The Sox Live On | Vipee1's Blog

Thanks to Josh Beckett, who is without a doubt the biggest big-game pitcher in the world today (we know Dice-K isn't), the Sox bring it back to Fenway and live another day. What more can be said about this guy? He relishes the heat of the battle and there is none better right now in big game situations.

Which brings me to the former king of the big games, Big Schill. While he's definitely not the Schilling of 2001 or 2004, I think he still is a huge big-game pitcher and will get the Sox to a game 7. Here's a flashback. In 2004, the Sox continued their comeback over the Yankees with Schilling on the mound for game 6. In 2007, for game 6, we get Schilling on the mound. Can we get a bloody sock thrown in for posterity?

Speaking of flashbacks, last night's single/home run by Manny Ramirez reminded me of Mark Bellhorn's home run to left field in game 6 of the 2004 ALCS. Bellhorn's blast was initially ruled in play, but after the umps huddled, they made the correct call, determining that the ball had bounced off a fans chest. No luck last night, which brings me to more on Manny.

I know everyone is used to it by now, but come on, can we please, please, please get some hustle out of the guy in a do-or-die playoff situation? First he saunters home and gets nailed at the plate to end the first. Would it be too much to ask Manny to at least TRY and knock the ball away from the catcher? Instead, we get him inviting the guy to tea. And then we get his single/HR where he's in his home run/it's gonna be caught for an out trot. He clearly should have had a double, but Mr. Nonchalant instead legs out a single.

And while I still love the guy, if he pulls that nonsense where he stands like a statue after hitting a home run against someone with the least bit of cajones (someone like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Roger Clemens perhaps even Beckett), he's getting his head taken off in the next at bat.

Have faith Sox fans. While we all know about 2004, remember 1999 as well, when these same Cleveland Indians led the Sox 2 games to 0 in the ALDS. The Sox came back to win the series and break Cleveland's heart once again.

The big difference here is, if there is a game 7, does anybody have faith that Dice-K (a guy who came to the Sox with one of the best big-game reputations in the world) will be able to come up big? I guess then we'll find out what $101 million buys you.

I'm out. Go Sox.