David Ortiz: A God Among Men

No big trade news out of Boston. I'm surprised, I thought something (anything) would go down. Theo Epstein said it would have been "short-sighted to sacrifice that long-term plan...We were asked over and over again for a lot of good young players, good young players at the major league level who are part of our long-term plan and it just wasn't worth it." And I must agree; it's better to not go to the playoffs this year (not that I hope they won't go) in order to build up a great team for the future. He would have had to trade Lester, Delcarmen, or Hansen and you know we'd all be upset if he did that.

Trot Nixon is on the DL with a Grade 2 right biceps strain. Wily Mo Pena and Kapler are expected to get some playing time.

David Wells. How can you not want him to do well after everything that happened this season? Well, Manny wanted him to succeed - he hit a 2-run homer in the 1st in support of the man.

However, Cleveland got 3 runs in the 2nd to grab the lead. But Wily Mo is making that Pena-for-Arroyo deal look better (still miss Bronson though); he hit a 2-RBI triple to make it 4-3 in the 2nd.

The Indians got back on top in the 3rd, but Ortiz hit HR #36 to make it 5-5. Varitek came out that inning, apparently injured running the bases. Not good. Something with his knee, a sprain I think. Whatever it is, it's never good when Captain V leaves the game.

Wily Mo hit one out of the park in the 4th. OVER the lights. Trot's getting worried.

The 5th inning was really disappointing. An error from Cora extended the inning and though Wells should have been taken out, he stayed in and gave up a 3-run homer. Wells performed about as well as expected, which wasn't too great but wasn't horrible either.

Kyle Snyder pitched 4.1 really terrific innings. He didn't allow any runs, and only gave up one hit. That man performed how I wish the bullpen always would. Just a great job. Praise from Tito: "I hope he knows what he gave to our ballclub tonight."

Bottom of the 9th. I couldn't stop clutching my Red Sox blanket, I was so nervous. Cora singled. Youkilis walked. Loretta popped out.

ORTIZ DID IT AGAIN.

A walkoff homerun. They showed the reaction of the dugout, and Mike Lowell threw his arms up in an 'Oh my God he did it again!' type reaction. "That's unbelievable. We were sitting there saying, 'He's not going to do it again.' And he did it again," Wily Mo said. It just does not get any better than that. Ortiz is officially My Favorite Person in the World.

Erin Andrews: "Ortiz MVP. Enjoy it, Papi."
Ortiz: "I like that."