OK, where does yesterday rank among the worst days in Boston sports history? It was pretty bad, considering the fashion in which the Red Sox and Patriots lost, and the importance of the Sox game.

However, it’s probably not even the worst day in Boston sports this year. Consider that on May 14, the Bruins were eliminated by the Hurricanes in overtime of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics dropped Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinals to the Magic, and the Red Sox, despite amassing 15 hits, lost a 5-4 decision in 12 innings to the Angels in Anaheim. In that game, David Ortiz went 0-for-7 and left 12 runners on base, tying a team record.

In an article from earlier this year, Bleacher Report presented its list of top 10 worst days in Boston sports history, although all of these are based on single events.

Anyhow, here’s the rundown of today’s stories.

BASEBALL: Angels 7, Red Sox 6. Rob Bradford looks at what happened and what’s ahead for the Red Sox. Alex Speier writes about the Sox’ big arms failing to deliver. Jonathan Papelbon talks about letting down his team, and Jon Lester questions those fans who booed the closer as he walked off the field. General manager Theo Epstein says the Sox simply got outplayed. Dustin Pedroia considers the season a failure. Jason Bay looks ahead to an uncertain offseason. Bobby Abreu again won the battle against ex-teammate Billy Wagner. Read more about the Sox at our Full Count blog.

To make matters worse, the Yankees finished off their sweep of the Twins with a 4-1 win last night at the Metrodome. In last night’s late game, the Phillies edged the Rockies in chilly Denver.

FOOTBALL: Broncos 20, Patriots 17, OT. In his Ten Things We Learned, Chris Price writes about how much this win meant to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. Price also has the Patriots kicking themselves for letting this one slip away. Read more about this frustrating loss at our It Is What It Is blog. And listen to Tom Brady on the Dennis & Callahan show at 9 a.m., multiple Pats players on Dale & Holley mid-day, and Bill Belichick on The Big Show at 5 p.m.

Get the rest of the NFL results here, including the Colts, Vikings and Giants remaining undefeated, and the Bengals knocking off the Ravens. D.J. Bean writes about what we learned in fantasy football in Week 5.

Dan Rowinski has Five Things We Learned from Boston College’s 48-14 loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday. Alabama moved past Texas to No. 2 in the AP Top 25, just behind Florida.

HOCKEY: Lost in this disastrous weekend, the Bruins posted a dramatic win Saturday night vs. the Islanders, rallying from a 3-0 deficit with just over eight minutes remaining in the third period and picking up the win in the shootout. Mike Petraglia discusses the B’s resilience.

Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics beat the Nets, 100-93, on Sunday in their third exhibition game. Paul Flannery discusses the progress the Celtics are making. Jessica Camerato has a couple of former Magic players talking about how much better the Celtics look. Camerato also has a piece on how football is a popular topic in the C’s locker room.

The Warriors suspended disgruntled swingman Stephen Jackson for a couple of exhibition games after his behavior in the team’s last game.

Last week, we linked to a story about former NBA player Rumeal Robinson, who scammed his mother out of her house in Cambridge. The Miami New Times did a more detailed story that explains how Robinson squandered millions of dollars and is now broke. Here’s a preview: Strip clubs played a big role in his demise.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 12, 1986, the Red Sox pulled off a miraculous win over the Angels in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Boston trailed by three runs entering the ninth inning. After a two-run home run from Sox DH Don Baylor, the deficit was one. With the Angels one strike away from winning the series, Dave Henderson launched a two-run home run to center field. However, what’s not as well-remembered is that the Angels tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. Who hit the game-winning sacrifice fly in the 11th inning for the Sox?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was 0-2, two outs, just waiting and planning on playing tomorrow. Then all of a sudden, one thing led to another and you look back and it was like, ‘Whoa, what just happened?’ ” — Jason Bay, after yesterday’s collapse against the Angels that ended the Red Sox’ season

STAT OF THE DAY: 0.00 — Jonathan Papelbon’s career postseason ERA entering yesterday’s game against the Angels, before he coughed up the lead with three ninth-inning runs that cost the Red Sox the game and ended their season.

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a funny commercial with a Red Sox-Yankees theme to try to cheer you up.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Dave Henderson came through again in the 11th, driving home Don Baylor with the winning run. Henderson threw out the first pitch before yesterday’s ALDS Game 3 but could not provide the Sox any luck.

SOOTHING SOUNDS: On Oct. 12, 1997, John Denver died at the age of 53 when the plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of California. Here he is singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” This is the song that will be stuck in your head the rest of the day. No need to thank me.

One Comments for “Monday’s Morning Mashup”

1. Weren Says:
   October 12th, 2009 at 10:58 am

   John Denver was a family friend of ours. I like “Country Roads” but did you give any consideration to “Thank God I’m A Country Boy,” which is the Orioles seventh inning rallying song, along the lines of that oh so Sweet Caroline?

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