Sure, we all remember BlackSeptember, but let's take a look at some of the Top Ten other moments of 2011:10.) FenceGate. On January 6th, the Red Sox announce that they have abandoned a plan to move the bullpens in by nine feet—bowing to pressure from busy-body preservationists. I can't pinpoint exactly, but I'm sure at least one home run that would have won one game was caught at the rail in 2011. Thanks a lot, Massachusetts Historical Society.
9.) Theocracy In Jeopardy. The first rumor of Theo Epstein fleeing to the Cubs surfaces on August 24th.
8.) Margin Of Error. 72.5% of FenwayNation readers, on April 1, predict the Sox will win 96 games or more. They win 90 (the same as the World Champion Cardinals).
7.) The Sun Will Rise, The Sun Will Set. Legendary Sox GM Lou Gorman dies at 82.
6.) Jenks Doesn't Look Good In HD. The Red Sox introduce new, state-of-the art JumboTrons—some 100 feet wide.
5.) Sweep In The Heart Of Texas. The Red Sox open the season with four straight losses to the eventual American League champion Rangers. All of a sudden the ten straight losses in Spring Training start to take on more meaning.
4.) Early Onset Panic. On April 25th, the earliest date ever, FenwayNation opines that fans should realistically set their sights on the Wild Card (you could look it up).
3.) The First Shall Be Last. After 51 games, the Red Sox finally gain first place on May 28th.
2.) NOG's Worst Nightmare. On the day post-season tickets go on sale (September 12th), the Red Sox are only 3.5 games up on Tampa for the Wild Card after gagging a week-end series. Of course, post-season tickets didn't matter.
1.) Peripatetic Papi. On August 5th, David Ortiz barges in on a televised post-game press conference, interrupting Terry Francona with a complaint about an official scorer ruling. We should have seen it all coming.