hugging the fans.

"I thought it was nice what happened [Tuesday]. [I] thought the organization did a nice thing and the fans reacted very classy, but once the game starts [on Wednesday] it's time to try to win," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Martinez left the Red Sox in free agency after they were unwilling to match the four year, $53 million contract that was offered by the Mets following the 2004 season.

"My life had to go on and the Red Sox had to go on," Martinez said. "That was a big decision. And even though my feelings were here, and this is not the only time I wanted to express it, I said it before we won the championship, that my heart was here in Boston and I wanted to stay in Boston. They waited and they waited and then at the last moment they thought I was going to be there, and that was a big mistake, because at the time I had to think about my family and my interests and I had to think about my career. I think Boston should've done anything to keep me and not let me go."

Martinez's bittersweet return will only be made more difficult due to the fact that he will be pitching against a Red Sox team that has won 10 games in a row and has scored 68 runs in their last eight games.

Martinez has started 94 games at Fenway Park in his career, going 58-18 with a 2.67 ERA, 11 complete games and 800 strikeouts.

His favorite moment as a resident of Fenway was a result of the 2004 championship, a team for which he is inextricably linked.

"Coming back with the trophy and sticking my head out of the window of my truck, leaving the parking lot at about 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning. Coming back from St. Louis with the trophy, that's my biggest memory," Martinez said. "It's always special. You don't get this opportunity every day. I got the opportunity to be out there [and] be part of this team [and] be part of this town [and] be part of the championship ... which was really my goal."

This is the sixth series between the teams since Interleague Play began in 1997 and their first meeting since 2001. The Red Sox are 11-12 all-time against the Mets, including postseason.

Winners of 10 straight, the Red Sox are 12-1 against the National League this year while the Mets are 5-5 in Interleague Play.

Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP Josh Beckett (9-3, 4.84 ERA)
In his last start, Beckett set season high marks in strikeouts (eight) and innings pitched (eight) and carried a perfect game through 5 1/3 innings. His command and fastball were sharp and his breaking ball was moving more than it has all season.

NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez (7-3, 3.01 ERA)
Martinez heads to his old stomping grounds at Fenway Park, set to face the Red Sox coming off a win against the Reds. In that game, he allowed two runs on two hits and eight strikeouts over six innings.

Player to watch
Coco Crisp is batting .371 (13-for-35) since June 18. Crisp looks to have finally regained his stroke since returning from injury and will be a welcome addition to Boston's already potent offense.

米腊也走了

好大的冠军戒指啊。
其实冠军戒指也没啥，巴特尔不是还有呢吗？

可惜人奏这样哗哗的走了。

那相声怎么说来着？

该走的没走。。。
不该走的走了。。。

咳，我又不是说他们。。。

其实谁我都不愿意让走。可他们，，，又不听我的。。。

这个葛格要走了

Epstein discusses leaving Red Sox
Former GM said many factors led to decision to move on
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- Two days after relinquishing his post as general manager of the Red Sox, a composed Theo Epstein sat before a packed news conference at Fenway Park and did his best to explain a decision that stunned the baseball-crazed region of New England.

The short version was that Epstein, who is legendary for his intense work habits, could no longer give the Red Sox everything he had.

"You have to devote yourself to it completely," said Epstein. "You have to believe in every aspect of it. And in the end, after a long period of reflection about myself and the organization, I decided I could no longer put my whole heart and soul into it."

Naturally, everyone wanted to know why that was the case. Epstein could only speak in broad terms.

Because he is a man of integrity -- something clear throughout his three years heading the front office of the team he feverishly rooted for during his youth -- Epstein didn't get overly specific. In other words, he didn't wish to point fingers at anyone or anything.

After thorough negotiations the last couple of weeks with club president/CEO Larry Lucchino and principal owner John W. Henry, Epstein came to the conclusion that a job he once seemed destined for -- never more so than when he was drenched in champagne the night of Oct. 27, 2004 -- was no longer a fit.

He told his bosses he would make a decision by 1 p.m. on Monday (11 hours before his contract expired), and he did just that, only it wasn't the one they were hoping for.

"I think a lot of things happened during the end of this negotiation that caused me to think more closely about the situation, think about myself, think about the organization and whether it was the right fit," said Epstein. "Again, in the end, I decided that the right thing to do was to move on."

Part of moving on was to have closure with the media, some of which had been staking him out with such vigor that Epstein actually needed to put on a Halloween costume to leave his Fenway Park office Monday night.

"I understand there's been some interest in talking to me over the last couple of days, as evidenced by the cameras outside my house and the fact that I left in a gorilla suit the other day," said Epstein. "That thing's getting itchy, so I thought I would just come here and try to answer your questions today."

He tried, as best he could, but some will always remain. What is clear is that Epstein is firm in his decision to move on with his professional life, unsure of what the next step will be.

Yes, Epstein wants to stay in baseball. Will he be a general manager in 2006?

Maybe, maybe not. He said that his only priority this week is to help the baseball operations department of the Red Sox prepare for next week's general managers meetings. Once he leaves Yawkey Way for good -- probably by this weekend -- Epstein will then start the process of figuring out what he wants to do next.

Henry seemed visibly crushed by Epstein's decision to leave.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would ever happen," said Henry. "I had this romantic notion that Theo was going to be our general manager for the rest of my life. This is a great, great loss."

Though Henry spoke with Epstein every step of the way during this process, even he admitted that he didn't completely understand his former general manager's decision to leave. And yes, he tried to talk him out of it. Probably too many times to count.

There continues to be rampant speculation about why Epstein left.

Had Epstein suffered a downturn in his relationship with mentor Lucchino so severe that he could no longer work for him? Epstein said that it was wholly unfair to pin his desire to leave on one person.

"My relationship with Larry is one that spanned about 14 years; we've had a very successful working relationship," said Epstein. "I think Larry and I like each other. As with any long-term relationship, there are complexities, there are ups and down, there are occasionally times where you have philosophical differences. In the end, I want what's best for Larry. I wish him well in the future. And when I look back, he's done a lot for me. I owe him quite a bit. And I take that to the heart. In the end, 30 years from now when I look back on my relationship with Larry Lucchino, I'm going to see it as a positive influence in my life.

"Look, focusing too much on any one person or any one factor is not appropriate here. This decision was not something I took lightly. And it was based on a variety of factors. Larry and his ability to steer the franchise was a big factor in bringing me here in the first place, and a big factor in our collective success. It's inappropriate to focus on any one person."

Was the suffocating environment of being a celebrity in Boston no longer manageable? Epstein admitted it was a challenge at times, but said it was not a factor in his decision to leave.

Because Epstein has been so noted for working around the clock, it was fair to wonder whether he simply reached a point of burnout. That, he stated emphatically, was not the case.

"No, I am not burned out," said Epstein. "I have tremendous passion for the game. I have tremendous dedication to the game. I believe that I will find myself in a position of leadership with an organization again in the future, but I have no immediate plans. My goal for the rest of this week is to help the organization with the transition and to help the baseball operations staff that I care so much about get ready for the general managers meetings."

Many players, including captain Jason Varitek, ace Curt Schilling, slugger David Ortiz and free agent center fielder Johnny Damon, have spoken of their affection for Epstein in recent days, and thus, were left disappointed by his exit.

How did that make Epstein feel?

"I guess it makes me feel good to hear that I'm respected and liked by the people I worked with, and I feel the same way about them," Epstein said. "It's bittersweet because it makes you feel ... it reminds you how difficult it is to leave. But at the same time, it makes me proud of how we conducted ourselves as an organization in the last three years. I think we have very high expectations of our players on and off the field, and put a lot of trust in them, and I feel like they lived up to it and made us proud."

Henry said that as of Wednesday afternoon, the team had not officially commenced a search for a new general manager. He also said the team was not yet ready to announce if there would be an interim general manager until the position is filled.

When Epstein was hired on Nov. 25, 2002, he spoke of both short- and long-term goals. With three postseason appearances -- including a World Series championship -- in three years, he obviously couldn't have done much better in the short term. His long-term goal was to revamp the farm system, turning it into a machine the Red Sox could tap into every year while making annual runs at the postseason. That goal is certainly off to a good start, though Epstein won't be around to see the finished product.

"I took very seriously the responsibilities of turning the Red Sox into a championship organization and playing a role in that process," said Epstein. "We did accomplish that. There's a lot more work to be done here. It's sad for me to leave more work to be done. I feel like we're in a very good position for the future with the farm system that these guys have built. I'll watch with admiration, respect and good wishes from afar as they go forward."

Could Epstein, who turns 32 on Dec. 29, ever see himself going full circle and returning to his hometown team?

"Again, the decision right now is that it's the right thing to leave the organization," said Epstein. "It's obviously not a decision that I take lightly. Hopefully my life will be long and take many turns, and I wouldn't rule anything out. But for right now, the difficult decision is to walk away."

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

打烊了

拉灯。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

黑洞洞的，啥也看不见鸟。。。。。。。。。。

Thank you, Red Sox 2005

一个难缠的赛季，伴随着秋天的第一场雨水，又一次结束了。

Manny，Bill Mueller, Millar, and Damon，希望明年还能再见到你们穿着红袜子的衣服出现在 FENWAY PARK，GRAFFNINO，也留下来吧，你这一年才三个 ERROR，不必再自责了，人都会犯错，你看 RENTIRIA 一年三十个 ERRORs 还不是活的好好的。PAPELBON，你这个甜甜的娃娃脸，赶快在明年到来之前长大吧。

感谢 RED SOX ，感谢你们给我的这一年带来的欢乐。

明年再见！

看看这段还是很感人的

Graffanino said afterward that he was attempting to turn a double play on the speedy Uribe. After his error, the second baseman had a brief chat with Wells near the mound asking his good friend and longtime teammate to "pick him up." Wells didn't there. He did after the game.

"I've known Tony for a long time. Those things are gonna happen in the game," Wells said. "I'm sure he feels bad. I feel bad because I didn't pick him up, you don't point the finger at anybody. If you point anything, point it at me because I'm the one who gave up the home run."

看过了就原谅他们了。也没有什么嘛，就是一场球呗，输了就输了。今年输了就输了，还有明年呢。大不了就 86 年呗。呵呵。

这样一想，心里就觉得好多了。

Boomer takes blame for loss
Graffanino's fifth-inning error opened door for Chicago rally
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- The only finger pointing following the Red Sox's 5-4 loss to the White Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series was coming from a pair of White Sox-turned-Red Sox pointing at themselves.

A crucial error by second baseman Tony Graffanino followed by a three-run home run allowed by David Wells in the pivotal fifth inning changed the complexion of the game and helped send the defending World Series champions back to Boston trailing, 2-0, and on the verge of elimination.

After the game, neither Wells nor Graffanino made excuses. They don't have time. One more loss and the series is over.

"You hang a curveball and before you know it, you're down one run," Wells said. "It's just a tough situation. You don't go out there and try to make errors, you just go out and try to make plays. I had my opportunity. I blame myself more so because I hung the curveball."

Wells cruised through the first four innings, pitching a shutout and keeping the White Sox off balance with his usual stuff. He was the veteran southpaw who came into the game with a 10-3 record in 25 postseason appearances. He was on a roll.

Things changed in the fifth with the Red Sox up, 4-0.

White Sox designated hitter Carl Everett singled through the hole at second base to lead off the inning and scored from first base on a double by Aaron Rowand for Chicago's first run. A.J. Pierzynski grounded out to Graffanino, moving Rowand to third. Joe Crede followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Rowand and cut Boston's lead in half at 4-2.

Then it happened.

The next batter, Juan Uribe, hit what appeared to be a routine groundball to Graffanino's right -- it turned out to be anything but. The ball rolled through the second baseman's legs allowing Crede to motor to third and Uribe to reach first base safely. One out later, Tadahito Iguchi connected on a breaking ball for a three-run homer to push the White Sox ahead, 5-4.

Jermaine Dye struck out looking to end the inning, but the damage had been done.

Graffanino said afterward that he was attempting to turn a double play on the speedy Uribe. After his error, the second baseman had a brief chat with Wells near the mound asking his good friend and longtime teammate to "pick him up." Wells didn't there. He did after the game.

"I've known Tony for a long time. Those things are gonna happen in the game," Wells said. "I'm sure he feels bad. I feel bad because I didn't pick him up, you don't point the finger at anybody. If you point anything, point it at me because I'm the one who gave up the home run."

Following the eventful fifth, the Red Sox would not score again. They would only pick up three more hits in the innings that remained.

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"I think [Graffanino] understood the importance of who is running and being quick," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "I thought he tried to be a little bit too quick. He was trying to make a reasonable chance. I think we had a shot at it. It would have been close."

Graffanino blamed himself for the loss.

"I didn't get a good read on it off the bat. I came in hard and I rushed it, and it obviously got by me," he said. "Obviously, that's a huge play right there and it cost us the ballgame. When we got the second out I thought we were going to get out of that inning. Then he hits the home run and I'm feeling like the game swung in their direction, and it's completely my fault."

In the ninth inning, Graffanino had a chance at redemption. He hit a double with one out, but he never advanced past second base. Johnny Damon fouled out to the catcher and then Edgar Renteria grounded out to Uribe to end the game.

"Tony is an instrumental part of this team," Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek said. "Unfortunately, Iguchi guessed right and hit the ball well. We still had a lot of game left and a lot of chances to come back."

如此复杂的外卡形势

当然，已经没有红袜三败和印地安三胜的形式了。

目前領先群(洋基,紅襪,印地安人)距離例行賽結束只賸三場,看起來洋基隊比起其他兩隊進入季後賽的機率較高,這接來下的三場比賽,總共有多個排列組合,但是總脫不了下列的可能:
1.洋基贏得美聯東區, 紅襪贏得外卡
2.洋基贏得美聯東區, 印地安人贏得外卡
3.洋基贏得美聯東區, 紅襪和印地安人勝率相當,加賽一場, 勝的隊伍贏得外卡
4.紅襪贏得美聯東區, 洋基贏得外卡
5.紅襪贏得美聯東區, 印地安人贏得外卡
6.紅襪贏得美聯東區, 洋基和印地安人勝率相當,加賽一場, 勝的隊伍贏得外卡
7.洋基和紅襪勝率相當,加賽一場,勝的贏得美聯東區, 印地安贏得外卡
8.洋基/紅襪/印地安人勝率都相當, 洋基和紅襪加賽一場, 勝的隊伍贏得美聯東區, 敗的再和印地安人加賽一場,勝的贏得外卡

以上1~6種情形都很有可能發生, 第7種情況則需要印地安人對白襪三場全勝, 而紅襪對洋基2勝1敗, 機會似乎不高, 而其中最悲烈的要算第8種情況了,紅襪2勝一敗,印地安人也2勝一敗,三隊又糾結在一起,得加打二場"play in"才能決生死...

王建民对红袜

王建民现在简直成了台湾的民族英雄，呼呼，总统都要亲授勋章咧。

居然有人在BBS上提出今晚王建民完封红袜，太好笑了。。。

GIAMBI 这个注水猪，如今变成YANKEES的看家菜了。鄙视啊！

JOEY 5个月

RED SOX 这回输回姥姥家去了。。。

JOEY 的 红袜子衣服也很快就穿不下了。

BELLHORN去了NYY

这个结局真让人想象不到。

以前也有些人直接间接的从RED SOX去了YANKEES，Roger Clements表现越来越好, Alan Embree还不知道。当然，最早的一个是 BABY RUTH，那就不用说了。去年还有些离开的，今年表现也都不错，PEDRO, DEREK LOWE，这些人本来在RED SOX举足轻重，但也都被 认为表现不够好，薪水要的高而放弃。而在队里被视为珍宝的一些人表现却不尽人意，看看 KEITH FOULKE 今年吧，Schilling，难道真的都吃药了？

让EMBREE穿着洋基的球衣打红袜我还好接受，但让BELLHORN穿洋基打红袜我却觉得滋味难以形容。可惜BELLHORN过去在redsox.com 的ROSTER上的照片我没有存下来。那时候和mets说，Bellhorn 是波士顿的在地人，因为他的出生地就是Boston，还上了Auburn U，看到了他的生日，就是被宣布DFA后的几天，这个生日一定过得很糟糕。结果，就这样一个人，刮了胡子，去了洋基。

去年季后赛开始的时候 BELLHORN 打的那么差，教练都顶住压力让他一直先发，今年难道连 40 人的名单都装不下了吗？曾几何时，看BELLHORN打球成了我和吴凡的一大快乐，无论他被三振多少次，我们还是乐呵呵的看着。可今后要看他，只有等洋基做客了。

现在连 THEO EPSTEIN 都威胁要去洋基了。这个事情实在很残酷，阳关三叠贴的文章很感人，选最后一段贴上。

I hope Mark Bellhorn will shrug off this abuse and one day return to Fenway as a graying geezer for an Oldtimers' Game. And when he shuffles to the plate I hope he's given the standing ovation he so permanently deserves. Even though he probably will strike out.

Red Sox fans should remember Bellhorn's past
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Kevin Hench / FOXSports.com
Posted: 36 days ago

They say people who win the lottery usually end up more unhappy than they were before they scored the big dough.

Really? You were happier living in the double-wide without HBO?
I never believed it.

Until now.

Now that I've seen the behavior of my Red Sox Nation this summer, I understand how expecting too much from life makes some people miserable.

Apparently, winning the World Series — like winning the lottery — makes you expect too much from life. This explains how Yankee fans came to boo Derek Jeter during his April slump last year. And you would think if there's one thing a Red Sox fan would never want to emulate, it's a jaded Yankee fan.

Despite being given the greatest gift in the history of sports — a world championship achieved by leaping off the throats of the Yankees — instead of viewing 2005 as a joyous low-stakes victory lap, some Red Sox fans seem to be viewing it as the first faulty step in another agonizing drought. It took the team 86 years to win a World Series. But it only took Sox fans a couple of months to turn on one of the heroes of that team.

The target of their derision has been a soft-spoken second baseman that has been thumped mercilessly with the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately cudgel.

Look, I know that before going on the disabled list Mark Bellhorn had reached a point of futility where he no longer had any business starting for a contender. I get it. It's fine to acknowledge that fact to your friends, to the talk radio host, even to Red Sox GM Theo Epstein if you see him in a restaurant. You can even shout obscenities at the TV screen every time Bellhorn takes strike three with a runner on third and less than two out. Fine.

Here's what is not acceptable: booing Mark Bellhorn at the ballpark.

Are you kidding me? Your neighbor pulls your kid from out in front of a car and the next spring you're screaming at him for not trimming his hedges?

Hey, I was one of those guys calling for Terry Francona to bench Bellhorn in the ALCS and I don't need to ever see him flail at another pitch for the Red Sox, but the guy will never have to buy a drink in any bar I'm in as long as he lives. Why? Because without him we never would have won the World Series. And that trumps everything. (Even 109 strikeouts in 283 at bats.)

Even as the Red Sox came off the mat to win Games 4 and 5 against the Yankees, I was still bellowing for Terry Francona to bench Mark Bellhorn in favor of Pokey Reese prior to Game 6 in Yankee Stadium. I figured if Bellhorn can't get the ball out of the infield, shouldn't we at least upgrade defensively with Pokey?

In the first eight games of the 2004 playoffs, Bellhorn was 4-for-31 (.129) with a .194 slugging percentage and 14 strikeouts, including four in the 19-8 Game 3 massacre at Fenway. He was lost, bewildered, in a deeper funk than George Clinton doing an encore of Atomic Dog.

But Francona — true to his dance-with-who-brung-ya loyalty — stuck with the Whiffer. And, well, the rest is history.

Batting left-handed, the switch-hitting Bellhorn hit a three-run home run to left off Jon Lieber in Boston's 4-2 win in Game 6. Watching replays of the home run — which we saw a slew of after umpire Jim Joyce originally blew the call — it just seemed nuts that Bellhorn could hit a ball that far on a cold October night to the opposite field. (Maybe that's just what Joyce was thinking when he initially ruled the ball hadn't cleared the wall.)

While Games 4 and 5 went straight into the history books as perhaps the two greatest playoff games of all time, Game 6 is the sleeper, the game best remembered for Alex Rodriguez's girly karate chop. Unlike David Ortiz's heroics in Games 4 and 5, without which the score would have remained tied, Bellhorn's blast in Game 6 was the difference between winning and losing. Something the boo-prone Sox fan might want to consider.

Bellhorn's home run in Game 7 was only critical to pathologically nervous Red Sox fans. After Pedro Martinez got roughed up for two runs in the seventh to make the score 9-3, Bellhorn's solo shot off the right-field fair pole quieted the Stadium and capped the Greatest Comeback of All Time.

The 2004 World Series will be remembered as one of the most one-sided of all time, a sweep in which the victor never trailed. But when Bellhorn came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth in Game 1 against Julian Tavarez with the score tied 9-9, the Sox were on their way to another World Series calamity. They had led 7-2 in the fourth but Manny Ramirez's bizarre misplay in left — one of four Red Sox errors — had allowed the Cardinals to tie it.

Bellhorn hit a fly ball down the right field line that seemed so destined to be pushed foul by a howling wind that the Red Sox bench leaned forward only perfunctorily to watch its flight. Then the Clang Heard ‘Round the World reverberated throughout Red Sox Nation as the ball rattled into the fair pole.

Bellhorn had homered for the third straight game, twice providing the winning runs in doing so, and the Sox never looked back.

So how does a Red Sox fan ever cup his hands to his mouth and boo this guy?

Yes, as it turns out, Bellhorn is not a very good Major League baseball player. But that's what makes his October heroics so indescribably wonderful.

It's nice when a star like Sandy Koufax or Bob Gibson or Mike Schmidt adds an amazing postseason performance to his Hall of Fame resume, but the better stories are the journeymen who found lightning in a bottle on the biggest stage.

Don Larsen pitching a perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Donn Clendenon hitting .357 with three home runs in the '69 Series. Scott Spiezio driving in 19 runs in 16 postseason games for the Angels in 2002. (Forgive me if I can't wax nostalgic about Bucky Dent and Brian Doyle in 1978.)

Add Mark Bellhorn to that list.

When we look back at Bellhorn's career — which we may be doing fairly soon — he will be one of the most improbable players to be at the center of a championship run in Major League history.

Bellhorn is in his eighth big league season and six of them have been either empty cups of coffee or complete train wrecks. But his two good seasons — 2002 with the Cubs and 2004 with the Sox — were outstanding.

Coming into '02 with the Cubs, Bellhorn had hit .198 in parts of four seasons in Oakland with seven homers in 323 at bats. Then, out of nowhere, he went berserk with Chicago in 2002, hitting .258 with 27 home runs, a .374 OBP and .512 slugging percentage. The following year he crashed back to earth, flailing his way to a .221 season with a meager two home runs in 249 at bats for the Cubs and Rockies.

Still, Epstein was impressed by Bellhorn's patience at the plate and brought him to Boston for the 2004 season. The shaggy second baseman hit a career-high .264 and had 37 doubles, 17 home runs and 82 RBIs while drawing 88 walks. (He also led the A.L. with 177 strikeouts.) Then came those three huge swings in the playoffs.

Instant immortalization, right?

Apparently not. You're only supposed to boo immortals in Philadelphia.

When Bellhorn slipped back to the form he has shown for most of his career — few hits, tons of whiffs — Red Sox Nation turned on him. Other Sox postseason stalwarts stumbled badly this year — most notably Keith Foulke and Alan Embree — but Bellhorn has been treated most rudely.

I hope Mark Bellhorn will shrug off this abuse and one day return to Fenway as a graying geezer for an Oldtimers' Game. And when he shuffles to the plate I hope he's given the standing ovation he so permanently deserves. Even though he probably will strike out.

Posted by 阳关三叠 at August 30, 2005 03:11 PM

BTW, Red Sox pitchers did crappy job recently. And it is too late to retool. In retrospect, Schilling and Foulk's returning to their old forms in a short time was just too much to bet, So standing pat before trade deadline was a mistake. Even Craig Hansen is able to make big league, he is not an ace closer right now. Tough tough road ahead. We Sox fans must fasten our seat belts.
Posted by 阳关三叠 at August 30, 2005 03:32 PM

可怜的KKHORN

我会永远记住他的。他虽然打的差，但他仍然是我心目中的英雄。

Some second thoughts about Bellhorn

By Chris Snow, Globe Staff | August 6, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tony Graffanino arrived at the Metrodome yesterday batting .304, and yet to make an error in nine games since joining the Red Sox.

Mark Bellhorn, meanwhile, arrived at Alliance Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y., yesterday afternoon hitless in 12 at-bats since beginning a rehabilitation stint with Triple A Pawtucket. He'd struck out five times and had yet to walk, though he had been hit by a pitch, for an on-base percentage of .077.

The juxtaposition should not be highlighted without supplying some context. Bellhorn was making only his fourth minor league appearance last night since spraining his left thumb July 17 against the Yankees. But with Bellhorn slumping -- he's hitting .207 this season between Boston and Pawtucket -- and the Sox represented well at second base with the righthanded-hitting Graffanino and the lefthanded-hitting Alex Cora, what does the club do with Bellhorn?

It was a question posed in a number of forms to Terry Francona yesterday afternoon. But it's one he and the team are not yet prepared to answer.

''He was in a position that when he got hurt he was having a tough time," the manager said. ''Now we want him to not only be healthy but to find the approach that helped us win last year. We're trying to find two in one."

Bellhorn joined Pawtucket Monday, and the initial plan called for him to be with the PawSox through next Tuesday. But he's allowed to spend up to 20 days in the minor leagues, and the Sox don't appear to be in much of a hurry to summon him to Boston. Francona, meanwhile, sounds reluctant to give up on the second baseman, though it's not inconceivable that he's designated for assignment sometime this month.

''He meant so much to us with what he did last year, and he means so much to us this year, but his production, he's having a tough time," Francona said. ''He's a hard guy to know what to say to. Because even when he's going good there's a lot of swings and misses. There's a lot of swings where you say, 'How did he miss that? He's right there. He didn't seem to be ahead of it. Didn't seem to be behind it.' That's just his style.

''Last year what he did ended up being pretty damn good. A lot of good swings [in Pawtucket] is what we're looking for. We love the guy. We love what he does. The way he plays second. His ability to be a teammate."

Family matters

Graffanino was excused from playing Thursday against Kansas City. The reason? Graffanino's 5-year-old son, Nicholas, had surgery that morning at Children's Hospital to remove a lump on the side of his throat.

''They still don't know what he has," said Graffanino, who sounded confident that his son will be OK. ''We're still waiting on that. I got to see him during the surgery, after the game, and again [yesterday] morning. He's doing great."
The lump surfaced about five weeks ago, Graffanino said.

''We're glad we were in Boston when it got a lot worse the last couple of weeks," he said.

The second baseman went to the hospital, saw his son wheeled out of surgery, then headed for Fenway Park, even though Francona had told Graffanino, ''If you need to stay, stay."

''He raced to the ballpark, put a uniform on, was available in the second inning," Francona said. ''I appreciate that. He didn't have to do that."

Graffanino, despite his son's condition, went into last night hitting .333 (13 for 39) since being dealt to Boston by the Royals.

''I had my share of nights when I didn't sleep as much as I should have," he said. ''You get on the field and it's almost like an escape. You can only worry about something so much, and then you've got to get out and play baseball."

Business trip

Jon Papelbon, who fanned seven in his four-hit, two-run Sox debut Sunday against Minnesota, was scheduled to pitch in relief last night for Pawtucket, a role he hadn't occupied since spring 2003, when he was closing games at Mississippi State. His, and the club's, intention is for the righthander to return to Boston this season as a power arm out of the bullpen.

''For me, it's just like, hey, I feel I can help this team win a championship," Papelbon said by telephone. ''That's what it all boils down to for me. I feel I can get quality outs, not just outs in an 8-0 blowout. If I can help the ball club out, I'm willing."

Papelbon routinely worked at 93 to 94 miles per hour Sunday and peaked at 95. Francona suggested earlier in the week that Papelbon, pitching only one inning or to only a batter or two, probably could reach back for more.

''Yeah, but I don't think I'll be concentrating on that," said the 24-year-old Louisiana native. ''I'm going to concentrate on outs, not getting my velocity up. I know I can pitch effectively at 93-95. If I can be effective at that, why try to throw harder?"

Papelbon, who has averaged 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings in his professional career, won't pitch back-to-back games immediately, though when he does, that figures to be a telling task.

''The biggest challenge for me will be bouncing back the very next day," he said.

The winners are . . .

The Sox' minor league award winners for July, as chosen by the organization: Portland CF David Murphy (Offensive Player, Quality Plate Appearances), Portland LHP Jon Lester (Pitcher), Single A Greenville SS Christian Lara (Defensive Player), Gulf Coast League INF Luis Segovia (Base Runner), and short-season Single A Lowell OF Jacoby Ellsbury (Base Stealer). The 23-year-old Murphy, the Sox' top pick in 2003 (17th overall), hit .379 with 19 RBIs and 20 runs in 28 July games. Lester allowed only four runs in four July starts while limiting opponents to a .193 average. Ellsbury, the Sox' first pick (23d overall) this year, stole nine bases in nine July attempts . . . Rich Garces made his third Gulf Coast League appearance yesterday, pitching a 1-2-3 inning for the Sox' affiliate. El Guapo has now retired 9 of 10 hitters he's faced this year (the other homered). He again peaked at 89 miles per hour, throwing 9 of 14 pitches for strikes. But there were indications that the organization is alarmed by his weight . . . David Ortiz made a grand appearance in the Twins' clubhouse, a place he used to call home. At one point, just before 4 p.m., Ortiz dressed himself head to toe in Jacque Jones's road Twins uniform . . . John Halama, who was designated for assignment July 26, signed with the Washington Nationals . . . Kevin Millar buzzed Graffanino's hair yesterday. ''It's an infield thing," Graffanino said. Millar recently buzzed his head, and Bill Mueller followed suit. Cora and Edgar Renteria already lacked hair. Which makes one wonder: If he were here, what would the long-haired Bellhorn do?
© Copyright 2005 Globe Newspaper Company.

Future Slugger

邻居知道我们是 SOX FANS，在给BABY送的礼物中，有一件BABY穿的 RED SOX 的 JERSEY，还有一个小帽子，我们看了很喜欢，小JOEY满月的时候，就给他穿着这件衣服，衣服后面写着 RED SOX FUTURE SLUGGER。我想，将来有一天他能够当上 RED SOX 的球员就好了。

满月的时候来了很多朋友，吴凡有一个在HARVARD工作的同学，在COOPS买了件HARVARD BABY的衣服送给JOEY，并且说，我们JOEY穿这个，将来要上HARVARD。来宾听了齐声说，要是能进 RED SOX，就不必上HARVARD了，我们仔细想想，连连称是，即使是 BELLHORN，年薪也有百万了吧，HARVARD毕业，多半是拿不到这么多钱的。多么贪心的父母啊，啧啧。

新的一年开始了

SOX的队员，经过一个世界大赛冠军，又经过一个冬天，走了好多个，好多面孔在新的一年里面只可能做为对手球员出现了。

争议最多的 DEREK LOWE，终于和 DODGES 签了约，4年36个MILLION。这个价钱我觉得也不错了，总算出了一口被 RED SOX 管理层蔑视的恶气吧。尽管去年常规赛他投的不好，但PLAYOFF 还是非常功勋卓著，可WS之后，管理层对他理也不理的态度可真是把他惹火了。

可爱的 ORLANDO CABRERA 终于也没和管理层谈拢而去了 ANGLES，如果我没记错的话，他兄弟也在 ANGLES，俗点说，他们一家人在一起也有个照应。他走了就没有人每次玩拍手的游戏了，但总没有NOMAR走了那么让人留恋，所以走就走了，新来的 RENTERIA 我倒也觉得不错。WS的时候，他们的2-5棒都表现的一般，他做为第一棒表现不俗。他也是得过很多金手套的家伙，希望在今后表现越来越好。

倒是应该说说 PEDRO，这家伙终于没去 YANKEES 去了 METS，也算是没有最后和 RED SOX 撕破老脸，将来进名人堂毕竟还要用 RED SOX 的名字进去，也算是说得过去了。他这一年来的成绩在下降，又总是乱说话是非那么多，又搞特殊化，管理层可能也是非常头痛。我倒觉得没有签他并不是给不出一年多的那一个多MILLION，而是管理层真的不觉得状态下降中的他有很重要必须续签的必要了吧。这点从续签 JASON VERITEK 就能看出来。VERITEK即使从我这样的外行看起来都是 RED SOX 不可缺少的灵魂人物，虽然双方在交涉过程中互有让步，但最终 VERITEK 还是被续签并且被任命为队长，比起来其他一些人，实在是如鱼饮水，冷暖自知啊。只是 PEDRO 走了，他的麻吉 MANNY 一个人落了单，还要在这里拿着天价混上四年，大概 MANNY 打起球来就更没劲头了八。

还有几个资深板凳也走了，像 DAVE ROBERTS 去了PADRES，POKEY REESE去了MARINERS，DOUG Mientkiewicz变成了METS，GAPE KAPLER居然去了日本，都很可惜。没有他们， RED SOX 的板凳深度实力也削减了大半。不过对球员来说，能上场比赛才是最重要的，总是在 RED SOX 当板凳滋味也是不好受吧。所谓宁为鸡首不为牛后。不过我看王支支的板凳也是坐的很牢靠，那也可能是因为王支支去了哪里也当不了先发，只能老老实实的坐板凳八。

SOX 新来的几个人除了 RENTERIA我谁都不知道，等赛季开始再看吧，心理上还没把他们当成一家人呢，倒是走了的个个都还觉得是自己人。

今年 METS 去了几个强棒和强投，和YANKEES之间也会有好戏上演，mets 同学肯定在家里乐歪歪了。RANDY JOHNSON 都那么大岁数了，今年还能投得一样好吗？签棒球选手这种事情可真说不准，用 SEINFELD 里面的话说就是 GAMBLING，就象去超市买水果，就是 GAMBLING，不能退的。生活中没有人能象 KRAMER 那么厚脸皮。哈哈。

昨天看到 ARROYO 在电视上面投球，觉得异常亲切。希望他在玩吉它之余也能投出好成绩。新的一年我对 BELLHORN 也充满了期待。这个沉默的小伙子下次再和 SOX 签约的时候，薪水总能超过1个MILLION了八，要是还达不到，我就举个牌子帮他抗议去。

Keep going Red Sox

红袜拿了世界大赛冠军已经几个月了。很多球迷当初都很难想象，当这一天终于来临的时候，这个世界会变成什么样子。现在呢，几代人的梦想终于实现了，疯狂过后，一切又归于平静，一切并没有什么变化，那些等待了多年的球迷们，会不会也有一点失落呢？

赢了世界大赛，生活还要继续。Padro已经和Mets签了四年的合同，刚才看到新闻，说Randy Johnson也不能去洋基了。不知道明年红袜的战绩会如何。人总是不满足的，等了86年的球迷们，也许总想着拿了一次冠军也就瞑目了。现在呢，恐怕又在盼望着下一次世界大赛了吧。

其实心里还是想要padro留下，有了Padro,再加上Schilling，明年红袜还有争冠军的实力。现在Padro走了，有谁可以代替他呢？三年的合约换成四年的，就这么困难吗？

当然，做生意的人有做生意人的头脑，他们想要的不仅仅是下一个世界大赛。我想我不是一个生意人，如果是我，我会宁愿多花些钱，把所有人都留下，甚至再找几个更好的。如果能再拿一个甚至两个世界大赛冠军，有几年Padro的工资赚不回来呢？

不管怎样，2004年又要结束了。还记得2003年的年底，眼看着红袜被淘汰，那时是什么样的心情。一晃又是一年了，我们又经历了很多。相信其中的很多，我们会终生难忘。

在这里祝红袜在新的一年里好运，也祝大家，祝自己，都好运。

WIN IT FOR

一个54页回贴的POST。 让我泪流满面的帖子。
感谢大家， 病稍微好点了。 也许是心情的缘故吧。

Win It For
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Win it for Johnny Pesky, who deserves to wear a Red Sox uniform in the dugout during the 2004 World Series. Mr. Henry, the trophy needs to be presented first of all to him.

Win it for Bobby Doerr, who, through the sadness of losing his beloved Monica, would love to see his Sox finally defeat New York in Yankee Stadium. Revenge is best served cold.

Win if for Dommie, the most loyal and devoted of men. If he hadn't gotten hurt in Game 7 of the '46 Series, Enos Slaughter would never have scored.

Win it for Carl Yastrzemski. While his heart still aches today, may a smile break through his personal storm-cloud this evening. His beloved son, Mike, will show us the way. God speed, number eight.

Win it for Ted, who once said, "If they ever won it, I would feel so @#%$ warm inside."

Win it for Tony, who taught us all the meaning of courage and grit. A day doesn't go by when I don't think of you, number 25.

Win it for Nedly and Ken and Possum - who provided us with nothing less than the soundtrack to our childhoods.

Win it for Richard Gorman, who followed the team passionately while residing in Queens and the Bronx. He was a master teacher, a supportive friend, and a diehard Red Sox fan.

Win if for Stiffy - who saw firsthand Denny Galehouse's hanging curves, worshiped the Golden Greek even after he died so suddenly back in '55, and got misty-eyed when Rico Petrocelli began to back-peddle on a squirting pop-up to short left-field on a placid October afternoon back in 1967.

Win if for Cheri - may she cry on Giff's shoulders tonight in pure joy and emotion - and not in the stew of pathos. Cheri's unconditional love for the Red Sox serves as a genuine measuring stick for us all.

Win it for Felix - who began living out "The September of My Years" last month as he hit fifty; a fan who has always believed that the impossible is just not a dream.

Win it for Eric Van. Eric, you have truly embodied Hemingway's definition of courage recently. Grace under pressure, indeed.

Win if for Eric Van's father.

Win it for Dalton and Moose and Norm and Buck and Zup and all of the other old-timers on this board whose lives have defined the virtue of loyalty.

Win it for our far-off posters, from Manila to Montana to Mark in London, who have continually kept the home fires burning thousands of miles away from Route 128.

Most of all, win it for James Lawrence Kelly, 1913-1986. This one's for you, Daddy. You always told me that loyalty and perseverance go hand in hand. Thanks for sharing the best part of you with me.

AT LAST

GAME 3

没有想到这场比赛居然是这样的，少了些兴奋和紧张。我想象中应该是异常激烈的。SUPPAN 和 WALKER 跑垒失误，居然断送了他们第三场几乎所有的机会。

PEDRO的表现很出色，这么多场以来，难得的好。仅有的两次险情也都被队友一一化解，更有 MANNY 和 VERITEK 进攻得分，为 PEDRO 的胜利奠定基础。根据NL的规则，投手也要上垒打球，PEDRO戴着 HITTER 帽子的样子很好笑，我从来没看他这个样子，举着棒子乖乖等着被三振，也居然混到了一次保送。回去的时候，MILLAR 他们肯定都在笑话他。

ORTIZ 当一垒手的样子也很好笑，居然还没出什么纰漏。

也许 PEDRO 也觉得这可能是穿 RED SOX 队服上场的最后一役了，所以赛后的发言特别感性，就象 FAREWELL SPEECH 一样。那些记者很讨厌，在这样的时候问续约的问题很可恶。今年的 FREE AGENT 有好几个。VERITEK，LOWE，CABRERA，PEDRO，我一个都不想让他们走。PEDRO 说了，如果他到最后不得不走的话，就一定是管理层挽留不利，但 RED SOX 有那么多钱把他留下吗？签个短合同 PEDRO 应该也不会干的。

不知道今天晚上 LOWE 的表现会怎么样，希望和上一场一样好吧，这样明年能签个好价钱。

GAME 2

为了庆祝伟大的红袜打败洋基夺得美国联盟冠军，mets同学特意从纽约赶到波士顿来观看红袜和红雀的世界冠军赛。比赛结果是，我们又赢了。。。

SCHILLING 在六局先发中依然表现骁勇，虽然鲜血还是一样染红了袜子，却一样气势夺人，六局只丢一分还不是自责分，仅释出四支安打全面封杀红雀的黄金打阵，让我们真是佩服之至。

在地人 BELLHORN 的二垒安打又得关键两分，这真是真是，三年不发市，发市吃三年啊。他接下来即使再变成 KKHORN，波士顿人民也会原谅他的。看下面的照片，这家伙跳得多高！

BILL BUELLER又搞出三个ERROR，真让我快崩溃了。居然在接球的时候因为吹泡泡糖而搞了个ERROR出来，这么心不在焉的，搞什么搞？！

在赛后我们又用了大量时间和 mets 请教了很多棒球知识，受益匪浅。在对JETER的恶劣评价上，我们达成了高度一致。

GAME 1

FENWAY PARK 终于又挂上一面旗子，2004。

真不容易啊，赢了第一场。大起大落。

RED SOX 这种防守，不知道能在WS走多远。太可怕了，失误到离谱。

BELIEVE

---- There can be miracle, when you believe.......

今天是星期五了。五天前的下午，天气也和今天一样阴沉，寒风刺骨。我躲在家里看电视和上网，虽然努力的不去想前一天晚上的 8 比19，但所到之处无一不沉浸在痛苦之中，哀鸿遍野。各种文章的标题仿佛在为这一季的红袜举行葬礼，0比3的失利已经为这个秋天划上了句号，一切就等今天晚上的第四场失利，等着比赛结束后，打包行李，再开始期待又一年的东山再起。

现在回想几天前，在那个星期天的午夜 12 点以前，到底有没有人会在那个时候想到红袜会有今天的从 0 比 3 到 4 比 3 的逆转呢？MLB的历史上是没有的。NBA的历史上也是没有的。一百年来，只有NHL的历史上发生过这种离奇的事情。有谁能想到呢？上帝一定是知道的，但上帝般主宰着红袜这86年来命运的 BABY RUTH，你想到了么？

我当然是想不到的。我做过的，只是那天下午，在BLOG上面留下"This season is over." 就离开了。我们还有生活要过，要买菜，要吃饭，要买东西，然后回家。

是在到达 KENMORE SQ 之前，吴凡的一句话改变了这一切。他说，我们 U-TURN 回去看看吧。我说好，然后回去，就在那里待到夜里两点多。

那一场比赛看得我们忘记了时间，寒冷，沮丧，落魄。看台上到处是充满信心的球迷，场上是永不放弃的红袜队员们，是他们教会了我一个词，BELIEVE。我想那一场比赛会留在很多人一生的永久记忆里，就象有的人写的标语，“BORN IN 1918，STILL BELIEVE。” 如果我们的儿子能在这个时候出生就好了，我们一定让他将来打棒球。

这一场比赛的逆转，DAVE ROBERTS 的那个偷垒，ORTIZ 的那个HOMER，让接下来的三场比赛成为可能。经历了第四场的心跳，第五场和第六场几乎让人停止呼吸。阳关三叠在赢了第五场以后说，明天要是能赢下来，第七场就差不多。一切真的就是这样，RED SOX 又在第七场大胜 YANKEES，在死敌 YANKEES 的主场庆祝 ALCS 冠军的荣誉。那一天晚上，打开任何新闻体育频道，都在谈论 RED SOX 的胜利。那一天晚上，FENWAY PARK 附近聚集了六万球迷，在骚乱中，还有一个女孩被子弹打中不治而死。

现在，这一切都结束了，RED SOX 要走向世界大赛了。很多人都在说红袜精神，是真正的体育精神，不服输，不气馁，即使落后到无路可退，也要一直拼下去，这真的是让我成为一个 SOX FAN 的重要原因。但这种精神我不知道要怎么样用文字来描述，再说下去可能就是那时候说中国女排的拼搏精神等等，这些年已经没有什么人提了。但这一次，让我最感动的还是 RED SOX 坚持到最后一刻的毅力，队友们团结一致的精神，让我永远也不会忘记。面对红雀，RED SOX 曾经两次在世界大赛中败给的队伍，不管我们能走多远，只要象前四场一样，一场一场的拼，永不放弃信念，到最后，是不是拿下世界冠军，我想我都会是一个 DIEHARD RED SOX FAN。

DAVID ORTIZ
ORTIZ 得到了今年 ALCS 的MVP。不知道2002年放弃他不要的 Minnesota Twins 今年看到他的成就该做何感想。这个两次把 RED SOX 从平局带入胜利的胖子，看起来那么老，实际上还很年轻呢，不管怎么样，看起来也比那个药虫 BARRY BONDS 顺眼多了。

这是ORTIZ在第五场偷垒被OUT的那个镜头，ORTIZ大叫，COME ON。连解说都说，这应该是成功的偷垒，但没办法，裁判没看见。

但是很快，在第14个INNING，ORTIZ打出了一个再见德州安打，赢得了全场比赛的胜利。

DAVE ROBERTS
这个奔跑飞快的小个子，在LA DODGES是第一棒，到了 RED SOX 只能当个 PINCH RUNNER，但他是最让我有了信心的一个。不仅是那个关键的偷垒成功，还因为他每次比赛的时候站在 DUGOUT 旁边为队友加油打气的举动。一个好的球队，队员之间的团结和互相鼓励是能够开发最大潜能赢得比赛的强大动力。

CURT SCHILLING
SCHILLING来到 RED SOX 颇有点戏剧性。在 BOSTON GLOBLE 的一篇对 RED SOX 的GM，THEO 的专访上面写的，去年好几个队在争夺SCHIILING，包括 YANKEES。THEO 也是其中之一。感恩节就象中秋节，是阖家团聚的日子，而THEO去年的感恩节，是和SCHILLING一家一起在ARIZONA过的。不知道是不是这样的GM感动了SCHILLING，还是SCHILLING自己说的，因为 RED SOX 这将近一百年来悲情的命运，NEW ENGLAND 这一票最忠实地保持信念的球迷，最终让他在今年来到了 RED SOX。

在 ALDS 的第一场，SCHILLING的右脚踝韧带撕裂，因此，在 ALCS 的第一场，前两个 INNING，SCHILLING 就丢了6分，他回到 DUGOUT 的时候，教练紧紧的抱了SCHILLING 一下，SCHILLING 也低下了头。赛后队医们检查过伤势，就宣布说 SCHILLING 可能不能上了，因为脚踝要尽快做手术。但在第六场的时候，RED SOX 看起来已经没有可靠的先发投手可以上的时候，我们的 SCHILLING 又上了。听说是在赛前把表皮和肌腱先缝合，然后打了封闭止痛，但一活动就又会撕裂开来，血就重新渗出来，把袜子染成了真正的红袜子。这样做的危险 SCHILLING 肯定是知道的，他要担负运动生涯报销的风险，我猜这个时候，自私的 PEDRO 肯定就不会上了，但 SCHILLING 居然咬牙打了七局，仅失一分，有四局让对手三上三下。看他每次回到 DUGOUT 的时候，用毛巾蒙着头的样子，我都心疼死了；每看他投一个球，我的心都跟着疼一下，真是 TOUGH GUY 啊 SCHILLING。你是在 RED SOX 里面，我最敬佩的人。

JOHNNY DAMON 和 MARK BELLHORN
这一对难兄难弟，在整个季后赛表现黯淡了一路，最后时刻石破惊天的打了四个HOME RUN，把 RED SOX 带进了最后胜利。

这是 DAMON 的 GRAND SLAM

这是后来被裁判更正的那个 BELLHORN 的三分全垒打。

DEREK LOWE 和 TIM WAKEFIELD
这两个投手是因为成绩不佳而未被教练选中参加季后赛的，WAKEFIELD可能会上一场先发。但随着赛事变化，LOWE居然担任了两场先发，而且表现优异。WAKEFIELD救援的三个INNING表现也很好，VERITEK居然在三个INNING里面漏接了七次，足见蝴蝶球的威力。

D-LOWE不知道今年会不会离开。

WAKEFIELD是 RED SOX 自己培养起来的人，阳关三叠说应该签他到他退役。

还想写写 ORLANDO CABRERA 和 VERITEK，实在累了，改天再说，WS还要继续。
GO RED SOX！！！

MIRACLE WORKER

这是昨天BOSTON.COM的REDSOX首页标题。
先转贴一篇。

红袜推翻「邪恶帝国」　期待射落红雀再写复仇史 路透社
10/22 15:10

[路透波士顿电]「奇迹缔造者」--这是波士顿环球报周四送给红袜棒球队的称号。

红袜队在美国联盟冠军系列赛淘汰纽约洋基，朝夺下86年来的第一个世界大赛冠军迈出了一大步。

这支被认为受到诅咒的队伍，在七战四胜系列赛先输三场后神奇逆转，以四连胜淘汰红袜球迷所称的「邪恶帝国」，夺得他们自1986年以来的首个美联冠军，并缔造大联盟季后赛的最伟大后来居上纪录。

在宿敌主场痛宰对手，对长期痛苦不堪的红袜球迷至为重要。红袜球团老板称洋基为「邪恶帝国」；洋基则在过去80年来不断打破红袜封王美梦。

洋基与红袜之间的恩怨非同寻常，整个新英格兰地区的球迷周三晚上都彻夜狂欢。

「每个人都称他们是一对宿敌，其实它更像是世仇，因为红袜一直是失败的一方，」ESPN网站的专栏作者Bill Simmons对路透说。

波士顿的棒球专栏作者Dan Shaughnessy把10月20日称为「波士顿棒球的Bastille Day」。
红袜的季后赛不仅成为引人瞩目的美国文化现象，而且对11月2日的总统大选甚至都有微妙的影响。

如果休斯敦航天员周四击败圣路易红雀，夺得国联冠军，那么今年的世界大赛堪称来自德州的共和党总统George W. Bush和民主党麻州参议员John Kerry之间角逐的体育翻版。

**再次复仇**
不过，圣路易红雀最后在国家联盟冠军赛第七战以5-2主场击败航天员，自1987年以来首度进军世界大赛。

身为红袜球迷的Kerry在选战途中观看了周三比赛的大部分赛事，还指着电视机发表评论道︰「他们是当今最伟大的反败为胜之师。纪律、纪律、纪律。」

如今，红袜球迷期待再次复仇。红袜与圣路易红雀曾在1946年与1967年的世界大赛中对决，但红雀两度击败红袜封王。

--翻译 段晓冬

STILL, WE BELIEVE

ALCS 的历史上，有二十五次，一队领先另外一队三比零的时候，只有五次，只有五次而已，落后的这支队伍赢得了第四场的胜利。这大概就是史帝分·金在昨天晚上接受电视访问，当他做为一个坚定的 SOX FAN，预言 SOX 的胜利之时，主持人会当场无礼的表示怀疑的原因。

昨天我和吴凡从88买完菜回家，在BROOKLINE AVE上面，远远的看到 PRUDENTIAL，用他们大楼每个房间的灯光，组合出两个巨大的字：GO SOX。这一瞥之后，心里就再也无法平静。每次比赛时看到的飞艇，也在天上飘着。

经过 FANWAY PARK 的时候，这第四场比赛才刚刚开始。经过了第三场被屠宰的打击，我们还能在开过 FENWAY PARK 之后又 U-TURN 回来，其实只是想看看那里有没有人，他们在做些什么。路上如我们预期，真的没有几个人。车刚一靠边就有人过来，一问票他就说有，我们问多少钱他说一百块一张，GRANDSTAND。这个数目出乎我们预料的便宜。毕竟这也是美联的冠军决赛啊，而且的而且，这很可能就是今年最后一场了，何况的何况，又是和 YANKEES。虽然我们两个加起来连二十块钱都没有，但还是决定吴凡去领钱买票，我去停车。当然最后的结果肯定是吴凡拿到票以后再去停车，而我则先跑进去看比赛了。

这是我第一次去 FENWAY PARK，里面乱糟糟的，又脏又破，四面漏风，到处是啤酒炸鸡热狗，混合着各种男性香水的味道。一个建成了一百年还在使用中的球场，我不应该期望它好到怎样。

等我终于找到自己的位子的时候，前后左右都是人不说，我还遭到大家的盘问：
“说！你是 YANKEES FAN 不是？”
“对对，先说清楚！”
“开什么玩笑，我当然是 SOX FAN！”
“真的不是？”
“真的不是！”
“那好，回答正确，你可以坐下了。”
等我坐下之后，后面的一个老头还提醒我：这一片是不许 YANKEES FAN坐的。
大家一阵轰笑。
这时候第一个 INNING 已经结束了。SOX 队员在场上练球准备下个INNING的防守。

球场比我在电视上看到的，要小一些，但异常明亮。电力公司的广告说，LIGHT UP整个FENWAY PARK，需要一百万瓦的电力，真不是盖的，亮如白昼。因为明亮，所以每一个队员看起来也都异常清晰。电视上虽然能看到眼睫毛，但在这里，我随时可以看到场上的每一个角落，除了 RED SOX 的 DUGOUT，因为我们就坐在它的正上方。

我上次看球还是一两年前在 FLEET CENTER 看姚明，那是体育馆里面。再之前在露天体育场看过几次演唱会，看球则是在北京看国安和泰山吧，还是泰达，反正是山东的，轰炸使馆游行那天了。同样是主场，同样是本城最受青睐的队伍，同样是对裁判不太满意，但两国的看球可真是太不一样了。

就说气氛吧，波士顿的看球气氛要热烈太多了。当然这可能和对手和比赛重要性有关，但工体要热起来，可是有号称七万观众的，比这里的人要多一倍，工体要有这么热闹，玻璃都要掉下来了。我说的气氛，主要是看球的人多，FENWAY PARK昨天有三万四千多名观众，我的前后左右没有一个空位，但在北京，一场比赛是不是能有这么多人看我也很怀疑，尤其是现在。。。

喊口号的人多，这里的观众没有什么用喇叭的，都是靠真气与胸腔共鸣，居然全场也能发出那么大的声音，真是很让人佩服。喊口号的时候也多，比赛的时候大概每过一两分钟，我们这一片就会有人带着喊一次，带头的不仅有老头，小伙子，也有小姑娘，小孩，全场各片都是如此，所以声浪不停，一波接着一波。

喊口号的种类也要多出很多，美语虽然用词简单吧，但还是能分成几大类的。第一类就是简单加油的，GO SOX 和 LET'S GO RED SOX，LET'S GO RED SOX每个人能在比赛中喊上几百遍。还有一类当然是打击对手的，别的队来比赛我不知道喊些什么，反正 YANKEES 来的话，就肯定是 YANKEE SUCKS了，还有些就是 JETER JERK之类的，这种只是有时会有人出来喊一嗓子，无法形成万人一词，有节奏的“朱六一，傻X”。打击对手的反面当然就是鼓励自己的队员，大概除了 BELLHORN，每个人在场上都会被屡次点名，GO MANNY，GO D-LOWE，GO DAVID，GO JOHNNY，这些都很多。对自己的队员失望，对裁判失望，对某个坏球失望，除了沉默之外，只有一句：COME ON，或者 COME ON MANNY。昨天上场的大概六个先发和救援的投手，除了 TIMLIN，每个人在走回 DUGOUT 的时候，都赢得了全场观众的起立和热烈掌声。

观众站着看球的时候可是真不少，昨天的比赛打了五个多小时，我大概站了一半的时间。因为我如果不站起来，就看不见。从第三个 INNING 开始，每次到了 YANKEES 队员两出局，两好球的时候，大家就要站起来先鼓掌叫嚣一番，一直等到这第三个人被杀出局。而到了 RED SOX 进攻的时候，则是从头站到尾，真是累死我了。每打出一支安打或者得分，邻近的人就要和周围的人 GIVE ME FIVE 一圈，坐我旁边的小男孩甚至在严寒中脱掉了上衣挥舞。

当然，在众多的袜子饭中间，也有很少数摆明了立场的洋基饭，他们穿了洋基标志的衣服，所以很好认，在这种气氛之下，他们的声音完全发不出来，脸色看起来都臭臭的，可能就象袜子饭在洋基体育场看球的遭遇一样吧。

不过，两队球迷该打架的时候还是会打架，不管是在论坛上还是球场里面，球场外面。让大家真动手，这在北京大概是不会发生的，北京人最多互相骂骂算了。在 FANWAY PARK 外面，昨天布置了大批警察，骑马的，牵警犬的，各种防爆工具和车辆都在那里，看起来很吓人。这有情可原，被 YANKEES SWEEP 之后球迷的反应，恐怕要比被 TAMPA BAY 魔鬼鱼 SWEEP 的结果还要吓人。

第三场输了，被迫接受这个事实之后心情当然沉重，但是去看比赛，包袱也就放下了。周围的人在休息的时候不停的喝啤酒，说笑，我们也去买热狗饮料，到处遛达。天气真的很冷，我们又没有在外面待这么久的准备，开始坐下的时候冻得手脚冰凉。但一旦场上开始领先了，就因为激动而喊口号，因为站起来坐下去的运动而温暖起来。

Johnny Damon 和 BELLHORN 在季后赛中的表现让人惊讶，打击率创下了难以置信的新低，0.056 和 0.071，球迷还是喜欢 JOHNNY 的，认为他可以被原谅。只有 BELLHORN 成了真正的软脚虾，每次我看到他被 STRIKE OUT，低着头走会 DUGOUT 的时候，都会在心里生出些怜悯，一个球员自己不想打成这样，但结果终究如此的时候，心理上承受的压力真是可想而知。我也不知道 BELLHORN是不是在乎这些，球迷在叫，BELLHORN！SWING！！！可他就是举着棒子一动不动，真是服了。

昨天上场的棒次，教练做了小小的改动，ORLANDO CABRARA 和 BELLHORN 的位置对调了一下，ORLANDO 是用 NORMA 换来的，以他的防守来说我觉得是不错的。但 mets 每次和我说 ORLANDO 其实是摘桃子的时候我都很不服，毕竟在季后赛中他也有0.353的打击率，RBI也有四分进帐，常规赛的优秀表现延续到了季后赛，怎么还能说他是摘桃子呢？昨天的第一分就是 ORLANDO 的一个 SINGLE 取得一分打点。

当然，比赛的结果大家都知道了。RED SOX 以 6 比 4 赢了 YANKEE 活了下来。最大的功臣是 ORTIZ 在第12个INNING的两分再见全垒打，除此之外，我觉得 DAVE ROBERTS 可以和 ORTIZ 并列。当用他换下被保送的 KEVIN MILLAR 的时候，BILL MUELLER 上。全世界的眼睛都在看着 DAVE ROBERTS，因为每一个人都知道他要偷垒。面对全联盟最牛的 CLOSER，他一点也不畏惧，成功跑到二垒！这一时刻太激动人心了。这就好象卢浮宫里面挂着的蒙娜丽莎，全世界都知道 ROBERTS 要偷走，全世界有最好的警力严密看守，但他居然就在警察的眼皮底下把画偷走了。这一次偷垒，奠定了加时赛的基础，当 BILL MUELLER 打出一支 SINGLE 的时候，矮小的 ROBERTS 飞一般的从二垒跑回本垒，防守球员甚至都没有把球传回本垒，因为，ROBERTS 已经到了。四比四平！！！在第九局的下半，就在这个小个子的飞奔中，红袜子把比分追平了！！！

之后就是救援投手们使出浑身解数在阻止 YANKEES 的反攻，一直把平局的比分保持到第12个INNING，MANNY打出一个 SINGLE 上垒之后，ORTIZ 一记重镑，打出又一次历史性的再见全垒打。全场欢声雷懂，球迷们流着泪水拥抱与欢呼，队员们抱在一起又叫又跳。无数的媒体记者扛着摄影机跑到场中间。

我和吴凡也跑到 DUGOUT 旁边。OH MY GOD！我见到了我心中的每一个英雄，他们走出电视，就站在我的面前。他们没有ROSTER上面写的那么高，也没有电视上显得胖，ORTIZ 只是很魁梧而已，ORLANDO 则是一个小瘦子。我大叫 ORLANDO I LOVE YOU，他也不知道听到没有。哈哈。

TERRY FRANCONA和 THEO 也出来接受采访。还有好多电视节目的主持人也在那里站着，ESPN的FOX的WB56的，NESN的，好多呀，看起来都那么熟悉，可他们现在就近在眼前，脸上都有些化妆的样子，等着队员出来，或者自己对着镜头说着。

这时候已经是夜里两点了，比赛进行了快六个小时，做一个棒球节目的记者可真不容易。

我们依依不舍的走了。但还是很高兴。回去经过 CHINATOWN 的时候，还遇到我们旁边坐的那几个脱上衣的小男孩，他们对我们大叫GO SOX，我们也大叫，WE WON！WE WON!!

从1918年拿了世界冠军之后，一直到1946年，RED SOX 才又重回季后赛，再下一次，是1967年。那中间的五十年，RED SOX FANS 每到 POSTSEASON 的时候，该多么寂寞啊。五十年的时间，够我爸爸从小男孩变成老头了。多少 RED SOX FANS，就是这样等了一生，等白了头发，一代人又一代人，却从来没有丧失过信仰，从来都坚信，等待，重回世界大赛，拿冠军的一刻。我是从来不相信什么 CURSE 的，倔倔说，做一个 SOX FAN，让我们从无神论者变成有神论者，又从有神论者变成无神论者，就是这样来回来去的折磨。今天又看到阳关三叠染病的消息，心里很难过，所以写下昨天看球的经过，和你分享，哪怕这个季后赛只有这一场胜利，但我们也毕竟是赢了。也许今年还是打不进 WORLD SERIES，还是拿不了世界冠军，但我相信，在我们的有生之年，都会看到这一天。生病让你的身体受损，但是，你也教过我呀，让我去看RED SOX的那个电影，名字叫，STILL，WE BELIEVE。

你也要加油。

This season is over.

这真是一个漫长的赛季，这个秋天也是漫长的。窗外邻居家的几株枫树一直火红的不肯退色，路上的树木也红的此起彼伏，人人都在说这是一个火红的十月。但这个红十月在昨晚的凌晨，在夜色中随着一个19比8的屠杀悄然落幕。

对于关心 RED SOX 的所有人来说，昨天应该是一个被永远记住的日子。
Once you mean disaster, that means couldn't be worse.

Naturally, it's a disaster

By Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff | October 16, 2004

Oh, so NOW you want the Twins. Hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.

This series is over. Baseball in Boston is over for another season. If you headed to the game this evening, you’re forgiven for leaving in the seventh. Not to avoid traffic. To avoid watching the Yankees celebrate on your team’s home turf.

Last night the bats finally came alive. Too little to late in what was an all-time ugly 19-8 win. This time it was that vaunted Red Sox pitching staff that fell apart. You remember, the one that had Boston “favored” in this ALCS. I suppose the Yankees winning is an “upset” then.

This wasn’t a baseball game. It was a deflating pinball wizard of an all too common disaster in these parts. When the game was more than three hours old, it was in the seventh inning, running at an excruciating pace. Even worse for Sox fans who had longer to watch their team fall into a 3-0 hole. Stay away from Manhattan for some time. The nausea is going to be overwhelming. Doubly so if you try one of those hot dog vendors.

There will be plenty of eulogies over the next couple days, so we’ll spare you one here now. But know this. This Red Sox team, the vanilla Red Sox for nearly half a season, choked at the wrong moment. The Yankees are their Daddy for reasons unknown. As one New York fan on the Manhattan subway following Boston’s loss in Game 2 put it, “You take those players, put pinstripes on them, and they win the World Series.”

And he’s right. We don’t know why he’s right, but he is.

It could be a nuclear winter for the Boston Red Sox roster. But we’ll discuss that at some other time. For now enjoy your last chance this year to watch what was admittedly a fun Boston team. Then prepare to assume your normal position for the winter, wondering where the hell it all went wrong.

Seeing as we’re sure after the National Anthem most of you ran out and picked up the Cowsills’ greatest hits and were forced to miss the game, here’s a recap…

First Inning: After spending nine hours over the past two days at a Fenway Park with less action than my post-prom party experience, and more than 68 hours after the last pitch was thrown in this series, Bronson Arroyo unleashes a first-pitch strike to Derek Jeter. Jeter backs away from the plate like it’s far too inside because, well, that’s what Jeter does on EVERY PITCH.

Following a Jeter walk, Alex Rodriguez drives him in with a double down the left field line. The only chance Manny Ramirez has at throwing Jeter out at home is that he’s not Johnny Damon. It’s not enough.

Hideki Matsui plants a 1-2 pitch into the bullpens in right field, and it’s 3-0 Yankees less than 10 minutes into the game. Arroyo is not confusing anyone, as the Yankee bats are swatting his pitches around Fenway. In fact, the only person he’s confused in the whole park is Tim McCarver, who still can’t figure out his name.
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I’m seated in the makeshift right field press section the Sox trot out come ALCS time. In Section 3. Should this concern me, particularly after Dan Shaughnessy rode back from New York Thursday on Flight 1918? Maybe this is all a ruse and there’s really no coincidence to it at all. Yeah, that’s it. A ruse.

Following a Ramirez infield base hit, which must have erroneously put it into his head that he is indeed, fast, David Ortiz singles to right, and Manny makes like the Energizer bunny for third. No contest. It may have been the first time Dale Sveum tried to stop a runner all year.

Second Inning: The temptation of free cornrows, as one barber salon was dishing out early yesterday morning on Lansdowne Street, really had the gerbil working overtime on my way into the office. Then I remembered the whole balding thing and decided against, thinking I might look like something out of “Hellraiser.”

Trot Nixon puts the first jolt of caffeine into the sold out crowd with a two-run bomb to right that cuts New York’s lead to one. The first “Yankees Suck” chant also breaks out. The highly offended among us try to explain that it’s not true. Yeah, neither is McDonald’s, “I’m lovin’ it.” So what?

The crowd really lets Kevin Brown have it, chanting his name. I wonder if Brown likes being the center of attention of the city of Boston. After all, just last year he was in Los Angeles, sitting under a palm tree with barely enough money to rent a yacht to Catalina.

RIGHT NOW! Kevin Brown is getting hammered.

Jeter bobbles a ball, and it’s 4-3 Sox. Questions begin to arise about the man’s deity.

Third Inning: Back to the Cowsills, who in addition to the Anthem, sang their hit, “Hair,” which I guess is apropos with this band of free-flowing locks Red Sox. But who exactly is lining up the singers for these ALCS games? Last year, Joey McIntyre and Michael Bolton were roundly booed during their renditions, and the ‘Sills (the inspiration for the Patridge Family!) didn’t exactly receive an outpouring of acknowledgement from the Fenway fans.

Then again, I guess it’s one less day that the Dropkick Murphys perform.

Which brings to mind a suggestions reader Steve Sylven submitted: “Hey Eric- Now that the Sox have proclaimed themselves "idiots" do you think we can implement a new theme song? I'm thinking we go with Jane's Addiction's "Idiots Rule" and finally dropkick the Murphy's over the Green Monster? I can't stand the thought of winning it all this year and having to hear Tessie for the rest of my lifetime.”

I like it. Although I’m sure when Charles Steinberg hears the lyrics, it won’t fly. Where’s Dickie Barrett when you need him most?
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A-Rod plants one over the left field wall and ties the game back up. A couple more hits later, Terry Francona makes his way to yank Arroyo, who obviously doesn’t have it. Ramiro Mendoza makes his way to the mound, and actually receives applause from eight fans down the first base line.

In the ALDS, Arroyo threw the best start of all Boston starters. This series, by far the worst with two-plus innings, allowing six runs. As Chris Berman would call a strikeout, “Ughagh.”

Torre lifts Brown after just two innings, in favor of Javier Vazquez. We can only assume this is because Ja-Ve-Air is tougher to chant.

Fourth Inning: It is 10 p.m. and I did just write fourth inning correct? At the rate this one is going, it’ll be a nice little three hour nap before we’re all back here again tomorrow.

Which reminds me…must tape “Desperate Housewives.”

They ran out of Swiss Miss up here and I thought more than a few of the New York media guys were going to lose it. Like BA Baracus before he flies.

Sheffield. Bomb. 9-6. It is THE FOURTH INNING.

Triple. 11-6. FOURTH INNING. This game in the end is going to have more runs than your average day at Taco Bell.

Fifth Inning: Before the game, Howie Long, in town for Sunday’s Patriots-Seahawks game, and the rest of the FOX NFL crew were hanging out down by the Red Sox dugout. Long was giving Mets pitcher Al Leiter, who by all accounts has been great in the booth, some advice about the broadcasting business. Hopefully he passed some on to McCarver.

They should have Francona miked for this game. I can only imagine the Boston manager. “Get an out. Please, can’t someone get a &^%$#@& out?” 13-6 Yankees. The 19 runs combined thus far set an ALCS record for most runs in a game. Can we mention it is the FIFTH INNING?

Sixth Inning: Fans in right field start to chant, “We want Tanyon,” as in Worcester’s own Tanyon Sturtze. Speaking of the Sturtzes, The Newark Ledger had a piece Friday about how they were forced to convert to the dark side after their son was traded by Tampa Bay to New York. There is good news for Tanyon’s family though. His performance this season for the Yankees pretty much assures them they can go back to rooting for the Sox once the season is over.

By golly, we’ve had our first inning last less than 45 minutes. Now we’re cooking.

Seventh Inning: Mark Bellhorn picked a fine time for one of his worst games of the season. A strikeout hat trick, and now he can’t squeeze a pop fly in the top of the inning. Time for Lobel to whip out those “Pokey would have had it” bumper stickers again.

As the Yankees run it to 16-6, fans start cheering, “Let’s go Patriots.” Thousands start to file out toward the exit.

Seventh inning stretch at 11:32. This is ridiculous.

Jason Varitek homers to make it 17-8. Not exactly the moment that makes the columnists here start to re-write their pieces to alter the outcome.

Eighth inning: It’s the eighth. One more inning to go. That’s really all the commentary I have left at this point.

Sweet Caroline is a heck of a lot less peppy tonight for some reason.

Ninth Inning: Hooray!!!!!

By the time this game ends, there are going to be about 17 people left here at the rate folks are rushing to the gates, unable to take the pain anymore.

Matsui homers for two more. Don’t these guys want to go to their hotel already?

Twenty-one hits by New York tie record for an ALCS game. Boston had 21 against Roger Clemens and New York in 1999.

Twenty-two hits by New York are a new record for hits in an ALCS game.

It was the longest game in ALCS history. And quite possibly the worst.

Apparently this won't be the year the Sox enjoy a pregame ceremony at Foxborough. How many times are they going to have to invite those guys here without a return trip?

HERO OR GOAT?

boston.com上面的 POLL ，问题是这样的：

Which will most likely be Derek Lowe's designation after he starts Game 5 of the ALCS (assuming there is a Game 5)?
A. HERO
B. GOAT

2/3的人的回答是HERO，我投的是 GOAT。不过，还有一种情况没列进去，那就是： NEITHER，因为四场就可能已经结束了。和和。这个周末，为了全家的安全，我决定不去接近 FENWAY PARK 为圆心一英里内的地方。

DEREK LOWE 真的很倒霉呀，SCHILLING 上不了所以也只有他了。今年又赶上要签新合同，这个时候要做了 HERO，明年还能混下去。波士顿是不大会要他了，虽然去年还 HOT，但今年。。。现实真残酷。

去看了看 MITBBS，从波士顿版到棒球版，没有一个懂球的 FAN，除了瞎吵吵得意忘形幸灾乐祸痛不欲生，就是谴责 AROD 和 JETER 是 GAY，真是没营养到家了。还不如张耀宗。

想念阳关三叠，问了乔治，可他也不知道阳关三叠去了哪里。

KEEP THE FAITH

做一个 SOX FAN，真的很需要这句话，KEEP THE FAITH。

就象是婚姻，两个人在艰难的时候互相鼓励，在顺利的时候分享快乐，无论是什么时候，都不离不弃，互相体谅，互相忍受，这是前两天一个老朋友写给我们的话。他说，等我们到了他们的年纪，就会体会另外一种美妙了。

做一个 YANKEES FAN，是容易的，一个冠军队伍永远都不会缺少追随者，就象有钱人，永远都会被足够多的人羡慕，就象 BLUE JAYS ，永远都不会有比 YANKEE FANS 更多的追随者。对于一个可以每年用 30 MILLION 去买 AROD 这样的人的球队，其实赢起来也不会有 SOX 赢球这样的快乐。不是 AROD 不好，而是，他不值 30 个 MILLION。

输了就输了，虽然 SOX 的 OFFENSE 今天真的不行，仅仅要求 PEDRO 一分不丢，也是不会赢的，这对 PEDRO 也是不公平的。下午看到 BOSTON.COM 上面有一个和 TOM CARON CHAT 的节目，跑进去问了个问题。那时候问的是 SCHILLING 的 ANKLE 怎么样了，因为下午还没有消息。他说这个不知道，还要等 FRANCONA 晚上宣布。晚上开赛前，就知道 SCHILLING 要做手术了，第五场可能没办法上。想必队员们的心情也为此大受影响，成绩不佳，也是可以理解。今年到了 ALCS 就一切不顺了，也没有办法，如果四场都输了，那，就再等明年吧。

KEEP THE FAITH。
KEEP TO BE A SOX FAN。

WE KNOW DRAMA

这一切就象在演戏。棒球总是这样，大起大落。

输球了，但是我并不难过。如果这是第七场，输了，我可能会有点难过吧。不过，那也没有什么。
SCHILLING 一开始输的太多了，再加上 WAKEFIELD，能到这样已经不容易了。DAMON 四次被 STRIKE OUT，该到指望他的时候指望不上。MUELLER 也一样，最后一个 DOUBLE PLAY，就把他排在今年 TOP 1 的对 YANKS 的 HOMER 断送了。

我和倔倔除了有些怨叹，也有些争论，争论的要点是，第八个INNING 2 OUT 的时候，应不应该换掉 TIMLIN。根据概率来讲，Bernie Williams career with TIMLIN 为0.125，倔倔认为应该让 TIMLIN 继续。我认为应该让 TIMLIN 下，换 FOULKE 上来，因为前两天对 ANGLES 的那个臭名昭著的6：1的 BLEW OUT，让 ANGLES 打出了 GRAND SLAM。正在争着，果然不出所料，Bernie Williams打了个DOUBLE，TWO RUNS IN。这样，就造成了无法挽回的10比7。当然，ORTIZ的那个差10公分的TRIPLE也是一个遗憾，但 TIMLIN 这样的投手，完全不能信任，尤其在这样的关键时刻，完全不能信任，这应该成为 RED SOX 在今后比赛中的一个信条，要当作宪法来严格执行。

这场比赛中，最不要脸的还是 FOX 的解说，急不可耐的抱了MUSSINA 的大腿，在十分钟之后开始自扇耳光。哈哈。

下面的文章，发表在今天的 YAHOO FINANCE 上面。呵呵。

Boston's Hottest Stock
By Bob Bobala (TMF Bobala)
October 12, 2004

That queasy feeling in my stomach has returned. The Red Sox are playing the Yankees again for the American League championship, and the night sweats, indigestion, and high anxiety are back.

I have made boneheaded investment decisions. I rode Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) from $80 all the way down to $24. I am the only person in America to sell Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) at a loss. I have stood on the sidelines while hot properties such as Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) and eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) had double-digit returns -- every day during the bull run.

You can blame me for this. That's fine. I am responsible for my own actions. But I could do nothing about my birthright. I grew up in Massachusetts, heir to Boston Red Sox fan misery.

One year ago, the Sox suffered what would have been an unfathomable collapse to the Yankees in the seventh game of the League Championship Series -- except for one thing. They were the Red Sox, and if you study trends and history, you should have seen it coming. World championships since 1918? Yankees 26. Red Sox 0. The only thing the Red Sox have outpaced the Yankees at in the last 86 years is heartbroken fans.

If I charted stocks or the stars, I would be shorting the Red Sox right about now. Surely there are patterns one can find as the Sox continually rise up only to fall flat on their faces -- look at 1978, 1986, and 2003 as just the most poignant losses to New York teams.

Unfortunately, I'm not smart enough to be a technical analyst. And if you look at these Red Sox from a fundamental perspective, they look like a stock poised to take off.

First-mover status
Despite the Alex Rodriguez fiasco, the Sox moved first against the Yankees last off-season. They plugged the holes that kept them five outs away from beating the Yankees last year. They got the best starting pitcher -- and a Yankee killer -- available on the market in Curt Schilling. They got the best closer available in Keith Foulke.

They also got a new manager who presumably would have enough sense to take Pedro Martinez out of a close game after he's thrown 100 pitches and tires beyond effectiveness (this was not proved out during the regular season, but hopefully Terry Francona has learned his lesson in time for the playoffs).

Increased funding for research and development
Since new ownership and super-boy general manager Theo Epstein took over, the Red Sox have proven they are not satisfied with the status quo. Rather than swing for the fences and hope for the best, as they've done for years, they've been committed to statistical analysis to make the team better, hiring gurus like baseball statistician Bill James and enthusiastically following some of the precepts adhered to by Oakland A's GM Billy Beane -- like a steadfast focus on on-base percentage.

Beane was made famous in Michael Lewis' book, Moneyball. Tom Gardner recently did an excellent interview with the author, which you can get gratis by taking a free trial to Motley Fool Hidden Gems. (I highly recommend the book and the interview, and Tom Gardner's stock picks, too).

Taken to the extreme, Beane's philosophy involves signing unathletic fat guys who can't run or field but can hit and take a lot of walks and come cheap. It's a great way to exploit inefficiencies in the market. It's the same kind of thing we do in Motley Fool Inside Value (also available with a free trial). Buy the ugly stepchild whom no one wanted on their team; he could grow up to become Mr. Clutch.

Epstein has not taken it quite as far as Beane, but he's had some great pickups like Mark Bellhorn, who struck out 177 times this year but walked 88 times and hit 17 home runs with a .373 on-base percentage. Another walking machine, featured prominently in Moneyball, was mid-summer call-up Kevin Youkilis, who filled in admirably at third base while Bill Mueller was on the disabled list. (For more on Moneyball, see this fine column from Zeke Ashton).

In general, though, this team has adopted a playing style that makes opposing pitchers work hard. Sox batters are patient. They take a lot of pitches. They grind down the starters they face so that they can get into the other teams' bullpens more quickly, which usually leads to good hitters facing weaker pitchers.

Valuation
It's tough to say the Sox have really searched for bargains given that their payroll is some $130 million, the second-highest in baseball only to the Yankees' $180 million. But still, they paid $1.3 million per win vs. the $1.8 million per win the Yankees paid.

Sure, the Sox have a salary albatross around their necks in Manny Ramirez (though we love Manny this year!) at $20.4 million. But they also nailed down David Ortiz ($4.6 million this year) to an extended contract, and he's proceeded to do nothing but club 41 home runs and drive in 139 runs.

The aforementioned Bellhorn is only making $490,000. Gabe Kapler, who played 136 games in the outfield while Trot Nixon was hurt, cost them only $750,000. Bill Mueller is only making $2.1 million. Pokey Reese, who was the opening-day second baseman, makes just $1 million (yes, I do feel stupid saying anyone makes "just" $1 million).

Compare that with the Yankees one through nine. Second baseman Miguel Cairo is the only one without a multimillion-dollar contract (he's making about $900,000 this year).

So the Red Sox have not been afraid to make bets in value plays, and they have really gotten their money's worth.

Outstanding, emotionless management
The Sox have also benefited from some of the best front-office management in baseball. While he is one of the youngest GMs in the history of professional sports, Theo Epstein has proven to be a wily negotiator who does not give in to his emotions. He's the ultimate stoic Sox fan, and he proved it this summer when he sent New England icon Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs and got two outstanding defensive players in return -- shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.

Talk about being contrarian. Talk about being a Rule Breaker. This deal made young Theo the bogeyman for a few weeks, with fans threatening him and kids crying over the loss of their hero. But he persevered, and the Sox have thrived since that deal. With the oft-injured and sullen Garciaparra gone, the Sox clubhouse got a monkey off its bac