On Mother's Day 2009 the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins all won on the same day for the second time this year to complete the Mother's Day Sunday Sweep. April 20, 2009, also known as Marathon Monday in Boston, was the first time this was accomplished by all three teams since I can remember. Is there a new tradition starting in Boston? Are the local teams giving us gifts each and every holiday after all the pain and suffering of the past? There isn't anything more exciting than flipping through channels and seeing the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins all winning their respective games, other than of course, winning their respective championships.
Boston Bruins Win
Being down 3-1 in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Boston Bruins won 4-0 on Mother's Day to make the series 3-2 before going to Carolina for Game 6 on Tuesday May 12 at 7 PM. Tim Thomas who had an amazing regular and post season put up another shut out yesterday stopping the 19 shots that Carolina took on goal. Thomas did everything that was expected of him and the Bruins' defense was even better by only allowing the Hurricanes to take those 19 shots. Hopefully this win gives the Bruins the momentum they need to win out the series. These next two games will prove just how bad they want it.
All did not end well for the Bruins, however, as Aaron Ward may have broken his orbital bone after an altercation with Scott Walker. The league reversed their initial automatic ruling today (handing Walker a suspension for starting a fight in the last five minutes of a game) and decided that Scott Walker will not be suspended for the punch but will be fined.
Boston Celtics Win
The Boston Celtics tied their series 2-2 against the Orlando Magic in dramatic fashion on Mother's Day. The game came down to the last 11 seconds with the Celtics down 94-93, leading everyone to believe that either Ray Allen or Paul Pierce would take the final shot to decide the fate for Boston. With the clock winding down, the ball was inbounded to Rajon Rondo and the screens started moving left and right. The initial play was for Rajon to find Ray Allen for the open shot.
Allen was covered and Rondo went to his second option in Paul Pierce. The screens and movement continued when Glen "Big Baby" Davis set a pick for Pierce. Paul came off the pick and was double teamed by the Orlando Magic defenders and was unable to get a good look. Off the roll, Glen Davis was open for a jump shot all by himself due to Pierce's attention from the defense. Paul Pierce sent the ball over to "Big Baby" who took the buzzer beating shot immediately with the clock expiring as the ball was in mid-air. The red light went on, the shot was good and the Boston Celtics won 95-94 on the shot from Glen "Big Baby" Davis.
My reaction on Twitter right after the shot pretty much sums up how all of Boston felt:
BIG BABY BIG BABY BIG BABY!!!!!!!! Celtics win! Celtics win!
Before you start thinking that it was a lucky shot, read the following quote from a Chris Sheridan article for the Daily Dime on ESPN.com
As for the shot itself, it was the same type of shot Davis has been working on in drills the entire season -- a shot the Celtics' coaches emphasized he needed to add to his repertoire if he wanted to have any kind of a sustained, successful NBA career.
"Since I've been with the Celtics, I've been trying to find my niche in this system, and Doc said, 'Work on that shot and prove that you can make it, and I'm going to let you shoot it,'" Davis said.
His mindset as the ball came his way:
"You have to be focused, you have to understand the moment, the clock, and basically think without thinking and just shoot it," Davis said. "Every time I shoot, I see myself making game-winning shots. If you see it, you believe it. You shoot millions of shots like that, and every time you shoot it, you believe you're going to make it. And when I shot it, I didn't even hesitate. It was just a feel."
That's right, "Big Baby" practiced that exact jump shot all season long, including the Saturday afternoon before Sunday's game. Just goes to show you that hard work does pay off.
Boston Red Sox Win
The Boston Red Sox won 4-3 on Mother's Day, beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to land them 1 game back of the first place Toronto Blue Jays. This game was also amazing to watch. Boston had a 3-1 lead and let it slip to a 3-3 tie going into the 8th inning. David Ortiz, who hasn't been producing for the Red Sox as much as we'd like him to and hasn't hit a home-run this season, stepped up to the plate. Big Papi took a pitch high and deep off the Green Monster and got into scoring position with a stand up double.
With hope flying around the park, after the Celtics already won and ignited the fans to scare Tampa Bay's Pat Burrell out of the batter's box earlier, Jason Bay got into the batter's box with his pink bat (for breast cancer awareness and Mother's Day). Jason Bay has been on absolute fire for Boston over the past month and this was just another opportunity for Bay to prove that the deal for Manny Ramirez was a great move. Jason did exactly what the Red Sox expected him to do, hit the ball high and deep off the Green Monster to bring in Big Papi and a 4-3 lead.
Jonathan Papelbon then came in for the save in the ninth. Red Sox Nation thought the game was pretty much a warp at that point, but Papelbon struggled a little bit. "Papelbon is giving me a heart attack at the age of 19" tweeted Kayla Chadwick (@LoveSox15). After giving Kayla and the rest of Red Sox Nation heart palpitations, Papelbon returned to form striking out Carlos Pena. Jason Bartlett then stole second base. With Devil Rays runners on second and third, Papelbon then struck out BJ Upton and Carl Crawford clinching the win for the Red Sox and the sports sweep for Boston. The save improved Jonathon's record to 8/8 in save opportunities this season.
Happy Mother's Day
Today on SportsCenter there was also an inspiring story about Glen "Big Baby" Davis and his troubled childhood. Glen's mother has battled drug addiction her entire life and has still managed to fight to be a part of her son's life. "Big Baby" and his mother, similar to last year, are living together during the post-season. Is there a better way to celebrate Mother's Day than hitting a game winning shot to tie a playoff series?
All in all it was a great day for the Boston Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox as they all won , completing a Boston sports sweep for the second time in the last month. If this is going to become the trend for holidays in Boston you might want to invest in an extra television or two for your living room. Or better yet, as Wendy Rosa-Humphries (@LovesDearDaniel) suggests we might all need a "sports score ticker in my room". Not a bad idea! How have you been keeping up with all the Boston sports games on at the same time?
It was extra special here in California, as the Red Sox and Bruins are not always on. So for me to be able to watch all three games (flipping around) was a good way to end the night.
That punch to the face that Aaron Ward took was a cheap shot and I expect that in the next game there is going to be repercussions for it. Ward was just there trying to hold his spot, which is physical it’s hockey after all, when Walker comes by bumps him and then drops his gloves and hits him. Cheap.
It was a wicked cheap shot, Matt. I can’t believe that they’re not going to suspend him for that! Even ESPN’s Barry Melrose who loves physical hockey said that Walker should be suspended for what he did. I’m outraged.
I am however excited that you got to see all three games at home. That’s wicked pissah!
I missed the Bruins game (no longer have Comcast, NESN or the NHL channel) but watched the whole Celtics game. It was a thrilling game and was ecstatic when Big Baby nailed that jumper at the buzzer. Here’s hoping the B’s and C’s repeat on Wednesday (I’m going to the Celtics game!!!).
Have fun at game 5 Adam, keep my seat (Sec. 313 Row 5 Seat 6) warm for me. The Bruins are playing on Tuesday though, not Wednesday.
Maybe we can have a sweep of the week and the Bruins and Celtics can both advance to the next round while the Red Sox reclaim first place.
Nothing to add, I just want to compliment you on a well-written and fun blog post! Thank you.
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What a great day for Boston fans! Trying to juggle all of the games isn’t really a problem for me. While I consider myself a Bruins and Celtics “fan”, I don’t really follow either sport much. I’m more of a football/baseball kind of girl. And living out of New England, I’m lucky if I get to see a game period. Sometimes I think I should move back to Maine and put up with the wicked long winters just for the pleasure of being able to catch all of the games.
I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t watch all the games. I’d have a huge cable bill after buying every station they made me just to get the ones I need for the game, I know that much.
[...] nailing the game winning shot Sunday night against the Orlando Magic, Glen, “Big Baby”, Davis, ran up the court in an exuberant [...]