To quote Ren & Stimpy, one of my favorite cartoons, "Happy, happy, joy, joy!"
They're in! With last night's victory over the Devil Rays, the Red Sox have clinched a playoff berth. They are guaranteed the wild card, at least.

TBO.com says watching last night's game was like watching a boxing match - heavy weight vs. lightweight.

It's been a tough season. The pressure was on from the start. Red Sox Nation was clamouring for a championship in January.

This team is made for the playoffs. They're ready.

Pop the champagne!

Wait a second...Isn't there some work left? Is the season over? Can the Sox take the division title and assure themselves home field throughout the post season?

Yup. Yup and yup. The Red Sox will most likely have to sweep both remaining series in order to summit the AL East.

So put away the Dom.

Have you ever gone to work with a hangover? It's difficult to concentrate, stay focused on a task, keep the eye lids open.

Heck we've probably all been there once, right? Maybe it's just me. Well take my word for it it's difficult.
But playing pro ball has to be worse than sitting in front of a desk. It's right up there with construction work. I hear that Jack hammers and pounding nails isn't much of a cure for a headache.

Now imagine throwing a ball 90 mph or running down a line-drive. The adrenaline moves through your body, raising your hear rate. The blood pumps, throbbing relentlessly with every muscle movement. The body aches, slowing your reaction time. It's hard to get your game face, when it's contorted in pain.

Let's not forget that this team still has a job to do. Let's not forget that Derek Lowe, who David Ortiz described as the party organizer, starts for the Sox tonight. He needs to pitch well. His last few outings have been tough to write about. The Boston Herald's Tony Massarotti writes that Lowe will not let his recent struggles get him down.

I saw him there puffing on a cigar, chugging a beer. He seemed pretty loose, yet composed himself for interviews. Massarotti also says that the celebration wasn't excessive, there must be something more in the cards. Who knows what happens after the media disappear?

I appreciate the hard work the team has put in. I appreciate the accomplishment. It's tough to get into the playoffs. The Sox have only done it 16 times in the lifetime of the organization, a span of over 100 years.

Although I needed to rise at 4 a.m., I stayed awake long enough to see many of the player interviews. Each mentioned adversity. They talked about the trading of a "Boston icon," never mentioned his name.

Pedro offered sincere praise for his teammates including Curt Schilling, who he called MVP candidate. He stated how he was ready for a ring. Projo.com's Bill Reynolds writes an apparently nasty article about how it's all about Pedro. His "insights" do not sway my opinion.

David Ortiz stated how happy he was to represent Boston.

Kevin Millar was having fun drowning his teammates in champagne.

They all want a shot at the ring. They'll get their shot.

So now that they are in, who will be on the playoff roster? The Boston Herald reports that Scott Williamson is one guy on the bubble.

One thing is for sure there will be more baseball played in Fenway Park. ESPN's Rob Neyer writes Fenway, a true treasure. I can't wait.

Now, the party is over. Time to punch the clock and get back to work.

Reader comments: With so many valuable players on the Red Sox, it will be tough to make up the playoff roster. What would your roster look like?

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