I disagree Ray. I think that momentum and confidence mean a lot in baseball. Sure I know that these games mean nothing in the standings, but as a fan it is frustrating to see the Sox lose 8 straight and get swept by the Yankees, and it has to do something to the psyche of the players as well.
I will use 2004 as a case in point. The Red Sox were in a funk in the ALCS that year, losing 3 straight to the Yankees. The 3rd in miserable fashion (as Tom can tell you), and furthermore they were about to lose game 4 when the Yankees handed the ball to Mariano with a 1 run lead in the ninth. It took an unlikely and hugely emotional event to reverse their fortunes in that game - and it shifted the momentum of the series. That momentum carried right thru the World Series. Why are baseball players and teams so streaky? It is because of the shifts in confidence, momentum and emotions. They are not playing strat-o-matic out there. Human emotions make a difference, and I would prefer not to see them heading into the playoffs felling like they can't beat the Yankees. Steve ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ray Salemi Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 5:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Vent Oh Good Lord. Haven't we learned yet that there is no such thing as a "head of steam" in baseball? It just takes one good pitcher to blow that steam away. On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM, Steve Gendron <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Your rant is right on target Matt. I thought my head was going to explode when Woodward blew that play on the rundown. Does Francona think it is a good idea to send the Yankees into the post-season with a head of steam? We took the first 8 games from the Yankees this season and now we are on the verge of allowing them to tie the season series. We've lost 8 of the last 9 games to these guys. They have owned us in the second half. And today, the brooms will be out as the Yanks prepare to win their 100th game of the season and clinch the division. Take heart though, we've got Paul Byrd on the hill. Steve ________________________________ From: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>] On Behalf Of Matt & Olga McSorley Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 7:17 PM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Vent I know these games don't matter much in the long run, but... It is so frustrating watching Chris Woodward and Brian Anderson bumble their way through life when a playoff spot has not yet been clinched, and when a sweep this weekend gives the Yankees the division. Woodward's ridiculous error in the eighth today, which led to two critical Yankee runs, was painful to watch. Why the hell is he on the field? I mean, we all know the bad guys are going to win the AL East but wouldn't you think the Sox would manage and play this weekend as if avoiding having to watch them dance all over the field mattered? For crying out loud, there's seven games with Toronto and Cleveland this week to play the Pawtucket kiddie corps. OK. Rant over. -- Matt -- Author of "Leading After a Layoff: Reignite Your Team's Productivity in Just 12 Weeks" www.leadingafteralayoff.com<http://www.leadingafteralayoff.com> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Red Sox Citizens" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/redsoxcitizens?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
