OT: Two Incredible collapses in one night

[canjond]

As a die-hard Yankee fan, I couldn't be happier. But all kidding aside, what a fun night to watch baseball!

[brass_rat]

Well, my schedule for October just became a lot more flexible.

I made the mistake of blocking off all nights that Boston *would* have been playing, telling my wife to look at the calendar...

sigh.

From a baseball standpoint, I guess you couldn't have asked for a more action-packed final day of the season...

Steve

[basesareempty]

As a die hard Orioles fan I havent been this excited since 1997, the last time we made the playoffs. I can't stand the Red Sux so I can go into the winter happy! Chokers!

[terjung]

Celebrating here in Tampa!

What an incredible night of baseball!

It reminds me of the "Alcoa Presents: Fantastic Finishes" from the 80s.

[oldjudge]

So many question for Red Sox management:

1. Do we dump Tido and hire Bobby Valentine
2. Was that JD Drew's last game as a BoSox
3. Was that Papelbon's last game as a BoSox
4. Why did we sign Carl Crawford to 7 years at that salary
5. Is Theo gone
6. Do we sign Jose Reyes
7. WHAT HAPPENED

I'm a Yankee fan but I can't get to giddy. The Tigers are a better team and I don't expect the Yankees to make it past the first round.

[bh3443]

I had a great evenening watching the games!
Tiexiera and longoria both had some awesome HR's!

Who'd you all like to see in the WS? I would like the Yankees and Milwaukee!

[71buc]

This is why I love baseball. I would like to see a Phillies Tigers match up.

[terjung]

Anybody else find it interesting that it was Carl Crawford in left field who couldn't come up with the catch (or the throw) to end it and assure at least a playoff with Tampa Bay

[brass_rat]

1. No, keep Tito. He's done well handling players over the years and isn't responsible for them playing poorly this month, although you'd think that he'd panic a little more down the stretch.
2. Yes.
3. Yes, hopefully. I think he's downhill from here, I don't want to pay him a lot, and I'd rather see them give the ball to Bard instead. Bard needs more command, but I think they can work on that.
4. Theo was drunk?
5. Nope, see answer one, sub in Theo for Tito.
6. No, please, no!
7. John Lackey finally infected the rest of the team with poor performance (Ellsbury seemed to be immune) and they keeled over...

Sigh.

Originally Posted by oldjudge

So many question for Red Sox management:

1. Do we dump Tido and hire Bobby Valentine
2. Was that JD Drew's last game as a BoSox
3. Was that Papelbon's last game as a BoSox
4. Why did we sign Carl Crawford to 7 years at that salary
5. Is Theo gone
6. Do we sign Jose Reyes
7. WHAT HAPPENED

I'm a Yankee fan but I can't get to giddy. The Tigers are a better team and I don't expect the Yankees to make it past the first round.

[familytoad]

I know its easy to sour on today's version of the national pastime...but the game is still classic and produces amazing moments like tonight's games that decided the playoff rosters...it was unreal!!!
I don't recall as wild a night of comebacks, collapses and drama ever.
As a lifelong and often suffering Phillie fan I am still high on a 102 win cloud, hoping for another championship.
As a lifelong baseball fan, I just cant resist another opportunity to profess my love for this sport...the players, the stats, the games, the ballpark experiences and yes the baseball cards...wow i can't get enough!
GO BASEBALL !!!!!!

[barrysloate]

Certainly there's never been an end to a baseball season to rival what happened last night, and throughout September. Yankees can't hold a 7-0 lead in the 8th inning? That's incredible. Red Sox give up 2 in the bottom of the 9th with everything on the line? It will be talked about for a very long time.

[Ladder7]

I havent been beat like that since I had a banana in my pocket and someone turned the monkey loose! And it was nice to see the Balmore folks at the park, for a change. It's a terrific venue, keep it goin.

Cant forget all them decades when our boys would melt down at the close of the season. We learned to enjoy humble pie after those. many feasts.

I know it happens in every town, to a degree, ie Camden Yds. St Pete, far too many of the fans are supportive of their team, in September when the team rallies.
Been to many games at the Trop and have to say, Boston fans and Id guess New Yorkers as well, pay much of salaries in TB.

To Hell with fair weather. True fans take the good with the bad, the praise and the putdowns and dont bury the cap when youre no longer the best.

Best of luck to the NY loyalists. Ill be watching in my cap with a B on it. Cmon April!

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

So many question for Red Sox management:

1. Do we dump Tido and hire Bobby Valentine
2. Was that JD Drew's last game as a BoSox
3. Was that Papelbon's last game as a BoSox
4. Why did we sign Carl Crawford to 7 years at that salary
5. Is Theo gone
6. Do we sign Jose Reyes
7. WHAT HAPPENED

1 thru 6 - YES!

7 - I think BABE RUTH can answer this Best

I just simply Love the Game... However, being from the land of Shea, when the Met's did it, it seemed like a Double Whammy!

[yanks12025]

Funny I knew about that stat already. But that was in the beginning of the season.

[yanks12025]

WOW. Fister looked great last night. Pretty sure nova out dueled him.

[vintagechris]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

As a die hard Orioles fan I havent been this excited since 1997, the last time we made the playoffs. I can't stand the Red Sux so I can go into the winter happy! Chokers!

I'm right there with you Bob. It was kind of nice to see the O's celebrate too.

[dstraate]

That was just incredible. Must...Get...Coffee...

[Vintagecatcher]

It was a painful year to be a Red Sox fan.

From the dreadful start to the unbelievable choke job at the end.

The improbable set of circumstance that unfolded last night brought back a sensation which was lost after the Red Sox finally won the World Series in 2004.

I would like to officially thank the 2011 Red Sox team for making me feel like I did prior to winning the 2004 World Series.

Red Sox fans once again feel like Red Sox fans.

Patrick

[carrigansghost]

Nicely said Patrick.

Still better than being an O's fan.

Rawn

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by carrigansghost

Nicely said Patrick.

Still better than being an O's fan.

Rawn

Oh, NOOOOOOOOOO it's not

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by Vintagecatcher

I would like to officially thank the 2011 Red Sox team for making me feel like a did prior to winning the 2004 World Series.

Red Sox fans once again feel like Red Sox fans.

Patrick

Well not quite for me. A lot of teams would take a couple of Championships in the last 100 years much less the last 7 years. But it did bring back a hint of those pre 04 feelings. But I slept well

[Rickyy]

I was still excited last nite...even though none of them were my team!

[bosoxfan]

Originally Posted by basesareempty

As a die hard Orioles fan I havent been this excited since 1997, the last time we made the playoffs. I can't stand the Red Sux so I can go into the winter happy! Chokers!

28 games back and in last place. I guess you take what crumbs you can get.

[oldjudge]

Sorry Barry-I thought you were talking about last night

[yanks12025]

Yankees beat Tigers in 4, Rays lose in 4 to Texas.. Mark it in your books.

[tbob]

Tigers, the Rodney Dangerfields of Baseball against the Phillies in the Series.
One other note, the Twins won 2 games in a row for the first time since July and had a walk off 9th inning win to avoid losing 100 games.
For those of us who are Twins fans we are looking ahead to 2013 when Bill Smith will no longer be the GM, Gardenhire will be retired and the Twins draft 1st in the MLB Draft.

[Anthony S.]

Three exciting finishes last night, but the results of all three definitely bummed me out. I never realized the left field fence at Tropicana was two feet high and 196 feet down the line. I thought Longoria had gotten jammed - and then - bam - game's over. You could realistically re-enact Sandy Amoros' famous catch in the 1955 World Series with a midget at Tropicana Field. The foul poll should be sponsored by "Tonka."

I also hope the Tropicana "catwalks" don't come into play during the playoffs. What an absurd place to play baseball.

http://mlb.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/infor...t=ground_rules

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by bosoxfan

28 games back and in last place. I guess you take what crumbs you can get.

1, 20, 50, 100 game back it does not matter. Our seasons ended on the same night and Robert Andino ensured that! Just man up and take your lumps. We certainly have taken ours.

[vintagechris]

Give Rawn a break, he is obviously having a very difficult time dealing with the biggest collapse in baseball history. To make matters worse, it is all over the air waves with people talking about the most amazing night in baseball history.

It must be tough to be on the wrong end. and no, nobody will talk about the '11 Orioles not making the playoffs, but they sure enough will be talking about the Red Sox choke job for ummmm EVER!

And for the record, the O's were 15-13 in September, playing mostly either teams that are in the playoffs or playoff contenders. Not that I am bragging about that,l but it is nice to see some life in a once proud organization that has mostly been lifeless 15 years.

What is really funny to me, it seems like most people are only talking about the Red Sox and not the Braves.

Tigers and Phillies in the World Series with the Phillies winning in 5.

[vintagecpa]

People really aren't talking about the Braves because most Braves fans just figure last night saves them another first-round playoff loss. Unfortunately, Braves fans have accepted these type of losing performances. The Red Sox have raised the bar after a couple WS wins the past decade. But even before that, Red Sox fans in general are simply more emotionally tied to their team.

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by vintagechris

What is really funny to me, it seems like most people are only talking about the Red Sox and not the Braves.

I think the expectations of the Red Sox where much higher than the those of the Braves. Higher payroll, bigger market, more fans. If you asked at the beginning of September "Which team will be in the playoffs - the Red Sox or the Braves?" most would pick the Sox.