Well, they might not have been perfect, but the pitching staff was good enough for yet another win against what used to be "America's Team." And on George's birthday no less!
What might have been even more perfect was spending this day in Boston, watching the game at the newly opened Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park, right underneath the bleachers. (You can see the outline for the centerfield bleachers above you.) There is a garage door which is left open looking out on the field at Fenway. We were told the bar is open during games and it's "first come, first serve" to sit at a table looking out onto the field (arrive by 9 a.m.?).
We stumbled upon the bar somewhat by accident, as the Baseball Tavern didn't open until 4 p.m. (Red Sox vs. Yankees, first pitch at 1:05 and the Tavern doesn't open until 4?!?!?!?!) A tad bit expensive and rather small, the Bleacher Bar food was surprisingly good and the plasma t.v.'s offered a great view of the game.
Oh, the game...it may have featured one of the most unusual plays in left field (How appropriate Johnny Damon was involved!). It reminded me of the Tiger Woods putt a few years ago when the Nike symbol slowly rolled into the cup as television cameras captured the greatest unpaid advertisement ever witnessed on television.
Somehow, sitting among other Sox fans, with the scent of the grass from centerfield at Fewnay blowing in the door, there was just no doubt the Red Sox would win the game. Even down 3-0, then tied at 3-3, the Yankees are floundering and have only themselves to blame.
Any time the Yankees lose to the Sox, it should be cause for celebration. And certainly when it was announced from the Hatchshell stage that the Sox had beaten the Yankees earlier in the day, even the out-of-towners in the crowd cheered. But with the Yankees now tied for 4th place in the division (tied for 4th on the 4th...get it!??!?!), they seem to only be a speed bump on the road to a much needed all-star break. Could it be that the Tampa Bay Rays are for real? (I'll believe that when I see it!) Are the Red Sox in line for yet another World Series appearance? Hard to feel otherwise today, but let's wait to see what tomorrow brings!
The rest of the day? Could not have been better...a seat on the Mass Ave. Bridge next to speaker tower 10 to hear the (now) completely commercialized Pops Concert and watch the greatest display of fireworks ever put together to music. A Sox win, a Yankees loss, Keith Lockhart and Fireworks...that's what I call a full 4th!
***
Once again, the umpires were part of the game and story yesterday. Third base umpire Wally Bell called a catch by Coco Crisp a "trap" in the 9th inning. Everyone except Bell seemed to know that Crisp had caught that ball, and again the human factor of the umpiring plays a factor in the game. While it didn't change the outcome (don't sit there and tell me you didn't hold your breath as the final out headed toward center field), it again brings to the spotlight umpiring and the human factor.
Don't expect me to call for instant replay reviews because of another bad call, but the umpires need to get it right. One of the other umpires didn't have a better view? We did see the homeplate umpire overrule the third base umpire on a fair/foul call in Tampa, and more of that needs to take place.
Bell should meet with Terry Francona before the start of the Saturday's game and tell him he made the wrong call. Chances are, that won't happen, and even if it does, Terry has too much class to tell us about it. If we hear anything, it will be from MLB, who at least recently, has been more forthcoming about umpiring and admitting when an umpire does something wrong.
Instant replay? Not yet. But more transparency from MLB about umpires is something the game desperately needs.
Keywords: Boston Pops, Boston Red Sox, Coco Crisp, Johnny Damon, Umpires, Wally Bell
