Did he say J.J. Putz is the MVP?

No, he did not.

Becuase J.J. Putz is not Jonathan Papelbon.

Because J.J. Putz plays for Seattle instead of Boston.

While 100% of the non-Mike-Lupica World believes that the ball slipped out of Chamberlain's hand, this is the Unique Red-Sox-Lovin' World of Mike Lupica:

"The Yankees can act as if Joba Chamberlain is the most wrongly accused guy since Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, but guess what?

Throwing over Kevin Youkilis' head in a blowout game the other day, at the end of a three-game sweep, was bush league.

If it was some sort of accident, let's see the next time he puts two over a guy's head on successive pitches."

It may never happen again. Just like a Red Sox rookie may never throw another no-hitter. Just like the Indians may never turn another 5-4-3 triple play (Was that the Indians? It was somebody). Just like Robinson Cano may never cover second base on a relay throw from the outfield. Just like Pat Burrell may never hit 41 homeruns against any other team.

This is the craziest thing Lupica has ever seen in a baseball game?

The most statistically unlikely thing?

I saw Brian Roberts get picked off first base last night when the pitcher on the opposing team was throwing a no-hitter. Let's see the next time it happens. He must have been picked off on purpose.

You know what baseball is? A bunch of colliding accidents. Swinging bunts and check-swing doubles and swinging at pitches in the dirt. Guys saying to themselves, "Don't hit into a double play. Don't hit into a double play. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HIT INTO A DOUBLE PLAY."

The ball slips out of a rookie's hand and Mike Lupica wets his pants because it almost hit one of his beloved Red Sox players.

Duck, pal.


A five run-lead is a blowout game?

I love this stuff, I really do.

As if the Yankees were comfortable losing Chamberlain because they have so much faith in Edwar Ramirez. A walk, a bloop, and a blast. Now it's 5-4 and Mariano isn't warmed up.

This is the Red Sox with a six-game lead in late August.


You want to talk about bush league?

I don't recall a player getting suspended without a warning and without even hitting the batter.