Sunday, October 30, 2005

The NHL has helped curb my baseball withdrawals significantly, and here are five reasons why the game is looking so great.

As you might expect, I watch the Rangers at every opportunity I get, but their surprising start isn't the only cause for celebration from hockey's newest campaign.

Tuesday: Colorado 5, Edmonton 3
The Oilers have gotten poor production from stars like defenseman Chris Pronger so far, but they were in this one until the final minute of play, rallying from two goals down to take the lead on Raffi Torres' tally four ticks into the third. The Avalanche managed to save face at home, however, getting the tying goal when a behind-the-net Alex Tanguay threw the puck off the stick of Edmonton's Radek Dvorak and into the goal. Former Ranger goalie Jussi Markannen allowed the game winner on a Patrice Brisebois slapper, and Oilers coach Craig MacTavish (who I remember for not wearing a helmet as a player for the Blues) left the building livid.

Wednesday: Anaheim 4, Calgary 1
ESPN's Barry Melrose is far from the only one to realize how important a solid power play can be, and the Ducks proved it at home on this night with all four goals coming with an extra man. The Flames are undoubtedly carrying high expectations after their Finals berth in 2003-04, but mustered only a goal from electric right wing Jarome Iginla. Meanwhile, Teemu Selanne continued to celebrate his return to Anaheim, scoring and feeding Joffrey Lupul for another. Sadly, my recent observation about attendance seems to be all too accurate: under 12,000 fans made it out to the Pond. Still, you can't blame their ticket sales department, which came up with a Victory Package that gives fans a free game for each Anaheim win in the assigned six games.

Thursday: Ottawa 4, Montreal 3
The Madison Square Garden network announcers were talking about this one--on Saturday night. The Michael Ryder/Mike Ribeiro line produced all three scores for the Canadiens, but the talk was all about Jason Spezza. I remember when Spezza got the kind of hockey hype usually reserved for guys like the NBA's LeBron James, and he seems to be delivering on his potential in spurts. Centerman Spezza now has 14 points, and he won this game in overtime by slipping the puck between Sheldon Souray's legs and faking out netminder Jose Theodore before delivering the deciding backhander. Interestingly, one of his Ottawa teammates noted seeing that same maneuver before--but only in practice sessions.

Friday: Columbus 2, Minnesota 1
What a fantastic game this was, and luckily Nationwide Arena was close to 90% full. I tuned to the Knicks preseason game simultaneously, but the action I caught was more than worth it. The hometown Blue Jackets managed 53 shots and had a goal called back due to interference with the goaltender. Nevertheless, they were held scoreless until the final minute of regulation, when Adam Foote found the net to send things into overtime. Minnesota goalie Dwayne Roloson looked like he would steal the show, but Columbus' Martin Prusek made an unfathomable stop in the extra frame, deflecting away a point-blank shot with his stick blade. Finally, it looked like the Wild would still escape with two points when Todd White beat Prusek in the shootout, forcing call-up Mark Hartigan to convert. Hartigan did, and finally Columbus RW Trevor Letowski put an end to the frenzy as the eighth Blue Jacket to appear. It wasn't all bad news for the Wild, though: they left with a point and went home to beat Columbus the next night.

Saturday: New York Rangers 5, Montreal 2
What, you thought I would let a column pass without including my team prominently? Seriously, though, this ended up being an exciting game despite a flurry of New York goals in the first period against Jose Theodore, who was pulled during the first intermission. Naturally, this included another score for red-hot Jaromir Jagr. After a scoreless second, the Canadiens came out firing and brought the crowd of over 21,000 to its feet when LW Richard Zednik followed former Ranger Alexei Kovalev to bring Montreal within a goal. Prospect-turned-hero Henrik Lundqvist held the fort in net for the Rangers, and Dominic Moore ended up scoring his second goal of the night, causing the MSG announcers to wonder why all his career points have come against the men in red and white. Martin Rucinsky left the game in the waning minutes after receiving an unpenalized check from Craig Rivet despite being nowhere near the puck.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005


Up next: my experiences in Lakerland, southern branch.
The NBA Finals came down to a thrilling seventh game last season, and the 2005-06 campaign has every reason to be compelling in its own right. While nearly everyone seems to concede that the San Antonio Spurs will again be a powerful force, there are many subplots leading up to opening day on November 1.

In keeping with media fixation on the biggest sports markets, two of the teams drawing a great deal of speculation are the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. While the Knickerbockers hired legend Larry Brown to coach a squad in the midst of massive turnover, L.A. has once again turned to Phil Jackson to right the purple and gold ship. Both enter the season with contracts as large as their respective fan bases are loyal, but success for either man is far from guaranteed.

This is not the column to deal with the situation in the Big Apple, but I would be remiss in omitting the basics of the scenario out West. The Lakers are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994. Having dealt Shaquille O’Neal in last year’s off-season, GM Mitch Kupchak recently pulled the trigger on a trade to acquire a big man. That would be Kwame Brown, who was drafted out of high school by then-Wizards executive Michael Jordan with the first pick in 2001 and has largely underachieved since that point. Departing in that deal was Caron Butler, a small forward and one of the pieces Los Angeles received for Shaq. The only other player of note in that deal (Lamar Odom) now holds down the three spot for the Lakers and should play a major role in deciding how far the franchise can go. Finally, this draft netted the suddenly lottery-bound club center Andrew Bynum, selected tenth. The seven-foot Bynum, a surprise pick so high in the draft, will turn eighteen tomorrow.

It was with this backdrop that I entered Anaheim’s Arrowhead Pond on Tuesday evening for one of the last several exhibition games with which the Lakers are involved. Recently, the team has traveled to Hawaii, San Diego, and Bakersfield as sort of a regional tour prior to the regular year. The Lakers were 4-2 so far, although I speculated that faring well in such competitions was often just a measure of a how a coach chose to dole out minutes among fifteen players. As I accompanied my parents heading toward section 206B, I couldn’t help but draw parallels with the preseason Mighty Ducks affair I had attended in the recent past. However, there was one distinct advantage tonight: we had better seats. In fact, the three of us nearly gasped as we entered the suite. We were not new to events at this particular arena, but normally our tickets are on the level above. On this occasion, the box was directly behind the lowest level—and even with the right basket. This viewpoint, positioned behind the visiting bench, would have proven all the more spectacular if anyone happened to be a fan of the Jazz. I mean, I love the musical genre and all, but I’m sure some folks from Salt Lake City would have gotten even more out of the experience. A true fan would love to see Spencer Nelson’s back for close to 48 minutes.

Since it had spent the bulk of the summer languishing in my closet, I had opted to wear my Kobe Bryant away jersey, but noticed that most people in attendance went with the home yellow variety. Spying my shirt, another suite occupant asked me sarcastically if I was a Laker fan. I answered that the Knicks were my team; instead of receiving a “too bad” like I expected, he high-fived me and explained that he was originally an East Coaster as well. I was just glad not to have to brave any more insults like the ones thrown my way when I donned an Allan Houston blue-and-orange number to watch my team play at Staples Center.

Despite some heavy traffic on Katella Avenue, I didn’t end up missing a play. Contentedly grabbing a spot in the second row, I was ready for some hoops. The early action did not disappoint, including a Kobe dunk and Brown blocked shot. For the record, Bryant pulled off an astounding move in the third quarter against Keith McLeod that allowed him to keep the ball for the jam instead of passing. As for Brown, I would recommend he demand more touches in the post. Los Angeles went on to build a 26-17 lead it would never relinquish, although Utah did pull within six late in the last quarter. Of course, games that do not contribute toward the standings are more significant for the performances of individual athletes, particularly those on the fringe vying to become role players for their squads. Noted master of the dunk Laron Profit contributed 13 points in an effort to do just this. At the same time, Chris Mihm made the case for a major role, prompting the Lakers blog to write: “Whatever he drank before the game, order a case of it.”

On that count, perhaps the most compelling story of the game was the continued solid play of William “Smush” Parker, who may well become the team’s starting point guard, particularly if Sasha Vujacic needs more time to develop and former Sixers veteran Aaron McKie remains in last season’s funk. Parker explained on KCAL the other night that Smush was a nickname given to him as a child. To me, this presents yet another question: who made up the moniker, and why? Regardless of what you call him, Parker showed a solid touch from behind the arc to the tune of four for five.

With rumors swirling that the Lakers want to send Bynum to the developmental league, his play in preseason seemed all the more valuable. Due to a muscle strain, Bynum had missed all such opportunities since Summer League but was able to come off the bench in this game. His ending line was 1-7 from the field, but he converted early, grabbed seven boards, and was far from awkward following the ball. The always-critical Laker Nation has buried Kupchak far too early on this count.

Utah is hoping to rebound from a tough season in which they missed power forward Carlos Boozer, who also was absent from this battle with a problematic hamstring. Gordan Giricek and Milt Palacio hit double figures at the guard positions, and rookie from Illinois Deron Williams played just ten minutes. Center Greg Ostertag may look lost at times, but he did pull down nine rebounds as did his more offensively gifted teammate Mehmet Okur.

Despite its relative lack of meaning to the NBA season as a whole, a couple of plot twists in the fourth quarter made this night more memorable than most would have anticipated. By far the most underrated moment of the game was James Lang fouling out—after playing seven minutes. The familiar ‘Hit the Road, Jack” played over the PA system, but I think they needed to pull out a new tune for something that dramatic. Furthermore, a Utah dunk late in the game caused the 24-second clock to open, prompting a brief break in the action. Finally, with just over a minute left to play, former Irvine big man Adam Parada elbowed his opposite number Robert Whaley, who was able to retaliate before both were ejected. My theory: Parada wanted something to remember from his brief flirtations with the NBA. On an only partly related note, I noticed that the epic World Series battle began well before I left the house and ended after I returned. The longest game in Fall Classic history made these delays seem miniscule by comparison. Angels Bengie Molina and Ervin Santana, who were in attendance, probably wished they could have been in Houston gunning for the title instead of playing spectator roles in the 95-85 Laker win. Then again, it could have been worse for them: as my fellow Knick fan noted, an army of Laker Girls occupied the floor during every timeout.

Without knowing it, I managed to get a jump on one story before it developed. Today, the Lakers announced the acquisition of a 2007 second round draft pick from Charlotte in exchange for forward Jumaine Jones. This explained why Jones, who could have provided depth at power forward, saw no action yesterday. Another surprise: Devean George had participated in Sunday’s game against the Bobcats, but remained in street clothes while resting his foot. Luke Walton, sidelined with a hamstring ailment, was greeted warmly with Star Wars music and adulation from the fans, who were mostly concentrated in the lower bowl. Of course, to the untrained ear "Luuuuuuuke" sounds a lot like boos.


Saturday, October 22, 2005

Last posting's introduction aside, let's compare baseball's title contenders before the action gets going.

I've recently read about the myth of postseason smallball, but these managers will stick to their guns when it comes to manufacturing runs.
In any event, the Astros will help themselves if they can at least contain white-hot (no pun intended) first baseman Paul Konerko. Konerko's is in a contract year, he's on a roll in the postseason, and he's hitting for decent average to complement his considerable power. I can hear my Dodger fan friend scream once more in agony at the ineptitude of L.A. trading him as a prospect. He may have struggled last season, but in hindsight Chicago would have done well to lock him up afterward. Catcher A.J Pierzynski has been a welcome offensive force for Chicago, whether with the long ball or a heads-up run to first base. The Astros, meanwhile, have gotten several clutch homers from their chief power threat Lance Berkman, who has shifted to first base for Houston's club. Meanwhile, leading RBI man Morgan Ensberg (101) can have a major impact in the four hole. While we're on the littleball train, why not talk about the leadoff men on both sides? Scott Podsednik was enormous in getting the Sox off to their hot start, while Craig Biggio was clutch in the NLCS. Also, look for Houston manager Phil Garner to put speedster Willy Taveras in center field relatively often against the defensively conscious White Sox squad. Joe Crede may hit lower in the lineup than usual for Chicago but has pop, and Jason Lane is an extremely streaky hitter for the team from Texas. In the end, Houston holds a .272 batting average to Chicago’s .263 in postseason contests, but the White Sox have supplied more power (and naturally, these teams faced different pitching over a small sample size).
Edge: Push

Considering the starting pitching personnel, I'm glad this series isn't played on paper.
The White Sox are coming off a surreal Championship Series which included four consecutive complete games by starting pitching to close out the set. Jose Contreras seems to have found himself: don't look for shutouts from the Cuban, but two runs over seven innings is certainly attainable. The key to this series could be the performances of Freddy Garcia and Roger Clemens. The Rocket had a nearly unfathomable season by fantasy or any other standards, but his postseason ERA is a mere-mortal four and a half. Garcia had an outstanding performance in Anaheim: the question is whether he can continue to fulfill the expectations set for him when he began getting noticed in Seattle. The Jekyll-and-Hyde second half of Jon Garland, however, has yet to be seen in the playoffs, which is great news for South Siders. Forget what you hear to the contrary: Roy Oswalt is Houston's best pitcher from here on out.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox

It’s unlikely that Ozzie Guillen will confine his relievers as much in the Fall Classic.
A few reports emerged about what the Chicago bullpen did instead of entering pressure-packed games that their starters mostly finished. The answer: trivia contests and card games, which if you ask me, is a splendid way to earn your pay. Houston’s pen was a bit more involved in its six-game affair, which featured closer Brad Lidge’s meltdown that forced game 6. The White Sox should be warned: Lidge will make the most of his chances in this series, and no one on the roster is the equal of Albert Pujols. It looks as if Chicago will stick with Bobby Jenks to end games, although Neal Cotts (who did see slight action in the ALCS) can set him up nicely. It will be curious to see how much the enigmatic Damaso Marte or injury-plague Dustin Hermanson will appear, although Cliff Politte is a safe bet in close games. For Houston, Dan Wheeler has been a great find, and the former Met closed out the series against St. Louis. Furthermore, Chad Qualls has compiled a five-game scoreless streak since allowing two runs against Atlanta on October 7.
Edge: Slight, to Astos

Do these hurlers even need fielders lately?
It seems easy to believe that these pitchers will stay on a roll, but there’s no doubt that defense will have an impact on these games on multiple occasions. Chicago CF Aaron Rowand is the anchor of its defense, and Houston 2B Craig Biggio is a veteran presence as well as a grizzled vet on the infield dirt. Ensberg has made two postseason errors at third base on the Astros ledger but shouldn’t provide a major worry for the staff. Contreras has contributed one of only three team errors over the playoffs for the White Sox; they certainly make you work for your scoring opportunities.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox

Ozzie, may I introduce you to the double switch?

It’s no secret that Chicago’s Ozzie Guillen likes to stick with his starters in meaningful games, and this postseason run has been no exception. Houston, playing in National League games, one of which went to eighteen innings, has used far more bench players in the past weeks. However, when the teams play in Minute Maid Park (I liked when it was nicknamed Ten Run Field) and pitchers bat, Guillen will have more men to use off of the bench. Here’s a rundown of a few potential key guys:

Houston
Chris Burke: Hero who sent the Astros into the ALCS, Burke is an average fielder at best, but Garner won’t be afraid to pull the trigger if he isn’t in the lineup.
Jeff Bagwell: Bagwell has had three postseason at-bats, but whether the legend pinch-hits will be determined by his health on a given night.
Mike Lamb: Nearly the Yankee third baseman after Aaron Boone’s historic injury, Lamb has been given 22 at-bats in the playoffs, including some starts, while driving in three runs and stroking to the tune of .273.

Chicago
Willie Harris: Before 2005, Harris actually started for some time, but is now mostly used to pinch run.
Timo Perez: The surprise of the Mets’ playoff run in 2000, Perez may be used to substitute in the outfield during the potentially three games played in Houston.
Pablo Ozuna: A third baseman primarily, Ozuna can play several infield positions and hit a respectable .267 over the season.

Edge: Slight, to Astros

Verdict: White Sox, in six (to paraphrase Buster Olney, I have no credibility left to ruin)


Friday, October 21, 2005

The media types may be right that the White Sox and Astros are similar teams, but they took very distinct paths to get where they are now.

As soon as Jason Lane squeezed the ball for the game's final out in Houston's 5-1 NLCS clincher over St. Louis, my dad noted how a wild card team would once again make the World Series. For all the talk of the Cardinals' momentum heading home after what seemed like a sure Game 5 exit, they had enormous trouble with Roy Oswalt. I doubt I'm the only one who believes that his current $5.9 million annual salary is going to look laughable compared to what he commands when he hits the open market. At the same time, I couldn't help noting the enormous lead the Cardinals held over the Astros in the season standings. Are the playoffs really that different an animal than the marathon of the regular season?

Then again, Chicago has been excelling nearly all season long. After getting out to a seemingly insurmountable lead in the AL Central and holding off Cleveland in the waning weeks of the year, the White Sox once again got down to business in the playoff with a shocking sweep of the Red Sox. Despite dropping the first game at home to Anaheim, they rolled with an astounding display of starting pitching and enough power mixed with timely hitting to win in five. One question for posterity: is there any chance reporters will stop talking about Ozzie Guillen? He's seen as a meddler when Chicago loses and a genius when they hit hot streaks. One day, people will realize that baseball managers have only so much control over the games over which they preside.

Sometimes, I wish I had put an idea into print sooner.
I'm totally with Jason Whitlock on this one: the Vikings may be playing terribly, but there's no way they're the only bunch of guys who womanize in their spare time. Singling out Minnesota players for moral depravity, as owner Zygi Wilf has done recently, is both ignoring the football issues and pretending that the recent 'pleasure cruise' constitutes surprising behavior for professional football players. If he believes this, he's wrong on both counts. I also want to congratulate Bill Simmons for the following related piece of wit:

"Only one thing could make Minnesota's week worse: Randy Moss springing for 195 yards and three TDs in this game, then simulating sex toys and yacht captain movements for his touchdown dances."

The Islanders may have spoiled the Rangers spirited start in the last two days, but you can't blame Jaromir Jagr.
I have to admit that I'm a little upset at myself for listening to the ESPN draft kit and taking Ottawa defenseman Zdeno Chara over RW Jagr in the second round of my fantasy draft. Not only has Jagr scored 5 goals in the last pair of games, he's on my favorite team. The Rangers' home and home against their rivals from Long Island netted them a shootout loss (3-2) and an outright defeat (5-4). Still, when the games come down to the wire and Broadway's heroes are able to force overtime to salvage a point, things could be worse. The first game featured a shootout in which only the Isles' Alexei Yashin managed to score, although young Ranger sniper Peter Prucha came awfully close to converting in the first round, hesitating a bit too long to hit the twine. It was difficult for fans of the visiting team to watch the waning moments of the second game, as the Islanders had begun the contest with an almost immediate 3-0 lead, and the Rangers had trouble getting scoring chances down a goal with five minutes to go.

Some general notes on the NHL:
-It's still uncertain how much offense will increase this year, but it seems certain that it will have grown from the 2003-04 campaign. Many times, contests feel more open to quick scoring chances, and rules like minor penalties for flipping the puck into the stands as well as the end of the two-line pass can only help. At the same time, I also believe that hockey's beauty is not necessarily all about goals, but the lack of ties should draw a few more fans to the game.

-Attendance in the first week was quite positive, but experts should be warned that not everything is rosy on the business side. I was rather alarmed to note the following totals for the Washington Capitals' first five home games:

Columbus 16,325
Atlanta 13,021
NY Rangers 10,760
NY Islanders 10,394
Tampa Bay 10,002

Now, I know DC is not the continent's biggest hockey hotbed, but there's no doubt that attendance figures in the ten thousand range are unacceptable from a management perspective. There should be less concern about the Philadelphias and Detroits of the world with their tradition of die-hard supporters, or huge markets like the Rangers possess. Many acknowledge that the NHL has overexpanded, and the salary cap should help some teams stay competitive. Still, it can't be good for the game if some teams routinely average eight thousand more spectators than others.


Monday, October 17, 2005

With the number of baseball games remaining in the year at a maximum of ten, let's go around the horn while that expression still has relevance.

For a few days, the American League Can Sleep.
While we're on the subject of baseball, I must say it's uncanny how the World Series-bound White Sox took advantage of just about every break that they got, whether perceived as legitimate or not. Of course, it's unlikely that the ending to Game 2 will be forgotten any time soon. However, what gets lost in the discussion about the dropped third-strike call is the fact that Chicago (on Joe Crede's game-winning double to left) actually got an extra-base hit after they were awarded a baserunner with two out, just their third of the game. It's certainly less contentious to discuss yesterday's game, in which Angel reliever Kelvim Escobar tagged White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski without the ball in his hand, and the initial 'out' call was changed to 'safe.' Still, did anyone else notice that first baseman Darin Erstad actually came off the bag after seeing the 'out' sign, making him unable to recover when Escobar tossed him the ball anyway? Like clockwork, the Sox continued the inning.

This may be the Senior Circuit, but it's not for the faint of heart.
I'm still replaying the last at-bat of National League Championship Series Game 4 in my mind. Longtime St. Louis Cardinals pinch-hitter John Mabry is at the dish. He has taken the first two pitches for strikes. Albert Pujols and Larry Walker have already singled to begin the inning against Houston Astros fireballer Brad Lidge, but Reggie Sanders hits a weak grounder that gets Pujols thrown out at the plate. With runners once again at the corners and one man down, Mabry hits a weak grounder to second. That's a run, I tell myself, as Reggie Sanders attempts to take out shortstop Adam Everett at second base. A lightning-quick moment later, Mabry is called out at first to complete the double play. Mabry looks incredulous, and it seems impossible that second baseman Eric Bruntlett and Everett could have pulled it off. On replay, I'm convinced that the call was correct. In the postgame interviews, catcher Brad Ausmus admitted he was surprised to see even Lidge escape that kind of a jam to take a 3-1 series lead.

This just in: people hate the Bowl Championship Series.
I'll be the first to admit that the BCS has wronged me in the recent past. A few last-second changes of heart (mostly by Texas voters) gave the Longhorns a spot in the Rose Bowl over my Cal Golden Bears in 2004 (in my senior year, no less). What's more, I was there in person with a 20-strong contingent from the band to watch Cal's final regular season game against Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Cal got a scare in that contest, but managed to finish strongly enough to likely cement its chances for a BCS bowl. So forgive me if I'm not crying about Notre Dame's position in the preliminary poll like ESPN's Pat Forde.

Thanks to the resurgent Rangers, I look forward to hockey games more than football.
If I still sound euphoric from the events of Saturday night, please understand. The New York hockey Rangers have not made the playoffs since 1997, and it's hard to remember seeing Garden fans as excited as they were on this night. It helped that New York played Atlanta, who is missing injured starting goalie Mike Dunham and lost to Toronto 9-1 the night before. However, fans in Manhattan will take optimism where they can find it, and their 5-1 win featured two quick second period goals, a curtain call for young netminder Henrik Lundqvist, and a standing ovation at the beginning of the second intermission. Considering the Rangers' first-place division standing after six games, I'm hoping the derisive jokes are over.

The Patriots and Dolphins may have lost, but RB Willis McGahee and Buffalo's win at the Meadowlands leaves the depleted Jets a 2-4 team. Meanwhile, the Giants played terrible football, but Eli Manning gave the team a second chance to defeat the Cowboys before succumbing in overtime on the most paranoia-inducing play in sports: a game-winning field goal by Jose Cortez. As far as college goes, I'm still a little haunted by the fact that referees did not realize that Oregon State RB Yvenson Bernard stepped out of bounds on a critical third down play in the fourth quarter at Cal. The ensuing touchdown and continued miscues by usually solid QB Joseph Ayoob spelled a second near-miss for the Bears.

Goodbye to two very different guys, both of whom I remember fondly.
In a way, I feel terrible for Allan Houston. Sure, he gets paid an immense sum over the next two season for not playing a minute. From following the Knicks, though, I know for a fact that the guy loves to play, make the big shots, be a team leader. Now that he has finally concluded that his knees are too weak for him to ever play at the top level again, I'm reminded of his game winning shot off the glass in New York's Game 5 win against Miami in 1999. God, that was a fun rivalry. There's no question that former New York GM Scott Layden made a mistake giving Houston a long term deal for so much money in hindsight, but I hope he enjoys his retirement.

Brett Hull may have been less of a model citizen than that of the eloquent, charitable Houston, but he was always entertaining on and off the ice. The fact that I'm praising a guy who never even played for my favorite team should be enough to prove that. Still, Hull was the face of the St. Louis Blues team I remember watching for several years before he departed for Dallas and won a Stanley Cup. Finishing with a career total of 1391 career points, the fact that Hull exceeded the reputation of his father Bobby is remarkable in and of itself. To a consummate puck handler and skilled sniper, farewell.

Finally, this is why two out-of-sync TVs should never be tuned to the same program:
Me (upstairs): There's no way the clock should still be running.
Dad (first floor): Oh wow, Notre Dame won?
Me: Charlie Weis and the band are out on the field!
Dad: This can't be over..
Me: OK, seven seconds left. And USC is going to spike it?
Dad: What are they calling?
Me: Oh geez, they're going for it!
Dad: They're not going to stop the clock..
Me: Ballgame, that's a touchdown.
Dad: Can you believe this? Hey, Alexander, SC just scored!


Friday, October 14, 2005

For those of you curious about what soul searching means to me, read on.

As I begin this post, I can't help but hum a track to myself; it is Spyro Gyra's "Here Again," and deja vu is indeed how it felt when my Yankees once again lost a division series to the hometown Angels on Monday. I suppose it's how Oakland and Minnesota must have felt when New York defeated them in consecutive division series several years ago. After the final play, I was so emotionally drained that I literally almost lost my balance trying to stand up. Since Monday, I've experienced all sorts of emotions: acceptance, frustration, speculation about what might have been, and concern about the future of the franchise. There has never been much secret about it: I've thrown myself into surprisingly watchable Rangers hockey, I follow New York hoops and football squads, but the Yankees are my favorite sons, and that's why a week like this hurts so badly.

I still think I'm doing better than I fared in 2002. After the Angels won game 4 to seal the series at home, I surprised even myself with my intense bitterness, even boycotting the rest of the playoffs in my agony. Perhaps my vivid recollections of playoffs past were the impetus for me to take a late-night trip to Borders, where I soothed myself with a jazz piano album and a vanilla blended drink. Instead of replaying a disputed call over in my mind or giving myself a chance to deny the series ever happened, I at least tried to set myself apart from it. In any case, I've mustered enough strength to watch bits of the championship series despite the notable absence of players with "New York" stitched on their jerseys. It helped that Late Night With Conan O'Brien, one my favorite TV programs, had an actor dressed like a Yankee pretend to beat up another clothed as an Angel, much to the delight of the crowd in the Rockefeller Center studio.

Are fans more attached to the game than players? I know stars like Alex Rodriguez feel terrible when they don't perform in the postseason, but I'm amazed when I hear some fierce competitors sound a bit detached after a game has been played. For example, the other day I read that Angel starter Jarrod Washburn said of White Sox hurler Mark Buehrle: "I love watching him pitch." It's obvious that Washburn poured his heart into the contest, but there's no way I could imagine myself uttering such diplomatic comments if I were in his position.

It's no fun being eliminated, but at least I no longer have to deal with the dull pain of internalizing that a particular game is yet to be decided. When you're losing, the commercial breaks are interminable, and when you're ahead every minute of action feels like eleven. Like Steve Phillips wrote about the emotions of general managers, a defeat is like being punched in the gut. Still, once your season is over, you don't come back the next day as you've grown accustomed to over the course of the year. For a seamhead like me, that kind of finality is unwelcome: who wants to wait six more months just to begin the marathon once more? Now I can watch moments like the dropped third strike controversy that propelled the White Sox to victory in ALCS Game 2 as an observer rather than a supporter.

Before the week, my mom had an interesting take on the postseason when she noted that the Yankees have had a suffered a lot of disappointment lately, and she hoped they would deliver this year. This is exactly how I feel, but it's also why so many hate the franchise. "Since when does being in the final eight every season qualify as a letdown?" they think. (Incidentally, this is how the bitter Rangers fan in me has regarded teams like the Avalanche in recent years.) This reminds me of something Bill Simmons, a prominent Red Sox fan, wrote in a column. He had said that his team would have a five-year honeymoon period after last season, but once you're immersed in a new year, naturally you want to win it as well. I regard Yankee baseball since 2000 as a series of near-misses: a blown Mariano Rivera save in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series just kicked off the chances that quality teams had to secure a title. I suppose once your team wins four championships from 1996-2000, you don't wish the run to end.

There's always a sense of helplessness involved in spectator sports, particularly those as magnified as the major league postseason. Because I follow the season from day one, am intent on reading the newest Rob Neyer column, and regard the division and wild card races as life-and-death situations, I suppose it's only natural I should feel the way I do. I think the only person I was really honest with was my mother; as I told her: "I would tell you I'm over it, but that's at least two weeks away." Worse yet, it's never forgotten: I'll guarantee you that in two decades I'll remember 2005, albeit probably not as vividly as I could recount it for you today.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Sports are full of surprises lately.

I can't believe the Rangers' road opener.
I had the unexpected good fortune to be invited to Game 2 of the ALDS in Anaheim. This meant foregoing the NHL's first day of real action since the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, but in the end it became just another reason why I love Tivo. While New York showed good intensity in the first period in the portion I watched live, they took a lot of penalties, and I knew later from a check of my satellite radio that they trailed 3-2 in the second period. I resumed play in the third period after getting back from the ballgame, and was shocked to see the Rangers, about which I have complained so bitterly in the past, scored two goals within about thirty seconds to cap a 5-3 win. Not only did Jaromir Jagr play phenomenally down the stretch, but the Rangers also out-hustled the opposing squad, and guys like center Jamie Lundmark were rewarded for the effort. Not only was it a victory, but it was against a highly-rated Philadelphia Flyers squad in their own building. While the next two contests netted the Blueshirts overtime losses which carry a value of one point in the standings, the Rangers were fortunate to force the first overtime against Montreal, and the second was in New Jersey against dominant goalie Martin Brodeur. Of course, this is a young team: confusion about a line change and uncertainty about defense in the last ten seconds of the second period cost New York two goals early today in a 3-2 loss to Washington.

I couldn't fathom that Brett Favre was going out like this.
I was in Hollywood last Monday to watch a Swedish band named Mando Diao to which my brother had introduced me. During one of the breaks between opening acts, I hopped over to the venue's bar and had a soda while I watched the closing minutes of Monday Night Football. Featuring the 0-3 Packers and the disappointing Panthers who had won just once, the contest didn't exactly hearken back to some of the marquee matchups of Monday nights past. Nevertheless, this was a chance to see the legendary Brett Favre on the stage where he has had so many magical moments in seasons of yore. When I first joined the game, Carolina led 32-21, and looked to put the game away. As poor as his team had played, Favre is never one to give up, even if his skills now rank him 14th in NFL passer rating. Sure enough, the QB led a drive from the Packers' 10 yard line all the way to the end zone and completed the two-point conversion, cutting their deficit to just three. The rally was so stirring, ABC played highlights from his past performances on this day of the week. However, the Packers next possession dashed their hopes, when a 4th down pass to Donald Driver was tipped away from him by Chris Gamble. I still wonder if Green Bay's 52-3 thrashing of the Saints yesterday was the result of extreme frustration on the part of a once proud group of players.

I didn't imagine this bad of an ending on Saturday.
Speaking of frustrating finishes this weekend, none was worse for me than that of my Cal Bears collapse at the hands of UCLA at the Rose Bowl. I watched the majority of the second half at a restaurant where I was waiting to be seated, and the 47-40 end result wasn't pretty. What was once a thirteen point Bears lead was erased with a 19-3 fourth quarter in favor of the Bruins. Now, Cal's opportunity to meet USC at home with an undefeated record is spoiled, but a win against the top-ranked Trojans would be a way to salvage a shot at big hopes.

Then again, I could not have envisioned a better Sunday.
I made an allusion to the Jets' struggles in a recent posting, but clearly I did not anticipate that a forty-something quarterback named Vinny Testaverde once again would suit up for the Jets--and make a difference. To my surprise, a 4-0 Tampa Bay outfit did not have time to drive the length of the field and kick a game-winning field goal. This isn't to say that the offense is totally fixed, but Curtis Martin made it into the end zone twice, and Laveranues Coles finally got a few catches under his belt while he sat on my fantasy football pine. I joked that the win ended New York's bid to draft quarterback Matt Leinart in the 2006 Draft, but in all seriousness, the AFC East might hear from the men in green after all. Their turnaround coupled with another unexpectedly good fantasy football day and the Yankees' dramatic rally made this a day when it was worthwhile to stay home. To top it off, I watched a few of the late innings of the historic 18-inning Astros/Braves finish, which left my prediction looking uninformed. Chris Burke's game-winning long ball may have made him the new Aaron Boone, only for Houston. I suppose I can take solace in the fact that Farnsworth nearly closed the game in regulation, which may have set up my five-game conclusion to be accurate after all with Atlanta returning to Turner Field.

I never thought that infield dirt could be so bouncy.
Fresh off the Yankees' 4-2 victory on the road in Game 1 of the Division Series, New York looked to put a stranglehold on the series in the second chapter. After leading by two early, a Juan Rivera homer in the fifth and Alex Rodriguez error in the sixth made the edge evaporate. But, as Rob Neyer concluded, what may have cost the Yanks in this one was a couple of baserunners in the seventh who reached base after their batted balls hit the dirt in front of home plate. The first, fielded by Derek Jeter was ruled an infield single, while pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was charged with an error on the second (although Wang is a great fielding pitcher, and I found the judgment unfair). A two-out single by Orlando Cabrera gave the Angels a two-run lead on the way to a 5-3 final score. The Yankees looked doomed after mostly terrible outings by Randy Johnson and the bullpen in heavy rain in Game 3, and the Angels offense put in a major appearance. Anaheim went on to win by four even though the home team mounted a rally that at one point scored six unanswered runs. Then, the Yankees needed a couple of walks to come from two runs behind in the sixth in Game 4. Tonight will either be the cause of much joy or yet another playoff setback for the men in pinstripes and I can never tell which games will punch me in the stomach, and which will leave me jumping for joy. As a parting note, I will say this: they did manage to get to the postseason after much difficulty, which is commendable.


Wednesday, October 05, 2005

This may be a battle of red states, but for the next week only team colors will matter.
It sounds strange for a team with 14 consecutive division titles, but a check of Ticketmaster shows that tickets for the Atlanta Braves' upcoming division series with the Houston Astros are still readily available. Those who do show up to the first two games at Turner Field will be treated to a Braves team that has defied expectations and what could be a terrific pitching matchup with the 'Stros. While Atlanta began to take control of its postseason fate by early August, Houston did not punch its own ticket to the playoffs until the final day of the season.

Protection is important in baseball, too.
When former Phillies manager and current ESPN analyst Larry Bowa was asked about Houston's chances in this series, he responded bluntly: "I don't like their offense." To be fair, 3B Morgan Ensberg has tallied 101 RBI, Lance Berkman is a legitimate hitter, and Jason Lane has been streaky in putting together a 26 homer season. Still, some of the other batting averages on their lineup card won't make Atlanta's Game 1 starter Tim Hudson shudder, even if they have some proven vets. Sparkplug CF Willy Taveras will be called upon to run a little, but ultimately responsibility rests with the middle of Houston's order. Atlanta, meanwhile, has witnessed the emergence of outfield prospect Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur may have difficulty adjusting his swing-first style of hitting, but it's hard to argue with his .300 average or .549 slugging in his first major league experience. Then, of course, there's the bigs' top home run hitter, CF Andruw Jones and his recently healed teammate: 3B Chipper Jones. Chipper, who I can still remember being taunted as "Larry!" by screaming Giants fans, finished strong with 16 RBI in the final month. Even infielders Marcus Giles (45 doubles) and Rafael Furcal (46 stolen bases) contributed significantly to the cause.
Edge: Slight, to Braves

Is it hot in here, or is it just my ball?
If I were Houston catcher Brad Ausmus or Atlanta backstop Johnny Estrada, I'd look into wearing an oven mitt on my throwing hand, because pitchers in this series bring gas to the mound. The Astros send postseason hero Andy Pettitte, ageless phenomenon Roger Clemens (people usually say 'He could play 'til he's fifty' as hyperbole), and legitimate #1 Roy Oswalt in the first three. They are countered by (deep breath) Tim Hudson, John Smoltz, and stroke-of-genius acquisition Jorge Sosa. I can't think of a guy from those six who doesn't have tremendous stuff; these guys tend not to mess around with pure finesse. In light of Clemens' phenomenal ERA and Oswalt's continued brilliance, it's hard not to favor them a little. At the same time, injuries could tip the scales at any time, as there are mild doubts as to the health of both the Rocket and Smoltz.
Edge: Slight, to Astros

Starting pitchers should last a while, but what comes afterward?
In the case of Houston, there is reason for optimism after the main man has left the field. While no one can touch the raw power of Brad Lidge, Dan Wheeler has had a tremendous year setting him up. Chad Qualls is a likely seventh-inning option, and Mike Gallo was called on late in the season in some matchup situations. For the representatives of the Tomahawk Chop, the picture is a bit murkier in the late innings. Former Tiger Kyle Farnsworth has nice stuff as the closer, but the pen has seen both Dan Kolb and Chris Reitsma lose that role over the course of 2005. Reitsma has battled hamstring woes, but it seems unlikely that Bobby Cox will trust Kolb in particularly important spots. Blaine Boyer has been a great story for Leo Mazzone and company, however, and the team may look to starters like John Thomson in long relief.
Edge: Astros

What if those guys on the mound need a little help?
The good news for both clubs is the fact that they were the top two in the National League in avoiding errors (the Braves had three fewer). Of course, some of this may be traced back to the fact that pitching tends not to allow as many hard hit balls for nine innings. In any case, Andruw Jones may have lost a half step but can still play center field competently, and Furcal is a slick fielder. As far as the Astros are concerned, Ausmus has a good rapport with his pitchers and has caught 18 runners stealing; he may well need a good arm in this series. Chris Burke has thrown out 27 runners primarily from left field, although he is not a lock to play every day.
Edge: Braves

After eight innings, who will be able to confidently say, "Put me in, coach"?
Young Kelly Johnson has driven in 40 for Atlanta, especially while several regulars were injured. Either the ancient Julio Franco or the surprisingly productive Adam LaRoche will certainly be called upon at some point in a pinch. Wilson Betemit is their steals guy, and rookie Ryan Langerhans has the respect of the revered Cox. Houston's Phil Garner likes having a versatile journeyman like Jose Vizcaino around, and Mike Lamb played over 90 games partly because Lance Berkman missed action. Carrying two extra catchers is part of the Astros' equation.
Edge: Slight, to Braves

Verdict: Braves, in 5


Tuesday, October 04, 2005

My last preview for the day pits the team of my region against the team of my heart.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will play the New York Yankees of the Bronx. Given the Yanks' relative lack of success against the Halos this year, it's not really an opportunity I relish. But, as a buddy put it, this is New York's chance to avenge the 2002 Division Series, which Anaheim won 3-1. Will the Yankees' lack of home-field hurt them this time around? Well, having it three years ago wasn't enough to spur them to victory. Whether I'm right or wrong about the series outcome, I'll be there tonight to see for myself.

The outcome of the series will be based on execution, not some formula for scoring runs.
The Yankees will want to keep speedy Angels like Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis off the bases, but power hitting will be significant, since this is unlikely to be an extremely low-scoring series. The Angels, for their part, will want to limit the bases on balls they issue, because sluggers like 3B Alex Rodriguez and especially RF Gary Sheffield love coming up with runners on base, and number three hitter Jason Giambi led the league in on-base percentage. If New York can establish a trend of power and patience, they will be well served particularly if LF Hideki Matsui stays in his groove. The Angels will help their cause by running up pitch counts and turning pesky at-bats into hits in front of Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson. To me, however, the Angels will look to a less likely source of offense to get them over the top: C Bengie Molina has had a fine offensive year, particularly at his position. Furthermore, 3B Robb Quinlan is a dark horse candidate to receive some praise.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees

Does good pitching really beat good hitting most of the time? Here's a litmus test.
As the saying goes, if you can make it in the Big Apple, you can make it anywhere. The same might be said about pitching to men in pinstripes, particularly in Yankee Stadium (Robinson Cano's amazing road hitting excepted). The Southern Californians, however, have two quality starters to begin the series in Bartolo Colon and John Lackey, then are expected to use the surprising Paul Byrd and 2002 vet Jarrod Washburn. If Colon can forget his awful outing against the Yankees in April, he can give his team a chance to win in Game 1. The Yankees, meanwhile, likely begin the series with Mike Mussina and sinkerballer Chien-Ming Wang, with a streaking Randy Johnson held until Game 3 in the house that Ruth built and resurrected Shawn Chacon to follow. Mussina looked dazzling two starts ago against Baltimore, then very flat in his last appearance against the very same Orioles.
Edge: Push

Who can you trust in this day and age?
I'm speaking about the relief corps of each team, both of which have tough eighth and ninth-inning men, but far less solid options beforehand. I've seen the Yankees seventh-inning men blow a three-run lead late in the game to Anaheim, and watched as even quality Angel relievers gave away a game in the Empire State. It seems as though Francisco Rodriguez is over his slump, and Scot Shields should continue to get the call with a lead in the eighth. Meanwhile, Yankee Tom Gordon has been riding a hot streak, and Mariano Rivera is making us doubt his age with his continued excellence finishing ballgames. At the same time, Brendan Donnelly has been a puzzle for the Angels, who would love one more effective arm as a complement. Tanyon Sturtze was a horse for New York in the first half, but Joe Torre may not know what he can get from him. Aaron Small should fill a need as a converted starter for the Bombers, and Ervin Santana could be a great bridge should the Angels choose not to use him in his conventional role.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees

With bona fide mashers on both sides, preventing hits will be at a premium.
The Angels committed the second fewest errors in the majors (88), while the Yankees were tagged with 95. If the Yankees play Bubba Crosby in the outfield, it will be to their advantage defensively in comparison with aging legend Bernie Williams. It also appears that Sheffield is healthy: he made two sliding catches on Saturday after battling a nagging hamstring ailment. Both he and Guerrero have plus arms, which might make for some interesting drama at home plate. In the infield, the Angels have gotten a fine defensive season from SS Orlando Cabrera just as New York has enjoyed Alex Rodriguez' glovework at the hot corner. Angel 1B Darin Erstd would get the nod over Giambi, but it seems as if the Yankee defense has been overly criticized.
Edge: Slight, to Angels

When it's late and close, what options do the managers have?
Anaheim is helped by its depth, with guys like Casey Kotchman available for power when they're not playing regularly. Izturis or Zach Sorensen can pinch run, just as Tony Womack may for their opponents. The Yankees may look to Ruben Sierra or Tino Martinez as a bat off the bench and defensive presence, respectively, but Sierra has not earned his keep of late. Jeff DaVanon and backup backstop Jose Molina may also be called upon to swing the bat.
Edge: Push

Verdict: Yankees, in 5

Which Sox will be hung out to dry?
Baseball analysts are fond of saying that the game is unlike any other, and results are rarely as predictable as in sports like basketball. This sort of idea is the very reason why I approach the Chicago/Boston series with trepidation, worrying whether I'll pick up on the wrong cues and read the matchup incorrectly. Then again, scores of so-called 'experts' have fallen into the same trap over the years.

Can the White Sox end their drought for the South Side faithful?
This was the season I thought Chicago was just too undermanned for a run at the postseason. It seemed like I would pick them to win the Central every year based on their combination of decent pitching and good power, but 2005 seemed like a long shot. As they say, that's why the games aren't played on paper. On the other hand, Boston appeared to lack intensity at the beginning of the season according to some observers, and did not get the blazing start that the Pale Hose enjoyed. Nevertheless, their power hitting allowed them to come back in many a game en route to another Wild Card berth.

What kind of ball will you be playing tonight?
Much has been made of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's 'smartball,' with its emphasis on speed and getting runners over. No doubt, the acquisition of beyond-speedy center fielder Scott Podsednik contributed to the effectiveness of such a philosophy. Of course, 1B Paul Konerko rebounded from a tough 2004 to once again become the team's thumper; after all, man cannot live on singles alone. The emergence of a legitimate rookie of the year candidate at second base didn't hurt either: Tadahito Iguchi is for real. The Red Sox, for their part, are a patient sort up and down the lineup, from CF Johnny Damon to 3B Bill Mueller. It's quite likely that the series won't be decided by how many homers DH David Ortiz hits, but rather how many guys can get on base in front of he and LF Manny Ramirez.
Edge: Red Sox

Is pitching really the key?
The men in black sure hope so. White Sox pitching was something of a riddle this year: extremely effective at times, and yet surprisingly inconsistent by season's end. Still, Jose Contreras has been terrific down the stretch and is starting the first game despite Mark Buehrle's ace-like performance most of the season. First half-phenomenon Jon Garland will get the ball in Game 3. The darlings of the Fenway crowds, however, have pitched less admirably. Curt Schilling has had two nice starts against the Yankees surrounded by mostly abysmal peformances, and Matt Clement has a nice win total but poor second-half track record. David Wells is effective at times but looks old, and Tim Wakefield's knuckler has made him perhaps the team's finest starter. There are doubts even about this, though, as Saturday's performance in Boston demonstrates.
Edge: White Sox

Do starters bother looking over their shoulders at the bullpen?
For much of the year, White Sox starters didn't care about relief pitching, because they were finishing some games themselves. I still remember a Garland start from May when he shut out Oakland with hardly a baserunner along the way. In September, long relievers have shown some signs of wear, but Chicago has some quality arms in Damaso Marte, Cliff Politte, and Neal Cotts. In fact, in makes you wonder why Guillen has the stomach for the intriguing but inconsistent Bobby Jenks. Boston is just hoping to get by with a decent outing by the starter and enough offense to carry the day. Jon Papelbon has been a ray of sunshine for a depleted 'pen, but Terry Francona rarely trusts anyone but Papelbon and Mike Timlin. Mike Myers and Chad Bradford are used sometimes too sparingly in matchup situations.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox

Can either team steal a few big hits?

The South Siders committed 94 errors to the Red Sox' 109, although neither team was particularly effective in keeping runners from stealing, which also works to the advantage of run-oriented Chicago. Furthermore, the White Sox have a terrific center fielder in Aaron Rowand, who literally stole two doubles in a single inning at Yankee Stadium. Boston fans will point to Manny Ramirez high outfield assist total: his arm may be better than his glove, but his numbers are undoubtedly aided by the cozy dimensions of left field at Fenway. If the Red Sox ever insert Alex Cora instead of Tony Graffanino at second base or John Olerud in place of 1B Kevin Millar, their defensive alignment looks a bit better.
Edge: Slight, to White Sox

Which benchwarmers may find the spotlight?
The aforementioned Olerud is a favorite of Francona's for pinch-hitting duties as well, which makes one wonder why he doesn't start in the first place. Adam Stern will do some running if games are close, and 3B Kevin Youkilis as well as 1B Roberto Petagine are the best candidates for hitting on the spot. Chicago has infielder Willie Harris as a burner, and Timo Perez can run as well as play some outfield. Geoff Blum is a fair bet to be a defensive subsitute for 1B Konerko should the White Sox have a lead in the late innings.
Edge: Slight, to Red Sox

Verdict: Red Sox, in 5

Finally, 'I Live For This' has arrived.

The postseason begins in mere minutes for the eight teams fortunate enough to advance this far, and there's no time like the present for analyzing the matchups. First, I'll begin with the first game of the day, St. Louis vs. San Diego.

Two cities founded on religious fervor experience faith of a different sort.
It's Midwest versus Pacific Coast. Toasted ravioli against fish tacos. French outpost at war against Spanish mission. Furthermore, these two teams couldn't be much more different with respect to their regular season experiences. The Cardinals, fresh off their National League pennant in 2004, picked up where they left off and clinched the Central division with two weeks left in the year. The Padres had a reasonable lead for much of the season and waited until September 29 to win the West with an 82-80 record. Unlike the Redbirds, the Friars faltered enough down the stretch to make the Giants' late-season charge a bit compelling.

Bust out the whooping sticks.
Should the Cards be able to do so, it could be a brief series for the Pads. 1B Albert Pujols is a perennial MVP candidate, CF Jim Edmonds still hits for power, and despite the injury to star 3B Scott Rolen have nice depth for a National League lineup. However, injuries have plagued the lineup, from outfielders Larry Walker to Reggie Sanders. The Padres are not bereft of quality hitters, either, although OF Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko could do well to provide a few homers for the club. The trouble is, the top several batters in the lineup are not well protected by the rest of the squad, so intentionally walking Giles or allowing a double to 2B Mark Loretta may not hurt you as much as it would against better offensive teams.
Edge: Cardinals

Am I hot or not?
Often, teams will choose postseason starting pitchers not on based on the career of a particular hurler, but rather on how that individual finished the season. The Cardinals start Chris Carpenter in Game 1, who struggled in September despite a Cy Young-caliber season. The Padres will go with Jake Peavy, who excelled in his start against the Cards on July 27 and has terrific numbers in 2005. The trouble is, the Padres have minimal rotation depth, which doesn't hurt as much in the playoffs, but still might derail the team's chances of shutting down the opposing offense. Matt Morris has had his difficulties, but I'll take him and Mark Mulder over Adam Eaton and Pedro Astacio at this point in the year.
Edge: Cardinals

That's a bunch of bull!
The good news: San Diego has a superior bullpen, with Scott Linebrink setting up Trevor Hoffman as well as middle relievers Clay Hensley and Rudy Seanez despite Chris Hammond getting hurt. The Cardinals are reeling from an injury in the final regular season contest to Al Reyes, so they may rely on closer Jason Isringhausen more than usual. Lefty Randy Flores and longtime big league Julian Tavarez will have to fill some of the void.
Edge: Padres

Let's see some D!
I believe that defense is sometimes overrated, but in the postseason a critical error can dramatically change the tone of a particular series. Over the year, Cardinal fielders committed nine fewer errors than the Padres with very comparable putout numbers. Using Baseball Prospectus' formula for fielding percentage, St. Louis compiled a fielding percentage of .984 compared to San Diego's .981. Of course, in the playoffs teams tend to use a narrower range of players than over a full 162 games.
Edge: Push

Riding the pine can pay off.
Does anyone remember defensive replacement Jim Leyritz's key home run in Game 3 of the 1996 World Series? Just because a player fails to start a particular game doesn't mean he can't have an impact. Because a team needs fewer pitchers during the playoffs, benches tend to expand compared to the regular season (40-man rosters notwithstanding). In sifting through the playoff rosters, 2B Hector Luna looks like the super sub for St. Louis, hitting .285 in close to 140 at-bats for the big club. Luna also stole ten bases, while OF So Taguchi swiped 11 in far more games. The Pads have speed in outfielder Eric Young and center fielder Dave Roberts is a true blazer whether he begins a game or not. Former Cal player Xavier Nady has a little pop, and Damian Jackson is a nice utility guy particularly for a Senior Circuit team that may do some double switching.
Edge: Slight, to Padres

Verdict: Cardinals, in 4

Monday, October 03, 2005

Come to think of it, the idea of sports as a common cultural bond makes a lot of sense.

Even if he is a Boston fan, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons always seems to write entertaining material. From critiquing wide receivers' hair to wondering why the Red Sox spent an exorbitant sum on lost-cause pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim, Simmons has built a considerable fan base nationwide. Recently, he did something that was a little surprising by interviewing author Chuck Klosterman on a myriad of topics. One of Klosterman's thoughts jumped out at me as I read the lengthy transcript, and it was the following:

There is a shared knowledge of sports in America that is unlike our shared knowledge of anything else. Whenever I have to hang out with someone I've never met before, I always find myself secretly thinking, "I hope this dude knows about sports. I hope this dude knows about sports. I hope this dude knows about sports." Because if he does, I know the rest of the conversation will be easy.

Not a week later, I went to watch jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson in Newport Beach. Earlier in the day, New York had experienced a crippling sixth inning against Boston, in which Jason Giambi made a critical error to spot the Red Sox two runs, and the men in pinstripes succumbed 5-3. This immediately made me curious about the outcome of Cleveland's game, as the Indians were challenging both Eastern clubs for the Wild Card. After Ron Belliard tied it in the ninth, I listened intently on my satellite radio as I made the drive to the concert. During the show's intermission, I found out in the adjacent hotel bar that the White Sox had triumphed in 13 innings, prompting me to jump several feet in the air. When a man in the room spotted my Yankee cap, he moaned about their most recent loss in Fenway. My cheery answer was "Well, at least the Indians lost" as I instinctively gave him a thumbs up. That seemed to brighten his spirits a little, because he replied emphatically: "That's good!". As I strode back to my seat on the lawn, I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I had just had an conversation, however brief, with a total stranger in an unfamiliar place--about sports.

As always, I can't help but love my teams.
I recently affirmed that my professional allegiances are still strong. When I opened ESPN The Magazine's hockey preview, I literally cheered when I saw the New York Rangers were ranked last in their division. In the last half decade, and even in many of the years since their 1994 Stanley Cup Title, the Blueshirts have been a walking joke. The franchise had a payroll comparable to the Yankees and Knicks relative to each sport, yet missed the playoffs every year since 1997. It's a wonder I missed hockey when the lockout was announced before the 2004-05 campaign was to begin. But there's something about being a Ranger fan in this age that is oddly compelling: yes, our team is awful, but we won't go away. Several years ago, my beloved squad scored a goal in overtime to win a game, and I let out a burst of joy. I'm normally polite enough with my parents, but when my dad admonished me that someone was on the phone, all that came out of my mouth was "I don't give a damn!" I remember attending road games in San Jose, listening to dozens of matchups on NHL.com, and watching many more on national television in 2003-04, even as the Canadiens and Devils of the world poured puck after puck into the Ranger net. An e-mail written to the mailbag of John Buccigross reminded me of this defiant attitude:

"Essentially, from a Ranger fan's perspective, it's like you're making fun of a short fat kid for being short and fat due to genetics. See, even though this child was born into this unfortunate situation and there is nothing he can do about this unfortunate situation, he still has to deal with and deal with others making fun of him."

After Sunday's game and the latest news on their quarterback, maybe you can add Jets fans to the list.



Sunday, October 02, 2005

I could be disingenuous and marvel that two of baseball's playoff spots come down to the final day of play, but today was an athletic Ode to Joy for me.

I don't mean to detract from the interest value of the situation, in which the Wild Card is still up for grabs in each league heading into Sunday. In the American League, the suddenly sliding Indians need a win and a Boston loss to force a one-game playoff in Fenway Park on Monday. Meanwhile, Houston also leads the Senior Circuit race by a single game over the Phillies. It will be interesting to see how the strength of opponent contributes to each situation: for example, the Yankees are saving Mike Mussina for the postseason and will instead throw Jaret Wright against the Red Sox tomorrow. In addition, New York manager Joe Torre stated that he will rest at least some of his regulars against their bitter rivals.

The reason for these maneuvers, of course, was the fact that the Yankees clinched the Eastern division title today, winning their contest and getting some help from the White Sox, who once again used many non-regular players in defeating Cleveland. Having followed the men in pinstripes since the first pitch in April, I can't help but feel a little proud for the team. Winning is expected from the franchise (they've won eight straight division titles), but down the stretch in this season I really began to fret about the odds they would reach the postseason. Torre once noted that, after coming within three outs of winning the 2001 World Series, he was asked if the team could do better the following season. The pressure is as extreme as anywhere in baseball (with the possible but unlikely exception of Yawkey Way), and now owner George Steinbrenner will expect his men to emerge victorious in October. For the moment, though, relief has engulfed me.

I thought I'd check in with the aftermath of my college football thoughts.

Aside from having marched in college, and thus seeing every Cal home game in person, I'm really not an enormous fan of the college game as a whole. However, I certainly follow my own team, and they've gotten off to a 5-0 start after defeating Arizona 28-0. It was great to see the Bears' kick returner and cornerback Tim Mixon appear with CB Daymeion Hughes on the TBS postgame interview, especially because I got to know Mixon a little in my days in the dorms. Both logged interceptions against Arizona quarterback Alex Kovalcheck, who was under siege for much of the game. Meanwhile, RB Marshaun Lynch returned from a finger injury to log 110 yards on the ground. Cal's strength of schedule so far has been relatively minimal, but they will face conference rival and fellow undefeated club UCLA next weekend. The Bruins squeaked out a last-minute victory against (at least ostensibly) far inferior Washington after trailing 10-0 at the half.

The other perfect team in the Pacific 10? Why, that would be USC, who sent Arizona State to its second lost of the season; one has to admit that the Sun Devils have had pretty bad luck losing two close games to the first and fourth ranked teams in the nation. The Trojans overcame a 21-3 deficit in an eventual 38-28 triumph in Tempe. Sam Keller threw for 347 for the home squad, but had 5 balls intercepted compared to zero for USC's Matt Leinart. Furthermore, the Trojans absolutely dominated the ground game, grabbing an eye-popping 355 yards rushing. What struck me most about this game, was the fact that Sun Devil Stadium was positively full: some of this has to do with the heralded opponent, but the last time I witnessed Cal beat ASU the place was not even halfway to capacity. Also, how does the Trojan Band get to travel to every away game? Perhaps, as my friend suggests, every aspect of the school is well endowed.

Shaq's alma mater LSU was able to recover against Mississippi State, but another game I highlighted before Saturday did not turn out so predictably. The Alabama Crimson Tide took advantage of their home field in scoring an upset over Florida, and by a score of 31-3. I'm not going to say I predicted this one, but a team like the Gators just has to tumble in the rankings now, especially considering their nearly nonexistent offensive totals. Gator QB Chris Leak completed just 16 out of 37 passes on the day, and Alabama's Brodie Croyle was highly efficient in tossing the pigskin just 17 times the entire contest.