Monday Miscellany

This past Friday night saw the Red Sox clinch the AL East Division title for the first time since 1995. After the Sox won their game and reduced the Magic # to 1, all eyes in the park became glued to the Jumbotron, watching the ongoing Yankees-Orioles contest. A Yankees loss would clinch it for the Good Guys. The MFNYY were up 9-6 in the 8th and it wasn't looking good for the O's - "not gonna happen" in Eck's words. Yet I could not stop watching the remaining Fenway crowd watching the game - the looks and sounds from the crowd on TV told me what was going on in the game before the update clips (because of broadcasting rights, NESN could only technically show updates of the game, not the actual ongoing game despite its immense importance).

And then all of a sudden the bases are jammed against Rivera in the bottom of the 9th. Up to the plate steps ex-Red Sox and ex-Lord of the Idiots Kevin Millar, who promptly strikes out. At this point there are two outs, and I was just thankful that he didn't GIDP. Melvin Mora comes up to the plate next and executes a perfect squeeze bunt down the 3rd base line, driving in the winning run. Instant jubilation. The Moet and Bad Larrys starting a-flowing; stogies were lit; AL East Title gear was donned; smiles and wet female reporters all around.

Go here for some awesome pics from the celebration. Papelbon had a bit too much bubbly methinks:

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From 4-7PM this evening at City Hall Plaza is a rally for the Sox to celebrate their achievement and get everyone pumped for this Wednesday's ALDS opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles. Music, Sox fans, Sox players, and MRhé. What more could one want?

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Playoff baseball also means that the Tim McCarver Comedy Show will once more return to the national spotlight. A recent post over at FJM highlights his persistent inanity. And he's definitely obsessed with this topic - I remember that he was also talking about this during the last Sox-MFNYY series. The thing about Timmy though is that his observations are so ridiculous, and his turns of phrase are so awkward, that he actually provides a lot of entertainment value.

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In an effort to be somewhat less Sox-centric, how about the playoff race this season? Seems like every spot's been decided coming down to the wire, especially in the case of the Padres/Rockies, who are playing the ultimate one-game playoff tonight to decide who takes the NL Wild Card spot. Exciting times! 162 games and it all comes down to 9 innings tonight. I like Dewey's take on the game, since I know less about the National League than anyone in the world.

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But I won't be watching baseball tonight, I'll be watching MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL! DUH-DUH-DUH-DUHHHHH (duh-duh, duh-duh) DA-nah-NAH-nah-nah-NAHHHHHH! The Pats are taking on the Bengals on the national stage tonight. Gather 'round to watch the Pats' fourth victory of the season.