K Matsui 2B
T Tulowitzki SS
M Holliday LF
T Helton 1B  
G Atkins 3B  
B Hawpe RF  
Y Torrealba C  
C Sullivan CF
J Fogg P  

BoSox:

J Ellsbury CF  
D Pedroia 2B  
D Ortiz 1B  
M Ramirez LF  
M Lowell 3B  
J Drew RF  
J Varitek C  
J Lugo SS  
D Matsuzaka P

When I said yes to this gig a month and a half  ago, the possibility of it coinciding with a World Series game didn't exactly come to mind.

At any rate, if you can't watch the Series, being surrounded by tough chicks in short skirts and fishnet stockings ain't that bad an alternative.

Hopefully, the Rox have the same kickass attitude tonight that those women do.

This is why I didn't want changes, it's just selective accountability.  If they really wanted to try to jumpstart the O, Hawpe would be lifted for Smith.

It looks like he's wearing one but I just can't see it!

Keep it going!

Red Sox fan to me: "We've won this series!"

Me: "O, rly?"

And also, Dustin Pedroia?  I don't like you.

What a frickin' letdown.

This will take a lot longer.

Wasn't there some Red Sox fan on here going on about how the Sox fan's are real fans because of all the suffering they've endured?

if that's the case, I've never felt realer as a fan than I do right now.

I'm sure that will happen.  And it will be welcome, 'cause right now, I'm just sick about this.  

We finally get the nation's attention and we reinforce every negative stereotype about this team.  Damn it to hell.

Fans will know that the Rox will be sitting on some big post season revenue, from tickets, TV and merchanidsing, and have picked up many season ticket holders for 2008.   They will, I would hope, demand that the money gets spent to improve the ballclub and make sure we're better prepared to take on the AL when we get back to the big show.

Believe me, I was loud enough to account for at least a dozen people who couldn't get there. But my section was like a damned morgue, I don't know what the F--- is wrong with people but you're watching your team at the World Series. No one's gonna think you're weird for screaming your part of the GO - ROCKIES chant. For the love of god stand the hell up, chant, twirl your towels, whatever, just don't sit there. </rant>

Anyway it's not over yet!

(On a side note I found most of the Sox fans at the game to be pretty cool.)

The "I surrender towel wavers" think what's being played was a baseball game. It's not, it's our life, the grandest of life. There are 7yr old kids who aren't waiting for Groundhog day to signal the end of winter. It's the day in late January when the equipment vans leaves for spring training. The Red Sox are a lot more than a team of players. The Red is the blood that flows through our veins. We are a town that still speaks in awe of a man who hasn't played a baseball game in over 47 years. Once at the park we look for His "Red Seat" and after we find it wonder how Teddy Ballgame hit a ball that far. We know it's not over until we have 4 wins and I hope that's today. But we do need to move on to the Superbowl, the BCS and who knows maybe "hang another banner from the rafters" at the Garden. Ok the Bruins have no chance but they did give the Lanche Ray Bourque.

BTW Pesky belongs in the dugout, you listening MLB?

Basically, that almost $20 million of the Sox $150+ million payroll this year was spent on players that didn't actually play for the Sox.

The Sox are even willing to pick up players that are dropped by other teams because they are too old and overpaid for their value to their former team, and give them a seat on the bench "just in case" they are needed. Guys like Royce Clayton. I've never actually seen him enter a game for the Sox. For all I know, he may not even be on the roster. But I do know the Sox are paying him quite a bit of money to be a cheerleader, just in case.

Red Sox Nation wants the Sox to sign Curt Schilling for $13 million for next season in hopes he might be able to start 20 games and be there for the playoffs as a number 4 starter. We cite Kason Gabbard and Bronson Arroyo as examples of pitchers we let go we would have needed later on as examples of why we need Curt. Even though we know we have Beckett, Matsuzaka, Bucholz (he of the no hitter in 2007), Wakefield, and Lester for our rotation next year. We still want Curt at $13 million just in case.

The only free agent Red Sox Nation wants to see sign with another team is Matt Clement, just because he hasn't been able to stay healthy for the Sox. We most definitely want to see Mike Lowell back next year, at whatever the price.

Now if all that means you need to raise our ticket prices up another $5 per ticket so be it. We'll not only pay it, we'll sell out all 81 games at Fenway next year to thank you for it. When we talk about games sold out in a row in Red Sox Nation, we don't talk about the number of games in a row, we talk about the number of years worth of games in a row.

You may think I, or other Sox fans are recent fans. I have four children. My oldest is in high school. I still recall my parents taking me to Fenway as a child. I reflect fondly on my father's stories about watching Ted Williams hit at Fenway. I've seen Yaz take BP at the ballpark, nevermind watching him play. I live Red Sox, I love Red Sox, and it's been that way as long as I can remember. For me, it doesn't matter what they do, as long as they do their best to put a winning team on the field. This year, I'd say it is safe to say they have done their best.

You may hate them because of their payroll, because of some perceived arrogance, or whatever reason you hate them. But if the roles were reversed. If the Rox had a $150 million + payroll and contended EVERY year. Would you hate yourself?

ICKIMORE

...now it's "your payroll is too high. You've become the next Yankees."

I've come to the conclusion most of these opinions are drivel, and are simply formed out of the pain of losing.  And as such, not worth debating.