When Bostonist were kids, there were two nights a year we were permitted to stay up wicked late: New Year's Eve, and the baseball All-Star Game. We don't think we would have been allowed to stay up 'til 1:47 A.M. as kids. But that's what it would have taken to make it through last night's game.
When it finally ended, in front of about 20,000 people who paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars a ticket and live in a city where the subway runs all night (real diehard action there, NY), the American League had won - again - and J.D. Drew got MVP honors, hoisting the trophy in Yankee Stadium. Drew said he was ready to pitch if the game went on much longer. He was the only Red Sox player to shine - Varitek didn't bat (probably wise), Manny, Youk and Pedroia went hitless, and Papelbon gave up an unearned run which will probably go down as the highlight of the Yankees' 2008 season.
See, Papelbon said he wanted to close the game if it came to that, which didn't sit well with New York, since Mariano Rivera was on the team. Papelbon eventually said he understood why Rivera should close, but that wasn't enough to keep New Yorkers from threatening and heckling his wife. Classy. They cheered wildly when Papelbon gave up the go-ahead run, and why not? It's not like the Yankees have a stake in World Series home-field advantage.
Heroes for the game: Texas' Michael Young, who finally sac-flied in the winning run. Pittsburgh's Nate McClouth, who made a killer throw to keep the winning run from scoring in the 11th. Not so much heroes: Florida's Dan Uggla and his three errors.
The Yankees poured on the history, bringing out dozens of Hall of Famers for pregame ceremonies. They even tried to replicate Ted Williams' awe-inspiring appearance at the '99 ASG, but it was marred by the fact that it was George Steinbrenner, who is the exact opposite of universally beloved, even if he is equally old and has equally as repulsive a son as Teddy Ballgame.
The Celtics came to town to see their Championship DVD, which will be on sale any second now. Even unsigned Posey and House came for the party. Posey says the C's are still his top choice, but at the ripe old age of 31 (sigh), he's looking for a four-year deal and stability. It's not our money, of course, but we say pay the man. Also, sometime last week when we weren't looking, the Celtics signed former Warrior Patrick O'Bryant to back up Perk next season. Good; we haven't had a good solid Irish player like him in this town since Troy O'Leary.
Photo by the author, from the one and only time he's dared set foot in Yankee Stadium.
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