Manny Ramirez tuning in to that old Cleveland refrain, "Wait Until Next Year":




























Game 7 Thoughts

Joel Skinner has to send Kenny Lofton from second base on the ball that ricocheted off the leftfield stands. The crime is Skinner is normally aggressive windmilling runners in (see Peralta, Game 2 against the Yanks). On this particular play, at the very least, Gutierrez gets to second on the throw home. If Lofton is out, the tying run remains in scoring position. If he's safe, the go-ahead run is now on second. That is a big momentum shift. I've watched the play several teams and Skinner obviously makes the decision too quick. Manny Ramirez couldn't charge the ball and scoop and fire. He would have had to pick up a ball that had stopped rolling with a bare hand and throwing motion all at once and make a perfect throw to get a guy with speed. I would have risked it.

Lofton was clearly safe on his attempted double earlier. Very curious there were no arguments, mainly from Lofton, but where was the bench?

Travis Hafner had the ugliest series you could imagine. Very poor.

Jake Westbrook defied the Fox broadcasters by lasting six innings. Very tough in innings 4 through 6, BTW. Geez, McCarver and Buck seemingly wanted to see C.C. in relief for some reason. More double plays from Westbrook in this game.

Oddest thing was current Oriole and former Red Sox player Kevin Millar at the game. Not only attending, but throwing out the first pitch at Fenway and reading the Boston lineup on Fox. One of the biggest WTFs of the season.

Dice-K was becoming pretty shaky through five innings and the Red Sox did him good by yanking him. Still nibbles way too much, but the walks were not there last night.

Jhonny Peralta was the master of getting the bad hop in this series. It's amazing he wasn't killed.

Boston bullpen was tough, especially Papelbon. He is unbelievable.

How bout that guy in the first row with the Robert Redford imitation last night? Red scarf and all.

Rafael Betancourt finally had a bad game, at the worst possible time. I can't remember the last time a team ganged up on him.

Yukon Cornelius hit a ball that might still be orbiting our fine planet.

Joe Borowski had very little effect the entire playoff run. That was a miracle.

Really, it's not the day for this kind of talk:

"We still love our Indians."

"We're so proud of our team."

"They can hold their heads high."

Quite frankly, this collapse makes me wonder if any team in this town will win a title. Can't blow a 3-1 series lead, just cannot do it. The Tribe loses the game and series, 11-2.

Meal of Links

More on Chief Wahoo. Maybe he's the reason behind any sort of curse.

Just in time for Halloween. Scary Movie Scenes, so turn the lights on. Movie links are on the side, some with video. Oh boy, there's "Blue Velvet" when Frank comes home. "Marathon Man", tee hee. "Reservoir Dogs" with the ear. Good to see "Night of the Hunter", Robert Mitchum is one creepy guy. "Mulholland Drive" is number one. Lots of good ones, with some flicks represented more than once. And please read Quint's story from "Jaws" out loud with his accent.

TripAdvisor has a listing for Schrute Farms. I'm wishing for "The Office" to get back to the 30-minute episodes soon.

Exercise Yard

I don't have the NFL Network. Well, I did when I had Adelphia, but the big sucking sound of Time Warner Cable sent it down a black hole. Hell, I'd pay for the damn thing. Anyhow, the NFL Network isn't doing well. Or so it seems.

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