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Five Years Ago Tonight... by Jared Carrabis
An excerpt from One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk

The following is an excerpt from Jared Carrabis' debut book, One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk

I felt like I was living in a dream, it all happened so fast. I didn’t have any time to soak in the significance of each game one by one. One second I was staring up at my ceiling trying to figure out where this team went wrong as we stared an 0-3 deficit in the face, the next I’m celebrating an American League pennant. Then it felt like less than a day later that the Red Sox had a 3-0 series lead against the Cardinals in the World Series. It was just all too much to take in at once. I had just seen a slugfest of a World Series opener, the bloody sock part II and my dream of seeing Pedro pitch in the World Series and dominate. Putting things into perspective, I had to come to terms with the reality that my team was one win away from winning a World Series title. Even the slightest thought of such a thing could not process in my ...READ MORE!

Published on October 27, 2009 See Comment(s)

RIP 10/27/04: Death Of The Curse by Joe Gill
Five years ago today, the Red Sox finally "Reversed the Curse."

October 27th marks the fifth anniversary of the Red Sox reversing the 86 year curse. Damn five years went by quickly (I hate getting old!), but I remember that night like it was yesterday. It was a crisp clear autumn night with a full moon. I was meeting all my friends at the Grand Canal in Boston to witness arguably the most exciting, incredible, and unbelievable moment in Boston Sports History.

The Red Sox were on the cusp of finally Reversing that f@$#@*& curse!

However, let’s step back and rewind back to the ALCS versus the hated Yankees. After dispatching the LA California Angels of Anaheim at Disney in the Divisional Series, the Sox sputtered and were left for dead after a 19-8 thrashing at home. They were in a three games to none hole. Everyone in Red Sox Nation began to focus on the Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics (If you really thought they were coming back from down 3-0, you are a liar or a psychic).

Baseball season in Boston was over.

Or was it?

Folks, I am g...READ MORE!

Published on October 27, 2009 See Comment(s)

It's Pedro Time by Jared Carrabis
The Fall Classic sets up a Pedro Vs. NYY rematch

Just after midnight, the New York Yankees punched their ticket to the World Series for the very first time since Aaron Boone launched an extra-inning, season-ending and heart-crushing home run into the left field corner at Yankee Stadium that sent the Red Sox packing in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series.

That game, which was started by Pedro Martinez, was all the motivation that was needed to help drive the magical run of the returning Red Sox players who were part of the miraculous October the very next October en route to the 2004 World Series Championship. But, before I get to that 2004 season, let me take you back to that Game 7 in 2003, as much as it may make you cringe.

Holding a three-run lead with just five outs standing in the way of the Red Sox and a trip to the World Series, Pedro Martinez stood atop the mound in the center of Yankee Stadium. Thinking back on that night, it's hard to understand why the Red Sox didn't win that game.

After four ...READ MORE!

Published on October 26, 2009 See Comment(s)

The final out that never came by Jared Carrabis
What went wrong for the 2009 Boston Red Sox?

They say the last out is always the hardest; they ain’t kiddin’.

The time of the year that is looked forward to by Red Sox fans far and wide has come and gone before we even had a chance to notice that it was here. Making their exit in the quickest way possible, the Red Sox were swept out of the postseason after suffering one of the most traumatizing losses since Bucky Dent lifted a game-winning home run into the screen to advance the Yankees past the Red Sox in 1978.

The theme so far in this October’s playoffs has been the ninth inning comeback. Thus far, four of the premier closers in the game have been victimized by ninth inning offensive surges. The Cardinals’ Ryan Franklin, the Twins’ Joe Nathan, the Red Sox’s Jonathan Papelbon and the Rockies’ Huston Street, have all entered the ninth inning with a lead this October, and all of them have either allowed the opposing team to tie the score, or were handed the loss. Ultimately, all four of those games were won by the opposing...READ MORE!

Published on October 13, 2009 See Comment(s)

I don't believe in miracles by Jared Carrabis
...but I'll tell you what I do believe in

You heard me correctly; I don't believe in miracles.

I don't believe in luck, I believe in skill. I don't believe in chance, I believe in destiny. And again, I don't believe in miracles, because I believe that no matter what, the better team always comes out on top in a series, always.

A championship caliber team always finds a way to win, no matter what the circumstance may be, no matter what adversity they may have to face, no matter what the scoreboard may read at any point in the game.

With that being said, if you were to ask me if this 2009 Red Sox team is better than the 2009 Angels squad, my answer would be yes. Now, taking that into perspective, this 2009 Angels team is better than the team that the Red Sox swept in '04, they're better than the team that got swept in '07 and they're better than the team that got bumped in four games just a year ago.

However, we're talking about a Red Sox team that, in my opinion, is better than the team that won it all in 2...READ MORE!

Published on October 10, 2009 See Comment(s)

Dare to dream by Jared Carrabis
...because anything is possible

First, I just wanted to thank everyone who took time out of their Saturday to come to my first book signing at Newbury Comics this past weekend.

Second, I wanted to thank everyone who spent their hard-earned dollars to give my book a chance. Completing this project has been a dream come true for me and the feeling that I get each and every time someone welcomes my book into their home is indescribable. I say that because the amount of hard work and dedication that went into writing the book was beyond anything I had ever expected.

But, of course, it all started with a dream.

As you may know, my dream to become a writer started on MySpace. SoxSpace originated on MySpace, before becoming its own website and creating a fan base on Facebook. The same can be said about Veronica Ballestrini. If you're into the country music scene, then you may have heard her name, and if you haven't yet, then you will.

Our stories practically mirror each other. It all started with a dream that ...READ MORE!

Published on October 06, 2009 See Comment(s)

2009 SoxSpace Player Awards by Jared Carrabis
Handing out some hardware to the Wild Card champs

Each year I like to take a moment to recognize some of the individual achievements of the Boston Red Sox, because you will never hear any of the players on this team ask for individual praise. It's all about winning a World Series, and as thanks to the players for keeping the right mindset, here are some individual awards selected by yours truly.

Let's start from the bottom and work our way up:

The Pokey Reese Award - Nick Green
This trophy is the SoxSpace version of the "10th Man Award."

Where would this team be if it weren't for the performance put on by Nick Green in the first half? With Jed Lowrie on the shelf indefinitely and with the subpar play of Julio Lugo, Green was an anchor at the shortstop position for much of the first half of the 2009 season. From April 17 to June 2, Green batted .292 with 14 RBI and a .352 OBP, as the Red Sox went 21-10 over that span during games in which Green started at shortstop. On June 21, Green tagged an opposite field w...READ MORE!

Published on October 05, 2009 See Comment(s)

That's a wrap by Jared Carrabis
Sox season comes to a close, as we look towards the postseason

To my family, friends, co-workers, and professors,

This is my letter to you to let you know that you won't be seeing me for a while. When that first pitch is thrown in October, not a whole lot else matters to Red Sox Nation. For the next month, our hands will sweat, our stomachs will turn and our voices will cease to exist.

I can't explain what October is like to someone who doesn't care about baseball, but to a fan that does, there is no explanation necessary. Now, when it comes to emotions during the playoffs, they, of course, vary based on the team in which you support.

I'll tell you what you should expect in terms of what your October emotional roller coaster is going to be like if you are a Red Sox fan.

Angels' manager Mike Scioscia's pitching rotation for the ALDS is strong and deep. Headed by John Lackey, Scioscia will trot out Jered Weaver in game two, Scott Kazmir in game three and Joe Saunders in a potential game four. Not a bad four-some, but I think I'd rather...READ MORE!

Published on October 05, 2009 See Comment(s)

Just a little tune up by Jared Carrabis
Sox look sharp, as Ellsbury closes in on 70 bags

Looking back on the Red Sox teams prior to the new ownership group, it's no wonder as to why they didn't share the same success that the Boston teams of recent memory have accomplished.

With that being said, the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury as a superstar in the game of baseball could be seen from a mile away. As we've all heard before, Red Sox teams of the past were built with right-handed power hitters to take advantage of the big green wall in left. However, only 81 of the 162 games during the regular season are played at Fenway Park.

Enter: Jacoby Ellsbury. The Sox's speedy center fielder is proof that the Red Sox front office sees the big picture when it comes to success. His presence on the base paths is enough to single-handedly control the outcome of a game with his gift of great speed.

Of course, this speed does the Red Sox no good if Ellsbury doesn't get on base, but as the fans of Boston have seen first hand, the left-handed hitter has had a breakout season. Much ...READ MORE!

Published on October 03, 2009 See Comment(s)