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May 14, 2007
What a day, what a day . . .
DEJA VU: It ended with a three-game, first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Indians and proved not to be a jumping-off point for greater glories; thus, 1995 is rarely mentioned in the pantheon of great Red Sox seasons. But statistically, it was. No Red Sox team in history ever dominated the standings like that one. At one point in late August, the Sox had a 16-game lead over second-place Baltimore, and they clinched the division with more than a week-and-a-half left in the season.
What's the point, you ask?
Because this is starting to look a lot like that.
Yesterday's mind-blowing comeback over the Orioles increased the Sox' record to 25-11, and their A.L. East lead to eight games . . . which, if you click the ''that'' link above, you'll note is the same lead they had after 36 games in '95. (Their 25-11 record is one game better than it was in '95.) It was hardly a concern-free day -- they certainly can't afford to lose Josh Beckett for any length of time, and right now no one seems to know what, exactly, will happen with his finger -- and, truth be told, that ninth-inning comeback was aided and abetted by some pretty poor playing/decision-making on the part of the Orioles. There's a long way to go, in other words, and just because the '95 Sox blew things open doesn't mean their '07 counterparts will do the same.
But right now, as they say in the business, it's all good.
DON'T THINK IT'S GONE UNNOTICED: Johnny Damon was doing some scoreboard-watching in Seattle, and says he ''couldn't really believe'' the Sox' comeback . . . which hurt even more when the Yanks lost to the Mariners. (New York Daily News) And Damon, always the most honest of souls, issued his own warning: "If the Red Sox keep playing the way they are, nobody is going to catch them."
A DIFFERENT TAKE: Derek Jeter says the Yankees' eight-game deficit is better than being nine games out. (New York Post)
A REALLY DIFFERENT TAKE: Yesterday's proceedings have an entirely different look from the other side (Baltimore Sun). "That's a game we should've won, period," said Kevin Millar. "There's no rhyme or reason why we should've lost that game." Sun blogger Roch Kubatko agrees, calling the loss ''inexcusable.'' No argument here.
BEANTOWN BLABBERMOUTH: That's what the New York Daily News' Bill Madden calls Curt Schilling as he runs down the latest series of incidents involving Schilling. Nothing new here, but it's interesting to see the out-of-town take.
NOT THIS TIME, THOUGH: Schilling says nothing controversial -- even about plate umpire Chris Guccione, whose call on that 2-and-2 pitch in the sixth inning changed the afternoon for Schilling and the Sox -- as he breaks down Saturday's no-decision against the Orioles on 38pitches.com.
START COUNTING THE DAYS: All signs point to Roger Clemens making his 2007 debut at Fenway Park on June 2. (New York Daily News)
YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE HIM, THOUGH: A scout tells the New York Post's Joel Sherman that the Yankees won't be getting the Roger Clemens of old when he finally arrives in the Bronx.
TIME WOUNDS ALL HEELS: Those of you old enough to remember Clemens' Red Sox battles with the A's Dave Stewart will recall that Stewart had very little use for the Rocket back then. Guess what? He still doesn't. (blog.nbx.com) And, just in case you didn't quite get the message, he'll tell you again.
Clemens vs. Stewart: A beautiful, beautiful thing. Who do you root for in that one?
SWITCHING SIDES: The Mets' resurgence and the Yankees' decline has led to the Mets "taking substantial bites out of the Yankee fan base'' in Westchester County. (New York Times)
TWO SIDES TO THE STORY: The Toronto Star's Richard Griffin says the Blue Jays' season is over, and he blames it on injuries. Baseball Musing's David Pinto, though, thinks J.P. Ricciardi should shoulder some of the blame.
SLOWING DOWN: Pinto posts research that shows offense in 2007 lagging behind 2006. (baseballmusings.com)
-- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone 
at 7:03 AM | Permalink
