Soxwoman Speaks

So, Paul Pierce gets taken out by Kendrick Perkins, the human equivalent of a brick wall. He is clutching his knee in a manner reminiscent of Lanier in '71. The garden-rocking just a few minutes ago-is now a tomb. Crisis hotlines light up all over New England, teetotalers start slamming them back. 'Bye, hopes and dreams. Congratulations, Kobe and Phil. It's over.

But then-he's standing up! Oh, my God, he's back! (a great line from one of the columnists: "there should have been the Indiana Jones music playing") And what do the fans do? They start chanting, "Willis Reed!" Easily half the fans in the seats weren't even born in 1970, and many more were too young to have personally witnessed that historic game. This tells you just how much Boston fans know and appreciate the history of sport, and recognize when they are in the presence of such a "moment." You think those starwatchers at the Forum would have connected those dots, or even knew those dots existed? Nah. I mean, after all, Nicholson is in the house. Maybe Spielberg will show up.

Up 1-0, by all accounts a big advantage in a 2-3-2 series. And we still have our captain. And that blabber about the Lakers' vastly superior bench has been shut up for at least a couple of days.

Just another day in the seemingly never-ending pageant that is the NBA playoffs.

Lots of drama, in fact, for Boston teams yesterday. The Sox proved that the Rays aren't really as all that as they would have you believe, with their second sweep in as many meetings, while in between broke out a hockey game. I had to laugh at Coco's characterization of the fighting ability of the Rays: "People were trying to scratch like we're playing football or something. After that, people were trying to pull my hair. I'm down on the ground. The fight is pretty much over, baseball time-wise. You want to come in late and throw some extra blows, get your little blows in. That's cool. I covered up. It's all good." Who knew Coco had such a nasty, sarcastic streak in him? And the Rays have really got to build a bridge and get over it. James Shields practically removed himself from the game in the second inning, which was mind blowingly stupid. Get the game in hand first, you guys. Hit Coco in the 7th or 8th, or wait 'til you get home.

(Like the Sox will undoubtedly do to the Yanks for the Farnsworth shot to Manny's head, if the Yankees aren't too pathetic by then.)

So, after the two teams exchange fisticuffs, Manny then takes a shot...at Kevin Youkilis? What the hell was that? Yes, I can understand getting a little sick of each other after a while, considering all the time they spend together, but what in God's name are two players on a first place team trying to take each other out for? Guys: Keep it in the clubhouse, and don't make your manager and teammates make lame excuses for you afterwards. I don't know what happened and I don't really want to know, but I can go watch my friend's two five-year-olds go at it if I want to see that type of BLEEP. Now stuff it.

Bartolo Colon goes for win #3 against Seattle's $117 million dollar, 21-39 bust tonight, a group you might expect to be throwing punches at each other in the dugout. 7pm at Fenway.

Let's kiss and make up, guys, and continue this home winning streak!

(Both pics lifted right off of boston.com)