WPCNR'S VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. Special Report to WPCNR from WPPA Channel 76 BEYOND THE GAME’s Johnny V, a bold Boston Booster. September 8, 2007:   “We’ll be in the playoffs and we dread the idea that the Yankees will be too.” Cambridge denizen David Laurila, author Interviews from Red Sox Nation recently shared those thoughts.  In taking the pulse of Red Sox rooters this writer found moods are up certainly since Buchholz’s No-No and Jon Lester’s  pitching performances.  Laurila went on to say, “Come Friday the 14th when NYY hits town, it will assuredly be, ‘We HAVE to win this series’—whether we’re up by two games or 10. (Boston's lead in the All-Important Loss Column in the American League East is 5 games going into Sunday afternoon's action in Baltimore and Kansas City.)

Johhny V. of Channel 76's Beyond The Game (Tuesdays at 10, Friday at 9) with two of the books he has contributed to. Mr. Vorperian took the pulse of nervous Red Sox Fans this week for WPCNR as the Yankees close in.

The Fracas in Fenway Comin' Up This Friday.

Southern New England Society of American Baseball Research President Len Levin a past sports scribe with the Providence Journal noted, “I’d like to be 50 games ahead of the Yankees, but if the Red Sox go 13-12 the rest of the way, the Yankees would have to go 19-6.  And the Red Sox have a softer schedule. I think most Red Sox fans these days are trying to will the Yankees to go into a horrible slump and miss the post-season entirely.”


       Calling the Bambino?  Andy Tossetti said, “The pitching needs to be more consistent from Dice K and  Schilling…As far as the bats are concerned the instant outs..-Crisp, Lugo and Drew really need to start hitting the BALL…I think if they play a little smarter they could WIN the whole thing again.”  A Nutmeg State Boston Backer Mr. Tossetti made these declarations before his wife, Linda, -a prime Pinstripe Promoter, and oh yes, Babe Ruth‘s grand-daughter.

       There is a revisionist air in Red Sox Nation, in the main, things look good. Of course there are some true traditional Sox supporters that look to the 14th and feel like Boston 212 owner Charlie Garland.  Charles says “Alas..this is September, and this is, after all..THE RIVALRY…It all comes down to emotions. Throw standings, ERAS, RBIs, and payrolls out the window…This year, The Rocket returns, promising his “red glare” for the final season series, and quite possibly another October classic.  New rookie hurler phenoms are emerging for both teams.  This year’s feast still has all the flavor, spice, aroma, sizzle, and calories that we ravenous Sox (and Yanks) fans salivate over..despite the earlier season’s headlining surprises.

         Mr. Garland signed off with, “So, my mood? I’m a Boston fan.  I’m biting my fingernails.  I’m pulling my hair out.  I’m grinding my teeth.  I’m dripping with sweat trying to keep my blood pressure at bay.  My September 4-course diet consists of Valium, Sominex, Coffee, and Maalox.  My mood, you ask? I’m trying to think about football (it’s not working).  This, the perennial pandemic of passionate paranoia...is driving me crazy.  And I wouldn’t have it any other way….”

           You know what?  Me too!  GO SOX!