Defeated

10/11/09 Two tickets to Game Five of the 2009 American League Championship Series at Fenway Park, recycled

Imagine this:

After getting crushed by the Yankees in Game One of the 2009 ALCS at Yankee Stadium, the Sox came from behind to surprise them in Game Two, and then cruise to victories at Fenway in Games Three and Four. Leading three games to one, the Sox enter Game Five with a confident Josh Beckett on the mound, ready to embarrass the Yanks (again!) and head to the 2009 World Series.

And who's in the Right Field Grandstand, Section 5, Row 4, Seats 4 & 5? Why, it's the world's two greatest BoSox fans (and amazing Literacy Coaches), Jenn Felt and Reed Dyer! So good, so good, so good!

Isn't it a glorious vision?

And it ain't gonna happen.

Prior to 2004, the Sox would always break your heart in such a specific way: just a few outs from ultimate victory, they'd snatch defeat from nowhere.

The 2009 Sox decided to shift it up a little. They just looked bad from the start of the playoffs, not putting up any fight in Games 1 & 2 of the ALDS, and then coming from ahead to lose Game 3, thus ending the season.

Which then took the value of my playoff tickets for the next round from $200 to $0. Those tix could have created great memories. Now they're in the recycle bin.

Minutes after the loss, I got a text message from Jenn:

I can't believe it. I am officially in mourning til pitchers & catchers report! :(

You said it, Coach.