2008 Woodie Awards
World Series 07
Bryce Summers
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Big Red Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The time of the year: October. The smell in your nostrils: dirt, sweat and leather. The tension in the air: electric. It is indeed that time again, when the best square-off against the best in the World Series. Just the mention of the event brings many images to mind, from Mays' catch to Mazeroski's walk-off home run and Larsen's perfect game. Such moments lend a bit of mystique to the Fall Classic: who knows what will be remembered years down the line?
The stage was set, and Wednesday Oct. 24, Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies and Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox took the mound to start off the Series. If it goes seven games, the final will be on the Nov 1. Beckett is the Red Sox's twenty-game winner who has been lights-out so far in the post season. Francis won 17 this year with the Rockies and has been solid as well. However, Francis has never pitched in a situation this important and Beckett was pummeled for six runs in five innings the last time he faced the Rockies. This game looks to be far from predictable. Looking further down the line, the projected pitching match-ups look equally intriguing.
Thursday's game should feature the Red Sox's Curt Schilling, who is 10-2 with a lifetime 2.25 post season ERA, against the Rockies' late call-up Ubaldo Jimenez, who has gone from being an
unknown in the Rockies' rotation to one of their most confounding pitchers since August. Game three is scheduled for Saturday and will feature one of the latest Japanese imports, Daisuke Matsuzaka, pitching for the Sox against Josh Fogg, who has been one of the most clutch pitchers of the season for the Rockies.
The Red Sox come into the Series as heavy favorites, despite the Rockies' undeniable momentum, having won 21 of their last 22 games.
But momentum is fickle. There are no guarantees for either team once the first pitch is thrown.
History has been somewhat harsh to the three teams that have gone into the Series with similar streaks: two of them lost. The Red Sox have the pressure of "the Curse" off their backs and will look to dominate as they did during the season.
The Rockies are more of an upstart, loaded with talent. Both teams will look to make this a memorable Series for their fans, but what will be the defining moment in this Series? One thing is clear if you are a Red Sox fan: hopefully your moment isn't another Buckner-esque flub. •
The stage was set, and Wednesday Oct. 24, Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies and Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox took the mound to start off the Series. If it goes seven games, the final will be on the Nov 1. Beckett is the Red Sox's twenty-game winner who has been lights-out so far in the post season. Francis won 17 this year with the Rockies and has been solid as well. However, Francis has never pitched in a situation this important and Beckett was pummeled for six runs in five innings the last time he faced the Rockies. This game looks to be far from predictable. Looking further down the line, the projected pitching match-ups look equally intriguing.
Thursday's game should feature the Red Sox's Curt Schilling, who is 10-2 with a lifetime 2.25 post season ERA, against the Rockies' late call-up Ubaldo Jimenez, who has gone from being an
unknown in the Rockies' rotation to one of their most confounding pitchers since August. Game three is scheduled for Saturday and will feature one of the latest Japanese imports, Daisuke Matsuzaka, pitching for the Sox against Josh Fogg, who has been one of the most clutch pitchers of the season for the Rockies.
The Red Sox come into the Series as heavy favorites, despite the Rockies' undeniable momentum, having won 21 of their last 22 games.
But momentum is fickle. There are no guarantees for either team once the first pitch is thrown.
History has been somewhat harsh to the three teams that have gone into the Series with similar streaks: two of them lost. The Red Sox have the pressure of "the Curse" off their backs and will look to dominate as they did during the season.
The Rockies are more of an upstart, loaded with talent. Both teams will look to make this a memorable Series for their fans, but what will be the defining moment in this Series? One thing is clear if you are a Red Sox fan: hopefully your moment isn't another Buckner-esque flub. •
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