In October of 1990 the Oakland Athletics squared off against the Cincinnati Reds in baseball's World Series. The A's were heavily favored. I mean EVERYONE was picking the A's to win, well, unless you include Reds' alum like Sparky Anderson, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan.
Problem was that the Reds players weren't listening, and when Eric Davis went deep in game 1 against the vaunted Oakland pitching staff, the complexion of the series changed. Suddenly, the Reds weren't scared. Reds' starting pitcher Jose Rio was particularly emboldened by the home run. After the Reds' bullpen snuffed out the A's in the 9th, Rio gathered a group of reporters around his locker and told them all "it's over."
"What's Over?"
"The series. It's over."
"It's 1-0, Jose. There's plenty of baseball left to play."
Turns out Jose was right. The Reds won the next three games and it was lights out, Gracie.
If the Cs win game two, a lot of pundits will be borrowing from Rio in forecasting the demise of the Ls (in fact, they already are, calling game 2 a "must win" for the purple).
I agree.
A 2-0 lead would give the Celtics three opportunities to beat LA at Staples, and return to Boston with at least a 3-2 lead.
I don't think there's too many people who'd bet any serious money on the Celtics losing two straight at home.
So we'll find out quickly about what the Celtics have learned. They blew game 2 against Detroit.
They can't let that happen again, or pundits might be invoking Jose Rio against the Celtics by game 5.
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