A Night To Remember

Ok.

Now that was entertaining.

If you don't follow baseball move along.

For the rest of you read on.

Without doubt the single most astounding sports night I've witnessed to date.

Holy caaaaa-rap!

The way the events unfolded it was Total Opera.

As it went, the Cardinals and Rays completed improbable epic comebacks (8.5 and 9 games behind respectively on since the beginning of September) in dramatic fashion at the expense of the Braves and Red Sox. What made it even more unbelievable is that half way through the night the Sox were up on the Orioles, the Braves led the Phillies 2-0,  and the Yankees were hammering the Rays 7-0. Next thing we know, the Rays win 8-7 in 12 innings, the Orioles win 4-3 with 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth, and the Phillies rally for a 4-3 win in 13. Snap! St. Louis and Tampa Bay are in, Boston and Atlanta are out. Snap!

Just when you thought the playoff picture was going to be uneventful and predictable, a rarity in baseball, bang we get hit with a night of action that has been building for over two weeks.

***

Boston later released manager Terry Francona. Very surprising given how much was written about the bad state of the clubhouse all year. If there was a credible candidate for "safe no matter what" it was him.

Alas, Francona isn't the first well-regarded and successful coach/manager - nor will he be the last - to be relieved of their duties.

The most recent prior to him was when Chelsea fired Carlo Ancelotti despite winning the EPL last season.

Speaking of fired managers, I was relieved to see Ozzie Guillen isn't going to be out of baseball. After being let go by the White Sox, the Marlins scooped him up.

He's the best thing to happen to after game interviews since, like, ever.

I don't understand maybe 32% of what he's saying but I cry of laughter each time. He's refreshing and honest.