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]