Game #7

30-5

The Red Sox outscored the Indians 30-5 in the last three games of the ALCS. What more do you need to know? The better team clearly won.

The only good thing about the Sox exploding late in game #7 - it kept the morons from blaming Joel Skinner, or the second base umpire for missing a call or some silly curse.

Regardless of how it ended, it was a good season for the Tribe. In many ways, they overachieved by winning 96 games and going this far.

You may not want to hear this – but here goes.

Look at their current line up and compare it to their playoff teams of the mid to late 90s. Only Victor Martinez supplants the everyday starter from that era (Sandy Alomar).

Garko is not in Jim Thome’s area code.

Cabrera, although a good looking young player, is better than the Bip Roberts of this world, but no match for a first ballot Hall of Famer in Robbie Alomar - even though that's the player he reminds me of in terms of the way he plays. Did you see that barehand catch and throw to turn that DP?

Omar is also going in the Hall and Peralta is not.

Casey Blake is not nearly the player Travis Fryman was - not even close.

Kenny Lofton in his 40s in left, Grady Sizemore in center and Gut in right are no match for "Joey" or David Justice in left, Kenny Lofton in his prime in centerfield and another Hall of Famer in right (Manny).

Let’s not even mention DH – we’ve covered Travis Hafner’s season already in past postings.
It's time to lay off the guy.

And no, for those of you who want to go back and question centerfield, Grady Sizemore is NOT YET better than Lofton was when Kenny was in his prime and clearly the best leadoff hitter in the game. Although, I loved that drag bunt for a hit by GS tonight. Where has that been all year? It just reminds you of what he is capable of if he put all his tools to use.

The one advantage this team had going in compared to past Tribe playoff teams was on the dish – with CC and Carmona heading the staff. We felt, and we stated it more than once, their top two starters gave them a great chance to win in a short series. They led 3-1 with both guys rested and ready. They both came up short - real short! Carmona gets somewhat of a pass – he’s a kid. CC’s been around and needed broad shoulders and didn’t have them.

That's where the series was lost - in games #5 & 6.

Think about it - game #7 came, the Red Sox didn’t get anything significant out of Ortiz and Manny, and Beckett didn’t have to get off his @$#, and the Sox still won. In fact, they led from start to finish.

The better team advanced. But you knew that already.

Hey, at least it wasn’t all bad - the Steelers lost tonight.