It's been a glorious postseason, and this year's gutsy Red Sox have given us more thrills than we ever imagined. But manager Grady Little has given us a moment of infamy that will rank up there with the Bill Buckner ball and Bucky Dent's homerun. Call it second-guessing, but his decision to leave a tiring Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning of Game 7 brought the house of cards tumbling down and ultimately brought the House of Ruth to its feet in roaring victory. The Red Sox were leading 5-2 and only 5 outs away from an ALCS pennant and a trip to the World Series, when the Yankees began their come-from-behind attack that led to a tied score. The team battled into extra innings until the Yanks polished off the beleagured Sox with a walk-off home run that struck like a dagger into the heart of Red Sox Nation. A whole new generation of Sox fans has been baptized into the joy and agony of being devoted to their team. Someday, we pray, the tide of history will turn and wash away the pain. Meanwhile, thank you to the players who went out there day after day and pounded out the hits and played with all their hearts. Maybe next year will be the year.
» Siu Wai Stroshane is a book reviewer for AtHomePlate.com, a website for baseball fans. She is old enough to remember the 1986 World Series.
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Copyright © 2003 by S.Stroshane. Posted October 23, 2003.
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