Group Schmoop Bring On The Formal Wear

by Tyduffy

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

The Odds and Sods for 22 October 2007

Soxtober (why the trend toward October puns this year?) continues as the Red Sox beat the Indians 11-2 to advance to the World Series.  They came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series 4-3.  Red Sox fans were ecstatic even as 1200 of Boston's finest with dogs and riot gear cleared out a perimeter around the park (nearly preventing the OddsandSods staff from returning home).

Noted Negative Nancy Dan Shaughnessey managed to write a positive column, which may be foiled by the comparison of Crisp 's catch when they were up 11-2 to Carlton Fisk 's home run in the 1975 World Series.  Bob Ryan weighs in here (does anyone else always hear his voice when they are reading his columns?)  Sean McAdam discusses the change in Red Sox culture.  The Times deigns to ask whether the Red Sox will be the new Yankees.

Paul Byrd admitted to investigators that he had purchased HGH from a Florida-anti aging clinc.  If little guys who look like Kelsey Grammar and throw 85 were taking HGH, what was Travis Hafner on?  Byrd maintains that he did nothing illegal.  It is funny how the SF Chronicle guys just happened to pick the opportune moment to come out with this information.

Just after the announcement that Dan Patrick was to join SI, it was announced that SI columnist Rick Reilly would be leaving to join ESPN.  Deadspin mentions how this fufills ESPN's glaring weakness of "smart-alecky middle-aged white guys."  Reilly's "Life of Reilly" column was an icon on the back page of SI.  The loss of a writer of his stature will be a devastating blow to an already depleted talent pool.  Reilly, due to his non-compete clause, will join the World Wide Leader in June 2008.

Joe Torre turned down the offer from Fox to join Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in the booth.  Why have one soporific and slightly senile ex-Cardinals catcher in the booth when you have two?

Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg becomes the second referee this season to face a ban after unfairly favoring Liverpool.  He will not referee a Premier League match next weekend.  Clattenburg drew the ire of the Everton faithful for sending off Tony Hibbert after he took Gerrard down in the box, only giving Dirk Kuyt a yellow-card for a two footed aerial lunge at Phil Neville, and failing to award a penalty to Everton in the closing seconds for a foul on Joleon Lescott.

Originally published at OddsandSods