Red Sox epic collapse is end of an era

While the Braves comeback was equally traumatic for fans, Boston had the added knife twist by cosmic irony. Not only did Boston's final loss come against a vastly inferior team, but even in defeat, the Yankees gladly dashed the hopes of Red Sox Nation. The city of Atlanta has moved on but September's collapse was the type of disaster that will have psychiatry offices in Boston packed until next October

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On Sept. 2, the Boston Red Sox held a 9.5 game lead for the American League Wild Card with 26 games to go. Boston's .259 winning percentage over the month was the worst winning percentage over any month since August of 1964. Even after their epic collapse entered the final hours of the regular season, the Red Sox had history on its side. Unfortunately, it appeared the Rays had fate on theirs.

At the bottom of the eighth inning, the Yankees led the Rays, 7-0, while the Red Sox led the Orioles 3-2 during a rain delay in the seventh. During that delay, the Red Sox watched as the Rays scored six runs in the eighth. Down to the game's final strike at the bottom of the ninth, pinch hitter Dan Johnson hit his first home run since April 8th to tie the score.

Conversely, instead of throwing the game's final strike, Boston's reliable closer Jonathan Papelbon surrendered the tying run. Three minutes later, as the Sox walked into the clubhouse, Evan Longoria belted a home run that flirted with foul territory and barely hovered over the outfield wall.

Even the statistics were in Boston's favor. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Red Sox were 89-0 this season when they led in the ninth inning or later. The Yankees were 77-0 when leading through eight innings and had not lost a game in which they held a 7-run lead in the seventh inning or later since 1953.

Not only did the Red Sox collapse end to their season prematurely but it also caused the end an era in Red Sox history. Papelbon is a free agent, David Ortiz is a free agent longing for a long-term contract and manager Terry Francona parted ways with the club 48 hours later.

September also destroyed the psyche of Red Sox fans who have just recovered from an 86 year-old malady—The Curse of the Bambino. Carl Crawford, the prized free agent acquisition from Tampa Bay struggled all season and allowed the game-winning run to fall beneath his glove. During the rain delay, Dan Shaughnessy proclaimed over the broadcast that the Rays would be unable to rally back against New York.

While there's plenty of blame to go around, the Red Sox defense committed an MLB-high 26 errors in September and the pitching staff performed miserably in September. However, the only thing more miserable than the Red Sox play in September, are Boston fans this October.