Massachusetts

In 2008 and 2010, Crawford helped the Rays make the playoffs with great fielding and hitting as a member of their team. But this year he did so by struggling for Boston all season and by muffing a very playable ball in Baltimore Wednesday night that allowed the Orioles' winning run to score and knocked Boston out of the playoff race.

By knocking the Red Sox out of the playoff hunt with a walk-off ninth inning win in the final game of the season, the Baltimore Orioles enjoyed being relevant this late in the season for the first time since the team's last playoff appearance in 1997.

Moments after being eliminated from the playoffs, Red Sox players blamed their epic collapse on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s recent haircut, which drew headlines around the country Wednesday.

"You have a problem with me leaving my wife while she's battling cancer? Fine," said Lackey, who gave up three runs in six innings and set Boston up for a dramatic 14-inning win over the Yankees. "But do you have to remind me my ERA is hovering over six all year? Jerk."

"I could just cheer for the Sox to win out against the Orioles, but they took three of four from us at home just last week" said Branham, whose Red Sox have won only six of 24 games this month. "No chance we sweep 'em."

As if things couldn’t get any worse in Sox Nation, Red Sox DH David Ortiz suffered a panic attack during Saturday's 9-1 loss to the Yankees.

“We can’t wait to have him in the lineup,” Boston manager Terry Francona beamed. “We will preheat the oven at 350 an hour before the Yankee series. He should be warmed up and ready to go in no time. He doesn’t need batting practice. He’s Ted Williams!”