Paradise Gained

The heavy yoke of cursedness is lifted, and the Blessed One waxes poetic, reminiscing of last night's gripping magic. The bard asks, "Was it the greatest Red Sox game I've witnessed? I think so. I really do." All the greatest aspects of baseball were captured in Game Five: the greatest pitcher of an era bearing down, a great batter breaking out with a clutch home run, exultations on the first base line. Fisk is remembered for willing his ball fair; Manny for pointing to the dugout, calling up the spirit of unity that has defined this team. There was striving and redemption: the maligned bullpen held on by its teeth and refused to let victory be torn from it. Derek Lowe came out a warrior, pitching for the third time this week, and throwing "the best pitch he's ever made". Johnny Damon, however, gets top billing in the Blessed One's verse:

I couldn't help but think that right there the tide turned. For an instant the Red Sox were sitting on the right hand of God. And no wrathful vengeance would be delivered from on high. No. Not this time. Johnny Damon in that gesture, hand in the air, atonement, fearlessness, and hope eternal symbolized in one gesture made all right with the world.

In the words of the great Lewis, let us go "higher up and further in"!