Saturday, September 02, 2006

This has long since stopped being unbelievable and entered into the arena of the absurd.

Jon Lester has cancer. It’s treatable, they say, but it’s going to be a long hard fight. I don’t have to say that the thoughts and prayers of all of Red Sox Nation are with him, and we’re sure he’ll beat this handily and emerge stronger and better for it. In the mean time, his family would like some privacy. (Dan Shaughnessy called them anyway. Credit where credit is due, however, for a rare readable and compassionate column.)

I figured once August was over we’d see at least a diminution of the Job-like afflictions that have befallen this team and many of those associated with it.

I should have known better.

So. Not only is one of our young studs beginning aggressive chemotherapy, possibly as early as today, but another, arguably our best pitcher,  a cornerstone for the future, is out for who knows how long with “burning” and “stiffness” and “weakness” in his throwing shoulder.

And now our only consistent, reliable starter is going to miss at least his next turn.

What have we done to deserve this?

Last night, before hearing about Schilling and Papelbon, as Kyle Snyder pitched the game of his life and we started creeping our way towards another win, I foolishly let my thoughts wander. Chicago was its way to a loss. We’d soon be six games back from the Wild Card, with three games left against the ChiSox and the Twins. Our lineup was getting close to being somewhere near complete again.

Hey, I deluded myself, this might be doable after all! How inspirational would a playoff trip be, even one with a quick exit, in light of what we’ve been through. Do it for Jonny Lester!

I sobered up soon. Wells is gone. Schilling won’t be facing the White Sox. Papelbon is having an MRI Monday, and no matter what the results are, he should be shut down for the season. So should anyone with even the remotest possibility of aggravating an existing injury. Yes, Ortiz too. Home run records and MVP awards be damned. It’s just not worth it with the luck we’ve been having.

We’re fielding a de facto AAA team now, we might as well go whole hog. Bring up the kids. All of ‘em. Let them play the games. Just to get us through the month. Just to see us to the end of this awful, awful season.

9/2/2006 12:37:27 PM by Mike Miliard | Comments [0] |  
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