First things first--let us speak of the sheer and utter majesty that was that complete bomb by Papi in the bottom of the third, a monster which curled around the foul pole and seemed to take all of one second to hit the lower right-field grandstand. I haven't seen a blast from Papi like that since the grand slam he hit against the Angels on Aug. 18.
"That was incredible," my dad kept saying on the phone.
And yeah, I mean, what else is there to say, really, except that Commander Kickass of the Fuck Yeah Brigade (*) dialed said Kickass up to October levels tonight. Which is to say, the "Berserker" setting on his personal Kickass-O-Meter.
Josh Beckett has pitched two complete-game shutouts in his career in the regular season. Tonight, however, was his third in the postseason. In fact, he now has a streak of two consecutive complete-game, postseason shutouts. I have watched him hit 95 and 96 consistently all year long, occasionally reaching back for 97, but tonight he repeatedly showed 98 and 97, coupled with curves in the low 70's.
What else can I say, except that I am in appropriate awe?
Yes, folks, don't attempt to adjust your sets. Josh Beckett has succeeded in momentarily rendering me speechless.
The only thing he didn't do, surprisingly, was punch up the 'tude along with the asskickery. In fact, it was quite the opposite--there was ceremonious but subdued crotch-grabbing and an "atta boy" with awkward man-hug to Tek after the final out was called. A stifled fist-pump after the most miraculous and deadly single pitch I've seen since the final out of the 2003 ALDS ended the eighth. After a lovely catch by Jacoby Ellsbury in left and a nice pick by Lowell racked up two outs in the top of the ninth, Beckett couldn't quite squash a smirk and a tiny, "heh heh" out the corner of his mouth. But that was it*.
One of the things I've been most relishing when I've looked forward to this postseason is the chance to see the kind of f-bombing, fist-pumping freakout awesomeness I could only imagine would come along with October Josh. Instead, he actually looked like he was reining himself in a little. Which is a scary thought when you think about the wicked heat he was unleashing on the Angels all night long.
Fenway, too, let out healthy postseason-level roars in immediate response to the Youkilis and Ortiz home runs, but even then it felt like the place was only just flexing its October muscles.
It's strange, because the postseason is actually one game old. But for all its excitement, there was still an odd kind of muted, anticipatory feeling about this game.
Tonight, it feels like we're just getting started.
P.S. Let me just say that I am pleasantly surprised with the TBS announcers. One of them said of Josh Beckett, "The difference between the Josh Beckett of 2003 and the Josh Beckett of 2007 is that now, he can make the ball sink at 97 miles per hour."
An interesting and at least halfway intelligent observational statement from a national sports broadcaster? Be still my heart.
P.P.S. Tito said "executed his pitches" repeatedly about Josh in his press conference. I wonder if Joshie bit him in the neck this week and infected him with Press Conference Zombie Virus.
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* Unless you count the part where he tried to catch Vladi's hit in the ninth with his foot.
That was a truly mindblowing performance. He had exceptional fastball command tonight and a really, really good hook. I counted just two hanging curveballs, but the Angels didn't (or couldn't) do anything with them. And he was ahead of everyone! How many 3-ball counts did he get to--two? Three maybe? Even against a hacking club like the Angels, that's very difficult to do. Just strike after strike after strike.
I have no idea how it's possible for one guy to have three CG shutouts in only six (!) career postseason starts, but Beckett's done it. Just...wow. Amazing.
I also have no idea how he can possibly top that, but if he really was "reining himself in", than I almost feel sorry for his next opponent (if the Sox advance). Almost.
Posted by: mouse | October 04, 2007 at 00:05
I actually found myself hating the TBS coverage. I think the reason why the Fenway crowd seemed subdued might be because TBS didn't mic them all that well. (This is not my own original material. The posters at SOSH observed as much, and I think maybe they're right.)
I also decided I hate (I'm full of hate) the ridiculously staggered post-season scheduling. It sort of takes much of the tension and drama out of the post-season. I mean, we finally come back from a long break to start the post-season. Then we get the Beckett gem. And then..... thud. Back to an off day. You know?
On a more upbeat note: Francona's press conference after the game seemed hilarious. Like he was losing patience extra fast with those reporters.
Coco's post game comments availabe at the NESN website: THIS is why I like this guy. Yeah, his defense is awesome, but it's his affable personality that makes him one of the most easy-to-like players (for me) on the team.
Posted by: maxwell horse | October 04, 2007 at 15:43
Hey Beth - I was at the game and the fans sure seemed into it for me. I also heard that TBS didn't mic the crowd so maybe it sounded a little lame on TV?
Posted by: SoxyLady | October 04, 2007 at 19:22
probably. but that hadn't occurred to me before writing this post. also it was a general sense i had about the players--they all seemed so calm and josh in particular looked like he was stifling himself a little bit. i dunno, maybe it's also Grownup Josh and he's now above the fist-pumping and cursing stage, but i was pretty disappointed at his lack of antics.
so i guess it might have been just me pouting. :)
Posted by: beth | October 04, 2007 at 21:22
Holy Toledo Beth. Love the site, spot on about ol' Becks, but I noticed Halos Heaven in your 'Currently Reading'. WhyTF would you subject yourself to that garbage? :)
As always, keep giving us all those wonderful words we love.
Posted by: QuoSF | October 05, 2007 at 01:07
ha ha, glad someone picked up on that. the "currently reading" feed is from my del.icio.us bookmarks, and sometimes i bookmark stuff there so i can go back to it later. i had been toying with the idea of linking to that piece so i could sic my readers on him, but after struggling with the stupid comment system over there i realized it prob. wouldn't have the intended effect. but it remained in my bookmarks.
that said, i do think that if a few enterprising sox fans happen to pick up on that, head over and read how we're apparently all "sociopathic alcoholic white supremacists", they'll still find a way to let them know about it. :)
then again, what josh beckett did to their team might be revenge enough. :)
also, i don't read halos heaven frequently. http://www.overthemonster.com/>over the monster is the one i first saw link that post and address their ridiculous trash talk.
Posted by: beth | October 05, 2007 at 08:50
...I might "know" the very person who linked to that post. :)
Posted by: QuoSF | October 05, 2007 at 09:29
oh! whoops, just realized this is allen...:)
Posted by: beth | October 05, 2007 at 09:55
Heh. No biggie. I disguised myself. Honestly, it's been kind of eye-popping to see how the fans over there see Sox fans. I mean. I think they all met, at once, the worst example of "Red Sox Nation", who aside from the hat he/she wore, could have been the worst example of any fanbase, including the Angels.
That blog ends up being the butt of a lot of jokes on the (very high quality) other AL West team blogs over there. A LOT of jokes.
Posted by: QuoSF | October 05, 2007 at 10:01
8:00 PM. Okay, so I just switched to TBS to catch the end of the Yankees game, and I have to ask... Why is Joba Chamberlain being consumed by locusts?
Posted by: maxwell horse | October 05, 2007 at 20:06