The Nation Waits: Game Three Pre-Game.

Pre-game 1 (Local Fox 25):

- The Nation is apparently the Reebok Nation. Who knew. A formerly local company, around 7:30PM, but I still never liked their shoes.

- Dewey in the studio, not on the field. He's got a great, comforting voice.

- There was a "who plays first base" controversy? Who knew? Tito made the correct, albeit difficult, decision. As much as I love Youk, there is no way you can sit David Ortiz in a World Series game. I just hope Papi's knee can handle it. That's the *only* reason I'd sit him. I want his bat later in the game and Series, if we need it.

- Cool in Colorado tonight, 50 at game time, 40 by game end. I hope the Sox fans in the ballpark brought lots of warm, red, woolies.

- Altitude? Another "I had no idea" moment. ;-) Thrown balls won't break as much and hit balls will travel 10% further. The Sox haven't played here since 2004, and I don't recall that series (I don't care for interleague play, so I try to ignore it), so it will be interesting to see what difference this all might have on the Sox.

- I was out running errands all afternoon today in my Schill jersey and Sox hat. I loved that there were Red Sox logos all over Whole Foods, Borders, the library, the gas station, and every where in between. And it wasn't just people wearing the gear, but actively cheering each other and the Sox. Such fun!

- Since I'm hanging on the laptop, I dutifully emailed a "shout-out" to FOX. I don't see mine yet, but I've seen some others atleast three times so far. I guess I didn't make the cut.

- A guy that looks like Youk is interviewed saying "play Youk." Funny.

- New lineup for the Rockies. Apparently the lineup that got their streak started.

- The Sox tinkered with their lineup as well. Tacoby Bellsbury leads off.

- One more add with Elliott from Jordan's. Like many of us in the Nation, I wish I had bought a new couch last spring. Kudos to Elliott and everyone who put their money where their loyalty lies.


Pre-game deux (National Fox):

- What's the opening montage tonight?

- Those mountains sure look lovely, but I don't think the Sox will get distracted by the view.

- The Seven Chapters of the World Series. Haven't we seen this stuff already? Is there anyone left in America who thinks this one is going to go seven?

- OMG, more WHITE TOWELS. Who are the marketers who come up with these ridiculous ideas? Don't you think the Coloradians might have have learned something from the Clevelanders. I'm stunned.

- Joe Girardi instead of Byrnes and Mark Grace instead of, um, who was that other guy? Oooh, Jeannie took a shot at Byrnes, the new group is "wardrobe enhanced."

- More talk about Ortiz/Lowell/Youk.

- More about the baseball humidor.

- I still can't believe the Rockies fans are waving white towels.

- The oxygen/altitude factor. Less break. Check. Balls travel further. Check. Fatigue factor? I hope not.

- That outfield really does look huge. All the more room for Manny and Papi to find spots to place the ball!

- Josh Fogg = "the Dragon Slayer." During the regular season he was 10-9 with an ERA close to 5, I'm not sure that gets it done against an AL lineup with as much punch as the Crimson Hose.

- Girardi picks the Sox to beat all over him (Fogg) tonight. Interesting, for Mr. Yankee. Kennedy picks the Rocks.

- Here comes Joe and Tim. I wonder if the Rockies will look more comfortable during the introductions tonight. They sure looked unhappy and tight during Game 1 in Fenway. Hey, there's a good amount of cheering during the Sox introductions. Kewl!

- There go those white towels again. The cheers are nice and loud, but isn't their mascot just hideous? Not to mention their uniforms - the purple and black vests are sooooo 1990s.

- Carrie Underwood sings the Anthem. Nice tie-in to another FOX property. No fly-over, but a lot of fireworks.

- "Baseball you can't ignore." Another commerical tie-in. This is getting tedious.

- OK, I can't focus on the game and the laptop at the same time (I don't think). I'm going to give up on FOX and see if the radio call will by synched properly with the broadcast.

- Wow, the Rockies had twice as many strikeouts as base hits in Boston. What a testament to the Sox pitching.

- Time to turn off the technology. See you on the other side, and GO SOX!!