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DocJock
Joined: 2/03/05 Posts: 15,584

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Off Topic, But Is It?
Posted Sat, Jul 06 8:33 pm
They speak of jinxes in sports.
Even as a hard headed football and baseball follower with a science background, I'm reluctant to dismiss it entirely out of hand. Maybe it's all in the mind, but isn't that all it has to be to effect the outcome?
Despite some very good baseball teams, possessing arguably the best batter in Ted Williams that MLB baseball ever knew, 1918 was the last time the Boston Red Sox won a World Series. Sportswriters and fans signed on, calling it the curse of the Bambino, aka Babe Ruth.
As a die hard Yankee fan, I had no love for the Red Sox, but watching game 6 of the 1986 World Series, I found myself rooting for them, seemingly on the threshold of winning the game, and on their way to clinching their first World Series title since 1918. I thought I was witnessing the last out of the game when someone hit a soft grounder to Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, when the ball inexplicably skipped through his legs. Maybe it shouldn't have been totally unexpected, since after a long and distinguished baseball career, Buckner's knees were shot. But what I couldn't help noticing were the facial expressions of the Boston fans.
It screamed out to you, "Here we go again."
Sure enough, the Red Sox lost the game and the series to the L.A. Angels.
It would take another 22 years (here is hoping my arithmetic is correct), before the Boston Red Sox would win another World Series, and put the curse of the Bambino to rest.
What does this have to do with UCLA football?
I think our fans have been so beaten down and mired in futility for so long, we're afraid to embrace even a glimmer of optimism for fear of being disappointed again. Maybe what we're witnessing is less a curse, and more a case of having been snake bitten. We might have been on our way with Jim Mora, until his life took a U turn.
But call it a jinx, curse, or simply bad luck, it will end because nothing lasts forever, the good times nor the bad ones.
MR.GKD
Joined: 10/10/09 Posts: 3,721
Wasn't easy being Bosox fan
Posted Sat, Jul 06 9:15 pm
In response to Off Topic, But Is It? (DocJock)
Sad for the ones who worshiped the players in the day for the love of the game and comunity but never got to see the tide turn. Hope to outlast the Bruin tide and see a "Sleeping giant". Jinx? Superstitious? Not really. But I've turned the channel a few times. What the heck. Recall JRW never believed in luck..fate..or praying to win.
BRUINS 1
Joined: 1/28/05 Posts: 19,757
Agreed, “jinx”
Posted Sun, Jul 07 11:47 am
In response to Wasn't easy being Bosox fan (MR.GKD)
Is simply a word to put on repeatedly futility, usually explained by poor management, poor coaching and/or poor talent. Unfortunately, I think number one is poor administrative commitment. Kelly may be good enough of a coach to overcome some of this, but probably not on a sustained basis.
70sDude
Joined: 11/04/08 Posts: 15,123
not so much a fear of disappointment
Posted Sun, Jul 07 11:02 am (Edited Sun, Jul 07 11:02 am)
In response to Off Topic, But Is It? (DocJock)
It's not fear of disappointment for me. Call it education by observation and experience, the conditioned response of moderate expectations to years of moderate success.

I feel it's just realistic to observe that very few schools ever tread into the top five ranking.

Until we see UCLA even threaten to do otherwise, what is there to suggest our school can and will distinguish itself from fifty others towards a trajectory produced by so few ?

Chip's hire ? Eeeesh, that's just a current science project to my eyes.
Squire Bruin
Joined: 11/10/12 Posts: 86
1986 Red Sox
Posted Mon, Jul 08 2:20 pm
In response to Off Topic, But Is It? (DocJock)
Hi. This doesn't detract at all from your point but for the sake of accuracy I thought I'd point out that in 1986 the Angels lost in a very heart breaking manner to the Boston Red Sox in the American League championship series and then the Red Sox lost in their own heart breaking way (Bill Buckner's error) to the New York Mets in the World Series a couple of weeks later.
newenglander
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 744
the sox
Posted Mon, Jul 08 4:15 pm
In response to 1986 Red Sox (Squire Bruin)
had already lost their lead in the 9th before buckner's error. That was just the nail in the coffin. As a long time red sox fan I knew it was over when it was tied.
tm
Joined: 3/31/05 Posts: 550
1986 CA Angels Heartbreak for the Ages
Posted Mon, Jul 08 8:26 pm
In response to 1986 Red Sox (Squire Bruin)
The Angels had the Red Sox on the ropes...up 3-1 in the ALCS, and were one strike from winning the game and going to play their first World Series. But it wasn't to be. Donnie Moore served up a home run to Dave Henderson and the Red Sox later won the game in 10 innings, 7-6.

The Series went back to Fenway, and Boston took the last two games to win the AL Pennant.

A very troubled Donnie Moore later committed suicide adding a terrible tragedy to the whole season.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
The dreaded "one strike away"
Posted Mon, Jul 08 9:28 pm
In response to 1986 Red Sox (Squire Bruin)
That fateful Saturday afternoon would end and change a lot of careers, and the franchise never recovered until the stars aligned for their 2002 World Series run. Objectively, it was one of the most dramatic series ever. But, as a long suffering Angels fan, it felt like a funeral.

The Angels had the 3-1 series lead and a 5-2 lead going into the 9th in Game 5. They'd already beaten Roger Clemens twice (who had his big breakout that year and was absolutely dominant) in that series. Mike Witt had a great game going but gave up a 2-run HR to former Angel Don Baylor to start the inning. Mauch made the decision to pull Witt (a decision that will be questioned into eternity). Moore was one strike away from the pennant when Dave Henderson served up the go-ahead homer in the 9th. But, the tying run was actually a HBP by reliever Gary Lucas, who was pulled in favor of Moore.

People forget that the Angels tied the game in the bottom of the 9th and had the winning run on 3rd base with only 1 out. The Angels couldn't convert and lost the game in 12 innings. The series wasn't over, but in reality it was. The Angels would get crushed in games 6 and 7.

No one had ever come back from a 3-run 9th inning deficit in the ALCS, yet it happened consecutively in games 4 and 5. When the Angels stunned Roger Clemens rallying to tie Game 4, after Clemens had a 3-0 shutout going into the bottom of the 9th.

Bobby Grich retired after that gutwrenching series. Doug DeCinces only lasted one more year. Donnie Moore was mercilessly booed by the Angels fans the following season and was never the same pitcher again. He tragically committed suicide in 1989. Gene Mauch only lasted one more season and would never manage in the postseason again. Guys like Reggie Jackson, Don Sutton, and Brian Downing would also never play in the postseason again.
tm
Joined: 3/31/05 Posts: 550
I feel your pain...all over again
Posted Mon, Jul 08 10:24 pm
In response to The dreaded "one strike away" (Woochifer)
Spot on synopsis of one of the greatest championship series ever. I remember Al Michaels extolling that the infamous fifth game was a masterpiece...and when the Angels tied the game in the 9th, I was hopeful that we'd finally make it to the big time. Wrong. Memories of screaming, ecstatic Angel fans and Orange-suited ushers lining the field in anticipation of the long awaited celebration that never came.

Been an avid Halos fan since the Chavez Ravine Days. I still wear my LA Angels hat proudly. Certainly been "a long and winding road." (thank you Paul McCartney).
Flat 4
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,894
Was there in 86 as well
Posted Tue, Jul 09 2:43 am
In response to The dreaded "one strike away" (Woochifer)
Seems like yesterday. It is interesting that I can read your recap and look back fondly to that painful series because it seems like an early chapter in a larger novel that culminated with 2002 triumph. In the end you end up enjoying the highs and the lows because it makes for a better ride. Sports is a ride that never ends. Thanks for the memories
Old Blue Dog
Joined: 6/11/06 Posts: 415
one strike
Posted Thu, Jul 18 2:31 pm
In response to Was there in 86 as well (Flat 4)
That fifth game in 1986 broke my heart. There was still two games to go but I knew with the return to Boston that the Sox would win. I not positive, but I believe the fifth game was on a Sunday, not Saturday.
4everBruin
Joined: 9/19/12 Posts: 1,747

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I think You Nailed It
Posted Thu, Aug 24 1:18 pm
In response to Off Topic, But Is It? (DocJock)
Great timing. I was just now sitting here reading posts and musing, why am I not excited about the new season? Same thing with the LV Raiders, too. I've become so inured by the endless disappointments of my two football teams that am now steeled against any preseason hype. I will get excited when my eyeballs see what we really have on the field. On the brighter side, I continue to support my teams regardless of the pain!

We humans are a superstitious lot, at least to some degree. Certainly, we as fans don't much like getting hyped up then let down.

Great post, Doc!

#GoBruins

4everBruin