Rays-Red Sox Game 7: Cinderella Wins
The fairy tale ended happily for the baseball team known as the…
But the magic vanished for the Red Sox and they didn’t get the trip to Disneyland after all. I’d like to thank the Sox for an entertaining ALCS. I’d also like to give a shoutout to Primo, a frequent commenter on this blog, for being the only one to predict a Rays victory tonight. (Primo: Are you available for psychic readings?)
Tampa Bay’s Cinderella story brought a tear to my eye as I watched Cinderfella himself
struggle valiantly before being rescued by David Price Charming
with an assist from all their friends, including tonight’s fun-loving characters.
It was heartwarming to watch them and their fairy godfather
escape the clutches of Boston’s wicked stepbrothers.
The Rays’ dream-come-true story isn’t over, of course. They still need to conquer the evildoers from Philadelphia. But if we all wish upon a star, maybe – just maybe – the next World Series will be played not here…
but here.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
I don’t know what’s worse, letting Garza off the hook, or getting beat by the lesser Aybar…..I’ll try to figure it out after I shake the insufferable sound of cowbells from my brain.
Well. There will be no celebration in Boston this year. That puts a huge smile on my face. 😀
lol, funny metaphor, Jane.. “escape the clutches of Boston’s wicked stepbrothers”
congratulations to Cinde-RAY-lla
Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Rays. The 2008 American League Pennant will deservedly fly in Florida. Their win last night coming from great pitching and clutch hitting. The Red Sox had one last night but not the other. No doubt that the Red Sox missed Manny last night.
Thanks for your kudos, Jane.
Well, that stunk. But what can I say? The Rays were the better team.
Jane, you’d better do some serious wishin’ if you think the Yanks are going back to the World Series next season. All I kept thinking after the game was next year’s Rays, now full of confidence with this rotation: Shields, Price, Kazmir, Garza, Sonnanstine. Sounds like four and a half aces to me. These cute little Rays and their decade of first round picks may be around for a very long time. Enjoy them while they’re still cute because those cowbells will get to all of us eventually.
“Fairy Godfather”? What are you implying about manager Moon Beam?
http://paullebowitz.mlblogs.com/
Loganme, you just knew it would be someone like Aybar. It always is. Look at Dave Roberts. Or (dare I say, Bucky Dent/Aaron Boone)? It never fails that a “lesser player” comes up with the big hit in these games. And then you never hear from them again. Sort of.
Bronxstop, nope. No parade in Boston this year. Just imagine all the lost revenue in beer sales.
Glad you liked the metaphor, levelboss. I think CindeRAYla is even better. Why didn’t I think of it!
Primo, you called it. Now if you could just predict whether I’m going to get the new book deal I’m hoping for.
Sorry, Steve. Really. I thought the Sox would prevail because of their successful history in clutch games. But the Rays’ pitching was strong – David Price is obviously a stud – and Ortiz wasn’t his usual threat. As for my wish that the Yankees get to the WS next season? Why don’t the Yankees and Red Sox gang up on those little CindeRAYlas and their cowboys and make sure that our teams play each other for the ALCS? I think an alliance is in order.
Paul, no insinuations intended!
The only way this is happily ever after is if they win it all and get it out of their system(s). I believe they have the edge going up against Philly… of course, my predictions have been wrong throughout the playoffs, so we’ll see. Should be a goody though!
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
Philly’s had a nice rest, but history has shown that days off are not always a good thing. So I’m with you, Jeff. The Rays get it done. Or else we’ll just be wrong again.
Nice entry! I still love my “wicked stepbrothers” though!!
Kaybee-http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
Thanks, Kaybee. I was debating whether to make Lester a “wicked stepbrother,” since he pitched so well, but he looks so darn nice that I couldn’t do it!
Jane,
You’re probably right. You could say the same of Jacoby Ellsbury in last years World Series. The kid hit nothing but doubles. Perhaps it had to be Aybar.
Still, I’m not sure why Yankees fans are so excited about the ascension of the Rays, this team is crazy talented and the core of the Yanks is fading. Now, Steinbrenner can obviously buy a new core, but I’m not sure I would trust Hank Steinbrenner to buy the right kind of bread at a grocery store, much less the pieces for a championship run.
The Rays could keep the Yanks and potentially Sox out of the playoffs over the next few years. Perhaps it’s time we joined forces to fight our cowbell wielding, common ene…..who am I kidding, hell will suffer a rough winter before that happens 🙂
Logan
I understand the feeling that the Rays could dominate the AL East for a number of years, but I would not bet on it. It would only take one or two pitchers to become injured and they would be vulnerable. Also, it appears some of their key young players have already encountered injuries early in their careers. Further, and this is an intangible……other than the playoffs, fan support does not appear to be strong. I will grant that the team looks powerful for the near term but no team has a lock for long dominance. There are just too many variables in modern sports that can effect a team’s long term success. The recent Braves and Yankees long term playoff records may be unattainable going forward.
Great post and good luck on your happy ending next season. 🙂
The meek shall inherit the Earth Wednesday night. Next stop Tampa.
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlblogs.mlblogs.com
The Rays played 3 games at Disney this year and swept the Jays.
So I agree, the Rays definately do have the Disney magic on their side.
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
Hey, Jane …
The picture of the new Yankee Stadium looks great !!! … The Yankees 27th World Championship flag is on the inside of that picture, inside the Stadium — and, it will be raised at the end of the upcoming 2009 season !!! ……. For now, we can all root for Don Zimmer and the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series … But, from the year 2009, and many more future years, a new Yankees Dynasty will continue … And, it will all be a new part of the great Yankees Tradition !!! … Jimmy [27NYY]
http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/
I swear I already commented on this entry. Huh.
I definitely went to bed last night during the 8th and woke up this morning with sadness already set in because I was sure the Sox had somehow figured out a way to win. Imagine my excitement and shock when I opened mlb.com and saw that the Rays were instead the happy ones.
Incidentally, stingrays are my favorite animals. When I went to Spring Training this past March in Kissimmee, I also went to Sea World and spent an hour playing with the rays at the tank.
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
Ha, great post Jane.
I’m not too into Cinderella stories in baseball, but since the Rays knocked the Red Sox out, hooooo-rah.
Who you want to win the WS?
Frankly, now that the White Sox, who I randomly picked, and the Dodgers are out, I don’t care. I’m too pumped up for ’09.
V – http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com
Does your hate for Pedroia grow every day for no particular reason, or is it just me?
http://newmexicanyanksfan.mlblogs.com
My boys were just too beat up to go on. I hope you enjoyed this, you’ve been watching the Yankees of 2010 play baseball. I don’t think the series will come back to you next year (watch out for Boston!) but maybe in two years, when the Yankees have successfully raided the Rays.
Ah, here’s to next year, hopefully with MUCH less cowbell!
-Sara
Logan, see my comment to Steve above. (Forgive me for writing “cowboys” instead of “cowbells” – it was still early am here!) I suggested the Red Sox and Yankees band together next year and gang up on the Rays. But as you point out, the Yankees have their problems to solve. Luckily, Hankenstein isn’t running the show by himself. I think we’ll be just fine in ’09.
Primo, I agree that dominance is especially elusive in this day and age. Where are the Marlins? The Tigers? The Cardinals? And the Braves? The Rays have extremely talented players, but can they stay healthy over another season? Do they have depth in the minors? Will another team get hot at the right time (a huge factor, in my opinion)? Nobody knows what ’09 will bring.
Thanks, Mark. Have a great time at the Trop! As I’ve said many times, you have the best job there is!
That’s right, welikeroy. I forgot the Rays played in Orlando. Maybe the Jays and Yankees should try it!
Hey, Jimmy. I can’t wait to go to the new Yankee Stadium for the first time. Very exciting that they put the sod down last week. Looks great.
Interesting that you love stingrays, Kylie. My husband was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and got stung by one. He definitely doesn’t share your affection for them. Ouch!
Hey, V. How are you? I’m rooting for the Rays in the WS. Not only do I think they’re talented and fun to watch, but I’m just not into the Phillies. (Maybe it’s because my friends who are Mets fans are so angry at them.)
Hey, Sara. Sorry your guys didn’t win it, but you’re right – they were banged up. Losing Lowell, last year’s series MVP, was a blow, but even so they fought hard. I don’t love them like you do, but I respect their competitiveness.
OW! As much as I love rays, let me clarify–I love the de-barbed ones, the ones that you feed fish to in a big ol’ tank. One of them started to recognize me–at least, that’s what I’d like to think–and butted his big flat head against my hand whenever he swam my way.
I’ve never been stung by a ray, but I did step on a jellyfish, also in the Gulf of Mexico. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
Thanks for clarifying! See what I learn on this blog?
oh man it was a wild night. Matt Garza’s 9 strikeouts. In my opinion, if he never pitched in that game, I don’t think we could have won. But we will show the Phillies how much we have worked for this, and we’re not giving up now.
Garza’s performance was outstanding, raysfan, and it got a bit overlooked with the emergence of David Price. But he showed he didn’t get rattled in the game of his life. Good luck against the Phillies. I’m rooting for your guys.
I love this baseball adaption of Cinderella. The wicked stepbrothers gave me a good smile, Grant Price Charming too. The new Yankee Stadium looks beautiful, I only wish I could’ve gone to the old one just once. That place sure had a lot of history to it, I bet it was a bit sad to see it go. I thought the last game at Yankee Stadium should’ve been against the Sox for old times sake. It was nice that the Yankees won the first game ever played there, and the last one ever played there (if my history is right…).
-Elizabeth
I wish you could have gone to the old Yankee Stadium too, Elizabeth. It was kind of run down – hard seats, narrow aisles, etc – but it had so much history. I agree that the final game should have been against the Red Sox. It would have been perfect symmetry. But oh well. Guess they didn’t ask us, right? Glad you enjoyed CindeRAYla and the wicked stepbrothers!