For mostly irrational reasons, I'm a big Robert Andino fan--I think he's poised for a big breakout year, with a shot at being a (token Orioles) All-Star in 2012.

I had completely forgotten that he was the one who won Game 162.

Having now had put some time between Game 162, I think it falls as the second or third craziest thing I've ever seen in a baseball game. Number one is Brosius' HR in the 2001 World Series--which even now seems too bizarre to be real--and the Netherlands coming back to beat the DR in the World Baseball Classic is vying for second place.

Robert Andino strutting off the field like he's Scarface is one of my favorite baseball moments.

Love the RedSox guy in the fourth picture just stroking his neck and looking out at the field.

"Hmm, I guess we could have had the wedding in October. Looks like I won't be working that weekend..."

Yes, it was simply inconceivable that Crawford would NOT catch that ball...and Andino earned a spot in the all-time top ten of Unlikeliest to Succeed as a result.

Carl should have sent Adam Dunn an Xmas card this year, thanking him for lapping the field in terms of megabucks "fall down go boom" contracts.

Only way to improve the visual sequence above would be to put timestamps on the photos. IIRC, it took about four minutes to find out that the Rays had beaten the Yanks after Carl's un-catch.

Only way to improve the visual sequence above would be to put timestamps on the photos. IIRC, it took about four minutes to find out that the Rays had beaten the Yanks after Carl's un-catch.

There was a great article in SI a few weeks back (I think it was the one that had Coach K and Summit on it). Great read if you can find it. Somebody really should write a book about that night.

Noooooo!! Nooooooooooo!!! My EYES!!!!

Somehow I've developed a real distance from the collapse itself - realizing that apparently the players and manager were as miserable as I was helps. But game 162, as surreal as it was, I really was totally confident the Sox were going to playoffs. I'm an idiot, perhaps, but I really thought that night was going to work out.

Yes, it was simply inconceivable that Crawford would NOT catch that ball...and Andino earned a spot in the all-time top ten of Unlikeliest to Succeed as a result.

Surpassed in unlikeliness just a few minutes later, by a redheaded former top Oakland prospect down in Tropicana Field!

Surpassed in unlikeliness just a few minutes later, by a redheaded former top Oakland prospect down in Tropicana Field!

Actually, the Dan Johnson come run came well before that, in the bottom of the 9th to tie. Longoria's game winning HR in the bottom of the 12th came a few minutes after Andino's hit.

The reason(s) Cashman acquired Proctor was in case they needed a guy to reliablly stink enough for a possible "Lets's screw-over Boston if the cards play-out that way/Let's help out an old friend" tank job/good deed.

He can read a schedule and has an imagination. Well done, Malicious Elf...well done.

The reason(s) Cashman acquired Proctor was in case they needed a guy to reliablly stink enough for a possible "Lets's screw-over Boston if the cards play-out that way/Let's help out an old friend" tank job/good deed.

He can read a schedule and has an imagination. Well done, Malicious Elf...well done.

That really was pretty damn cunning and foresighted on Cashman's part, since on the day that Proctor was signed by the Yankees, the Red Sox were in 1st place in the AL East and 8 games ahead of their closest possible wild card competition. But then since Cashman's been caught sending rubber crutches and amphetamines to Jimmy Fund kids, I guess anything's possible when you've an evil mind like that at work.

Love the RedSox guy in the fourth picture just stroking his neck and looking out at the field.

That's Lowrie. He'll be stroking his neck for another team next year.

Actually, the Dan Johnson come run

That's, uh, not a good typo.