Francona: Wild carth spot would be worth celebration

NEW YORK (AP) - Red Sox manager Terry Francona intends to celebrate if Boston clinches the AL wild card.

Before Friday night's series opener at the AL East-leading Yankees, Francona said winning World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 doesn't diminish the accomplishment of reaching the postseason as a second-place team.

"Why in the world would we not be happy if we're fortunate enough to go back to playoffs? I never did quite understand that," he said. "What we don't need to do is choreograph anything. That's the part I think you need to stay away from."

He remembered Jonathan Papelbon dancing after Boston clinched the AL East in 2007.

"That was part of what makes those things special," he said. "What takes away from it a little bit is - and I understand it - but, you know, the cameras have kind of leaked into the clubhouse because people want to watch, and it's not quite as - I don't know if the word is 'quaint,' but it's - sometimes it appears to be made for TV, which I think takes away a little bit of what it's about, you know, big grown-ups acting little kids."

Boston began the night with a magic number of three for clinching the AL wild card.

Francona has simple advice for his players: "If there comes a moment where we're able to celebrate, just do what you feel like doing."