Happy Halloween!

Now this is scary...

Papelbon dressed in drag at an event to support The Lester Project

Five coaches are offered contracts

Five members of the Sox coaching staff, including pitching coach John Farrell and bullpen coach Gary Tuck, received invitations to return with the club for the 2009 season.

Farrell will be back with the BoSox in '09, but the fates of the Admiral and Cap'n are still unknown.

Pitching coach John Farrell, who has received rave reviews since arriving in '07, is expected to be back for a third season. Farrell received interest from the Pirates for their managerial position a year ago, but he elected to stay in Boston. (Ian Browne / MLB.com) Yar!

Bullpen coach Gary Tuck's key role for the team has been working with the catchers aboard the Black Pearl. More importantly, though, it was at his behest that the Red Sox relievers began referring to themselves as band of pirates in 2007.

Also part of the returning crew are bench coach Brad Mills, hitting coach Dave Magadan, and third-base coach DeMarlo Hale. First-base coach Louie Alicea was not offered a contract.

[Photo Credit: AP Photo]

...but not in their house either

I wasn't sure that I'd feel this bad. After all, it's been nice just riding the wind of change that has made the Red Sox two-time World Champions and a serious threat over the past four seasons. But alas, I am heartbroken.

El Caballito and Crisp look dismayed in the 9th as Casey and Drew begin to pack up

Lester delivered a strong performance in Game 7, allowing three runs and retiring the first nine batters he faced.

Okajima pitched in his third consecutive game on Sunday, and just like in Games 5 and 6, Okajima didn't allow a run. In 7 1/3 innings during the ALCS, Okajima didn't allowed a hit or a run, striking out five. (Mark Remme / MLB.com)

As if it wasn't bad enough watching Garza expectorate a moat of saliva around the mound for 8 innings, Lester's three earned runs were more than enough for the Rays as they advance to the World Series after tonight. Fer those of you brave enough to watch (though I'd prefer to pretend it isn't happening), the coverage will begin Wednesday on Fox.

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On the horizon:

• October 28th - Celtics Opening Night
• Februarrry 14th - Pitchers & Catchers report to Spring Training
• April 6th - We open our season and seek revenge against the Rays

A silver lining:

• At least Manny didn't make it either...

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[Photo Credit: Boston Globe]

NOT IN OUR HOUSE!

"Swing! Line-drive, right field . . . "

. . . "We're going to Tampa!" -- Chip Caray, TBS's play-by-play voice, 12:16 a.m., Oct. 17, 2008

Last night the Red Sox made history in Game 5 of the ALCS, overcoming a 7-0 deficit in the 7th to beat the Tampa Bay Rays and keep the series alive for (at least) one more game. The comeback was the biggest in the postseason since 1929, and the Fenway Faithful (yours truly among them) were duly rewarded.

A total game wrap-up complete with me thoughts, fears, and excitement will follow suit, but for now, let me congratulate young Justin Masterson and the rest of the Bullpen Brethren for an outstanding performance throughout the night.

Okajima, Papelbon and Masterson all pitched scoreless baseball. Manny Delcarmen was the lone member of the 'pen touched up, charged with two runs after walking a pair of runners in the seventh inning. (Mark Remme / MLB.com)

One of my favorite signs of the night was a "THANK YOU, TIMLIN" tribute, which will hopefully prove preemptive as The Admiral now has yet another chance to return to Fenway.

[Photo Credit: Boston Globe]

"If it was a dream, there would be rum"

I'm sorry to report that Game 2 and Game 3 of the ALCS did actually happen. No, mateys, it was not a dream, or even a nightmare, but a wicked reality only intensified by the current status of Game 4 (11-1 Tampa Bay in the 6th).

For roughly 48 hours after Timlin took the mound on Saturday, I expected to be eating crow for my last post's optimism. Now, though, the Admiral's setback seems a moot point. Beckett went under (charged with all 8 runs through the first 10 innings of Game 2, and we're still waiting on an explanation); Lester was devoured (his first home loss since April); and Wake simply slaughtered (didn't even make it through three whole innings).

And that's only the starting pitchers! Last night Papi joined Jacoby and Tek on the list of players with zero hits in the ALCS. He finally got a hit tonight (a triple, no less), but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rays' 13 runs.

To speak of the Brethren's contributions in the last three games would be an overwhelming undertaking. Some highlights include:

• Two perfect innings from the Eastern Wizard (Game 2)
• An annecdotal Lost Boy moment as a line drive was reemed off Papelbon's right shoulder in the 10th - After frantically directing the continuation of the play to 1st, Pap vehemently waved a concerned Terry Francona back into the dugout (Game 2)
• John Farrell being ejected after arguing calls on Timlin's behalf (Game 2)
• Byrdman battling as Game 3's sole reliever in an attempt to save the arms in the 'pen for Game 4

Sox Coach Demarlo Hale consoled The Admiral in the dugout after Timlin gave up the winning run in the 11th inning of Game 2

As veteran Sox fans know, down does not always mean out, especially in the post season. And especially because I have tickets for a must-win Game 5 and refuse to face the potential impending doomsday that could unfold...

Down but not out, me hearties, down but not out.

[Photo Credit: Boston Globe]

Long Live The Admiral

According to redsox.com, although the official paperwork isn't due until Friday morning, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said today that the team's roster for the ALCS is pretty much set.

"We'll go with an 11-man staff," Tito said during a press conference on the eve of the series, "Timlin's added..."

He also said of the 42-year-old veteran reliever, "He's very deserving, he's been doing this for a long time."

Watch the rest of the press conference.

Long live The Admiral! Rum all around!

VOTE!

PAPELBON:


Tomorrow be the last day to vote fer the DHL Delivery Man of the Year! The Lost Boy is up against ruthless scoundrels like Mariano Rivera (NYY), Francisco Rodriguez (LAA), Bobby Jenks (CWS), and Brad Lidge (PHI), so ev'ry vote will count!

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OBAMA:

The deadline fer registering to vote in Massachusetts is fast approachin', me hearties! If you're not registered by October 15th, which is less than a week away, you will not be able to vote in the upcomin' presidential election on November 4th. With the economy sinking faster than a vessel full o' cannon holes, there is no time to waste!

Register to vote in under 3 minutes!

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[Photo Credit: MLB, FreakingNews]

ARRRNOUNCEMENTS

The ALCS starrrrrting rotation is released!

Game 1: BOS @ TB Fri, Oct 10th 8:37 PM
Game 2: BOS @ TB Sat, Oct 11th 8:07 PM
Game 3: TB @ BOS Mon, Oct 13th 4:37 PM
Game 4: TB @ BOS Tue, Oct 14th 8:07 PM

All games will be broadcast on TBS.

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Former Black Pearl Captain will sail again...and plunder the world's largest bounty!

The UK's Daily Mail reports that Johnny Depp will receive $55.8 million upfront from Disney to reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the fourth installment of Pirates of Caribbean.

The biggest known upfront payout was formerly the $50 million landlubber Tom Hanks was given to come back for the sequel to the Da Vinci Code.

"It's a lot of swag but there's only one Johnny Depp," one insider said. "They simply cannot make another 'Pirates' movie without Jack Sparrow."

However, insiders also speculated that it is unlikely that shipmates Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightly) will go on account with Sparrow.

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[Photo Credit: Boston Globe, FilmEdge.net]

Manny Who?

Delcarmen, that's who! The only Manny we need here in Boston.

To recap: The Eastern Wizard (Okajima) was the first to provide relief to superstar starter Jon Lester, who pitched 8 scoreless innings. Oki faced 3 batters, had 2 outs, but left 1 man on when he turned the mound over to Masterson. The Young Gun* let the inherited runner score, gave up one more run, and Fenway fell silent with anticipation.

With 2 on and 2 outs in the top of the 9th, it was the Captain (literally, Varitek) who made the play of the game when, "Erick Aybar couldn't make contact with winning pitcher Manny Delcarmen's pitch and Varitek aggressively pinned Willits into no-man's land, chasing him down the line and ultimately tagging Willits just before he could retreat to third base." (Ian Browne / MLB.com)

If yer one of the bildgerats who's complainin' that this should've played out differently (with a lobbed toss to Youk, fer example), I suggest you be on yer way...
No one questions the Cap'n!

To finish the night (which is a blur in my mem'ry): Drew struck out; Bay blasted one back for a ground-rule double; Kotsay lined out; and rookie Jed Lowrie contributed the walk-off RBI single that sent the Angels to Davy Jones' locker.

Champagne showers ensued, and ye Black Pearl Girls were on site to experience all the excitement of the Sox clinching a spot in the upcoming AL Championship Series!

Lopez, Masterson, and Delcarmen doused Officer Dunn with champagne, but he retaliated with a hose!

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Even before any real action got underway baseball-wise, we were spotted by Boston Globe reporter Steve Silva, and want to thank him and welcome any new readers who followed the link from The Scene at Fenway page posted this mornin'.

Stay tuned for more swashbuckling tales surrounding Boston's Black Pearl...

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*As far as I know, Masterson has not officially been dubbed "The Young Gun" by any members of the Black Pearl; I simply find it a more palatable way to refer to the rookie

[Photo Credit: Boston Globe]

Shipping up to Boston

I think me first mate and I were some of the only scallywags in Massachusetts who still had something to smile about after last night's extra-inning fall to the Angels. Delcarmen, Oki-Doki, and Masterson all provided relief to the Game 3 starter and ace of '07, Josh Beckett.

As always, Wild Thing made our hearts sing by powering through 2 edge-of-your-seat-riding innings, holding the score at 4-4 after the 11th. Pap's fist pumps proved pre-emptive, however, because...

In the 12th inning, a bloop RBI single by No. 9 hitter Erick Aybar against Red Sox lefty reliever Javy Lopez snapped a 4-4 tie that had been in place since an RBI double by Kevin Youkilis in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Napoli, who belted two homers earlier in the game, set the stage with a leadoff single to left. Howie Kendrick, playing Angels baseball, sacrificed Napoli to second. Aybar got an 0-2 pitch that he liked from Lopez for what proved to be the game-winner. (Ian Browne / MLB.com)

Prior witnesses of faith rewarded, the Black Pearl Girls are confident that with Lester on the mound tonight and a full bullpen (Pap remains questionable depending on how much grog he consumes before called upon), we'll be dancing an Irish jig with our fellow Bleacher Creatures sometime before 2 am!

HE DON'T KNOW HOW HE DO...

PAP GETS THE WIN IN GAME 2!!!

"Drink up, me hearties!"

...HE JUST DO!

[Photo Credit: Boston.com]

As cool as a gale wind

Now that I've acknowledged the crowning moment in me history as a Sox fan, and those who made it possible, it's time to move on to the heart of the matter: Today be game day. And not just any game day, but a post season game day.

With Dice-K on the mound for Game 2 tonight, we can look forward to the Eastern Wizard (Okajima) coming in for relief, and potential appearances by Javier Lopez or Manny Delcarmen.

During Game 1, rookie sinkerballer Justin Masterson came in in the eighth and did an outstanding job protecting the Sox one-run lead. The team is relying heavily this post season on five players who are 25 years or younger (and have been in the majors for 2 seasons or less), and Masterson considers this a compliment.

"It's just a testament to the organization in many respects," said rookie reliever Justin Masterson. "And to the faith of [manager Terry Francona] and the coaching staff, who continue to grind and make us who we are and help us to contribute and help us stay calm, cool and collected while we're doing it." (Ian Browne / MLB.com)

Remaining calm proves a running theme this Soxtober, as our resident Wild Thing attributes the unflappable attitude of Jason Bay to the newcomer's ability to produce under pressure.

"Because, man, he's cool as a cucumber," said Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who nailed down the save in the ninth. "He's got ice in his veins. In this game, the coolest cat always wins. It's that simple."

And what does Pap think about tonight's game? "[We've] got to come here and keep applying the pressure as an entire ballclub. Regardless of what happened in Game 1, if we can keep doing that and take it back to Fenway [2-0], I like our chances." (Ian Browne / MLB.com)

So do I, matey, so do I...

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Ahoy! As a first entry I think it's only fitting to pay tribute to the 2004 and 2007 World Series Champions, as well as owners John Henry and Tom Werner, and thank them for making me and me hearties' life-long dreams come true. In fact, what happened to me and me crew almost a year ago, was beyond any pirate or landlubber's wildest dreams...

On October 30, 2007, me hearties and I joined hundreds of fellow Red Sox fans for a Rolling Rally in honor of the team's latest World Series triumph. We thought the highlight of our venture was going to be waving to The Admiral (Timlin) and watching the Jolly Roger flap in the wind as the Duck Boats rolled down Tremont Street.

However, several hours after the celebration had ceased (or so we thought), me crew and I went on account by Henry's notorious galleon. Our hopes in loitering near the Iroquois were merely to catch a glimpse of Boston's most beloved buccaneers, but as the night went on, we sensed something bigger a'brewing.

It seems the principle owners were hosting a grand gathering for their colleagues, and while shareholders and dignitaries guzzled rum and devoured roasts, the guests of honor made time for four humble fans.

We held the most sought after treasure in all of Major League Baseball, and shook the hands of the behind-the-scenes botswains who made it all happen.

Our deepest and sincerest thanks go out to John Henry and Tom Werner for treating us like equals (Werner even asked us our names!), and to the entire Red Sox organization for being the best in baseball. And anyone who disagrees can walk the plank!