The Last to Wear 42

Every so often, there comes a time within sports where you put your teams aside and you appreciate the game that is being played. Last night, this happened in baseball. Mariano Rivera walked off the mound at Yankee Stadium for the final time. Posted below, is the video of Mo being pulled by fellow teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte and the emotions were in full flow.

When Mo saw his teammates coming his way, he immediately knew what was happening and a smile came across his face. It was not until Pettitte took the ball from his hand that he broke down into Pettitte’s arms.

Mariano has had more than a decorated career and deserves nothing but respect from anyone who calls themselves a baseball fan.

Mo has won 5 world series, appeared in 13 all star games, and holds the record for most saves all-time with 652 in regular season games. He is a true class act of the Major League, and has set an example for the MLB his entire career.

Watching the video below is hard to put into words, but last night I was not a Red Sox fan, I was just a baseball fan.

 

Mariano is one of the reasons why I love sports.

4 is the Magic Number

Well Sox fans, this time next week, we could be in the playoffs. 4 is the magic number. Being playoff bound would immediately erase all memories of the historical collapse that was accompanied by fried chicken and beer and everyone would start asking “Bobby Valentine who?” 

This team is special. At the beginning of the year I liked all the signings that were made by the Front Office but I did not think this would come of it. Maybe it is their ability to grow a beard or maybe this team just loves to play together, they just know how to win. Bringing in John Farrell has looked like the smartest move the Sox have made in a very long time and he deserves a lot of the credit. The players also have come to play. 

October is a great time for baseball and the Red Sox are very close to punching their ticket for some playoff baseball.

 

Welcome Back Clay

5 scoreless innings. 3 hits. 1 walk. 6 strikeouts. Clay is back.

After missing a whopping 94 days, Bucholz finally returned to the pitching rotation for the Red Sox. Many were worried about which Clay was going to come back after seeing him struggle in his rehab starts within the Minor Leagues but he came to play this evening. You need pitching when the playoffs come around, and Clay is just another piece the Sox need going down the stretch. I do not want to jinx it, but this team is dialed in and it does not look like they are taking their foot off the gas pedal. 

Uehara has officially closed it out and the Sox take it 2-0. That is a big win against a playoff caliber team. It extends the Sox first place lead in the East to 8.5 games.