October 9. On Baseball and the Saux

The headless horseman galloped about on a mild autumn night, chasing Ichabod Crane like so many ghosts of his past, until what had once looked like sweet salvation became the end of everything.

Such is the life of a Boston Red Sox fan. Through the ages, the names echo with devastating clarity...Denny Galehouse, Johnny Pesky, Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, Aaron Boone. And last night, Saux fans were preparing to add a name to that list after the hometown team blew a five-run lead in the game that would have clinched the Saux a spot in the AL Championship series.

I've read stories of how, after two Mets reached base in the fleeting moments of October 25, 1986, Saux fans knew it was over. How they knew what Bucky Dent would do. So they can be forgiven if they were ready to add Chone Figgins or someone of like stature to the list.

But a strange thing happened...the curse was at least postponed. And the name of David Ortiz joined Dave Henderson and Carlton Fisk on a much sorter list of storied heroism. And the Saux will move on to face either the Yankees or Twins in the ALCS.

Something is different this year. The curse may be waiting or it may have departed New England only to settle someplace else. Chicago, maybe.