NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT SOX TO BE BOSTON

The New York POst ^ | 8/21/03 | KEVIN KERNAN

[Whitebread]

August 21, 2003 -- Athletics 8 - Red Sox 6

BOSTON - The Yankees and the Curse of the Bambino have gotten so deep into the New England mindset that at Quincy Market they are selling Babe Ruth Reverse The Curse dolls at a little shop called The Christmas Dove.

Fans here can't even celebrate the holidays without thinking of the Yankees and the Curse of the Bambino.

And last night was a perfect example why life in Fenway is such a tortured existence. The Red Sox turned what should have been an easy win into another crushing defeat, losing 8-6 to the Teflon-A's, their second straight revolting loss in two nights to fall two games back of Oakland in the wild-card race and eight behind the Yankees in the loss column. They left 17 men on base, wasted 17 hits and watched in horror as closer Byung-Hyun Kim blew a two-run lead in the eighth, allowing four hits and four runs.

Kim must have had a Yankee World Series flashback.

The Red Sox are so far back of the Bombers that in the words of catcher Doug Mirabella, who made a critical error in the eighth, allowing the eventually winning run to score: "We can't even see them now."

The focus is on the wild-card.

"Absolutely," noted straight-shooting centerfielder Johnny Damon. "If the Yankees lose three games in a row they are definitely going to make more moves to improve themselves. They aren't going to lose too many games throughout the season."

It's official. The white flag has been raised. Crown the Yankees AL East Champions while the Red Sox fight for wild-card crumbs. The Red Sox can now only hope to survive to fight the Evil Empire in the ALCS.

The Red Sox' day started off terribly when they had to endure watching the Yankees survive their 8-7 victory over the baserunning-challenged Royals and a sense of paranoia may be creeping into the Red Sox clubhouse.

Kevin Millar, who flied out to right for the final out, loves his Boston experience, but realizes the pitfalls, too. There are 85 years of angry passion here, 85 years of failure.

Millar writes a diary for MLB.com and made this observation this week about life in Boston: "It's almost to the point where the media is waiting for you to fail. The radio shows, the TV shows, the newspapers, want you to fail. You almost get that sense."

Kim said last night through an interpreter that, "A lot of people have a negative attitude toward this team, but we have good hopes on this team and I know we are going to do well."

Asked what he meant by "negative attitude," Kim said, "No one in particular but I hear a lot of comments like that here."

[stanz]

It may "sox" to be Boston, but the Yankees can't take anything for granted. Their bullpen "sox" and Mariano Rivera is only a shadow of what he used to be. I cringe every time he's up in the ninth inning.

[Mr. Mojo]

The LowSux stranded 17 runners yesterday. LOL....That must be close to a record.

[Mr. Mojo]

There are 85 years of angry passion here, 85 years of failure.

Imo, the only way Boston is going to exorcise The Curse is for the Yankees to make a deal similar in stupidity to the one Boston made in 1920 (with the LoSux being the beneficiaries this time, of course).

Iow, it ain't gonna happen.

[Mr. Mojo]

Millar writes a diary for MLB.com and made this observation this week about life in Boston: "It's almost to the point where the media is waiting for you to fail. The radio shows, the TV shows, the newspapers, want you to fail. You almost get that sense."

Here's an idea: Stop bitching and worrying about what people say and write. .......and start performing.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Q: What's the difference between a Fenway Frank and a Yankee Stadium hotdog ?

A: You can purchase a Yankee Stadium hotdog in October.

[Mr. Mojo]

Ping

[SES1066]

At one point in my youth, I thought Baseball was a sport, now I realize that it is (in areas) a religion. As far as the BoSoxs vs NYY, the comparisons between this and Voudou are striking.

[Whitebread]

I agree, however Rivera has had some bad luck contributing to the 5 blown saves in his last 10 outtings. Last night He got a save despite giving up 4 hits, all grounders thru the infield.

[Living Free in NH]

I suffered a severe sprain to my left ankle as I jumped off the bandwagon this morning...Go Patriots!

[stanz]

I saw this coming two years ago. Joe keeps on saying that 90% of Rivera is better than not having him, but he's not been giving 90%...more like 50%. And forget about Orosco and Osuna. The only relief who's on some of the time is Jeff Nelson. ( Who did I leave out?) They better start scouting for some youngsters.

[Whitebread]

Im afraid that the Yankees will only go as far as their bullpen takes them. Hammond is so-so at best, some new guy (Currently injured) Gabe Something? may help. Weaver will soon to be there, no great help. The shakey bullpen has caused Joe to overuse Rivera lately, 1 month to get it fixed.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

it all turns around tonight with pedro on the mound.

[Mr. Mojo]

What, exactly, gets turned around?

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

tonight starts the march to the WORLD SERIES!!!!

[Mr. Mojo]

LOL

[stanz]

1 month to get it fixed????
Good luck!

[F16Fighter]

The Red Sox can now only hope to survive to fight the Evil Empire in the ALCS...

The Red Sox' day started off terribly when they had to endure watching the Yankees survive their 8-7 victory over the baserunning-challenged Royals and a sense of paranoia may be creeping into the Red Sox clubhouse...

Asked what he meant by "negative attitude," Kim said, "No one in particular but I hear a lot of comments like that here."

LOL -- Ya gotta love how Bosox fans and writers savor the agony and angst of every nuance of torment!

[big'ol_freeper]

You were saying?

[Whitebread]

Don't get too excited just yet. The Yankee bats are about to explode.