Words Fail Me

The Choke; or, Business as Usual
A Boston fan pokes some fun at the film version of the Cleveland Indians as Kenny Lofton steps to the plate in the third inning of Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland's Grady Sizemore (left) and Casey Blake watch from the dugout in the third inning of Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston. (Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal)


Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka broke Grady Sizemore’s bat on the second pitch of last night’s game. Some 3½ hours later, the Cleveland Indians had their hearts broken too in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Indians' dream dies: Red Sox pour it on, go to Series,
Dave Hackenberg




And yet, all day Sunday, I knew that Cleveland was going to lose to Boston in Game 7. I knew it. This wasn’t about optimism or pessimism or any other ism. This wasn’t paranoia. I knew it like I know the sound of my youngest daughter’s crying. There was never even the slightest doubt in my mind. We’ve been here before, us Clevelanders. We’ve lived with Cleveland sports pain for 40-plus years now, and we know the telltale signs. We all have HM — Heartbreak Meters — mine was growling on Sunday.

Pain,
Joe Posnanski





96 wins, tied for the best in baseball, even with four fewer home games than every other team in the league. Sabathia is the likely Cy Young winner and Carmona will finish in the top five. Garko showed he can man first base for years to come. Betancourt transformed into the best set-up guy in baseball. Lewis and Perez emerge as scary arms in the bullpen even though they both began the season in the minors. The rally pies and Kenny Lofton turning back the clock. This was a great season, which is why it hurts so much right now.

ALCS Game 7: The Tag or Joel Skinner?,
Disappointment Zone




Nothing says "we have no heart" better than being outscored 30-5 in three straight ALCS games, particularly when you consider that the Indians had Cy Young candidates on the hill for two of those games. This team obviously has some talent, but until they find some heart, Ozzie Guillen's taunt will remain right on the money.

It's Choke Time Now!,
Hornless Rhino



As for me? I couldn't watch the ninth inning. I put in my DVD of Major League (Where is Willie Mays-Hayes, indeed.) and did some mental math to estimate the number of days until pitchers and catchers report. Then I thought about how LeBron better bring it for real this year, and wondered how the Browns would manage to be a huge disappointment in December, so we can maintain our "Have Your Heart Broken Every Three Months" schedule. Sigh.



2 comments:

  1. Sigh. Welcome to the spectator side of things. Come sit down next to me and repeat after me, "LETS GO ROCKIES!"

    So how many days is it?

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  2. Thanks for saving me a seat. I'm going to halfheartedly root for the Rockies, but I don't think I'm going to watch any of the actual World Series games. Honestly? I'm not that much of a baseball fan. Unlike basketball or football, if my team's not in it, I can't watch it.

    As for when things start up again for the Tribe: I think it's about 114 days. Indians pitchers and catchers usually report just after Valentine's Day.

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