[George1902]

Well, I just got back from Game 4. WOW!! Until last night, the best events I had ever attended were probably the 1998 FIRST Nationals (my first year) and the 2002 FIRST Championships (grrr... 10 more seconds and SPAM would have won). This blew those out of the water.

Things got off to a loud start. The jets that did the fly-by were so low (and I was seated so high) that we felt heat from their engines as they went by. Then the game started.

The Rocket got rocked in the first inning and all 66,934 in attendance were screaming. Even the Yankee fans were yelling, although I think it was mostly about how much of a bum Clemens was followed by something about Torre's mother.

Anyway, the game went pretty smooth for a while. We gave the obligatory cheers for Marlins favorites and jeers for everyone named Clemens or Jeter.

Then, everyone's eyes were drawn to the Yankees' bullpen. A murmur spread through the crowd as we all realized what we were possibly seeing: Roger Clemens' final inning. He disposed of the hitters easily enough (after giving up 5 straight hits in the first he only gave up 3 the rest of the game). As he left the field, everyone got to their feet.

Quick side note: I've been to that stadium dozens of times. I've seen great baseball games there and a few football games that I'll never forget, too. Never has that stadium been as loud as it was then.

I've never been more proud to be a South Florida sports fan. I suppose someone not from this area may have a tough time uderstanding the utter hatred we feel for New York teams (moreover their fans). Being able to shed all of that and honor one of the greatest athletes in history showed the world South Florida's true colors.

I think everyone was drained by Clemens' departure -- both players and fans -- because nothing happened for the next few innings. The Yanks strung together a few good at bats in the ninth to tie it up and couldn't come through in the tenth with the bases loaded and only one out. Then Weaver did what he does best: he misplaced a fastball. Alex Gonzalez was kind enough to find it for him and deposited it just over the short porch in left.

Now let's hope the adrenaline holds me through today, cause I won't be getting any sleep...

George