Word: schiraldi
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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LAST MARCH I was in Kissimmee, Florida watching my beloved Boston Red Sox blow an early lead and lose a spring training game to the Houston Astros. Although I was upset by the way the Sox lost--on a late-inning home run hit off reliever Calvin Schiraldi--I left the stadium excited about the season ahead...
...Hendu has struck out far more often than he has homered. Roger Clemens and Rich Gedman began the season late after holding out for more money. Oil Can Boyd shoulder was hurt. Jim Rice forgot how to hit home runs--much less anything else. Calvin Schiraldi continued to throw meatball pitches right over the plate. The upshot of all this was that the Red Sox were never even in contention, dashing the expectations of fans all over New England...
...understand finally. I came to it late, but I do understand now. This was worse, more bitter than ever. A total self-immolation, by guys we love and admire--by Schiraldi who got us there, Gedman who performed with such quiet efficiency, Buckner who, though hobbled, had fielded flawlessly. I even grieved for Bob Stanley (nine times out of 10, Gedman stops that ball, even though it must technically be ruled a wild pitch; and Stanley did what he was brought in to do--he got Wilson to hit an easily playable ground ball). Yes, this was much worse--worse...
...anemic American League hitters. Wade Boggs? His average against the Mets was even lower than Boston's winning percentage in games where they took big leads in to the ninth. Dwight Evans and Bill Buckner? Their defense in game six proved that they belong in the geriatric ward. Calvin Schiraldi? (I won't even answer that one.) Jim Rice? Did he play? Sure, Hurst and Barrett were good but hey--25 against 2 isn't quite fair...
Knight's homer came off Calvin Schiraldi, theloser in Game 6 who had come in to start theseventh for Hurst...