Uh Oh BOSOX Fans: Shaughnessy Did It! "AL East Race A RUNAWAY"

[matcom]

:scared:

<snip>

Easy call: Race is a runaway
By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist | June 26, 2005

PHILADELPHIA -- It's OK to say it. Don't worry about jinxing them. The 2005 Red Sox are going to win the American League East. By a landslide. Come late September, this is going to look like Secretariat at the Belmont in 1973.

After looking up at the Orioles for two frustrating months, the Sox moved into first place Friday night and they are there to stay. Stop worrying about the Yankees, Orioles, and Jays. It's not even going to be close.

''We're going to the Series, boys!" shouted Kevin Millar in the locker room after yesterday's 7-1 thrashing of the Phillies (the National League really stinks this year, no?). ''We're back! The Sox are on a roll!"

''This is the place we thought we'd get to," added Johnny Damon. ''It was just a matter of time. This team is playing great and I'm proud of what we've accomplished."

The burst of optimism that consumes Red Sox Nation at this hour (truly, this is an alternate universe) is owed to something more than a season-high six-game winning streak.

The Franconamen turned things around two weeks ago when warrior Tim Wakefield took the ball and stopped the bleeding on the ivy in the Wrigley finale. The Sox have won 11 of 12 since that night and their starting pitching in that span has been sensational.

In the dandy dozen since June 12, Sox starters are 9-0 with a 1.77 ERA. The fab five have held the opposition below the Mendoza Line for a fortnight. Matt Clement's victory over the Phillies yesterday makes him 9-1. Would the Sox still bid for Carl Pavano or Brad Radke ahead of their Lincolnesque righty?

It gets even better for the pitching staff. The Sox have five solid starters and a first-place standing despite the fact that Curt Schilling has been on the shelf most of the year. The Big Blowhard is due back in the rotation early next month. Is any other team going to get a midseason acquisition better than Schilling?

Meanwhile, as usual, the Red Sox lead the majors in hitting (.285), runs (409), and on-base percentage (.360). They've scored six or more runs in 12 of their last 14 games. Manny Ramirez is back to his Jimmie Foxx self. Boston's catcher, center fielder, and DH are having All-Star seasons. Bill Mueller (two doubles yesterday) appears to have returned to his batting-champ form.

The Sox also have Earl Weaver's proverbial deep depth: John Olerud is better than Doug Mientkiewicz and Jay Payton is an upgrade over Gabe Kapler. Boston's bullpen could be a sore spot, but Mike Timlin -- who should be an All-Star -- can step into the closer role if cranky Keith Foulke can't get going.

Even Theo Epstein's minions are on a roll. They have proof that Mark Bellhorn somehow contributes more to a lineup than Ryne Sandberg, and yesterday Bellhorn caught a Jim Thome line drive while standing in shallow right field. BlackBerries were buzzing from Brookline to Kansas.

Here's another clue for you all: The Sox are in first place even though at the end of yesterday's games they had played more road games than any other team in baseball. Boston plays 49 of its first 88 games away from home, which means they will be at home down the stretch. The Sox play 24 of their final 36 at Fenway, where they are a major league-best 77-36 since the start of last season.

more:

http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2005/06/26/easy_call_race_is_a_runaway?mode=PF

[DaveinMD]

1. I hate to say it

but he's right. The Yanks won't be sniffing the postseason this year and Baltimore is coming back to reality.

[rox63]

2. That does it...

Now we're doomed! Is his memory so short? You don't go around saying things like that before the All-Star break. The Red Sox tail spin will begin shortly. x(

[enigami]

7. Like tonight

[cruadin]

3. Dan Shaughnessy is a jackass.

You don't ever say something like that 'til it's OVER.

The Os are definitely NOT out of it, they've been playng above themselves so far and there's no reason they can't come back and do it again.

The Yanks are going to HAVE to make some serious moves, whether they get swept by the Mets or manage to pull one out. No matter what it costs them or who gets a bus ticket out of town, something is going to get shaken up in Pin-Stripe-Land real soon, then..?..who knows what might happen.

And, finally, back to my original point....you don't EVER say something as stupid as "It's over", until it's f**king OVER!!

[WhollyHeretic]

4. Dan Shaughnessy is an absolute tool.

He does nothing but stir controversy and has nothing of substance to say. He is the Ann Coulter of sports writers.

[OneBlueSky]

5. sometimes absolute tools are absolutely right . . .

hell, even a busted clock is right twice a day . . . in this case, Dano has it right . . . the O's are pretenders, and the Yankees are . . . well, I don't think anyone knows what the Yankees are . . . what they are NOT is contenders, for either the East or the wild card . . . all their off-season pitching moves have blown up in their faces . . .

and they're so hamstrung with guaranteed contracts and no-trade clauses that they can't make any meaningful moves . . . they've got Giambi for four more years at ridiculous money, Pavano for three more at ridiculous money, Wright for at least two more, Johnson for two more at REALLY ridiculous money -- and they can't get rid of any of them . . .

this parrot's not pining . . . this parrot is no more . . . an ex-parrot . . . joined the choir invisible . . . this is a DEAD parrot . . .

[matcom]

6. well, as much as i HOPE he is right...

it isn't even the All-Star break yet. we all KNOW the Sox are NOTORIOUS for choking after the break.

having said that, the Sox are indeed as good as last year but come on. Dan is WAY off the mark (this early on) to make wild predictions

[JohnKleeb]

8. Oh please

They're 2.5 Gamea ahead and we had a three game lead for a long team, a little 3-5 game slide and a little winning streak by us could turn the tide. Its gonna be a battle for first place but the Red Sox dont have it in the bag yet. The Orioles still play them very well at Fenway. I bet you that both of those teams win at least 90.