Theo Epstein's Deal with the Devil

I was cruising through some team stats today, looking for writing material, and there it was: like reading the Da Vinci Code, suddenly everything became very clear, in a dark and ominous way.

Boston is leading the AL in hitting-- no surprise there. But you have to look at all the details to find that nugget of revelation. And then suddenly, there it was....

On this date, August 16th, 2005, Boston has scored exactly 666 times.

Cries of "AHA!" echoes from the Bronx-- at last, proof that Theo Epstein made a deal with the Devil! How else could Boston have beaten the Yankees, losing 3 games to none in the playoffs, and then broken the Babe's curse, and won the World Series?

Oh, but it goes deeper than just the Antichrist Run Total that the Sox have rung up.

Why would I be prompted to look at that stat today-- assuming no shutout, the only day this year that the total would be at 666? What is significant about today, that would corroberate my unholy conspiracy theory? Quickly, I search for "Today in History" facts on the internet.

AHA!!!!!! Babe Ruth DIED  on August 16th, in 1948. Is the Babe trying to tell us something from his grave? This one fact alone should be legal proof in a court of law-- Theo Epstein has consorted with the Prince of Darkness. And no, I don't mean he had lunch with George Steinbrenner.

But is one fact enough? There are more!!

Again, let us cry-- AHA!!!! The original P.T. Barnum Siamese twins, Eng and Chang, arrived in the United States on this day in 1829. Where did they dock, and first set foot on American soil? BOSTON. Is this a reference to why the Red Sox are winning, even after losing Pedro Martinez? I mean, the World Champion Red Sox did go through a SPLIT-UP. And the Red Sox players have been accused more than once of being part of a FREAK SHOW (no offense meant to any siamese twins reading this).

AHA!!! Elvis died August 16th, 1977. Elvis and The Babe, on the same day? Can that be coiincedence? And what about the years that Boston did not win a World Series? Wasn't Fenway... a bit of a Heartbreak Hotel?

AHA!!!! Idi Amin died on today's date in 2003! The former Ugandan dictator was considered divinity by a Jamacaiin sect. Perhaps you have heard of them? The Rastafarians? As in, Manny Ramirez dread-lock wearing, pot smoking, "Yah Man" Rastafarians.

Oooooh this is better than the X-Files!

August 16th was also the day that Cyprus became an independent nation, in 1960. I thought I'd try to see if the Red Sox had someone from that nation on their club. I was led to an International page on MLB that stated that  there was someone from Cyprus in the majors, but did not state who it was-- it was part of a long list of countries.

Has my theory unraveled? No!

Who is the featured American ball player in the photo on that page on MLB.com-- and here is the link, so you can see it yourself. Copy and paste this:
http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/international/index.jsp?feature=mlbi

Did you see it? Did you say, "AHA!!!!"??? It's Manny Ramirez!

Oh, Theo-- don't you know? Only Charlie Daniels has ever made a deal with the Devil and won! And I don't think you can play the fiddle like old Charlie can.

Maybe Charlie will have to do a re-make for you-- "The Devil came down to Beantown". Sure, you are the whiz kid that broke the Curse. But will you take ol' Satan aside and whisper in his ear, "I told you once, you son-of-a-b----, I'm the best that's ever been!"???

Peace-Out
Jim Evans