Is it 1978 revisited?
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:33 pm
In today's paper (Seattle Times):
Last Wednesday, the Yankees slashed the Red Sox's lead over them in the AL East to five games. The margin between the archrivals hadn't been so narrow this season since April 25th. As disbelieving as Boston supporters are about the possibility of the Yankees overtaking the Red Sox, the numbers suggested a different reality.
Back in 1978, Boston led NY by as many as 14 games on three different days -- after games on July 17-19. The biggest 2007 lead has been 14 1/2 games, achieved on May 29th.
When the Yankees closed to five back last week, they did so four weeks earlier than they did in 1978. They reached that juncture on Sept. 4th, three days before they went to Fenway Park and begain the Boston Massacre, sweeping a four-game series by an aggregate 42-9 score.
That's the sort of thing that makes baseball history fun to revisit. However, don't expect Red Sox fans to find it an enjoyable trip.
Last Wednesday, the Yankees slashed the Red Sox's lead over them in the AL East to five games. The margin between the archrivals hadn't been so narrow this season since April 25th. As disbelieving as Boston supporters are about the possibility of the Yankees overtaking the Red Sox, the numbers suggested a different reality.
Back in 1978, Boston led NY by as many as 14 games on three different days -- after games on July 17-19. The biggest 2007 lead has been 14 1/2 games, achieved on May 29th.
When the Yankees closed to five back last week, they did so four weeks earlier than they did in 1978. They reached that juncture on Sept. 4th, three days before they went to Fenway Park and begain the Boston Massacre, sweeping a four-game series by an aggregate 42-9 score.
That's the sort of thing that makes baseball history fun to revisit. However, don't expect Red Sox fans to find it an enjoyable trip.