Jim Lonborg kicked high and fired at Twin's pinch-hitter Rich Rollins, who popped up to shortstop. As the ball disappeared into the glove of Rico Petrocelli, Lonborg disappeared in a swarm of Red Sox fans. Boston had beaten Minnesota, 5-3, for its first first-place finish in 21 years, and the Fenway crowd tore the score from the left-field scoreboard.

The final act, however, was being staged in Detroit, where the Tigers still nursed a chance of beating California to force the Sox into a playoff. For the next three hours, all Boston turned to the radio--and waited.

Workmen at a sewer near Lincoln Triangle got their first report from a crowd of boys returning from Fenway. "The Tigers are losing 4-3."

Then a radio crackled, "Angels S, Tigers 3," and the music was drowned out by cheering.

Then the Tigers scored twice and a brawl broke out in the Pennant Grille across from Fenway Park. Two patrol wagons arrived as the crowd retreated to restaurants and store fronts to await the final inning. Then Tiger Dick McAuliffe grounded into a game-ending double play and pandemonium.

Cheering and firecrackers exploded as bars spilled crowds onto the streets. Traffic snarled at Kenmore Square and backed two miles up Brookline Avenue. Drivers abandoned their wheels to do somersaults on hoods. Police arrested 16 members of the Devils Desciples (sic) motorcycle gang and described the crowd as having reached "riot proportions."

Only manager Dick Williams, walking from the clubhouse to his office, paused to think about the St. Louis Cardinals. "We'll pitch Santiago Wednesday," he said, "and Lonborg Thursday--to give him a bit of rest."

Back on Kenmore Square, the crowd screamed "Williams for Mayor."