Derek Jeter, A-Rod Getting Blamed For Cursing The Miami Heat
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 23: (L-R) Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 23, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat entered Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday night in complete control of the series.
Miami was up 3-0 and coming off a blowout win in Game 3, but lost last night's game to send the series back to Boston. During and after the game, a lot of the "blame" was laid at the feet of two former MLB stars in attendance.
Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez were seated courtside for Game 4. The two ex-infielders were infamously a part of the New York Yankee team that blew a 3-0 series lead to the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series.
Not surprisingly, Jeter and A-Rod were the butt of many jokes because of last night's result.
"Jeter and A-Rod were in the building with a Boston team down 3-0 in a series before the final," noted the Talkin' Baseball Twitter account.
"Give A-Rod and Jeter courtside seats in Boston on Thursday," added Steve Perrault of "Inside the Red Sox."
"If I were a Miami Heat fan, not sure I would have allowed Jeter & A-Rod in the building up 3-0. #BOSvsMIA," joked Boston-based freelance sportswriter Dan Kelley.
However, one longtime New York sportswriter doesn't think the Heat have anything to worry about.
"I get it, TNT keeps showing Jeter and A-Rod because the Yankees once blew a 3-0 series lead to Boston. But unless the Heat starts Jon Lieber in Game 6 and Kevin Brown in Game 7 they should be ok," said Frank Isola.
In a somewhat eerie coincidence, the Yankees won Game 3 of that 2004 ALCS in dominating fashion, just like the Heat did Game 3 of this year's ECF.
Still, we're not anticipating a full-on collapse from Miami. Boston might win Game 5 at home, but we expect the series will end in six games at the latest.
