I finally purchased the 2004 Red Sox World Series/ALCS DVD set MLB put out a couple years ago with every game in its entirety. While I gave great thought to buying in the past, I never spent the money because I recorded every game on VHS anyway. Since I decided to finally enter the 21st century, I figured I'd splurge and get all 11 games on DVD -- so I don't have to fast forward through commercials and will have the higher quality the discs provide. Since the Red Sox collection was released in 2005, MLB, NBA NCAA and the NHL jumped on the idea and now almost every team has a DVD set of greatest games. While shopping on Amazon.com, I noticed how many teams have DVD sets: the Yankees have two -- the 1977 World Series (all six games) and a collection of postseason games from its 1996-2001 run; the 1987 Minnesota Twins World Series win is on DVD; the 1994 New York Rangers run to the Stanley Cup is on DVD just to name a few. There a plethora of others. It seems MLB and NBA will release the entire post season for the league's winner every year now on.
Since the Yankees have two DVD sets, here's what, as a Sox fan and consumer, I'd be interested in seeing in addition to the 2004 set. I 've discluded anything outside of the past 30 years as many games were not preserved as they are today and film was taped over up until the early-1970s. (incidentally you can see more of the Sox in two other DVD sets: 1986 World Series and 1975 World Series, but as the Sox didn't win either WS, they are marketed as Mets and Reds products respectively):
1. 1986 ALCS. Yeah, it's not a World Series but this was as dramatic as any Fall Classic, producing one of the greatest games in all of baseball postseason history -- Game 5. Henderson's homer has stood the test of time as a benchmark of classic Red Sox moments. Yet, it's incredible how good this game got AFTER Henderson's ninth-inning heroics: the Angles tying the game in the bottom of the ninth; Steve Crawford squirming out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam; Jim Rice and Brian Downing making incredible catches in left field; and, ultimately, Henderson's game-winning sacrifice fly. But lost in the hoopla of Game 5 and the subsequent Angels collapse in Games 6 and 7 was how great of a contest Game 4 was -- the Sox lost a 3-run lead in the ninth inning after Clemens had pitched eight scoresless innings, gave up a solo home run in the ninth and was then removed for Calvin Schiraldi, who let in two more runs -- plunking Brian Downing allowing the tying run to score. While Schiraldi escaped the ninth at 3-3, he lost the game when Bobby Grich singled in Jerry Narron for the 4-3 California win and, what seemed, a commanding 3-1 series lead until another classic unraveled in Game 5. With Al Michaels and Jim Palmer doing the commentary, it was one of the greats post season series in all of Major League history.
2. 1999 and 2003 ALDS: The similarities between these two series are remarkable. In both Pedro started Game 1 and the Red Sox opponent won each Game 1 on walk-off singles -- the Indians in 1999 when Travis Fryman hit a based loaded single to win 3-2 in the ninth inning and the A's in 2003 when Ramon Hernandez drove in the decisive run on a 2-out bunt base hit, winning 5-4 (Pedro getting No Decisions in both). Each series featured a boring Game 2 which the Sox lost in a day game, and, as now a part of Sox lore, in both series the Red Sox climbed back from elimination to win three straight games and move onto the ALCS to face the Yankees. While the Sox essentially blew out the Indians in Games 3 and 4 (winning 9-3 and 23-7) in '99, in 2003 the A's gave the Sox much tougher games but the Sox prevailed in Game 3 on a Trot Nixon walk-off home runs and eked out a 5-4 win in Game 4 riding a clutch David Ortiz (who else?) two-run double. In both Game 5s, Pedro was credited with the win as he pitched heroically in '99 (coming out of the bullpen to pitch 6 no-hit innings) and gave a quality start in 2003 (3 runs, 6 Ks). Between Pedro's six incredible innings in Game 5 in 1999 and Derek Lowe's spectacular save in 2003 -- both performances have been burnished into the annuls of Red Sox great performances and therefore both series would be a great addition -- perhaps as one 10-disc set -- to MLB's DVD collection.
3. Best Red Sox-Yankees regular season games: While I feel there is too much of an obsession with the Rivalry up here, strictly as a baseball fan, there have been some incredible games between these two teams in the regular season alone. It might be cool for MLB to release 20 games total -- 10 the Yankees win and 10 the Sox win for each team's fans. From a Sox fan perspective, I'd argue for these games: Sox 11, NYY 10 (7/24/04) Tek vs. A-Rod and Mueller's walk-off HR; Sox 5, NYY 4 (8/1/99) Jeter grounds out with bases loaded to end game; Sox 3, NYY 1 (9/10/99) Pedro 17 Ks; Sox 2, NYY 0 (5/28/00) Pedro-Clemens classic; Sox 5, NYY 4 (7/26/03) Ortiz' first big walk-off hit; Sox 8, NYY 2 (5/20/76) the most famous in-game fight in Sox-Yanks history; Sox 3, NYY 2 (9/17/04) Sox comeback late against Rivera; Sox 3, NYY 2 (4/13/01) Manny's fist big moment with Sox -- walk-off hit; Sox 5, NYY 4 (5/22/98) Sox get four runs in 7th inning to win; Sox 13, NYY 7 (5/31/98) Sox get 11 runs in 3rd inning.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Never too early to think about BC football
With some of the news surrounding the football team of late and the spring football game on tap tomorrow, let's take a look back at the legend himself, who always makes us feel better about BC...
Heights of Frustration
Unfortunately this is not the way I had hoped to have started my blog on BC athletics -- commenting on a string of bad news for the University's athletic department. But, the good news is that it can only get better. In the interim we can recall the good times and allow for these recent incidents to act as an opportunity to demonstrate, truly, the real quality of Boston College's athletic program.
However, the past few weeks have not been kind for BC sports.
Let's review: The men's hockey team suffered an absolutely heart-breaking loss to Michigan State on April 7 in the national championship game -- dubiously becoming only the third men's team in NCAA men's history to lose in the national championship two years in a row; the women's hockey coach was caught in a scandal involving one of his players and resigned; and in a two-week span BC football lost its assistant director of football operations, a recruiting assistant and offensive line coach Jim Turner. Ouch.
Amidst all this, twisting the knife a little more, former basketball center Sean Williams officially declared for the draft yesterday -- reminding fans of his acrimonious departure from the team as Williams, arguably the country's best shot blocker and the second-best overall player on the team, was kicked off the team along with teammate Akida McClain damaging -- but not destroying -- a promising year.
As a BC alumni and fan I don't need any of this and neither does the administration or the athletics department. Over the past few years, we, as BC fans, have suffered quite enough. Aside from winning consistently in virtually every major sport, Boston College has not shaken the reputation of being unable to "win the big game." But, I would argue that's not true and this blog, written from a diehard fan's perspective, is meant to counter the perceived belief that BC's sports program is unable to win big games. In fact I'm quite sure seven consecutive bowl wins over the past seven years for the football team, seven men's Frozen Four appearances in 10 years (including a national championship) and six NCAA men's basketball tourney appearances in seven years counters any notion that the Eagles always blow the big game.
Those examples cited only scratch the surface of how impressive the overall success of BC athletics in the Gene DeFilippo era has been. Of course there will be plenty more discussion, dissection and PASSION of and for Boston College sports on this blog. As I write this initial blog, hockey and basketball have only been over for about a month and football is still four months away from opening at Alumni against Wake Forest. So, over the remaining months until BC football kicks off on September 1, there will be plenty of Red Sox blogging as I need to give some love to my other child.
Again, this is not a blog where stories will be broken or news reported; instead I want it to be an expression of a true Boston College fan and an outlet to examine, reflect upon and appreciate BC and the rest of the Boston sports scene.
As for the unfortunate incidents to occur on Chestnut Hill over the past few weeks, the coaching departures of the BC staff will only be a blip on the screen. I truly see this year, for the football team, to be one of the better ones in a long time (hinging on whether Brian Toal redshirts) and the women's hockey team will find a new coach.
None of this should be frustrating to BC fans. The true pain for Boston College followers stems from the lack of respect Boston College sports receives in Boston and nationally for an exceptional program. It's time to change all that.
However, the past few weeks have not been kind for BC sports.
Let's review: The men's hockey team suffered an absolutely heart-breaking loss to Michigan State on April 7 in the national championship game -- dubiously becoming only the third men's team in NCAA men's history to lose in the national championship two years in a row; the women's hockey coach was caught in a scandal involving one of his players and resigned; and in a two-week span BC football lost its assistant director of football operations, a recruiting assistant and offensive line coach Jim Turner. Ouch.
Amidst all this, twisting the knife a little more, former basketball center Sean Williams officially declared for the draft yesterday -- reminding fans of his acrimonious departure from the team as Williams, arguably the country's best shot blocker and the second-best overall player on the team, was kicked off the team along with teammate Akida McClain damaging -- but not destroying -- a promising year.
As a BC alumni and fan I don't need any of this and neither does the administration or the athletics department. Over the past few years, we, as BC fans, have suffered quite enough. Aside from winning consistently in virtually every major sport, Boston College has not shaken the reputation of being unable to "win the big game." But, I would argue that's not true and this blog, written from a diehard fan's perspective, is meant to counter the perceived belief that BC's sports program is unable to win big games. In fact I'm quite sure seven consecutive bowl wins over the past seven years for the football team, seven men's Frozen Four appearances in 10 years (including a national championship) and six NCAA men's basketball tourney appearances in seven years counters any notion that the Eagles always blow the big game.
Those examples cited only scratch the surface of how impressive the overall success of BC athletics in the Gene DeFilippo era has been. Of course there will be plenty more discussion, dissection and PASSION of and for Boston College sports on this blog. As I write this initial blog, hockey and basketball have only been over for about a month and football is still four months away from opening at Alumni against Wake Forest. So, over the remaining months until BC football kicks off on September 1, there will be plenty of Red Sox blogging as I need to give some love to my other child.
Again, this is not a blog where stories will be broken or news reported; instead I want it to be an expression of a true Boston College fan and an outlet to examine, reflect upon and appreciate BC and the rest of the Boston sports scene.
As for the unfortunate incidents to occur on Chestnut Hill over the past few weeks, the coaching departures of the BC staff will only be a blip on the screen. I truly see this year, for the football team, to be one of the better ones in a long time (hinging on whether Brian Toal redshirts) and the women's hockey team will find a new coach.
None of this should be frustrating to BC fans. The true pain for Boston College followers stems from the lack of respect Boston College sports receives in Boston and nationally for an exceptional program. It's time to change all that.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
An intro to Maroon Boston
Hi.
Some people decide to write blogs to share their life -- thoughts, desires, feelings -- with any one interested enough to read it. The best blogs generally have a single purpose and single subject on which the author or authors focus (i.e. politics, the Red Sox, etc.) and of those the best are the blogs by journalists who have some interesting and important information to relay to curious readers. Talking Points Memo is regarded as one of the more reputable and influential political blogs among the liberal left; but, DailyKos and MYDD are considered just as powerful as they unite and encourage progressives to be civicly engaged, active and of course vote. Just as important are blogs reporters write -- some of Boston.com's best journalistic contributions are Globe writers blogging from Spring Training or the Super Bowl.
But, this blog is none of those things. With a background in journalism, a passion for writing and desire to share it with whoever is interested, I have created this blog to write eloquently on one specific subject -- Boston sports. While there are tons of Boston-sports blogs out there, this one will center on Boston College (hence the name) as there are virtually no BC sports blogs that I can find with good writing; furthermore there are virtually none by a regular BC beat reporter. But, as I cannot simply keep myself confined to BC, I will spend a lot of time blogging about the Red Sox and, to a lesser extent, the Celtics and Patriots.
This idea finally took shape last week when, as a life-long Red Sox fan, I Googled for a list of the best Red Sox games of all time. All I found was a link to Amazon.com for a book with the 50 best Sox games ever. While I would have some interest in reading it, I was looking for various opinions throughout the Internet on what fans and writers felt we the best all-time games for the Olde Towne Team. I found none. It surprised me. So, I asked what would my list look like? Well, why not just write about it myself? With this blog, I can write about all the Boston sports-related thoughts I have -- even if I'm the only one to read them. From why the Red Sox should wear the red hats with their home white uniforms to Al Skinner's legacy as Boston College's basketball coach.
Some bloggers like to vacillate between politics and sports and maybe express their thoughts on a recent Pearl Jam concert. I will try to stick to the subject at hand -- Boston sports. My political blog is still to come. But, for now I want to write intelligently and with great passion (like one of my heroes Bob Ryan) on BC, et al. local teams.
Some people decide to write blogs to share their life -- thoughts, desires, feelings -- with any one interested enough to read it. The best blogs generally have a single purpose and single subject on which the author or authors focus (i.e. politics, the Red Sox, etc.) and of those the best are the blogs by journalists who have some interesting and important information to relay to curious readers. Talking Points Memo is regarded as one of the more reputable and influential political blogs among the liberal left; but, DailyKos and MYDD are considered just as powerful as they unite and encourage progressives to be civicly engaged, active and of course vote. Just as important are blogs reporters write -- some of Boston.com's best journalistic contributions are Globe writers blogging from Spring Training or the Super Bowl.
But, this blog is none of those things. With a background in journalism, a passion for writing and desire to share it with whoever is interested, I have created this blog to write eloquently on one specific subject -- Boston sports. While there are tons of Boston-sports blogs out there, this one will center on Boston College (hence the name) as there are virtually no BC sports blogs that I can find with good writing; furthermore there are virtually none by a regular BC beat reporter. But, as I cannot simply keep myself confined to BC, I will spend a lot of time blogging about the Red Sox and, to a lesser extent, the Celtics and Patriots.
This idea finally took shape last week when, as a life-long Red Sox fan, I Googled for a list of the best Red Sox games of all time. All I found was a link to Amazon.com for a book with the 50 best Sox games ever. While I would have some interest in reading it, I was looking for various opinions throughout the Internet on what fans and writers felt we the best all-time games for the Olde Towne Team. I found none. It surprised me. So, I asked what would my list look like? Well, why not just write about it myself? With this blog, I can write about all the Boston sports-related thoughts I have -- even if I'm the only one to read them. From why the Red Sox should wear the red hats with their home white uniforms to Al Skinner's legacy as Boston College's basketball coach.
Some bloggers like to vacillate between politics and sports and maybe express their thoughts on a recent Pearl Jam concert. I will try to stick to the subject at hand -- Boston sports. My political blog is still to come. But, for now I want to write intelligently and with great passion (like one of my heroes Bob Ryan) on BC, et al. local teams.
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