Torii Hunter emerged from the visitors' clubhouse at Fenway Park to spray champagne over the fans and family gathered there. Erick Aybar did him one better, handing over bottles of bubbly to those who came from California to see the Los Angeles Angels go for the sweep. History gave no reason to hope for such a celebration.
Those pesky Twins forced the Detroit Tigers to keep their champagne on ice. Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched Minnesota to a testy 8-3 victory on Thursday, preventing the Tigers from clinching their first division title in 22 years. Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and moved within two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play.
It's a Rocktober redux for the Colorado Rockies, who are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. "It stings," Troy Tulowitzki said as he squinted away the tears that were flushing the champagne out of his eyes. "But I've never forgotten '07 and it's great to experience it again.
Players doused each other with champagne and beer in the clubhouse and on the field. Fans partied in the stands. Manager Charlie Manuel enjoyed the celebration from his office. The Philadelphia Phillies won another NL East championship. Now they can rest and prepare to defend their World Series title. "I'll celebrate when we get to the big one," Manuel said.
Soaked to the skin with champagne, Mark Teixeira stood on the giant "NY" logo in the Yankees clubhouse and shouted like crazy. "Tastes good!" he hollered. Favored to win the World Series since opening day, the New York Yankees celebrated like playoff newcomers after beating Boston 4-2 Sunday to clinch the AL East title and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The celebration was a couple of bottles of champagne and a few hugs, nothing more. Maybe it's because the Los Angeles Dodgers expect to have bigger bashes before the season is over. The Dodgers locked up their fourth NL playoff appearance in six years, getting a two-run single from pinch-hitter Jim Thome during a four-run eighth inning in which Pirates relievers walked four before going on to…