He Saved My Friend’s One And Only Wish!

Have you ever noticed that each year when your birthday comes slowly creeping up on you, that you’re caught off guard.  It’s when people start asking you the same questions “What do you want” or my personal favorite “What do you need” over and over, until your head starts to spin.  I know that I go through it every year, as the wife, family and friends (the one’s that seem to remember it) are hounding me until I’m finally able to come up with something.

Well a funny thing happened to me yesterday, a buddy of mine from back home (the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sorry it’s not a state folks) calls me and leaves a message.  Later on in the early evening when I’m finally able to listen to his message.  He’s going through the usual normal ramblings (like most of us do) and he says all he wants this year for his birthday, is a sweep.  He turned 41 and all the poor guy wants and desires this year is to see his beloved Boston Red Sox sweep the hated New York Yankees!

I start laughing my butt off after hearing his only request, plus I’m actually feeling kinda guilty since I completely forgot all about his birthday.  So throughout the rest of the night as I’m checking the score of the game on MLB.com.  And eventually later on as I watched the rest of it on MLBN.  I’m thinking of him and his only request and praying that it comes through, not only for him but for all of us in Red Sox Nation.

Things are going along smoothly as Brad Penny and C.C. Sabathia were locked up in a close game.  David Ortiz had provided the only run of the game with his 4th HR of the year, earlier in the second inning.  Then in a matter of moments Penny is pulled, in comes reliever Manny Delcarmen (who’s normally very sharp) and very quickly there goes the Red Sox 1-0 lead.  Also gone for the time being was my buddy’s request, as the Yankees smacked Delcarmen around, while striking for three quick runs, taking the lead over Boston 3-1.

Which at this point I’m totally bummed out, not to mention starting to really stress over the fact I might have to write an article that mentions the “Yankees” and “winning” in the same sentence.  That feeling stuck with me until the bottom of the eighth (see previous article below for all the complete details).  When the flood gates opened once again (thanks to the Yankees pitching staff) as the Sox scored 3 times and once again retook the lead 4-3. 

A lead they wouldn’t surrender as closer Jonathan Papelbon, came into the game in the ninth and preserved the win for the Sox.  In doing so he not only saved the game for Boston, he saved my friend’s one and only wish for his birthday!  While making all of RSN very grateful as we enjoy another sweep of our arch rivals.  Plus due to Papelbon closing out the Yankees, he made it a heck of a lot easier for me to write about the night’s activities.

So to my friend (Mr. Dave G) from MA, I hope you not only enjoyed the game, but also seeing your one and only birthday request come true this year.  From myself, the Boston Red Sox and all members of RSN, we send best wishes to you on your Happy 41st Birthday Dave! GO SOX!