It has been a day of preparation and anticipation. The pre-game meal has been planned and the intra-game game snacks are in the on deck circle. The bride is in full support mode as result of 3 and a half decades of living through the trauma of the annual spousal Sox related melt down.
The game uni is laid out, a pair of loose around the waist sweat pants and a thread bare old Sox t-shirt. They are of course unsullied with any type of detergent since the beginning of the Anaheim series. Who could wash a uniform that was responsible for a sweep?
This is the year; I can feel it in my bones. Finally a team built for complete redemption. A chance to finally vanquish the evil empire. They have played so well over the last month that there is so much optimism around here you can almost hear cheers from the graveyards. Go Sox!
Finally the baseball gods have seen fit to bless us with a bunch of players. A loose bunch that actually seem to enjoy the game. No 26 cabs for this group. Weird hair, funny handshakes and dirty uniforms. What a refreshing change.
It is not only chemistry that makes this hard core Sox cynic optimistic. These guys are good. When Ortiz and Ramirez come to the plate it is not a matter of if they will hit something monstrous, only a matter of when. When it is hit in all likelihood it might produce multiple runs because the table setters, Damon and Bellhorn have been on base all year.
There is no rest for the opposing pitcher anywhere in the lineup. Who else in the major leagues has a defending batting champion batting ninth? Even the outs that Mueller makes are loud.
Defense a problem you say? Thanks to Theo in the latter innings the Sox can now field three gold glovers in the infield and put another very speedy outfielder in the mix. While on the topic of Theo let’s not forget we actually have a big time closer this year.
The key to success this year and the cause of so many previous failures however is pitching. This time around we are sending forth a certified proven stud. A guy who has been here before and produced. Even Schillings wife says the right things. Last month in a mid game interview Shonda said, “the fans can’t put any more pressure on Curt than he does himself. He came here to win a championship.” She gets it, and so does he and we have this guy going in game one, game four and game seven if need be.
So let’s settle in and enjoy the games, after all they still have to be played. I am wondering when in home defribullators will be available.
