Jonathan Papelbon choked.
Kevin Youkilis forgot how to make contact.
Jason Bay is a lollygagger.
David Ortiz is finished.
The offense couldn’t hit sand if it fell in a sandbox.
Victor Martinez couldn’t throw a runner out with Yadier Molina’s arm.
The pitching staff stinks.
Terry Francona couldn’t manage his way out of a lunch bag.
Round and round the blame goes, and it’s not going to stop for a long time. But there’s a reason the Red Sox looked so bad this postseason, and it’s not because Boston is a bad team.
The Angels are just good, and they were the better club this ALDS. They outplayed the Red Sox in every way possible. When the Halos needed a big pitch, they got one. When they needed a big hit, they got two.
That’s the way it goes sometimes, and you have to tip your cap to the opposition.
Losing is a terrible feeling, but there’s no need to compound it by questioning the Red Sox’ desire or putting down every player and his mother for not coming through in the clutch.
When Bay was helping the Red Sox beat the Angels in the ALDS last season, there were no insults. When Big Papi was hitting home runs to win rings, there were no calls to hang up his spikes. When Papelbon was posting a 0.00 ERA in the postseason, he was hailed as a hero.
Just because the Red Sox failed to get the job done this October doesn’t make them failures.
Yes, players make a lot of money. And when they don’t produce, fans have a right to be disappointed. But doubting their heart and effort — as some have done — is unfair.
Some of the same players who won the World Series in 2007 were on the roster this season. Some were even on the 2004 Curse Breakers. The skipper has been leading them the entire way. He didn’t change his style, just as the team’s will to win didn’t change.
The Red Sox wanted to win the same as they did in 2007. Their motivation isn’t different. They just were unable to execute.
Did the Red Sox want it more than the Angels, Indians and Rockies in 2007?
Did the Red Sox want it more than the Angels, Yankees and Cardinals in 2004?
The Red Sox just played better than all those teams. That is what separates champions from everybody else.
How quickly people forget. Just as players have a responsibility to leave everything on the field, fans have a responsibility to not take it personally when things don’t go the way they want.
The games are what everyone sees. But there’s a lot that people don’t see — advanced scouting trips, players playing through pain, early-morning workouts, conditioning drills, the offseason months spent taking hacks in the cage, tweaking pitching mechanics, learning a new pitch and fielding grounders. All those hours of work, plus the behind-the-scenes machinations and strategy during the season, can play just as big a role in a team’s success.
The Red Sox’ ALDS loss is a reminder that World Series titles are rare. It’s not easy to win a championship.
From now until Opening Day 2010, fans need to remember this, and instead of belittling the Red Sox, give them a little something besides grief.
Thanks would be a good start.
The 2009 Red Sox weren’t perfect. They had some flaws. But they gave it their best shot and fell short.
Now is no time to lose faith. The Red Sox aren’t the Pirates — and they’re not going to become the Pirates anytime soon. Theo Epstein and Boston’s baseball operations staff will evaluate every detail in the organization and make the necessary adjustments. They will make the tough choices and put the team in a position to win.
The Red Sox will learn from this season. They will contend for another championship. It’s just going to have to wait until next year.
And “next year” begins today.
