Last night a little after 11:30 p.m, I inadvertently hit the program guide on my remote control. Up on the screen popped the current television programming. I was about to go back to the game when I noticed the Fox channel was highlighted. The word "Believe!" appeared in the rectangular box. Was I seeing things? No, apparently there was not enough room in the box for "Ripley's Believe It or Not?" which Fox usually broadcasts from 11 p.m. to midnight. Was this a sign? Draw your own conclusions, but the Red Sox did win.

In fact, in case you didn't hear Joe Buck say it 100 times, the Red Sox are the only team in history to come back from an 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7. The New York Times' Harvey Araton says finishing off the Red Sox has become the Yankees Achilles' heel.

Could you ask for more drama?

Let's see...The injured Curt Schilling making his second start of the series on an injured right tendon in his foot. The medical staff suture the skin in such a way to keep the tendon from moving. Foot bleeding, in obvious pain Schilling, pitches a gem. He gets the much deserved win giving up only one run in seven innings. That takes guts, trust and a little stupidity. He finally shut up 55,000 New Yorkers. The New York Daily News' Jon Harper says Schilling was as tough as his talk. The Boston Herald writes that Schilling's mates were impressed. The New York Times' suggests last night's game could be Schilling's most important outing of his career.

Then you have the oft-maligned Mark Bellhorn, who until last night's home run was batting .122 for the series. Ironically, earlier Tuesday, Terry Francona had to defend his decision to start Bellhorn over Pokey Reese saying "Obviously we have more confidence in Mark than you do," as he addressed the media at a press conference. The New York Post's says Bellhorn's bomb ends skid.

And what about Bronson Arroyo? For a second night in a row, he again faced the toughest part of the order and got out of the inning. Yes, he gave up a run but he remained poised even after the A-Rod controversy.

Speaking of A-Rod, there was a time when I thought he may be a good addition to a team. I figured he is one of the best players in baseball, why not? After seeing him in the Yankee uniform, I know why. He seems selfish, arrogant and apparently tries to cheat. The Red Sox don't need that.

There has been a different hero every night, but the bullpen has come through every time. Until Arroyo allowed that run in Game 6's eighth, the Red Sox had only allowed one earned run in 14-plus innings. The New York Times reports the bullpen as risen to the occassion.

Keith Foulke has also been excellent. He has appeared in all but one of the ALCS games (Game 1)

Although all these people have stepped up these last three games, I would give the MVP award to Orlando Cabrera. His defense has been stellar and his offense has kept some innings alive. Somtimes things that appear small turn out to be quite huge. Since July 31, he has given his all to the team. It must have been tough for him to get comfortable replacing a perennial Boston All-Star, but he's done it. Sign him, sign him now.

Derek Lowe may also emerge as an MVP candidate. He is the odds-on favorite to start tonight's game, according to the Boston Globe. What a story he has become. His last three starts of the regular season were horrible. But here he is now starting Game 7. The New York Daily News' Mike Lupica says there is no game bigger or better than tonight's. ESPN's Jim Caple says game 7 will culminate everything that is Sox-Yanks.

It's true. To me, this is bigger than any World Series. A win tonight will keep all of New England warm this winter. We could be gearing up for a storybook ending.

However it all could be a setup. Major League Baseball wants a Red Sox-Yankees Game 7, so does Fox and half the world (I'm not sure Yankee fans do). In fact, according to USAToday.com, this series proves baseball can be a ratings hit. Rudy Martzke writes, "Fox's 14.6 rating for the prime-time portion of Monday's Yankees-Red Sox game (8-11 ET) tied the highest rating a network has had for those three hours since the prime-time season began Sept. 22." And the game went up against the ever popular Monday Night Football.

So who do they want in the World Series? Is the story of Clemens vs. the Yankees as big as say the Red Sox vs. Clemens or St. Louis? We'll see. My gut says they want the Yankees; Clemens is only a year removed from New York. What gives me hope? Despite all the bad calls, reversals and riot police, the Red Sox have showed they want that ring more than ever. The Times asks ifit's time to seize opportunity or let it slip.

The New York Post says for now the Red Sox relishing the ride. I am too. There's spring to my step. The sun is shining and all is right with the world today. Tomorrow, who knows? I'm taking it one game at a time.

The Post writes George Steinbrenner is worried. These last few games have indeed been stressful on all of us, especially Boston's fans. To help us out the Mind/Body Medical Institute has a few tips for Red Sox fans. I'm sure the tips would work for the Boss too.

Reader comments:Whether or not the Red Sox win tonight's game, the team has played with tremendous heart. Who has played exceptionally to earn the MVP of the ALCS?

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