Interestingly enough, I was recently bequeathed a copy of this vinyl collectible:


THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

1967 RED SOX

FEATURING THE VOICES OF: KEN COLEMAN, NED MARTIN & MEL PARNELL

SIDE 1:
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

"THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME"
"SHOUTIN' LIZA TROMBONE"

SIDE 2:
THE UNSINKABLE TEAM

"THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM"
"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME"
"SHOUTIN' LIZA TROMBONE"


CELEBRATE THE BOYS OF '67 AND THE A.L. EAST WINNING CURRENT SQUAD WITH THIS GREAT OLD RECORD. FEATURES NARRATION BY THE LEGENDARY KEN COLEMAN, AS WELL AS "THE YASTRZEMSKI SONG", SUNG BY JESS CAIN.

While it was nice to see the introductions of the starting line-ups for once, I agree with Jimbo that these games are starting waaayyy too late. I can do without the half-hour of over-analysis by Fox's so-called experts during the pre-game, would they just play ball for crying out loud?

I fell asleep sometime mid-game, and awoke at 12:15 a.m. just in time for the post-game signoff.

While I'm not too fond of these late hours either, this is the World Series and as things stand now, these games are starting at 5:30 on the West Coast. I'm willing to suck it up for a 7-game series, although I admit that I went to bed in the 7th inning last night.

I went to last night's game, and it was a terrific night. I love a pitcher's dual. The one thing that's clear when you watch the Sox is that they were built specifically to win in the postseason. Their pitching is fabulous, and they are loaded with the type of players who can deliver when it counts.

A couple of thoughts as we approach the offseason:

-The Sox have to resign Mike Lowell. He's a big game player, and a terrific presence. If it comes down to a question of 3 years instead of the 2 they want to give, the Sox should give the extra year. Right now, I would not trade Mike Lowell for A-Rod even up.
-The Sox should resign Curt Schilling if he's even close to affordable. He is also a big game guy, and he acts like a second pitching coach.
-JD Drew is going to be allright after all. I couldn't have said that 2 months ago.

Wow...glad you got to be at the game. You're right...an incredible pitcher's duel. Schilling was as good as he had to be and Okajima and Papelbon were amazing. I have to give the Rockies credit too...they played really tough. Their young pitcher certainly had some decent stuff.

Hopefully the Sox can get it done with Lowell and apparently they're starting to say the right things in that regard. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees put on a full-court press for Lowell though, which could make him more expensive.

I also agree with your assessment of Schilling...it's a really weak pitchers market. Apparently someone ran the idea of a Clemens schedule by him though and he was not interested, so perhaps you sign him and sit him down for a while mid-season to keep him fresh. I'm pretty sure he'd want to be back here.

As for J.P.U. (As I've taken to calling him most of this year.), perhaps he's finally making the transition. As was the case with Beckett, I believe that Drew and Matsuzaka will both be better next year, with a year in Boston under their belts. This is a unique, high pressure place to play, but once they get the hang of it, I think most players love being here. Nowhere else, including NYC, are the fans as rabid as they are here, on a per capita basis. After playing here, it's really hard to go elsewhere and play in front of fans who know or care little about the game.

I'm still not falling for the bandwagon stuff here though. Sure, the Red Sox could sweep or win it in 5, but the Rockies have showed me something and I'm still not convinced that they're going to go down that easily. I have a lot of respect for them, from the manager on down.

You have to remember too that Drew's kid has had some wicked health issues this summer. I have a disabled child, and I know how hard it can be to focus when things aren't going well with your kid. I can't imagine how hard it is when you are on the road away from your kid and can't see how he's doing. I would still rather have more power in right field, but I can't complain about the way he has played recently.

I've gotta say that I'm always impressed with the Boston crowds. They always seem to be having a good time and really love that team.

I wish NY fans were as loyal.

Bostonians have always loved the Sox, but things definitely got better after 2004. Now, the fans don't seem to have so much angst. I went to every home game between 1988 and 2003 (when I gave up my season ticket), but this was the first time for me since 2004. The vibe was completely different--no negativity at all and no worries. Everyone was just having a great time. It was a lot nicer.

How 'bout those SOX!!!

Damn Sox

You are the evil empire now.

Nah, we just spent more wisely than the real evil empire.

Seriously, though, there has been a lot of talk lately lumping the Sox with the Yankees, but I think it's unwarranted. The Sox's ownership has two choices, they can just concede the division to the Yankees or they can compete with them. Competing costs money--when the opposition is spending $200 million a year, you have to spend too.

Baseball has a serious problem when only a handful of teams have a chance to win it. The simple answer is to emulate the NFL and institute a salary cap (and salary minimum).

I love it that the Sox are the best team in baseball, and that they will remain near the top for the foreseeable future because of the quality of their young players. I would hate to live in Kansas City or Tampa though (Well, Tampa would be ok...I could still root for the Sox, but go to the beach every day)

Hey...it's a heck of a lot easier getting Red Sox tickets in Tampa than it is in New England!

As I said as the Rockies were sweeping my mediocre Phillies-no way they win the World Series. A nice little story, but let's be realistic here-they are a mediocre team who had 89 wins (plus 1) and they can't compete with the AL teams.
Again, a nice story and an amazing run but this was the end of the line.

All of this kinda makes me glad the Mets didn't make it into the Playoffs. They were as mediocre as any team in the NL for most of the season.

How about Boston's rookies? Playing damn well.

If Jacoby Ellsbury played at Coors field, he would bat a million--maybe not a million, but he would hit a ton of doubles. That huge outfield plays right into his strength.

Ken Rosenthal just reported that Scott Boros told him that A-Rod is opting out of his contract. This is very bad news for the Yankees--and potentially good news for the Angels, who seem the best fit to me.

Note to Theo Epstein (since I'm sure he reads this board ) Please, resign Mike Lowell and don't flirt with A-Hole.

It must suck to be the Yankees...A-Hole opts out and then this...

boston has a very bright future.

not only do they have young players on their major league roster, they have a very well run and well-stocked farm system too.

the only 2 players they may lose are shilling and lowell, and i'd bet my money that they try to sign them both.

the yankees, on the other hand, are in deep shit. a-rod gone, torre gone, and don't be surprised to see riviera, posada, and pettite leave too. and their farm system is not good.

renny

Congrats to the Sox, they made the right moves the past 2 years and have a fearless team.

as for A-Rod, no world series winner or runner up has needed him to get there, I don't see that changing anytime soon. between A-Rod, Bonds, Griffey, Sosa and McGwire you have 1 ring and a couple WS appearances, Ya need great pitching and hungry selfless players.

Bye A-Rod. Despite everything, I hope you break the home run record one day.

Expect the Yankees to appoint Girardi as manager in the next day or two. He won't be afraid to bruise a few delicate egos on the team. The one bright point is some good young home-grown pitching, like Hughes and Joba. And even with King George in decline, the team won't hesitate to spend on free agents, especially with $150 mil or so freed up by A-Rod's departure.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I feel sick...

alex rodriquez has NEVER played one world series game.

Well look on the bright side...NYC still has the JETS to cheer for, right? J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! Oops...maybe not! How are things going for Mangenius now? Hmm....perhaps it's the Curse of the Sopranos! At least the Giants managed to squeak by the 0-8 Dolphins!