I didn’t think I’d had that much to drink during last night’s SG fundraiser for The Jimmy Fund at Crossroads Ale House. But when someone called out that Nick Green was pitching, I instantly shut myself off, figuring I was already slipping into the hallucinatory state.

Of course, by the time Green hit the mound the game was already out of hand, what with Chicago spanking Tazawa for nine runs in just four innings. But we still made it a game, scoring five across the last five and proving this team really isn’t down and out even when you think they’re down and out. Or something like that.

Anyway, last night was still a smashing success because we raised a good chunk of cash for the Jimmy Fund, with a number of faithful SG readers as well as other Crossroads patrons giving it up for a good cause. In between begging Hayes and SoxFanBackHome to accompany me to the Chelsea Motor Lodge for a brief “post-game analysis” and watching RichInTheGarage and Denton put the beer pong smackdown on some twenty-something chicks, I had the chance to meet some of the ridiculously cool people who make our comments section far more interesting than anything our posts could offer. Jen and the two Amys and my man Curtis Interruptus–folks who’ve been reading since day one back in 2004–were on hand, as were Chris and Chris and Ben 02144 and Japanese Masshole. We even had fellow blogger Rob from Bottom Line Sox in the house. The Crossroads staff–including my favorite bartender in the world–were gracious hosts, allowing us to hang signs and act goofy and even allowing Denton to perform the Dance of the Assless Chaps–a holiday classic made even better during the summer.

Many other folks and friends and lurkers took the time to come by and say how much they enjoyed the site and, honestly, it meant a lot to me. This thing was started up as a form of therapy after the 2003 ALCS. Since then, it’s really taken on a life of its own and it was pretty spectacular to meet some of the like-minded souls it’s been attracting since its launch.

In the end, it was all about the donations. And everyone dug deep–including a couple sizable checks from folks whom we clearly owe T-shirts and a couple beers. The Telethon continues through tonight, so you can still make your contribution here. As the Shaughn notes in his column this morning, you gotta give it up for the kids.

Once again, thanks to everyone who stopped by and contributed and made last night’s fundraiser a success. We’ll do it again next year.