In 2005, the Yankees “comeback” was aided when the (first place) Red Sox lost 12 of 18 games from June 27th to July 18th. And, in 2006, the Red Sox lost 21 games in August (and went 8-21 on the month). Those 21 losses tied the all-time record for losses in a month by a team that started the month in first place. (Boston held a one-game lead over New York at the end of July 2006.)
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2006 the Red Sox fell apart. “Choking” had nothing to do with it.

As for 2005, it was a race up until the end. Or do you think the Yanks choked the last day of the season? They were up one with one to play.

They were the better of two bad teams.

“But if you want to dismiss the ’06 season as “we only lost because of injuries,” you’re fooling yourself.”

That’s not what I said. Injuries are part of the game.

Look at the first series where the sox swept the yankees. What did we hear? The yankees did pretty well because their starting pitching was a mess. Check out who pitched game one for the sox during the 5 game sweep last year?

But you’re right, the sox were poorly put together last year. Add that to the injuries and they were doomed. The yankees sweep was a result of that, nothing more. They were the better of two bad teams. How’d they do in the playoffs? Thought so.

If you haven’t attributed the yankee start to injuries ever, then you’re one in a million. But if you did, and now you’re pointing at the sox playing bad last year (they weren’t out of it after the 5 game sweep, it was their playing after the sweep that put them out of contention) without saying “yep, they were decimated by injuries”, then you’re a hypocrite.

And I’m not the only one who has accused you of having yankee blinders on. I guess we’re all just crazy and you’re the one looking at the situation with a level head.

And you have Red Sox blinders on if you think the Red Sox weren’t a poorly constructed team that year. Give me a break. Go ahead and give me that injury list (and when they were injured). Who do we have? The Fabled Tek? Who wasn’t hitting? Schilling? Who had an awful second half to the year, beginning before he finally begged out. Manny, who stopped playing (for petulant reasons) AFTER the Yankees had stomped them? Papelbon, who also got hurt AFTER the Yankees were ahead?

Oh, I guess it was Trot Nixon who sank your season.

The Yankees DID have injuries, but that’s not the problem anymore, and if you saw me mention the Yankee injuries THIS year in the last month let me know. Right now, the Sox are the better team — they are hitting well, pitching well both in the starting rotation and the ‘pen, and they are winning. Who’s disputing that?

But if you want to dismiss the ’06 season as “we only lost because of injuries,” you’re fooling yourself. The ’06 Red Sox didn’t lose because of injuries, and the ’07 Yankees aren’t ten back because of injuries, either.

You’re the one wearing blinders.

“The Yankees were the better team in ’06. Without question.”

The 06 red sox were devastated by injuries, starting slightly before the yankees series, and going to hell after. Maybe you have a short memory. I can find the injury list if you’d like me too.

This season, all I keep reading about is yankees injuries. Once they get healthy, and boston isn’t, they’ll catch them.

But 06? Oh, that was just the yankees having a better team. Injuries? What injuries? Steve at least tries to look at the teams with a little perspective. You have yankee blinders on.

I don’t think the 2006 Red Sox choked. I think their team just fell apart toward the end of the year, and our five-game sweep of them simply slammed the door shut in their faces. I don’t think you can consider it a choke because it was a close race right up to the Boston Massacre. After that, they faltered and the Yankees didn’t. The Yankees finished strong and that’s it. You actually have to have a big lead to choke it away. The Red Sox didn’t.

The Yankees were the better team in ’06. Without question.

~~~That was hardly the case~~~

In 2005, the Yankees “comeback” was aided when the (first place) Red Sox lost 12 of 18 games from June 27th to July 18th. And, in 2006, the Red Sox lost 21 games in August (and went 8-21 on the month). Those 21 losses tied the all-time record for losses in a month by a team that started the month in first place. (Boston held a one-game lead over New York at the end of July 2006.)

How is that hardly the case in light of these facts?

igawa has no idea where he throws the ball

Rich, check the stats. Boston choked in 2005 and 2006. Huge chokes. The stuff that they write books about.
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That was hardly the case

A team with some talent that doesn’t have the fight/heart to go with it.
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Igawa knocks Ichiro down. Phelps with a borderline “dirty” slide on Johjima, Proctor drills Betancourt.

Not enough “fire/heart/intensity” for you?