What a kick in the stomach.
It's hard to remember a more difficult day to be a Boston sports fan. Within hours of the Red Sox' shocking playoff loss to the Angels yesterday at Fenway Park, the Patriots lost a nail-biter in Denver to the Broncos and Bill Belichick's former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Then, we all watched as the hated Yankees celebrated their sweep of the Twins, moving on to face the Angels in the American League Championship Series beginning Friday night.
The hardest hit was the Red Sox' Game 3 loss in the ALDS, ending their 2009 season. Jonathan Papelbon entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead and 26 career postseason scoreless innings under his belt. Within moments, both the lead and the scoreless streak were gone, and the All-Star closer walked off the mound to a chorus of boos. The Angels won the game, 7-6, marking the first time they have beaten Boston in a postseason series.
Maybe the biggest question heading into the offseason - besides the Jason Bay contract situation - is what the Red Sox will do with Papelbon. The closer has already stated his desire to be paid top dollar when he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. But despite another solid season (38 saves, 1.85 ERA), Papelbon wasn't quite his dominant self in 2009, and the possibility remains that the team could look to trade him, and attempt to re-sign Billy Wagner or slot young gun Daniel Bard into that role next season.
If that's the case, Papelbon may have made it easier for the Red Sox to explore their options this offseason without much backlash from the fans.
Comments
Signing with the Yankees or Dodgers is most likely. Sox have jerked L’il Pappy long enough, so a trade is imminent. Walking wounded look at 2010 as rebuilding year.