THIS TIME IT COUNTS! (MLB needs to make decisions!)

The promos are so well known, they are mocked by even the non-baseball fan:  (Cue scary music and echo effect!) "This time, it counts!"  Does it?  And what would have happened if both teams ran out of pitchers last night?  What would happen if a player got hurt in the 13th inning and had to come out of the game? 

 The obvious answer for an emergency back-up: the DH can move to a position, which then forces the pitcher to hit.  (Wouldn't that have gone over well with the managers back home!)  But the philosophical question remains: is this exhibition or is it real?

Give Terry Francona credit; he did all the right things.  He took members of the Yankees out in the middle of innings so the crowd could cheer, he brought Rivera in with one out in the 9th to give him maximum exposure, and he did all the right things (under the guise of All Star manager) to try to win the game.

But there still seems to be pressure to get most, if not all, players on the roster into the game.  And by Francona's admission, Scott Kazmir would never have entered that game if he wasn't the last man standing in the bullpen.

Which brings us to another point...if you are not available to play in the game, get yourself replaced on the active roster (see David Ortiz).  No one, but no one, should show up on the active roster and request not to play.

MLB and Bud Selig need to make a decision and run with it: Is it exhibition (where everyone should play and be showcased) or does it count (let two or three startering pitchers throw for three innings, move to your bullpen for a closer or two, and call it a day...not everyone plays unless it's tied after 9).  It's nice to give the game meaning, but that means it needs to be treated like game number 163. 

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Not for nothing, but how enjoyable it was to see the Yankee fans pull a complete roll reversal with Red Sox Nation.  Let's face it folks, New York hate us.  They hate us because of the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Patriots...the only thing New York has going for it in terms of professional sports in Boston are the Bruins.  The hatred boiled over last night with the booing, and the Yankee fans looked foolish.  Apparently, they don't care who gets home field advantage in the World Series if members of the Red Sox help win the game (maybe because they know they won't be in the World Series?).

But take a ride in the "Way Back" machine and understand that that was us prior to 2004.  We were obsessed with New York, so much so the words "Yankees Suck" would be chanted at Patriots games, concerts and even a few wedding receptions.  Take pride in knowing they hate us because of the success of Boston teams.  Let's hope it's a long and healthy hate!