So this is what we've been waiting for isn't it? The Playoffs. It's almost like the whole season was just a warm up. Maybe it was.

We're up two games to none thanks to the pitching of Shilling, Martinez and bullpen; along with an offense that can score runs seemingly at will. The Angels are down and I'm not the only one thinking sweep. A local radio station is passing out brooms from a Hummer. Let's face it, nobody will get into The Park waving a freakin' broom.

We grab a table on Brookline for food and drinks. It's a different type crowd. Lot's of older (my age) types. Not too many young adults, not too many young kids. I don't see an Angels fan, I doubt they travel. I wolf down a giant bacon cheeseburger.

The crowd inside is,as you would expect, in a festive mood. The mood rides on as we take a comfortable lead. Arroyo pitches maybe the best six innings of his career. Timlin comes in and makes a bad pitch to the wrong person and the game is tied. I'm stunned.

This can't be the beginning of some catastrophe, another swan dive. No, relax, this isn't a must win game, but shit, it would be a tough one to lose.

Foulke holds 'em, but we can't score another run through nine. In the top of the tenth, Derek Lowe comes in from the bullpen to a rather loud ovation. The crowd is playing psycologist. He gets through the inning but not without heartburn.

With one on and Ortiz coming up in the bottom of the tenth, Soscia brings in his only lefty, a starter Jarrod Washburn. First pitch and the ball takes that arch towards leftfield...

STAY UP!! STAY UP THERE!!

I've been to games that were more exciting, and even games that had more on the line, but when that ball went out, Fenway erupted like I had never witnessed. We swept the Angels and had completed the first round of our journey. Nobody left their seats. I think I clapped my hands for ten straight minutes.

When we finally did make our way out the celebration continued on the streets of Boston. High fives and screams all around. Excitment, but nothing too wild. I told everyone to come back next weekend to do it again, although I can't be responsible for what happens next.

What do I know?