New England Sports Mania
What a day in New England sports history yesterday! The undefeated Patriots rolled into Miami to face a winless and demoralized Dolphin team that aways gives them fits. And then on to Game 7 of the ALCS, where the winner of the Red Sox / Indians tilt gets to take on a redhot Colorado Rockies team, winner of 21 of their last 22 games.
First up was the Patriots absolutely destroying the minor league Miami team. They truly look like a team on a mission to not just win every game, but to demoralize their opponent every game. The two touchdown passes to Moss were simply amazing examples of what he can do. I'm just about ready to rescind my pre-season prediction of the "good" Randy Moss showing up for the first 6 games or so, then going off on his own and getting cut before the end of the season. The guy has simply been a model citizen and makes plays that no other wide receiver could.
I have to admit to some trepidation as they went in Miami. During their last Super Bowl run, the Patriots went into Miami to face a one win team, and they were 11-1 themselves, yet they lost 29-28. And then last year's fiasco, where they were shutout, 21-0. But not this year. The 49-28 can of whoop ass they opened up on the Dolphins wasn't nearly as close as even that wide margin would indicate. And as the near victory by the Texans, after being down 32-7 in the fourth quarter, showed, you just can't let up on an NFL team. And as Jason Taylor said, if you don't want them to run up the score, don't let them score! I loved Belichick's reaction when he was asked during the post-game press conference about "running up the score". He scoffed and couldn't have been more derisive when he said "C'mon, it was only the first half! Listen, I was at the same game as you."
Next week should be another good test before the Game of the Century in Indianapolis the week after that. We're going to see them play the Redskins, Sunday afternoon at 4. The Washington team is supposed to be among the cream of the NFC crop, admittedly week comparison. I hope for good weather!
And then it was the long wait until the first pitch of the Red Sox / Indians game 7. And then three straight inning ending double plays (each with a runner on third), meant the 3-0 lead felt shakier than it should have, especially with Dice-K pitching, who was described perfectly as a "power nibbler". But he seemed to have his stuff and despite a shakey fifth, left with the lead after five. Then the game entered the twilight zone, with bizarre plays on boths sides of the ball by both teams. Dropped pop flies, runner getting held, collisions and other stange October goings on. But then the Toy Cannon (with apologies to Jimmy Wynn) went all medieval on the Indians, with a two run homer and a bases clearing double, so the goggles went on and the champagne was popped.
Wow, what a sports day! I know there are plenty of folks out there that just don't understand sports, but there just isn't another feeling like this, when "your" teams are rolling and the good times are here. My girls think the Red Sox go to the World Series (and win!) every year, while the Patriots are perennial Super Bowl champs. My, what a long strange journey it has been since I started rooting for them in the 70s. And my oldest asked if she could watch the World Series game, but given that the first pitch isn't until 8:30, I told her it was going to be too late, which is a real shame. I don't know how old they will be before they watch their first post-season game. They did see some of the opening round, because some games are in the afternoon, but they've never seen a World Series game.
