I don't think I've ever been as stressed out watching a sporting event as I was during the 9th inning of ALDS Game 5. Even Adam Vinatieri's kick in the Patriots Super Bowl win didn't have me that nervous. Anyone who ever questions Derek Lowe's heart again needs to be shown a video of the 9th inning of that game. He came into the most pressure packed situation imaginable and stopped the A's cold. It was one of the gutsiest performances I've ever seen.

One of the nastiest collisions I've ever seen happened in the game, too. I don't think I've ever seen baseball players butt heads like I saw Johnny Damon and Damien Jackson did last night. It was very scary (and did Fox really need to show it so many times?), but it looks like Damon is going to be OK.

We're now one-third of the way to the dream World Series matchup of the Red Sox and the Cubs. 1908 vs. 1918. All the Sox have to do is beat the Yankees. They'll do it in seven games. I can't imagine the Red Sox taking out the Yankees without making it as difficult as possible first. Then they'll beat the Cubbies in seven, after the Cubs take out Florida in six.

I've discovered one bad thing about being a well-known, wear your heart on your sleeve Red Sox fan. Everyone at work wants to talk to you about the game. Now, I'd like nothing better than to sit there and talk baseball all day, but I do have a lot of work to get done. I might have to start being a little more direct when people drop by when I'm in the middle of something...