First to clinch

Go ahead, make fun of the Boston Red Sox for nearly squandering a 14 1/2 game lead over the New York Yankees.

You have until at least Oct. 8 or so to do it. That's because, on Saturday, Boston became the first team to qualify for Major League Baseball's postseason.

The Red Sox haven't clinched the AL East yet, but that hasn't mattered in the past. Heck, finishing the regular season strong doesn't matter. Just ask the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals or the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

All that matters now is the Red Sox have their invitation to October. Now, all the rest can be thrown out the window.