Two co-workers of my wife had made a bet before Wednesday night's amazing game. The bet was $5, and it was paid from one Yankee fan to one Red Sox fan promptly on Thursday morning... in pennies. Not rolled, mind you -- but in a large pile. If that doesn't sum up the severity of this rivalry, I don't know what does.
It's been two days, yet I still can't believe that the Red Sox will be facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Here it is, getting cold up here in Boston -- and I have to admit it doesn't feel right that baseball is still being played. Like other fans, I attribute this to a "biological baseball clock" that, for my entire 30-year life (save 1986), has been trained to shut down regarding anything Red Sox related by mid-October. This year, it just feels odd. We've beaten the Yankees, and after that gigantic victory, there's still four more games to be won. And it won't be easy.
For now, it's all about savouring the moment. Reversing the memories of last year, when the World Series logo had to be removed from behind home plate at Fenway after it had been prematurely painted before Game 7. And hearing about how the carts of champagne were wheeled down the hall to the Red Sox clubhouse, only to be turned around and wheeled to the Yankees clubhouse after the lead was squaundered in the 8th inning. This year, it's all different.
I'll close with a question regarding Pedro Martinez going into Game 7 on Wednesday in the 7th inning. Did this have anything to do with retribution for last year? Here is the guy that was on the mound in the same situation when the game was essentially lost. He had to have wanted to be out there for the rematch. It unfortunately gave the Yankees and fans their only momentum of the game -- but I have to wonder if part of him going out there had anything to do with last year.