You would have thought it was the World Series from how the Red Sox were jumping around last night after their game four win in the ALCS to send the Angels back to Anaheim.
And I loved it.
One of my favorite things about October baseball is how it shows players as the best of men and the best of boys. Whenever the game is on the line, October men show up with big plays and miraculous feats, but whenever the game is over, they are transformed into boys with more emotion in their eyes than you could ever think possible. Papelbon has had it all series. At one point I wouldn't have been surprised to see him rip off his jersey and beat his chest in triumph.
But I think I love the emotion most of all because--as any real Red Sox fan will tell you--after a long season, it's nice to see the players still exhibiting the same emotion I have been screaming all season. Last night's victory was a time for release.
And now we get a few moments of rest.
But just like we all know as well, the rest won't last. Friday we start the series versus the Rays and this one will be a good one. We can only hope the youth of the Rays plays out the way I think it might.
Coming off a 3-1 series victory over the "best" team in baseball, the Red Sox seem invincible, and coming off a 3-1 series victory against the "team" of the White Sox, the Rays seemed less invincible than ESPN and other sports media outlets have been touting them. Game three was less than pretty, and it showed that the Rays are a regular team just like anyone else. But more than that, I think the Rays/White Sox series may do more to stroke their egos than can be deemed good in the post-season.
All in all I know it will be a good series, and the first two games will be tricky because the Rays have gotten used to playing in the hell hole called Tropicana Field. The story line has to be experience versus youth, and as far as I am concerned, all the bandwagon fans in Tampa better enjoy this roller coaster while it lasts.
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