Boston 4 St. Louis 5
I didn’t know what Boston 3rd baseman Will Middlebrooks was thinking at the time, lifting his legs as Allen Craig stumbled home. It looked very much like he was intentionally trying to trip him. Craig had got on base with a double to left field that drove Molina to third. Then with one out and the winning run at plate, John Jay spanked Uehada’s splitter up the middle and Dustin Pedroia back handed it, somehow, and threw the lumbering Molina out at the plate. Red Sox catcher Saltalamacchia then fired the ball to third hoping to pickoff the gimp Allen Craig (who was only in the lineup as a pinch-hitter due his his recent recovery from a foot injury). Middlebrooks had to dive for the throw which bounced off his glove and down the line, leaving him sprawled on the base path. Craig tripped over Middlebrooks and tripped again as Middlebrooks raised his legs, and stumbled home with the winning run.
The Umpires had ruled obstruction. It was the correct call. And it made for the wildest and weirdest end to a World Series game in recent memory, ancient memory, and all-time until the end of all days. St. Louis takes 2-1 lead in the series, and I’m very confident despite the fortuitousness of the game 3 finale, that they will win it all.
I had wanted to use the above two pictures for a different purpose, but fate, at the final whistle, conspired against me. Stoke City held a 0-1, then 1-2 lead over ManU(re) for much of the match yesterday. But Rooney and Chicharito saw ManU(re) run out 3-2 winners at Old Trafford. How odd and how funny that every match has become squeaky-bum time for Moyes and his Red Devils. A pity Stoke couldn’t hold on. But all the time, ManU(re) is nestled in 8th place…about where they should be, given their run of play.
Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 1
The first El Clásico of the new season. And I must confess I didn’t watch a moment of it. Instead, I watched Southampton thoroughly drub Fulham 2-0 at St. Mary’s, and then my wife and I drove into Madison and had some tea.
My thinking is that Real Madrid came trotting out into Camp Nou wearing their pajamas…a little detail that must have escaped the attention of Carlo Ancelotti’s up-raised eyebrow. The £85 Million Man, Gareth Bale, resplendent in white pajamas adorned with Welsh Flags, did absolutely much of nothing but win himself a bright yellow card at the 45th minute and then was hauled off on 61 minutes for Karim Benzema who also did absolutely much of nothing. The pretty boy, Christiano Renaldo also did fuck all (except for a little shot just before halftime) until the 1st minute of stoppage time when he fed Jesé Rodriguez for a consolation goal.
Now I will say that Carlo DID notice that his lads were wearing their pajamas in the first half. And his made them take them off and put on firesuits and Hans devices to open the 2nd half. They played with a verve, they way Delana Harvick played with a verve back in those golden days before she and Kevin decided the have children. But it was for naught. Neymar opened his El Clásico account with a low shot that threaded through past Diego Lopez for the opening winner. And on 78 minutes, Neymar fed Alexis Sánchez for the 2nd winner.
Sunderland 2 Newcastle United 1
One match that didn’t involve pajamas was the match just that finished up moments ago as I scrawl these words. This was the true El Clásico of the weekend. The Tyne-Wear Derby.
Newcastle fans and Sunderland fans, their teams, hate each other MORE that Madrid and Barca hate each other. This is a rivalry almost unmatched in sport. If Sunderland and Newcastle only win 2 game a season, it’s the Tyne-Wear Derby that they want to win.
And today, hapless Sunderland, sitting in last place with only 1 point to show for it in 8 matches this season, pulled off an exhilarating win at The Stadium of Light. It was brutal, physical and non-stop action for the start. And on 5 minutes, Steven Fletcher, back from a shoulder injury, smacked home the opening goal. In celebration, he leaped over the advertising hoardings and into the stands to celebrate with the Sunderland fans, a true Lambeau Leap moment.
I was rooting for Sunderland to win this. Line of reason is simple:
- Ellis Short finally came to his senses and fired that fascist coach Paolo DiCanio.
- My opponent in my head-to-head EPL Fanatsy Football League had Newcastle’s Hatim Ben-Arfa and Loic Remy in his lineup.
- Mike Ashley, who owns Newcastle, is a bigger a-hole than Ellis Short.
- Team USA forward Jozy Altdore plays for Sunderland.
Newcastle’s Mathieu Debuchy pulled back an equalizer on 57 minutes,
But Sunderland’s Fabio Borini was man of the match as he smacked home a cracker off a Jozy Altidore assist in the 84th minute to win it all.
Sunderland’s new manager is Gus Poyet, most recently gaffer at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship. In just a short week’s time, he’s got the team working together and believing in each other. And for now, there’s a new found joy.
And as I wrap this. The Chelsea/Man City match just went final. THAT was also a Clásico. Great match all the way. Fernando Torres scored the game winner at the 90th minute and assisted on Shürrles’ opening goal on 33 minutes. Wow!! Torres!!! FUCK YEH!!! Man of the match!!!
Chelsea 2 Man City 1
Keep The Blue Flag Flying High!!
I’m off to the races!! But I’m not going there by truck.