After being down 3 games to 1 in their best-of-seven series with the Cleveland Indians, the Boston Red Sox trounced the Indians 12-2 and tied the series 3-3, thanks to the Lord and Kevin Youkilis; one of only three Jewish players in baseball.
Winning pitcher Curt Shilling, in a post game interview, thanked "the Lord" for helping him pitch 7 strong innings, giving up only 2 runs.
Schilling: "I thank the Lord for the win, and forcing a game 7."
Reporter: "Does the Lord hate the Cleveland Indians?"
Schilling: "I'm just thanking the Lord for the victory."
Reporter: "What about the Cleveland Indians. Did the Lord want them to lose?"
Schilling: "Well, no one's ever asked me that question before after I've thanked the Lord, but I guess I'm forced to say...'YES', the Lord must hate the Cleveland Indians. Or they would've won, right? I never thought about that!"
Reporter: "Why did the Lord make you lose 3 of the first 4 games?" (Schilling walks away from reporter)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona gave up a 2-out grand slam to the Red Sox J.D. Drew in the first inning.
Carmona: "I loaded the bases with no outs, then got out the next two batters. I thought I was going to get out of the inning without any runs...if Jesus didn't make me give up that grand slam to J.D. Drew!"
Youkilis, also known as the "Greek God of Walks" for drawing a tremendous amount of walks, was in the middle of controversy every time he was on base. He smacked a ball off of Fenway Park's "Green Monster" left field wall and knocked in a run, but was caught in a run-down between first and second base. During the run-down, Youkilis head-butted the ball from the Indian players throwing the ball back and forth, and slid back into first base and was called safe. Head-butting the baseball is illegal; Youkilis has denied the allegations, claiming the Cleveland secondbaseman "purposely" hit him in the head with the ball. The Youkilis head-butt of the baseball was a key play in keeping the Red Sox 6-run 3rd inning alive.
Huge Red Sox fan Dennis Leary told Jon Stewart on the Daily Show that Youkilis was a "sneaky ballplayer" and "walked a lot...no reflection on your people."
