Just busting your chops.

I agree with Jim. Experience is a media-created excuse. The Mets melted down last year down the stretch and they were about as experienced as a team can get.

In 1998 the Red Sox played against the Cleveland Indians not the A’s, Mo Vaughn already had experience from playing in the 1995 playoffs, and Nomar had a great series (i remember him hitting a home run in the deciding game, only to have Tom Gordon cough up the lead).

Actually, I just checked the stats for that postseason and Nomar hit .333 with 3HR and Mo hit .412 with 2HR.

I have been contemplating this all night. I can’t help but think about how bad a young Nomar G. and Mo Vaughn were in 1998? VS the Oakland A’s? Their lack of experience (at that point) really hurt the Sox chances of moving on in the playoffs. Not to take anything away from the A’s. That being said, If I were Tampa Bay I wouldn’t want to play Boston or Anaheim in the ALCS. Although I’m sure they’d be happy to be there.
Experience is a building block for team chemistry. Especially in Septmeber.

Thanks