2009 ALDS - SWEEP - Bring on Those Damn Yankees

I woke up early Sunday morning, went to Albertson's for some game supplies. Limes - check, olives - check, salt - check, celery - check, bloody mary mix - check and a bottle of Skyy vodka - check!!! Wow, was I really out and about at 7:30 am on a Sunday morning? And, for what? Sunday brunch with the boys? A mud football game in the park? No!!! It was game 3 of the ALDS. Early plans to have a huge Knothole gathering fell through. The backup plan....Bloody Marys, Pozole and Tacos at the Stadium Loft condos across the street from Anaheim Stadium. Four Knotholers gathered that day to watch the Angels try to seal the deal and sweep the Red Sox. Would we be disappointed? Our happiness would depend on a band of brothers in grey and red uniforms. A group of guys with one common bond, baseball and the pursuit for one more day in the sun.

All was going well until the bottom of the 3rd inning. Boston scores 3 runs off determination of Dustin Pedroia. Kendry Morales would cut the score by 1 with a big fly to right field, but the Sox added 2 more with a 2 run big fly of their own by J.D. Drew. The Angels would add an additional 3 more runs through the 8th inning, while Boston added just 1. The score at the top of the 9th inning seemed unbelievable at 6-4, in favor of the Boston Red Sox and JonathanPapelbon on the mound. Papelbon came into the 9th inning, not giving up a single earned run in the post season, ever. That is, he had not giving up a single earned run in 27 post season innings, a rather ominous stat in itself. That being said, Papelbon quickly sat down "Mighty" Maicer Izturis and Gary Matthews Jr. to make it a quick 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth, leading by 2 runs. This is right where Papelbon and the Red Sox wanted to be....in control and about to close out the inning to force a game 4. But, this was not to be. Not on this day. Not in front of a Boston sell out crowd. Erick Aybar was down to his final strike when he nails an 0-2 fastball into the outfield for a single. And, the rally begins. Papelbon then walks Chone Figgins putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Now up to bat, the Angels go to guy for RBI's all season, Bobby Abreu. Abreu ropes a double off the Green Monster and drives in Aybar, Figgins stops at 3rd base. What does Terry Francona do next? He has Papelbon intentionally walk Torii Hunter to get to Vladimir Guerrero. Vladdy, a guy who has been less than spectacular in post season play. Francona figured, this guy is slumping and all we need is this one out. One out and Vladdy swings at everything and cannot hit the fastball anymore. This thought process would be the undoing of the Boston Red Sox. Vladimir Guerrero proved that he can still hit the fastball. He did just that, connecting on a 1st pitch fastball dealt by Papelbon. Guerrero put that ball in just the perfect spot in centerfield, between Ellsbury and Bay...Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu both score to put the Angels up 7-6. Papelbon had given up 3 runs in the top of the 9th with 2 outs.

Unbelievable? I say nay....it's the Angels...the "Comeback Kids." We've been doing this sort of thing all season. Francona brings in Okajima to close out the top of the 9th and give their batters a chance to pick up the win. It was not to be....closer Brian Fuentes, AL save regular season saves leader, sat the batters down 3 straight. One, two, three and the Boston crowd was completely silent. This completed the SWEEP of the Boston Red Sox and the Angels got the "monkey" off their back.

While we watched the game, we looked for Angels fans in the crowd at Fenway Park. Where were the Angels fans? What was up with the coverage? The telecast did not show a single Angels cap in the crowd...were they there? Did Boston not let any Angels fans in the game? As we jumped for joy in that Anaheim condo, we felt as if we were jumping with the Angels in Boston. It felt as if we were the only fans to have experienced this joy.

Amidst the laughter and jubilation, our thoughts turn to the Yankees. We can only hope that they lose their later game to the Twins and extend the playoffs. Could we beat the Yankees....Hell yes WE CAN!!! Will we beat the Yankees....HELL YES WE WILL!!! Bring on those Damn Yankees. Bring on ARod, Jeter, Tex, Damon, Posada, Rivera and Pettitte. The Angels have the best track record against the Yankess than any other team in baseball. These are the arguable the 2 best teams in MLB. I can definitely see this series going down to the wire....7 games. I do hope that the Angels can finish them in 4 or 5 games. It would be nice to get the rest for the 2009 World Series. There is a good possibility for the Angels and the Dodgers to meet. Let's Go Angels!!!!!