I'll be brief in this tribute, but it's composition was absolutely necessary. I'd like to personally thank Eric Gagne, our Canadian neighbor, who so graciously waived his no-trade clause just so that he could sabotage the Boston Red Sox in the late innings of ball games. Rarely can one find in another human being the courage and heroic determination that has driven Gagne to allow 7 earned in 4 innings and blow a 4-run lead and a 2-run lead in the 8th inning twice in 3 days; which comprise two of only 3 times this season that Boston has blown a lead after the 7th.  My hero. And I will assure you that despite the funny glasses, Eric is no comedian, and he takes pride in his late-inning collapses, as do I.

Thank you Eric, you personally shaved 2 games off of the Boston division lead and have helped the Yankees creep within  4 games. I bow my head in your honor, or honour as Canadians would say, for you have truly shown us you were not worth Joba Chamberlain and/or Melky Cabrera. As if your feats as a Red Sox reliever weren't imrobable enough, you have also made Brian Cashman look wise, an achievement previously viewed as unattainable by scholars and scientists alike. Please keep up the good work Eric, think not of yourself as a saboteur but as a nonconformist. For why should one be confined to holding a lead when everyone knows chicks dig the long ball?

Note:  It's probably safe to say that Gagne will figure it out sooner or later, but watching the supposed genius move from Epstein crumble begs to be poked fun at, doesn't it?  Or, dare I say, that maybe he's actually playing for the Yankees in secret? You still have a 4 game lead Boston, and Tampa comes to town tomorrow, so don't be too hard on my newfound hero.