Scott Petrak: Relax, this Tribe team won’t fail
Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram
CLEVELAND — Take a deep breath and relax.
Yes, the Indians lost Game 5 7-1 Thursday night.
Yes, the ALCS is headed back to Boston.
Yes, the Indians failed to clinch at home.
Yes, ace C.C. Sabathia fell to 0-2 in the series.
No, it’s not time to panic.
No, this won’t be a repeat of 2004 when the Red Sox became the only team in postseason history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to oust the Yankees and win their first World Series since 1918.
No, Northeast Ohio won’t add The Collapse to The Drive, The Fumble and The Shot.
This Indians team is better than the Red Sox and will prove it once and for all in cramped Fenway Park. Sure, a home-field celebration would’ve been nice, but silencing Red Sox Nation in its house will be just as sweet.
“The champagne tastes just as good on the road as it does at home,” first baseman Ryan Garko said.
It’s understandable to worry — you are a Cleveland sports fan. It’s not OK to doubt — this team has given you no reason.
Game 5 was a tough one to lose, especially after two days of anticipation. But it’s easily explainable.
First, it’s hard to beat a good team — the Red Sox won 96 regular-season games for a reason — four straight times. Secondly, Josh Beckett is about as clutch as clutch gets in October.
With his ex-girlfriend, country singer Danielle Peck, on the field twice to belt out the national anthem and “God Bless America,” Beckett wasn’t the least bit affected. He must have won the breakup.
He pitched eight innings, allowing just a run on five hits and a walk. He struck out 11 by mixing a 97 mph fastball with a wicked curveball. If Manny Ramirez is Cleveland’s public enemy No. 1, Beckett has made himself 1A.
“Obviously Beckett was sticking it to us,” manager Eric Wedge said.
Beckett’s stuck it to a lot of teams. In eight postseason starts (5-2, 1.78), he has never gone fewer than six innings, while allowing more than two runs just once.
Here’s the good news for Tribe fans: Beckett, who has both Boston victories, won’t start another game in this series.
Fausto Carmona will for the Indians, and that’s some more good news. Carmona will get the ball in Game 6 on Saturday.
Although he wasn’t his sharpest in Game 2 — four runs in four innings — he was the Tribe’s best starter in the second half of the season, and he didn’t allow more than three runs in back-to-back starts all year.
Carmona went 9-4 with a 2.26 ERA in the second half. He was 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA for the year. If on, his heavy sinker will make the Green Monster a non-factor, and his overall stuff is good enough to handle Ramirez, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis — the threesome carrying the Red Sox lineup.
“He just needs to be aggressive and pitch his game,” Wedge said of Carmona. “He needs to focus on his strengths and go after it. If he does that, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
The Red Sox will counter with Curt Schilling in Game 6 and Daisuke Matsuzaka if there is a Game 7. The Tribe knocked both of them out after 42/3 innings earlier in the series.
Looking for more reason for optimism? The Indians care. They run out balls off the wall, unlike Ramirez. They dive for fly balls, unlike Ramirez. They slide into home plate, unlike Ramirez.
Sometimes they care too much. Sabathia overthrew in his first two postseason starts, and designated hitter Travis Hafner looks like he’s about to turn the bat handle into sawdust. He struck out twice Thursday, which gives him six strikeouts in his last eight at-bats.
“We need him to get it going,” Wedge said. “He’s getting in his own way a little bit.”
One win is all that blocks the Indians’ way to the World Series. They have everything they need to get it done.
As Journey wailed on the stadium speakers before the game Thursday: Don’t stop believin’.
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7135 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.
| |
|
Filed by Scott Petrak | The Chronicle-Telegram October 19th, 2007 in Sports. Popularity: 21% |
 Email this story
 Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
Report an innappropriate comment
|
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here. If you are registered, click here to log in.
Comments
Comment from
Dave
October 19, 2007, 2:17 pm
What has Ryan Garko done to be to make a comment like that? Also, we in Red Sox nation have learned not to make claims of guarenteed wins so soon. Take note Indian fans.
Comment from
Jim
October 19, 2007, 2:20 pm
I have no clue who will win the series. I’m a Red Sox fan and know the odds are in Cleveland’s favor. To say the Indians care unlike Ramirez is a joke. Comparing a team’s caring to one player is laughable. Here’s a thought, maybe Sabathia isn’t a big time pitcher.
Comment from
Dguz
October 19, 2007, 2:20 pm
Sounds like Scotty is a bit anxious. You forgot to say, how Schilling actually pitches after a bad outing. Don’t understimate that…also, can Carmona really handle the pressure in Boston, game 6 against good ole Schilling.
You give the Sox some momentum, back home, no white towel waving bullcrap.
All the Sox need is their obnoxious, loud, and proud fans to carry them, not the bottom of the lineup…
Comment from
Peter G.
October 19, 2007, 2:31 pm
I wonder if the champagne will taste just as good on the Indians’ charter back to Cleveland after losing game 7 of the ALCS. You had your shot to put the Red Sox away and failed. Now you have to suffer the consequences. Welcome to Manny World. “Where you been, Man?”
Comment from
Dom Dawson
October 19, 2007, 2:39 pm
Sox are going to win you will be adding the collapse on the list of games Cleveland teams have blown
GO SOX
Comment from
zullo
October 19, 2007, 2:46 pm
have fun watching your indians go down and the red sox play in the world series because no indian team will come into fenway and beat us in two elimination games
Comment from
Manny Ramirez
October 19, 2007, 2:58 pm
I don’t need to run fool when i hit the ball that far and Mr.Sizemore can’t catch it, I’ll just hit the ball everytime i come to the plate how you like that?
Comment from
Jon
October 19, 2007, 2:59 pm
Why are the cleveland team, the fans and the writers so cocky?
Garko says they will win in Fenway, I believe a teammate of his said before game 5 how they would definitely win game 5.
Cleveland shops I have heard are selling world series shirts.
This is all I have to say as a boston fan…keep it coming, keep jinxing yourself, keep writing articles about how the indians have it wrapped up. Karma can be a b*^tch!
Comment from
s
October 19, 2007, 2:59 pm
Yeah, and unlike Ramirez, the entire Indians team hasn’t won a World Series in 50+ years.
Comment from
Wally, the Green Monster
October 19, 2007, 3:10 pm
Carmona’s hard sinker is formidable, no doubt. But, have you watched the Red Sox at all this season. Fenway park is a magical place. OLD SCHOOL New England…no drums…..no white towels…no lame tricks to psyche out your picture…just history and brilliance.
The “Windians” are definitely in a better position being up 2 games but don’t count out the boys from beantown and the Fenway faithful. Crazy stuff happens there….
Comment from
El Guapo
October 19, 2007, 3:19 pm
Keep your annoying white towels to cry in after Manny hits one onto the Mass Pike. Nice racist mascot by the way.
Comment from
Glen
October 19, 2007, 3:20 pm
You Indians fans sound like a bunch of jilted lovers. Dont be upset because your biggest superstar Lebron James doesn’t support the tribe, we took Manny Ramirez away from you, and beat you in the ALDS in 1999. The Sox have been here before, and you haven’t and it shows. Garko is going to be eating his words this weekend. Enjoy watching us in the World Series. Maybe next yr. Cleveland fans.
Comment from
El Pinchazo
October 19, 2007, 3:21 pm
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7135 or spetrak@chroniclet.com
HA! genius.
Scott, you might want to change your name to HOMER.
Comment from
Ron
October 19, 2007, 3:34 pm
Poor Cleveland fans. First, John Elway and the Broncos, then Michael Jordan and the Bulls, now, Manny and the Red Sox. No wonder LeBron wore an Evil Empire hat. Cleveland truly is the “mistake by the lake”.
Comment from
Sho Nuff
October 19, 2007, 3:35 pm
As last night can definately prove, it isn’t over until its over. Schilling will be coming off a fairly lackluster performance and returning to Fenway to boot. With his past in the postseason to underestimate him in Game 6 would be very foolish.
I’m not ready to claim victory and I’m sure as hell not ready to admit defeat. The Sox are coming home after a must win, and they are hungry for more.
As Cinco Ocho put it, they awoke the Giant.
Comment from
Sean
October 19, 2007, 3:43 pm
I’m trying to remember what happened the last time Curt Schilling pitched a must-win game 6 in the LCS……2004 anybody? He got shelled earlier in that series and came back to dominate. If the Indians, or any off-beat writer from the city of losers, think they are going to celebrate at Fenway park, they must be interested in joining Jonathan Papelbon doing “Lord Of the Dance”.
“All the little chicks with the Bright Red Lips, scream ‘Cleveland Sucks’”
Comment from
Johnny Pesky
October 19, 2007, 3:52 pm
Sorry about all the annoying Red Sox fans here. Even though I agree with them.
The REAL problem isn’t Fausto in Game 6, its Westbrook in Game 7 against Matzusucka.
Comment from
Tito
October 19, 2007, 4:00 pm
We’ll see if it isn’t meant to be - as long as it isn’t to those miserable Yankees!
Engjoy the run!
Comment from
GhostOfBrianDaubach
October 19, 2007, 4:30 pm
TRIBE IS GOING DOWN. SCHILLING GETS HIS ACT TOGETHER FOR GAME 6 AND THE SOX WIN IN A TIGHT ONE. DICE-K GETS LIT UP IN GAME 7 BUT SO DOES WESTBROOK, SOX WIN IN A SLUGFEST.
THEN THE PATS GO UNDEFEATED AND DECIMATE ALL WHO STAND IN THEIR WAY.
Comment from
Mike
October 19, 2007, 4:46 pm
Indians fans are the best. And so original. I mean, those Terrible Towels. Where’d they come up with that? Oh, and throwing the visitors’ homerun balls back onto the field…classic. Cleveland really does rock!
Garko…save that champagne. You’re gonna need it to clean off the Cleveland Steamer that Schilling is going to leave on you.
Comment from
Ohio Sucks
October 19, 2007, 4:50 pm
Everyone from Ohio is very arrogant and obnoxious about their hometown teams (Ohio State fans are the worst). Why? Probably because they have to live in Ohio–I’d be pretty annoying too if that was my fate and all I had to enjoy in life was the Cleveland sports scene. Conan said it best: Yankee fans were upset because their team lost in the ALDS once again…Cleveland fans were upset because they had to go back to Cleveland.
Comment from
Matt
October 19, 2007, 5:02 pm
hahahahahaha, you are so arrogant for what reason? It must be Cleveland’s storied history of winning big games.
Oh wait a second…
Comment from
Teddy
October 19, 2007, 5:06 pm
We’re those whitle flags I saw the fine folks of Cleveland waving last night.?
Comment from
Ken
October 19, 2007, 5:09 pm
Thank you! Just the kind of extra incentive the Red Sox need after toasting Cleveland last night and now coming back to Boston. Is this Petrak kid in grammar school? An adult sports writer, working for a real newspaper, would be smart enough not to put these thoughts into print before the biggest game his team has had in almost 60 years!
Comment from
Paul
October 19, 2007, 5:18 pm
Where those white surrender flags I saw last night at the Jake? Just like crying, there is no towel waving in baseball.
GO SOX
Comment from
Manny “I’m a bad man” Ramirez
October 19, 2007, 5:23 pm
What a load of crap! You guys haven’t even acomplished anything yet. It is still anyones series. You may win, you may lose, but it’s going to be a hell of a lot more difficult with out your white towels, tribe time and that rediculous redneck beating on those f’in drums.
oh yeah….one more thing. Tell that worthless 40 yr old, POS, anorexic, mayor of Cleveland, that if he drops his bat in the box on a called 3rd strike again, that Becketts going to drill him.
Comment from
Frank “Bleeds Red” Vargas
October 19, 2007, 5:28 pm
This is Red Sox Nation, ladies. We are going to bring it and bring it good.
Comment from
Real City
October 19, 2007, 5:35 pm
A second rate team from a second rate city, you all make me laugh. Not even a real town, what a joke!!
Comment from
John
October 19, 2007, 5:53 pm
Funny how many comments are from Boston fans- you know, a town that cares about baseball and not a bunch of fair weather bandwagoners.
Those little white towels at the Jake may have been waving surrender just a little prematurely….
Comment from
dj tubbz
October 19, 2007, 6:06 pm
the indians had all the balls bounce thier way in games 2-4, and guess what??? it’s over. the sox wil step on the necks of any hope u have. i have never seen a team get so lucky, with thier bloop hits and double plays, dont get me wrong the tribe is a great team, but they missed thier chance. also i have never heard of a more overrated player than grady sizemore, all this hype and he cant judge a jump to rob a homer, or make a diving catch!! we have 2 centerfielders better than him (defensively). get ready to meet jacoby elllsbury, next years best centerfielder in the majors. as far as manny goes, yeah he doesnt run, or dive, but he sure does hit, and owns your team!!! his lack of diving certainly didnt hurt his world series mvp award. fausto can onlypitch to one side of the plate, and we know it. prepare to lose again cleveland, but hey, at least u rock (sad that a common man in new england is more educated on the game than some writer(?) ( or do you still chisel??) cant wait to seee garkos face when papi hits that walk off to send you back to ur tee pees. oh and tell eric wedge he needs to report to the set of squibillies asap, season 2 cant go on with out the star!!!! oh and even if ur luck comes back and u do win, we will have to settlefor the super bowl and nba championship!!! cleveland rots…..
Comment from
dj tubbz
October 19, 2007, 6:12 pm
ps this is the most unprofessional homer article i’ve ever read. are u gonna put red ribbons on your ponytail to show ur enthusiasum?? wow after reading that i feel like i could single handedly take over clevelands whole media. what garbage
Comment from
Jake Westbrook in Game 7? Really?
October 19, 2007, 6:13 pm
Wow, I’m just wondering where all the Cleveland fans came from? I’ve been to games in Cleveland before and no one shows up…some of the people on the street don’t even know if the team is doing well or not. Believe me, Sox fans can be a little obnoxious but we show up and know the players. Two years ago, I went to a game and people were still wearing Manny and Thome shirts. You’ve had good young talent for a few years and you have to resort to handing out towels to get people involved. Once your fans show up a little more regularly, maybe then can you start making grandiose statements about coming back to Boston and beating us.
Comment from
Nancy
October 19, 2007, 6:14 pm
C’mon Sox!!
Lets bring back the trophy to Boston!!!
GO RED SOX !!!!
Comment from
Brian
October 19, 2007, 6:20 pm
If this sports writer had any sense he wouldn’t live in Cleveland.
GO SOX!!!
Comment from
LiL PAPI
October 19, 2007, 6:30 pm
how do you know beckett won’t pitch again in this series?
Comment from
LiL PAPI
October 19, 2007, 6:58 pm
can i add that beckett won’t start a game,but if dice-k gets lit up in the 1st 3 innings.do you think tito won’t hesitate to throw beckett or wakein there.why do all lot of people (sportwriters) think francona is a do nothing manager? do they remember grady little?
Comment from
Rich Smith
October 19, 2007, 6:59 pm
Are you serious?
The Indians are a better team than the Red Sox? You must be drinking the Cleveland Kool-Aid. From top to bottom the Sox have a better line up, better defense, and better pitching. Even though the Great Carmona (era 9.00) is pitching far better than Schilling right now, who would you want throwing the rock in an elimination game? Game 2 at Fenway carmona was rattled, how’s this kid gonna be tomowwow?
We know how Schill will be we’ve seen it before, HE’S been there before.
Comment from
Redsoxgal
October 19, 2007, 8:29 pm
Poor little ugly Cleveland…always the bridesmaid, never the bride!
By the way Beantown Brethren…don’t forget the Celtics are on the way back - and lets not forget BC!
Schilling wins handily tomorrow…Game 7, .I’d like to see Dice for 3 innings and Wake for 3 innings, then Timlin and Papelbon….Jacoby in the field….are you listening Terry?
Comment from
Welcome to Fenway
October 19, 2007, 9:17 pm
What a nice objective article. Keep telling yourself that you’re a better team, Cleveland fans. But deep down, you know that Carmona is going to crack under the pressure at Fenway. He couldn’t handle the pressure as a closer in Fenway, and he couldn’t handle the pressure in Game 2, could he? I put my money on the crafty veteran, one of the greatest post-season pitchers of all time.
And when it comes to Game 7, what do you think will happen? Another miserable Cleveland failure.
Mr. Garko, I’m sure that Boston would appreciate if you would take those cases of champagne and put them in the correct locker room. But knowing Cleveland, it’s probably the cheap sh*t.
Comment from
billbedrat
October 19, 2007, 9:27 pm
Wow! Let’s not forget the Red Sox have a pretty good record at home. If Carmona pitches like he did last game a lot of balls will be hitting or going over the Green Monster! The Red Sox will be in the WS. Sorry Indian fans.
Comment from
tom
October 19, 2007, 9:30 pm
at least you’ll still have the rock and roll hall of fame.
Comment from
greenmonster009
October 19, 2007, 10:40 pm
“Looking for more reasons for optimism? The Indians care.” Sounds like an ad campain for a health care provider. Gimme a freakin’ break! You’ll have to do better than that. Nice piece of “journalism” Petrak. The fans I saw on TV with “World Series ‘07″ towels over their faces may be selling those to Colorado fans on ebay come Monday. Tide wont get that stench out though.
Comment from
‘Nuf Sed McGreavy
October 19, 2007, 11:24 pm
meet me at the ol’ 3rd base boys, after we win the ALCS! sorry Cleveland, a tribe has no shot against a NATION! GO SOX!!!
Comment from
Calzini Rossi
October 19, 2007, 11:54 pm
Cleveland hasn’t gotten lucky, they’ve outplayed the Red Sox in games 2-4. That all ended last night- The sleeping giant has been kicked and it’s time to win with our backs to the wall. By the way, are the white towels supposed to mean you’re surrendering? What a joke.
Comment from
Ted Kennedy
October 19, 2007, 11:58 pm
And may it be said of us, both in dark passages and in bright days, in the words of Tennyson that my brothers quoted and loved, and that have special meaning for me now:
“I am a part of all that I have met….
Tho much is taken, much abides….
That which we are, we are–
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
…strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
Comment from
Boston blows
October 20, 2007, 2:10 am
Why all this hostility to Clekveland? Of course, if you want hostiliity, how’s this: May Boston detach and float out into the Atlantic (and never come back).
That’s how you get rid of an eyesore
Comment from
Petrak for President
October 20, 2007, 2:16 am
What wisdom from the man in Cleveland! When the roll is called Wednesday, it will be the Indians responding in the Best Location in the NATION!
Beantowners can only pass gas and dream of having a team — much less a city — like Cleveland
Comment from
Boston blows
October 20, 2007, 2:26 am
In contrast, what a wise writer in Cleveland, who recognizes that even if Boston should win the series, it will be 4-3. The Indians have won THREE games already — how many have the Beantowners won?
Hey, just pass gas and call it perfume!
Comment from
Moe Greene
October 20, 2007, 2:31 am
This article by Putrak is a joke. There are no guarantees, Indian fans. Admit it, you’re nervous and uncertain, you sense that the momentum has shifted, and deep down, know that you must win Game 6 in hostile territory. It will come down to which pitcher - Schilling or Carmona - makes the fewest mistakes. Schilling is not known for two consecutive bad outings. Carmona may have electric stuff, but at 23, does he have the “mental stuff” to perform on this kind of stage in the raucous Fenway environment. Big question. My money’s on Schill.
Comment from
adar
October 20, 2007, 2:57 am
This is the funniest thing I’ve ever read
We’ll see who’ll be silencing whom
The Indians are not better than the Red Sox buddy- they got lucky in game 2 because of Gagne and Matsuzaka choked again. But now we have Schilling in 6 and game 7 will be ours easy, your pitcher isn’t going to have another good start
Comment from
Kevin Millar
October 20, 2007, 4:05 am
Wow, look at all these Cleveland fans rallying to support the cause. Sox in 7.
Comment from
Tom Brady
October 20, 2007, 4:24 am
The comments posted here are a true testament to the Indians “fans.” If Indians fans were to pollute a local Boston sports site with comments, the flood gates would open and the Nation would speak. Outside of Petrak’s mom (maybe) and Sox fans, no one reads his well written pieces. Cleveland sports are a joke, Cleveland fans are towel waiving, drum beating bandwagon joy riders, and a man with Petrak’s writing talent is in the appropriate market. GO SOX!
Comment from
Teddy Ballgame
October 20, 2007, 5:43 am
Is it my imagination or are the Cleveland fans too demoralized to respond to this column from a Cleveland sports writer? Cat got your tongue? Over 50 comments and nearly all of them are pro-Sox. Don’t tell me Cleveland fans have already moved on to basketball.
This sports writer got one thing right though: “It’s understandable to worry”. Yep, if you’re an Indians fan. You managed to win three in a row. Now it’s our turn.
Go Sox.
Comment from
Remdawg
October 20, 2007, 7:34 am
Where are all the Cleveland fans comments. Really goes to show how much support they have for their team. Kenny Loftons just lucky he didn’t get busted in the mouth. How old is that guy anyways? I can probably bet that half of those people in the stands the other night could’ve cared less about the Indians before they got close to the playoffs anyways. “Unlike Indians fans” Red Sox Nation cares about their team throughout the season..
Comment from
Scot
October 20, 2007, 7:51 am
Interesting how he sluffs off Carmona’s bad outing as inconsequential, while Schilling and Matsuzaka’s bad outings are signs of things to come. How about 13 World Series rings for Boston, 1 for Cleveland. Boston knows how to get it done.
Comment from
Matt Wilding
October 20, 2007, 9:04 am
I’m not going to say that the Sox are going to pull it out, but overconfidence has killed better teams than the Indians. Like last year’s Tigers, the 2004 Yankees, and the 1967 Red Sox.
And you seem to be overlooking, as was said earlier, that Curt Schilling’s outings after a bad game tend to be pretty incredible.
Schill has also never gotten his team eliminated, and he’s statistically speaking the best post-season pitcher in the history of baseball.
Comment from
Pat M
October 20, 2007, 11:03 am
What have the Indians done for you to be so sure about this series? If they’re that much better than the Sox then why aren’t games 6 and 7 being played in Cleveland. This is the most ridiculous homer article I’ve ever read… and I read foxnews.com.
Your best celebrity is Drew Carey? Really? I can’t wait to see that nervous tic on Carmona when we get runners on base. See you in game 7.
Comment from
SoxFan
October 20, 2007, 11:58 am
I’m a guy from Mass that unfortunately lives in Ohio. I go to Sox games in Cleveland every year. I was at Game 3 this past Monday. During the regular season half the stands are filled with Sox fans. Where’d all the Cleveland bandwagon bitches come from during the post season? Nice loyalty.
And let me say this. Cleveland fans are the biggest unoriginal morons when it comes to trying to talk trash to a Red Sox fan. What pushovers.
And it was a joy to see Timlin only throwing balls to Sox fans during batting practice.
And thanks for the white rag. I blew my nose on it and sold it on ebay for $40.
Comment from
YAZMAN
October 20, 2007, 12:37 pm
What a load of tripe! Keep trying to convince yourself that all is well. The Indians are hearing footsteps and looked like they were waiting for the roof to collapse on Thursday. Rightfully so, they are returning to Fenway and to a man they know they are now in trouble.
PS - Seabeachfred is an Indians fan.
Comment from
Amanda
October 20, 2007, 3:50 pm
…Great quote…Kind of like printing up the World Series shirts…just horrible karma. Horrible karma. Here in Boston we know better than to mess with destiny like that.
Comment from
Proud Cleveland Fan
October 20, 2007, 4:59 pm
Where are all the Cleveland fans on here? We’re smart enough to know you shouldn’t argue with idiots, they’ll only drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. As for being afraid of your 41yr old has been pitcher? Ya right Loftons old but he isn’t. We’re all glad that you have Manny. You think he really cares? Our city and team are a joke? I think the only thing laughable are your moronic responses to this one guys opinion. Lets see what you have to say on Sunday morning.
Comment from
Moe Greene
October 20, 2007, 5:00 pm
By the way, the reason why these are all Sox fans’ responses is because this lame piece of garbage article hwas linked from the Boston Dirt Dogs site. No one would have read it otherwise.
Comment from
LiL PAPI
October 20, 2007, 5:31 pm
hey petrak,you’r scared.no comments about your boy c.c.? you have take it down to which is a better town?i’ve been to cleveland.it’s a hole compared to boston.yea,we have to win tonight,i’ll take the old lion against the young lion.how many times has carmona pitched postseason.i like the bloody sock.
Comment from
Beantown Blaster
October 20, 2007, 7:57 pm
Sorry Cleveland - you’re through!
You had your chance and you blew it.
Curt The Good will teach you a lesson that you will never forget.
In game 7, DiceK may start but if he runs into trouble, you can bet your crying towels that Francona will throw any combination of pitchers at you and you will cry out for mercy!
You may not be going on to the World Series, but you can enjoy your champagne on the return flight home.
Better luck next year!
Comment from
Paul Benick
October 20, 2007, 9:38 pm
How many of you have ever been to a Red Sox game before 2001? Anyone? Not until Pedro got there did anyone become a “fan”. If it weren’t for Tom Brady and a BS “fumble”call, Boston would be a blip on the radar screen. Go watch football, eat crabcakes, and wait for another bandwagon to jump on.
Comment from
Sean M
October 20, 2007, 10:18 pm
hey, dont take out your frustrations of your awful cleveland sports teams because they suck, and bostons great. And bandwagon, look at all the fruits at games 3-4-and 5 in cleveland. thats bandwagonfor ya. and crabcakes, are you serious??? Go “witness” prince james lose in the eastern confrence finals to pierce garnett allen and co.
Comment from
Brian C.
October 20, 2007, 10:20 pm
Hey Paul, I’ve been following the Red Sox since 1965.
Is that long enough for you?
Comment from
Brian C.
October 20, 2007, 10:22 pm
Proud Cleveland Fan Says:
October 20th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
blah blah blah blah blah….
Lets see what you have to say on Sunday morning.
…………………
OK. Let’s.
Comment from
Brian C.
October 20, 2007, 10:23 pm
Proud Cleveland Fan Says:
yadayadaydaydaydyadaydaydaydaydaydaya…
Lets see what you have to say on Sunday morning.
Sounds good to me.
Comment from
Matt Wilding
October 20, 2007, 10:24 pm
Paul,
My first game was actually the last game of the 1986 season. I was 4 years old. I’ve gone every year since. And the red sox haven’t had the poor turnouts during a contention year like the Indians did this year since at least before then, and honestly, there have been few seasons where we weren’t around 2/3 capacity.
Comment from
Real City
October 20, 2007, 11:15 pm
Paul, unlike your sorry excuse for fans, Fenway’s faithful has made it nearly impossible to even think of getting tickets to a game since around 01, but tell me, how hard was it to get a prime seat at the jake in august?
Comment from
Wilds
October 20, 2007, 11:26 pm
If Fausto getting the ball in game 6, I would hate to think what the bad news is……
Right It’s the Red Sox Bathing in champagne after game 7.
Comment from
Wilds
October 20, 2007, 11:27 pm
If Fausto getting the ball in game 6 is the good news, I would hate to think what the bad news is……
Right It’s the Red Sox Bathing in champagne after game 7.
Comment from
Cindy Kemp
October 20, 2007, 11:29 pm
It’s refreshing to encounter a writer with such passion. That’s a bold and agressive call you made there, Clevleand!
Comment from
Darren
October 21, 2007, 12:13 am
So what you’re getting at is that the Fanbase known as Red Sox Nation has only been around since 2001 and unlike Indians fans are a bunch of bandwagoners?
Wow…
Get out of Ohio much?
Comment from
Karen S Crow (A Southern Baseball Fan)
October 21, 2007, 12:18 am
Just my opinion … But I honestly believe the Indians lost their chance to win this series in Gm 5. It was some little routine play that had been, well .. Routine, for the Indians in Gms 2-4 … that just didn’t go their way. After that play, I turned off the game to finish up some stuff for work & went to bed thinking “The Red Sox are going to take it to Gm 7.”
No idea why I thought that … but I did and here we are looking a Gm 7 in the eye.
I don’t know who’ll win Gm 7 … but I have learned two things watching post-season baseball … Momentum turns on a dime and never underestimate home field advantage.
One last thing ….
GO RED SOX!
Comment from
Wally the Green Monster
October 21, 2007, 12:21 am
JD Drew outscored Cleveland tonight. Even the Yankees don’t choke that badly.
I’ll let Cleveland ponder that.
Comment from
billbedrat
October 21, 2007, 12:22 am
First of all crab cakes are in Maryland. We have lobster and clam chowder. Even when the Sox were a bad team we sold out most games. Unlike the bandwagon fans of Cleveland. When was the last time you won a NBA, NHL (sorry you don’t have a team), MLB of NFL championship? Enough said!
Comment from
F*ck you Paul Benick
October 21, 2007, 12:43 am
Paul, you talk about Boston as bandwagon fans. How full of sh*t are you. The Indians managed to sell about 65 percent of their tickets this season. Then, miraculously, Jacobs Field is flowing with fans in the postseason. Good God, they must have been waiting for their “return to glory.” Fenway, however, has sold out over 400 straight games. Thats over 5 full seasons, so sox fans jumped on in ‘04. Yeah, good call there. By the way, don’t tell us when we saw our first games. We all remember those first games with our dads when we skipped school. We’ve all been goin to games since we could walk. Cleveland couldn’t care less. If Cleveland loses everything will go back to normal. If Boston loses, half of the city’s population will be sick for work on Monday. Anyway, Ill let you go your wagon’s leaving.
Comment from
Curt Schilling
October 21, 2007, 1:10 am
Has been? I just cemented my HOF plaque while your second ace got shellacked. Worried yet? Tell Garko to keep that champagne receipt!
Comment from
BOSTON Rocks
October 21, 2007, 1:14 am
Um, actually most sox fans, excepting those under the age of 7, have been to a sox game before 2001. Most have been going with their parents since they were young, and many of those parents have been going with their parents and so on…
Very few teams have the history that the sox have, and a lot of that history has to do with the fans, way back to the royal rooter almost 100 years ago. And what was cleveland doing back then? Hoping one day to grow up and be a meaningful city with some kind of history that matters?
And crabcakes are from maryland, we eat chowda.
Comment from
John
October 21, 2007, 1:39 am
Personally, I’m sick of the “you’re all bandwagoners” retort, on both sides. Yes, the Sox, Indians, and Pats have way more than their share of bandwagon fans, but so does every team that gets far in the playoffs. If anyone thinks their team is immune to bandwagoners, then they are blind.
Ripping an entire, rabidly loyal fanbase over it like Paul did is unnecessary, as is flooding a Cleveland website with Red Sox posts saying the same thing.
Peace.
P.S.- The Brady non-fumble call was correct. I can’t believe not everyone has the memo on that yet.
Comment from
old bitter craig
October 21, 2007, 1:52 am
dear “boston blows”, talking about an eyesore? whose river caught fire?
when a river CATCHES FIRE, you can officially label your burgh an eye sore.
Go Sox. Sweep the leg, Dice-K, sweep the leg!
Comment from
Is Garko The Neanderthal Thirsty?
October 21, 2007, 4:17 am
Hey Ryan! If the champagne tastes just as sweet in Fenway, how about the crow? A “professional” baseball team doesn’t give fodder to their opponent days before an elimination game. Hence why the Tribe will always be what they are, a second rate outfit with a great field!
Comment from
Garko who?
October 21, 2007, 4:31 am
Garko is an idiot, 2nd year guy, and gave the sox all the ammo they need. And Carmona was a gem tonight going less than 3 innings. Yes Matsuzaka is a question mark, but DH Travis Hafner has looked stellar in this series. The Indians might do better with a National League line-up and having the pitcher hit. And stop bashing Manny, your just jealous that he left Cleveland and is tearing it up in Boston, to the tune of a World Series MVP already, and is demolishing Indians pitching in this series. And he got screwed out of a home run and Cleveland still couldn’t win that game. And amen to the post earlier, Garko, the champagne will taste nice on the charter back to Cleveland after blowing a 3-1 lead. Cleveland will have a nice spot behind the Yankees as biggest post-season choke artists ever, a la the Yanks of 2004. Garko, I hope you “Love that Dirty Water” on the way home tomorrow night.
Comment from
Cincy’s ugly stepsister
October 21, 2007, 6:46 am
Some thoughts:
1. Petrak is a hack who wouldn’t be able to cut it in the Boston media . . . not the Globe, not the Metro, not even Boston NOW (that, my friends, is REALLY difficult).
2. You’d never see THIS in Boston
http://www.sportsfrog.com/2007/10/the_lebron_james_yankees_hat_t.php
3. Most people understand that the molecular makeup of champagne doesn’t change — whether it be had at home or on the road. BTW, Garko (in an attempt to emulate his Boston bretheren, downed beer after cleveland clinched the division . . . what a shame, Mr. Garko will not have the satisfaction of ever tasting victory champagne).
4. Cleveland CARES? Nice concession . . . After watching the past two games, most people understand that it doesn’t ROCK anymore.
5. Cincy’s better.
Comment from
Redsoxgal
October 21, 2007, 8:17 am
Had the privlege to going to game #6 last night (won the mlb.com lottery). Didn’t see ONE Indian fan! Could that be that tickets are impossible to get here…ALL THE TIME?
Fenway was electric with all the “fair weather” Boston fans….by the way, how many Cleveland Indian fans get caught for skipping school on opening day? I got caught in 1977, Is that long enough?
Comment from
Paul Benick
October 21, 2007, 9:30 am
It’s about time someone stepped up and showed some faith in Cleveland. They CAN do it. Boston is SUPPOSED to do it. We’ll see what happens tonight.
By the way “Boston fans”, what are you doing reading a Cleveland newspaper article anyway? Don’t you have an LL Bean catalog to read or some Dunkin Donuts to eat? Go watch your Tom Brady choke against Peyton again and stick some clam chowder up your…………
GO TRIBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from
El Guapo
October 21, 2007, 10:09 am
Carmona sure got it done against the sox……do you have some more good news for tribe fans???? Please. Is Albert Bellle coming out of retirement to save your team? Maybe if Victor Martinez starts walking back to Cleveland now he will get there in time to see the Sox finish off the Rockies.
Comment from
billbedrat
October 21, 2007, 11:25 am
I’m happy Cleveland has the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Who would go to Cleveland if they didn’t?
Comment from
billbedrat
October 21, 2007, 11:36 am
FYI, ESPN is reporting the following:
Paul Byrd, who pitched the Cleveland Indians to the brink of the World Series with a victory in Game 4 of the ALCS on Tuesday, bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes, according to a published report.
Comment from
BOSTON Rocks
October 21, 2007, 12:49 pm
i hate to argue with a fellow sox fan but the truth is the truth:
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/05/03/front-page-news-tom-brady-in-a-yankees-hat/
Comment from
Grady’s Ladies
October 21, 2007, 5:37 pm
Things aren’t going quite as you had hoped, are they?
Comment from
JAYMATIC
October 21, 2007, 11:34 pm
Yeah, good thing the Indians brought the champagne on the road, cause the Red Sox might run out celebrating.
Comment from
Red Soxxxxxxxx
October 21, 2007, 11:45 pm
Hahahaha, terrible journalism.
Enjoy watching the Red Sox in the World Series!!!
Comment from
Paul
October 21, 2007, 11:47 pm
So the Indians will advance?
they are better than the sox?
these definatly arent the sox of 2004 but they are still better than cleveland.
nice article. i htink you were too quick to jump to conclusions
Comment from
Fenway faithful
October 21, 2007, 11:52 pm
Well, it’s 11-2 Boston in the ninth. Probably time to start writing that column where you make up awful excuses as to why the Indians lost, and how they are still the better team despite getting crushed three times in a row, and going 2-5 agaisnt the sox during the regular season. Good luck with that…
GO SOX
Comment from
YAZMAN
October 21, 2007, 11:57 pm
KISS OF DEATH, LMAO!!!
We’ll be enjoying this victory seasoned with a little Stadium Mustard on it!
Comment from
Mike
October 21, 2007, 11:58 pm
I hope Garko enjoys his Champagne on the flight home! Go Sox!!
Comment from
Karen S Crow (A Southern Baseball Fan)
October 22, 2007, 12:06 am
Final score … Bos 11, Cle 2
Boston wins 2007 ALCS 4-3.
Mr Petrak … looks like you were wrong, the 2007 Indians DID fail.
Oh and Mr Garko … Looks like you won’t be needing that champagne this year after all.
(And thanks for the bulletin board material!)
Comment from
The Real Boston ROb
October 22, 2007, 12:11 am
Would it be ok for Tribe fans to worry now?
GO SOX !!!
Comment from
Paul Denton
October 22, 2007, 12:11 am
Well, just watched game 7. You were sure wrong. About just about everything.
Comment from
Real City
October 22, 2007, 12:13 am
Add this to your list of epic collapses, ohio!!!! Are you sad? Did you cry?
Comment from
SoxFan21
October 22, 2007, 12:20 am
Well, well, well…what happened here? Just as i thought, the Indians choked and couldn’t win 1 measly game when my Red Sox were down. But what else do you expect from such a loser city with yahoo fans waving moronic towels around. Your city is aweful, the people are aweful and just a depressing place all around. I feel bad for the people living there who havent experienced a winning team in at least 50 years. The writer of the above article is a joke and should be writing for 8th grade traveling team basketball.
Comment from
Not So Fausto, Cleveland
October 22, 2007, 12:22 am
How does going home empty handed taste, Cleveland?
Comment from
Bad Manny
October 22, 2007, 12:26 am
looks like Scott Petrak got it pretty much entirely wrong. Ryan Garko, we’re drinking your champagne and it tastes great at home. how do you like them apples?
Comment from
cleveland clown
October 22, 2007, 12:29 am
how’s that CLOWN?!?
why doesn’t your team in a meaningful series before you write that junk?
Please refrain before writing that GARBAGE next time…you may actually help your team. How’d your 1&2 starters do anyways? How about your 3 hitter? you are an absolute disgrace to the sports writer’s profession…THINK before you write next time…
Comment from
Pat M
October 22, 2007, 12:50 am
Hey Petrak… Do you like apples? Well your Cleveland Indians just blew three consecutive post season games….
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?!
By the way, tell Garko the champagne tastes great!
Comment from
Comment from Teddy Ballgame
October 19, 2007, 2:15 pm
Hmmmm… Nice blackboard material, as if Sox need it.
Lets seems like 1999 all over again. Except this time instead of Pedro Martinez trotting in from bullpen it’ll be Beckett. Tribe is toast. They squeaked out Gm. 2 because Francoma had a brain freeze and brought in Gagme. That wont happen again. Welcome to Boston boys, keep that cork in the champagne. Unless you want to give it to Pappelbon for his RIverdance II display!