This might be the morning to go easy on your friends who are fans of the Red Sox or Braves (unless you think it's pay-back time for abuse they've given you in the past).
Until Wednesday night, no Major League Baseball team that had an 8-game lead for a playoff spot in early September had failed to qualify for post-season play, .
Last night, for doing just that.
The American League's Boston Red Sox, a team that had a 9-game lead for a wild-card spot early this month, lost to the Baltimore Orioles 4-3. And because the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 8-7 in 12 innings, it's the Rays who go to the post-season, not the Sox.
Meanwhile, in the National League the Atlanta Braves completed their own melt-down. The Braves lost 4-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies. And because the St. Louis Cardinals beat Houston 8-0, it's the Cardinals — not the Braves — who will be the wild-card team. Earlier this month, the Braves had an 8 1/2 game lead for the wild-card spot.
The Sox and Braves both collapsed "in a big, historic way," Tom told NPR's David Greene today on Morning Edition.
This morning's newspapers reflect the pain and triumph being felt in the teams' cities:
-- "Dream Year Ends In Tatters." ( )
-- "Braves' Epic Failure Is Complete." ( )
-- Cardinals' "Improbable Comeback [Is] Complete." ( )
-- "Stunning Finish In 12th Inning." ( )
As we say, it might be the day to go easy on those who love the Sox and Braves. And to fans of the Cardinals and Rays: good luck.
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