"Why should we panic? We've got a great team. It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."I know Red Sox fans, down 3-1 in the ALCS, aren't thrilled to hear Manny Ramirez talking about what will happen if the Sox get eliminated...before it actually happens.
But you know what? He's right! This is not a New York Yankees kind of situation where, if they don't advance to the World Series, they could lose their manager, closer, best player, catcher, and a few key members of their pitching staff.
Sure Schilling's best years are behind him (even though he's still a very solid number 3), but Beckett's aren't. Plus, it stands to reason that Dice-K will improve a little bit in '08. Add Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Jonathan Papelbon to the mix and their pitching staff will be fine. And as long as they have decent table-setters in front of Papi and Manny you know they'll hit.
Are the Red Sox done in 2007? No way. Their 2004 ALCS comeback has given new meaning to the phrase, "it ain't over 'til it's over." If they do lose Game 5, 6, or 7, Beantowners will be mad but there's no reason to blame Manny. All he's done this postseason is hit .429 with 4 homeruns, 11 RBI, 10 walks, and a 1.613 OPS. There's no reason to think they won't be right back in the mix 10 months from now.
2 comments:
I'm surprised that Manny even understands that they might not play another game after tonight.
I remarked to my roommate (from Cleveland) that I hope the Indians get to the WS so they can be the victim in the first WS win for both 1993 expansion teams.
And I hope the Indians lose the WS in 7, and I hope Joe Borowski blows game, then Jhonny Peralta writes a book saying the Borowski didn't want to be pitching, and then Borowski hangs around the majors for another 10 years just so he can drill Peralta every time he faces him.
We need another feud like that now that Mesa is done.
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