The More Things Change

The more they stay the same (like the Yankees in the World Series). But the blame is landing square on the shoulders of Boston Manager Grady Little. From Pedro Martinez's Posse:

Dear Grady,

It was clear from the first game when you started the lesser Giambi against the TB lefty that you had no clue how to manage this team. However, one would think that after 162 games you would eventually get a feel for your team. One would be wrong. This loss can only be blamed on you. Pedro was done after the second Giambi home-run. That pitch was a meatball. There was absolutely no reason to send Pedro out in the eighth. I realize he wants to compete. Ignoring that faux pas, you must pull him when he's in trouble even if he says he wants to keep pitching. Grady, you blew it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the big guys, Tom Boswell, has similar thoughts:

The second-year manager froze at the switch, leaving his exhausted ace Pedro Martinez on the mound in the eighth inning before a howling Yankees throng Thursday night. With a 5-2 lead and only five outs left to grab the American League pennant, Little ignored a bullpen that had allowed only one run in 161/3 innings in this postseason.

Instead, as the baseball world watched in disbelief, Little stayed put as Derek Jeter doubled, Bernie Williams singled, Hideki Matsui doubled and, finally, Jorge Posada doubled to tie the score at 5.

By the time Little finally waved to his bullpen -- which performed brilliantly for the next 22/3 innings -- the lead and, eventually, the pennant were gone.

Bryant Durrell:

Tonight, Grady Little said this: “Pedro had gas in the tank… he was the man we all wanted in there on the mound.” And Pedro said this: “You want to point fingers, point them at me.” Little let his ace take the blame, and Pedro was too much of a man to blame Little. Do I have a single solitary reason to be unhappy with my team — not the manager, but the players I cherish so much?

I do not. And once again, I thank them.

And I thank them too, for giving us a great series.

UPDATE: Some first person perspective from Larry Mahnken:

But when Boone came up in the 11th, I had no hope of him doing anything. I don't know if it was a bad knuckleball by Wakefield (other than being right over the middle of the plate), or Admiral Ackbar's fortuitous appearance in a commercial (he appeared before the 8th inning in Game 6 of the NLCS, too), but a miracle happened.

Aaron Boone hit a home run. Aaron Fucking Boone, as he will forever be known in Boston.

I immediately started crying. "I can't believe it, I can't believe that happened," I said to myself. I still start crying with joy when I think of it. I can't believe it. It was, perhaps, the greatest moment I have ever experienced as a sports fan. Pure joy.

From the Portland (Ct.) Sox Fan, nothing but bitterness:

I'm not big on critisising the manager USUALLY. But I just returned from a six mile walk. After three miles, my wife called and asked where the hell I was. So I turned around and came home.

I'm not big on the second guessing of the manager. But there is NO DOUBT that Grady Little cost the Red Sox a World Series berth tonight. I will not argue about that. The better AL team DID NOT WIN tonight. And they know it.

From Bambino's Curse:

It hurts, right? I know it does. I know it does.

I forgot how weighty it. How it has presence, a very pressing down upon me everywhere this hurting.

And you are bitterly reminded how the getting close, so close, only 5 outs away from beating the only team you really want to beat in a way you'd been dreaming of as long as you can remember, only serves to intensify the hurt and the longing for what could have been.

It hurts. I know it does.

Let's leave things off with a blast from the Boston Dirt Dogs:

Like poor Steve Bartman in Chicago, I hope no physical harm is done to Grady Little before he leaves town for good.

Which should be sometime around noon tomorrow.

I mean, even Antonio Scalia couldn't vote to execute someone this stupid.

Yes, I know I've revealed the name of the poor soul who touched the foul ball in Chicago the other night. But now that his name has appeared in national newspapers, television and radio (as well as on a written statement he issued himself), I don't really see the point of refusing to run his name anymore.

Eric 07:30 AM

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Tracked on October 17, 2003 10:07 AM