Empyreal Environs

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the first Red Sox pinch hitter to win the game with a walk-off home run since Wes Chamberlain’s solo shot off Orioles reliever Jesse Orosco on May 9, 1995. The triumphant circuit clout represented a number of firsts. It was Saltalamacchia’s first walk-off homer and it was also the first time a player went into “the shredder” and came out with his hair looking better than when he went in.

Nick Punto’s nickname is “The Shredder” but obviously not because of his hitting. While he was on the Cardinals he led home plate celebrations but rending his teammates’ garments. The Red Sox hardly needed tips on how to revel in a win but Punto’s presence has seemed to elevate the energetic festivities. I think the pummeling of Saltalamacchia was more violent than Friday’s donnybrook. Saltalamacchia nearly lost his gold chain but it was retrieved by Kevin Youkilis.

Looking over the box score from that 19995 game had me comparing this team to Kevin Kennedy’s club. It was his first season as Red Sox manager. With Kennedy at the helm his squad outperformed Pythagorean (80-64 with an actual record of 86-58), won the AL East, and made the postseason for the first time since 1990. After this inspiring victory it seemed possible that Bobby Valentine could replicate Kennedy’s accomplishment.

But the inconsistency of the 2012 edition of the Red Sox makes me doubt how they could sustain a viable playoff run. If the Red Sox made the playoffs I think that they would suffer an early exit like the 1995 team did.

The same evening the Red Sox came from behind the Celtics finally put away the 76ers. Paul Pierce fouled out but Rajon Rondo persevered for his second triple-double of the series. The Celtics battled for an ugly 85-75 win in Game 7. But like so many recent New England area sports disappointments in the playoffs, the Celtics will most likely wither against the Miami Heat.

Game 46: May 26, 2012
Tampa Bay Rays 28-19	2	H: Joel Peralta (13) BS, L: Fernando Rodney (1, 2-1)
		No extra base hits
Boston Red Sox 23-23	3	W: Rich Hill (1-0)
		2B: Kelly Shoppach (6) HR: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (8)