The following is a piece that was inspired by brainstorming my response to LeBron returning to the Cavs. I am in the process of crafting a LeBron-specific piece (which will follow shortly), but unexpectedly, what started as a preface to LeBron turned into a whole separate piece about an essential aspect of sports fanaticism; hating...
Life is full of four-letter words. Some are pleasant; others, not so much. What I can say about four-letter words, or words with any number of letters for that matter, is that they have to be read or heard in context. There may be universal perceptions of words, but most words usually carry more depth than their face value lets on.
Hate. "Hate is a strong word," is a common response to the word's use. "You're such a hater," is also a common response used to call someone out for being openly critical. Hate is a four-letter word that carries a lot of weight, but also a lot of complexity. Not unlike "love," hate communicates an extreme end of the emotional spectrum. That said, it also communicates the next level of the word "dislike." Think about it - you can love your spouse, pizza, USA Soccer, and your co-workers, but all in different capacities. Well, shouldn't "hate" have the same elastic clause available to its use?
Hating can be evil, malicious, dark, and poisonous; but it can also be entertaining, communicative, and fun. In fact, my message is about just how valuable hating can be in creating healthy and interesting competition. I hate LeBron James, New York hates Boston, I hate VCU basketball, Madison Square Garden hates Reggie Miller, I hate Derek Jeter, and Bears fans hate Packers fans. None of the above indicates a hope, wish, or desire for neither injury nor physical harm; rather, it describes the fanatical desire for competitive failure or struggle.
The sad thing is that in our current culture of "spreading the wealth around," over-sensitivity, pampering, and argumentative twenty-somethings with active social media accounts; healthy hating has become a crime. This crime is usually portrayed through an accusation of "drinking the haterade." A crime I'm happy to say I've committed plenty of times (as admitted above). As an avid sports fan, my advocacy is for all of us to be able to hate in peace. All's fair in love and war right? So let the Sox hate the Yankees and the other Sox hate the Cubbies, let me hate Derek Jeter because he got drafted in the right place at the right time and owes the Yankees more than they owe him. Let the Garden hate Reggie for all those clutch 3-pointers, and let Maryland fans hate JJ Redick for how money he was with that jumper (ok, it was a little harsh, but even he was smirking during those foul shots). Let the Tide roll with hatred when they line up against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and let Navy hate Army every December. Let Duke fans hate Tyler Hansbrough's childish and whiny face, and certainly let Cleveland Cavs fans hate LeBron for the selfish, attention-seeking stunt he pulled in July 2010.
Hating is what makes fans (short for fanatics!) that much more passionate about purpose, rivalry, and high-stakes encounters. But I beg you to hate realistically, because there is absolutely a threshold of moderation. Please, please, please, never hate the way that Dodgers fans did to Bryan Stow in the parking lot, and never ever hate the way that Harvey Updyke did to those oak trees in Auburn. The people who abuse the moderated zone of hatred, turn it into the evil word that we know it to be, and shouldn't be imitated or excused. The abusers of hate however, as with most things, are in a minority and are not representative of everyone else.
That's not to say that there is no space for disapproval in sports either though. In fact, for me, below the people who I "hate on" for fun, are the people that I "can't stand" for legitimate reasons. The two that jump to mind involve the last two Super Bowl champions. I couldn't stand watching Ray Lewis be glorified by the media and then hired by a Disney company, after being an accomplice to murder a decade earlier (innocent until proven guilty at its best). And I also couldn't standPete Carroll being glorified as a "great man" for leading the Seahawks to a championship, but it being taboo to mention how he left the USC Trojans in shambles, particularly the student athletes who paid the price for his wrongdoing. I may be criticized for my opinions on the things that I can't stand, and that's fine, but that's not haterade, that's trying to bring awareness to sad realities...and if you think it's just a case of me "hating" the Ravens or the Seahawks winning, you are sadly mistaken. I loved seeing O.J. Brigance win that trophy, and seeing Russell Wilson perform at the highest level.
To be honest, I can truly say I am thankful for the players who have allowed me to hate for fun. Thank you LeBron, for not being Ray Lewis, and just being someone I could root against on the court and laugh at your childish TV special. Thank you Rex Ryan for not being Pete Carroll, and just being an over-confident, foot-loving coach who I could make fun of because you were in my division. You see, any true sports fan knows that haterade is part of the game, and it makes it fun. And the best case scenario is that you never have actual reasons to hate somebody, rather, just an annoying player that you can hate like you hate Mondays.
Just because some people taint the use of alcohol, do you stay sober? Just because some people drive recklessly, do you always hold the needle on the speed limit? And just because some people hate with evil, does it mean that you can't pour passion into your fanhood? I certainly hope not. So don't go around chugging haterade beyond reason, but I'd hate to see all the fun you'd miss out on if you didn't at least take a moderated sip.
It was Saturday, April 28, 2012 when the city of Chicago froze. With 1:22 left in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, the whole city held their breath. And after Derrick Rose tore his ACL in that moment, as the city now anxiously awaits his return, some fans still haven't exhaled.
With it being the last day of the regular season and both the Angels and Phillies eliminated from playoff contention, I felt like this point just needed to be made...
It is notably ironic that when Albert Pujols signed his recent contract with the Los Angeles Angels, that his average annual salary tied him for third on the list of active players, with none other than Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee (A-Rod and Ryan Howard rank 1 and 2).
There was a concept that I've repeated back-to-back off-seasons, mainly to my younger brother and a few close friends; in winter of 2010 it was that Cliff Lee needed the Texas Rangers more than the Rangers needed him, and in winter of 2011 it was that Albert Pujols needed the St. Louis Cardinals more than the Cardinals needed him. The two players' relationships with their former teams held high levels of intangible value in different ways. It turns out that both of these players believed themselves to be bigger than their now ex-teams, and went chasing after what I deem as "fool's gold."
A concept that is often discussed in our culture today is the amount of power and influence that the media has, particularly in the realm of politics. Well I would argue that their degree of power and influence extends to the realm of sports as well.
There was a piece I wanted to write over a year ago when the VCU Rams defeated my beloved Kansas Jayhawks in the 2011 NCAA March Madness tournament, as part of their dream journey to the Final Four. I was going to focus on how the media was the team that beat the Jayhawks, not the Rams. I'm not trying to minimize the enormous accomplishment of VCU, but the fact of the matter is that if that game was played in a closed gym, with no fans, no cameras, and no reporters, the Jayhawks would have squashed their competition.
Too bad for Kansas, that's not how sports work these days.
This isn’t one of those pieces about “appreciate your
finances, because there are poor people in the world.” While that’s very true and you should count
your blessings, that message is repeated quite often, so I’ve got something
else for you to appreciate.
I don’t know if I’m ever going to catch it. You know, that feeling we all chase as if we
can finally be “caught up” in life.
To-do lists - we all have several of them. Sure there’s the “work” to-do list, but what
about the “you” to-do list…yea, that’s the one that we really never catch.
According to the Mayans this will be the last NFL postseason that we ever have. If that is the case, we will definitely be ending the history of the league on a high note. After a long off-season which featured much ambiguity as to whether football would even be played in Fall 2011, the league, owners, and players reached a deal that ended the strike in time to get us a full season. The only loss was some time to prep through preseason games and workouts, but that’s far better than having an adjusted schedule, like the NBA. Imagine if the NFL started at the end of October with teams playing on Sundays AND Wednesdays…yea, crazy.
So the storylines of this year were plenty. After the prequel of the strike, things got under way quickly with the Aaron Rodgers/Drew Brees shootout on opening night. I remember that one fondly because I thought Rodgers’ three 1st quarter touchdowns were just the beginning of a big fantasy night, as my opponent and older brother, was featuring Brees in his lineup. Sure enough, Brees ended the night with more fantasy points, but Rodgers came out with the W…the first of 13 in a row to start the season.
In addition, 2011 featured the Buffalo Bills circling the wagons better than most, with a 4-1 start, including a comeback win over Bill Belichick’s notorious Patriots. Then, shortly after dipping into their savings account for Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills followed up their hot start with a 2-9 finish. Other top storylines included Jim Harbaugh’s turnaround of the 49ers, leading them to a division crown and first round bye, despite his 16-6 loss to his big brother and the Ravens on Thanksgiving.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Cam Newton’s dominance, the Colts’ almost “defeated” season, the Dolphins’ 6-3 finish to an 0-7 start, the Texans investing in their own personal hospital since their players (mainly any QB named Matt) were maxing out bed space in Houston, the Bears losing their top two offensive threats in consecutive weeks, the Chargers underachieving and not firing their coach (wait I thought that was 2010, or 2008, no maybe 2009…meh, too hard to keep track), Rex Ryan talking the talk while being unable to walk the walk (maybe he should walk on a treadmill this off-season), the “dream team” in Philly finishing at a nightmarish 8-8, and of course Tim Tebow charming people into thinking he can play quarterback, followed by reality setting in and him closing the season with QB stats that ranked 34th in a 32-team league.
And now time for the main reason we are here today, some futures picks for the 2012 NFL playoffs. Before getting into the actual picks, I will make some standard disclaimers. I’ll then follow up the picks with a couple of game notes, but there will be no lengthy game-by-game analysis…I’ll leave that to ESPN and their 297 hours of pre-playoff coverage and speculation.
> The Curse Has Been Lifted – After hating the New England Patriots for most of my life and being unable to remain neutral in picking their games, I can now admit that I am a recovered hater. I still strongly dislike the Patriots, but after they gave Tim Tebow the beating that he deserved, I felt like the Grinch with my heart growing to at least respect the Pats. So there is no more issue with me not picking the Patriots just because I hate them.
> The TOR – When in grad school, one of my student employees noted that I made many of my sports picks based on the “Inzirillo Theory of Redemption.” This theory claims that despite some statistical data, certain teams have a marked intangible advantage over an opponent because of their momentum and mindset based on a previous experience. For example if two teams, in any sport, had fairly comparable talent but one was on a 5-game winning streak, and the other a 5-game losing streak, I would be hesitant to pick against the latter of the two, because they are “due for a win.” Just wanted to put that out there, as it might come into play for some of my picks.
> The Loneliest Number – One truly is the loneliest number and this year’s lonely team is the Denver Broncos. They are lonely because the 11 other playoff teams fall into the category of “have a chance to win a Super Bowl.” The Broncos are a Marion Barber fumble away from not being in the playoffs and were lucky to back their way in with a loss at home to Kansas City…and the QB (Kyle Orton, #redemption) that they chased out of town. Of course there are teams that are more likely to go all the way than others, but any of the 11 teams could win and it wouldn’t be a total shocker. However, if the Broncos win on Tebow’s 3/29 passing, 26 passing yards, 38 rushing yards, and somehow 2 receptions, it will simply confirm that December 21, 2012 will indeed be the end of the world.
> New Kids On The Block – This year’s playoffs feature a balanced roster of teams with six returners and six teams not featured in the 2011 postseason. Of the six newbies, the Broncos have already been addressed, while the Bengals and Giants are not unfamiliar to the playoff scene. That leaves us with the Texans, Niners, and Lions. Houston will be playing in the first playoff game in franchise history, San Francisco hasn’t played a postseason game since 2002, meanwhile Detroit has not been to the playoffs since 1999 and they haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. One of these teams has a wildcard game on the road (DET), one has a wildcard game at home (HOU), and one has a first-round-bye (SF)…should be interesting to see if they can succeed despite a lack of recent postseason experience.
> Time To Pee Or Get Off The Pot – The Ravens, Giants, and Patriots have all won a championship in this century, but they also all haven’t done much lately in terms of postseason success. Year after year all three teams are in the thick of things, and then they either narrowly miss the playoffs, or get eliminated before things get serious. Meanwhile the Falcons are making their third playoff birth in the last four years, but have yet to notch a win. Will one of these mainstay competitors finally step up to the plate?
> The Champs Are Here – Not only is it fascinating that 12 of the last 15 Super Bowl titles were won by franchises that are in the playoffs this year, but the last four consecutive SB Champs are in the postseason pool. The Giants, Steelers, Saints, and Packers have won the last four championships, respectively. Clearly there is some longevity to their dominance, can one of them claim their second title in a 5-year period?
And now for the picks (home team in Italics):
Week 1.
Texans def. Bengals
Saints def. Lions
Giants def. Falcons
Steelers def. Broncos
Sure, the Texans have lost three in a row, but it was after they clinched the division. I’m not saying that they lost on purpose, but they didn’t have their backs against the wall. I think they will bring everything they have in a must-win game and TJ Yates manages a good game. As for the Saints, here’s the theory of redemption at play – after Seattle upset them and dealt them a first round exit last year, the Saints will have playoff redemption on the mind…no way they lose at home. The Giants seem to only lose games that they are clearly supposed to win (see: Redskins, Seahawks, Redskins again). So due to the fact that they aren’t a run-away favorite against Atlanta, I like them to come through. In addition, the Falcons wedged their way into the playoffs with a soft schedule down the stretch – their Week 7 win against Detroit is their only victory against a team with a winning record this season. Finally, although Tebow is getting lucky with a few Steelers injuries, their defense will still own him. And listen people, let’s not freak out if Denver pulls off a miracle, remember how quickly the hype about Seattle’s 1st round upset died last year after the Bears sent them home.
Week 2.
49ers def. Saints
Steelers def. Patriots
Ravens def. Texans
Packers def. Giants
These four games were the hardest to pick. In a straight matchup at a neutral site I would take the Saints over SanFran, but there are too many advantages for the Niners. SanFran will be well rested AND at home, where their only loss was to Dallas in overtime in week 2. New Orleans has been so inconsistent on the road, with shocking losses at Tampa Bay and St. Louis earlier this season. That, in addition to the 49ers having more time to game-plan for Brees gave the Niners the very slight edge in my book (can’t wait to see Vegas’ line on that game). Moving on, I was tempted to take the Pats to prove how much I am not biased against them, but the truth is to just look at what their swiss cheese defense gave up to Tebow. The Steelers solid offensive system, plus their proven ability to contain Brady gives them the edge. And yes, I checked, Belichick has gone 0-2 against a non-division foe in the same season before (2006 Colts). I’ll take the Ravens over the injured Texans, with Baltimore having more time to prep and due for a big playoff win - great season for Houston though, definitely something to build on. Finally, I wanted to pick the Giants to upset the Packers, the way that they did to the Pats in Super Bowl XLII, but there is just no way they can go to Lambeau and win.
Conference Championship.
Steelers def. Ravens
Packers def. 49ers
Again employing the theory of redemption I cannot see the Ravens beating the Steelers three times in the same season, even if they are hosting. Plus the Ravens have been too inconsistent this season to beat a team that is so solid on both sides of the ball. When it comes to the NFC, the marked advantages the Niners had over the Saints will both be gone – they will now be on the road, and at equal resting/prep time with a superior Packers unit.
Super Bowl.
Packers def. Steelers
I hate doing this to the Steel City, but we haven’t had a repeat champion since the Pats in ‘04/’05, and we haven’t had a repeat SB matchup since Dallas and Buffalo in ‘93/’94, with the Cowboys winning both times. I just think that the Packers match up well against the Steelers, and Aaron Rodgers is excellent indoors. As of last year’s SB, Rodgers' dome passer rating was 111.5, and that number has only increased this season. I think it will be another great game, like last year, and only showcases the lasting dominance that both of these franchises have in their respective conferences.
SB XXVIII in 1994 was the last time we witnessed a repeat matchup.
Now, what do I know? I’m just a guy with a laptop. I’m hoping that I can outdo myself from last year’s picks where I went 8/11 in playoff games. But the simplest truth about football is that on “any given Sunday” any team can beat any team. Either way, right or wrong, and especially if the Mayans know what they’re talking about, the NFL playoffs will be going out with a bang, and they sure are going to be great to watch.
Competition. It is at the root of almost everything that we do. To compete means to battle, to work hard, and potentially to struggle. So why do we like it so much? Why do we as human beings seek out competition and weave it into the many threads that construct the meaning of our lives? I think it’s because that battle, that struggle to succeed, is what defines us. You can only measure the quality of your success by the magnitude of what sacrifices it took to get there.
We are emotional beings, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Some people may have thicker skin than others, but that just means their struggle is that much more personal to them and they protect that truth with walls of sternness. What no individual can hide from is the fact that competition exists all around us – on a practical scale, we compete against each other as individuals, we like to place friendly wagers when we disagree so that we can be rewarded for “being right,” we compete against tough material in the classroom, or the impossible economy in the workplace. Then on an intangible scale we compete against standards, the status quo, doubt, adversity, and what is usually referred to as the impossible.
We sometimes forget that all these arenas of competition exist, because we want to pretend that we are passive beings whose lives are not defined by competition. Well nobody is fooling me. And so while this article is about sports, I wanted to lead in with a reminder that even if you’re not a sports fan, you are still a competitor, which should give you an adequate frame of reference for what I have to say…
It was unreal on Wednesday, sitting in seat 22. It all ended right where it started. And this 24-year old author was taken back to the spring of 1994. It was the tail end of my time in 1st grade and I was a scrawny little kid with a lisp that could rival nails on a chalkboard. On a storybook spring morning, 45 minutes north of New York City, my dad was headed out the door for the Pony League coaches meeting. This was a big day because not only did you get the team roster and equipment, but you also got the uniforms.
I had been waiting for this day for a while – my older brother Joe had already played two seasons of little league by now and had jerseys from the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs to prove it. Now it was my turn to get a jersey…finally.
I sat in my parents’ bathroom and watched my dad shave, which had become part of my routine in getting up early during the week to see him off to work. Then as he brushed his teeth, I asked him to please try to get Mets jerseys, which at the time sounded something like “Daddy, pleaschh try to get the Metschh.” Joe was a Yankee fan, and in the same way that Joe loving Batman and Chip had made me favor Robin and Dale, I wanted the Mets to combat Joe’s Yankees.
My dad said he would try, but that a lot of people were going to try for the Mets. I said that was fine, and just hoped for something to separate me from Joe – so no Yankees, Astros, or Cubs, and I’d be a happy camper. Then, in the moment where my Dad walked out the door, my mother unknowingly changed my life forever when she said, “Frank, if you can’t get the Mets, get that new teal team – they will be easy to see when I pull up to the parking lot so I know what field you guys are playing at.” My dad came home that sunny April Saturday with a black trash bag of teal jerseys, and though it wasn’t what I had asked for, I threw on that #6 Marlins jersey for the first time and it still hasn’t come off.
Where it all started...
The Florida Marlins entered the league a year before I entered the world of baseball, but because it was during the player strike, I like to think that the two of us came into baseball together. Knowing that they were a new team and I was a new player, it stuck. I’ve been a fan of the Marlins for my entire life, and many people have come to reference me as the only Marlins fan that they know. As I grew up through the 90’s, the Marlins became synonymous with my young identity. As a Catholic school attendee, uniforms were a must, but every once in a while we were rewarded with “play-clothes.” Consistent as the sunrise, every time I got a chance to wear play-clothes, I made sure to sport some Marlins gear, to show people that I was proud of being the only Marlins fan they knew and that I could give two craps about the Bronx Bombers.
I could continue on and tell you the whole timeline of my Marlins fanship – but I’ll stick to the highlights. I’ll never forget 1997, coming home from school during the NLDS to catch the afternoon Game 1 between the Marlins and San Francisco Giants. I then remember having to play the Atlanta Braves who were on the early end of their NL East supremacy with a historic pitching rotation. After dispatching of the Braves in 6 games behind Livan Hernandez’s dominance on the mound, it was on to the Cleveland Indians for the big money. I remember the only regret I had in winning the World Series that season was that it wasn’t against the Yanks.
A 5th grader at the time, I went to school the next day, like a kid in a candy store, only to have the Yankees fans take away my celebration, “you’re lucky you didn’t have to play us, we would have crushed you.” Though a completely irrational argument, because the Yankees weren’t even good enough to get out of the first round that year, that was my first exposition to the true mantra of Yankees fans; gloat when we win, excuse when we lose (see the argument: we have 27 rings). It made the sweetness of my first championship (which, by the way, came much earlier than the Yanks’ first franchise title) taste sour.
Fortunately for me, karma seemed to take note that it now owed a debt to me. In 2003, I witnessed what I believe to be the best pair of pennant battles in my lifetime; the Marlins taking on the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox battling the Yanks. After a dramatic seven game series with the Cubbies, the Marlins had won the NL Pennant, making them 2-for-2 in such situations (that’s a better win percentage than the Yanks can boast…for those of you keeping score at home). The next night was Game 7 of the ALCS, and for the first and only time in my life, I rooted for the New York Yankees. When Aaron Boone hit that homerun I was speechless; six years after I heard my first jab about how the Yanks would have dominated the Marlins in the World Series, it was now time for Yankee fans to do something they often failed to do, back up all that trash talk. Too bad they weren’t up to the challenge.
In 2003 the Florida Marlins dominated the New York Yankees behind two wins from Brad Penny, an 11th inning Alex Gonzalez walk-off homerun, and a 5-hit series-clinching shutout behind the arm of World Series MVP Josh Beckett. The next day I had the opportunity to tell Yankee fans something that I had wanted to say from the moment they ruined my first championship, something that most baseball fans long to tell them today – shut up. But I didn’t. I didn’t gloat, I didn’t rub it in, I didn’t want to sink to their level. I had taken junk throughout the whole series without saying anything, especially when we went down 2-1, but on this day, the day after we were crowned champs, my silence was deafening.
I know that people will continue to make fun of the Marlins, their two “fire sales,” their poor attendance, and their predominantly sub-par performance. I’ll tell you what though, I’m glad I didn’t end up with a Mets or Cubs jersey back in ‘94, otherwise I’d still be waiting on my first big win, instead of having celebrated two unforgettable ones.
So there I sat in Section 102, Row 8, Seat 22, on Wednesday, literally taking hundreds of pictures as if it would help me to absorb the moment. I was joined by over 34,000 other spectators who came out to say goodbye to the only sports team I’ve ever loved.
It was unreal to be a part of something like that; to have taken the whole ride with a team and then to be there in person to witness the end of an era. What I did realize is that the Florida Marlins that I knew while growing up had started to fade away a long time ago. Ever since the team was bought by current owner Jeffrey Loria, the team has been changing. Loria, who was literally handed a World Series capable team, assumed ownership in 2002, and then took credit for the Marlins Championship season in 2003. That series-clinching tag by Beckett on Jorge Posada was the end of the real Florida Marlins.
Since then the Marlins have wheeled and dealed, slowly trading away all of their World Series contributors. Whether the media would agree with me or not, as a true fan, I will tell you what it felt like since 2002. It felt like Loria was a very selfish owner. The most basic example is how he slowly transitioned teal out of the team’s color scheme simply because he didn’t like it – I guess 10 years of history doesn’t count for anything. In addition, Loria and his stepson, team president David Samson, have been adamant about taking credit for all of the Marlins successes and none of their failures. They seem to have been more interested with leaving their mark on the team, than with the team leaving their mark on the field. Right or wrong, bitter or unbiased, that’s a fan’s perspective; and I’m sure that I’m not alone.
The truth is that since 2003, the Marlins have been fading away into a team that was “once upon a time,” and this past Wednesday was just the official book-end on an amazing run. I hope that the Miami Marlins, set to enter the world of Major League Baseball on 11/11 of this year, can carry at least a little bit of the Florida Marlins legacy. It’s too soon to tell right now how it will feel – if I will be as diehard about the Miami fish as I was about the Florida ones. I think it will be ok though, because as I sat there in seat 22 this week and looked at this father and son in front of me (both sporting some Marlins gear), I thought that some day I’ll take my little boy to see our Marlins play.
Getting my pic with a fellow "life-er"
This article is my tribute to the Marlins, and all that they have brought to my life. The Marlins taught me how to believe in the impossible, how to be an underdog, and how to never give up. Looking back on the years, I can say that I cheered for them passionately and defended them at every moment. Maybe it’s something I picked up from my New York stomping grounds. Clearly I’m not shy about my distaste for the Yankees, but I cannot deny the bond I have with those diehard fans from the Bronx – we both love our teams.
And that’s the connection. As much as competition can pit us against each other; whether it’s a fellow student in the classroom, a co-worker at the office, a player on the field or another fan in the stands, competition is something that brings us together. If we listen hard enough, competition is a language that we all speak, just in different dialects. But it’s important to appreciate that, to know that people can have the same level of investment in different things. And so while I love to watch the Yankees lose, I will never hesitate to throw their fans a bone, because I know how dedicated they are.
Seat 22. I can officially say that I am the last person to ever sit in that seat in the history of the Florida Marlins. And I will be there on 4/4/12 this spring to be the first person to sit in a seat (number TBD) in the history of the Miami Marlins. Words cannot describe the way that 18 years flashed before my eyes as I sat in that stadium. I remembered the few good seasons, the many bad ones, all the jokes I’ve had directed at me, and all the wishful predictions I’ve made. And then just when I thought the experience had been capped off, they play the top 10 moments in Marlins history up on the stadium big screens. By time they got to number 1, I knew who I would see. I knew I’d see the man whose picture has been above my bed since I was 10 years old.
Surely enough, as goosebumps filled my arms, Edgar Renteria was up on the screen in the bottom of the 11th inning. It was 10/26/97 all over again and I was sitting on the floor of my parents’ bedroom after midnight. And then, as if on cue, Edgar took that Charles Nagy pitch and lined it up the middle of the infield to send Craig Counsell home to a mob of ecstatic Marlins. It was over. We did it. And then I was back in 2011, sitting in Sun Life Stadium for the last time, eyes filled with water. I stood on my chair and applauded with the other 34,000 strong, said thanks so much for the ride, grabbed my game program, picked up my camera, and for the last time said goodbye, to seat 22.
This might not be the piece that you're looking for. In fact, if you've become accustomed to the sports-talk of our time, it's probably not. This piece is not going to speculate, criticize, lecture, or know better than anyone else. This piece will not talk about what the Pirates have done. It will not talk about what the Pirates might do or should do. This piece will not talk about who the Pirates were, who they could be, or who they should be. Plain and simple, because there is not enough focus on just this one thing, this piece will talk about what the Pittsburgh Pirates are doing.
I've started to notice it; in these last few months. It's only my second season working for the team, but something was different. I used to be the only bicycle on the rack outside the stadium; but I suddenly found myself hoping to get a spot. Hoping for a parking spot...on a bike...are you kidding me? No I'm not, it's really been that full. I remember last season, going out to sling t-shirts on a weeknight, and making jokes about how we could give out two to each fan in attendance. Not anymore. Now you can sling in any direction you want because on a Tuesday night there's over 26,000 fans hoping to grab one of the 20 shirts that we give away.
I remember leaving the stadium after working a game during the '10 season and having the Clemente Bridge all to myself as I biked back across the river. Last night, for the first time ever, I had to take the Warhol Bridge because Roberto's route had more traffic than the Fort Pitt and Squirrel Hill tunnels combined. I remember that as employees we could request tickets almost any night that we wanted because "the Pirates don't sell out, except for Opening Day." Hah, not anymore...and what a good problem to have. I remember that when we got assigned to raise the Jolly Roger, it meant being stuck at the stadium till the end of the game to see if the Bucs could mount a miraculous comeback. Now if you get the job of "flag" it means you get to hang around to watch the latest edition of "Hammer Time," and then elevate the skull and crossbones on Greg Brown's cue.
In what's said to be a "football town," who just a year ago was talking non-stop about the outcome of the adolescent behavior of their quarterback; there's been no talk of pigskin around these parts lately. Even with the NFL strike providing plenty of potential storylines, mum has been the word. Truth is, this summer there are more important things going on then football speculation, it's called baseball season. Around here they call it "Bucco Fever," but I call it hope, because I've felt it before and I know what it looks like.
I'd love to be able to claim that I am a lifetime or die-hard Bucco fan, but that wouldn't be fair to the people who have truly earned those distinctions. I myself happen to be a Florida Marlins fan, and that is why I know what all this "hope" looks like. I've been a fish fan since I was in 1st grade, when they joined the league in '93, and growing up in New York it was no easy task as I was the butt of many jokes. The Marlins were an eye-sore more often than not, but they sure had their moments of hope and glory. Winning it all in '97 was a semi-underdog story, but that team was pretty well built with a nice size price tag. It was in '03 that they truly shocked the world. I remember bits and pieces from that summer, when I started to hope. It was twice that bench player, Mike Mordecai, hit a game-winning homer in extra innings. And then in another game when the pinch hit king, Lenny Harris, roped a hit off of the then-dominant Eric Gagne to spark a come-from-behind win. It was the little moments like that, that you won't read about in Sports Illustrated or see on ESPN that gave me hope. I remember when it got to September of the '03 season and all of a sudden the Marlins would be televised nationally twice a week, and they'd always make it into the first 10 minutes of SportsCenter, sometimes as the lead story. I remember having mixed emotions, being ecstatic that the team I always loved was finally getting attention, but bitter about the people who all of a sudden were cramming their way onto my bandwagon.
It was shortly after the Marlins won it all on '03 that I started to follow other teams around the league more consistently. Naturally, I chose to keep my eye on the underdogs...I guess I felt for them, and wanted to see them succeed. One of those teams was the Pirates. I started tracking their progress my freshmen year of college ('06), identifying favorite players like Chris Duffy, Ronny Paulino, and Mike Gonzalez. Sure enough, now a few years later, I find myself in Pittsburgh not only rooting for, but working for the team that had played 100 seasons by time I was born. And as I spend more time at the park, I recognize the ever-present hope that I myself experienced in 2003.
Again, this piece is not going to talk about what might happen though, and if you think I'm speculating about the Bucs winning the World Series, please do not let me confuse you. My point is that when an underdog gets hot and people start jumping on the bandwagon (cough cough, John Kruk, who is an obvious Phillies fan) it's easy to start wanting more. And I've witnessed it around the park - trade speculations, playoff speculations, optimism, pessimism, etc.
I wrote this piece to say lets stop worrying about how bad the Bucs have been in the past, or how great they might be in the future, and just enjoy the fact that they are playing some inspired ball, right here, right now, in the present. What a gift to a city that so adores their sports teams.
And so what if it doesn't last forever. Some analysts are already speculating about when the demise might come, when they might fall out of it, or cool off. There's really no need to look ahead at the schedule, because the Bucs have been doing great one night at a time. And even if they fell out of the race, they could hold their heads high, because we know it wouldn't have been for a lack of effort. I mean wow, what a summer that they've given to the fans so far.
Home of the Buccos
Although I won't speculate, I will note some facts. I know that like those aforementioned Marlins moments, the Bucs have had a few of their own this summer - from a late-inning McKenry homerun to a Josh Harrison bare-handed scoop at the hot corner, these kids are giving this town a reason to hope. And if you think it's just the players you are dead wrong. When baseball magic starts to kick in, there are several factors at play. It takes a lot of things being in the right place at the right time, but once the cycle gets going, it can be pretty special. First the team needs to matter enough to get fans in the seats. Then the fans inspire the players and give them something to play for. Next thing you know you've got a storybook summer. A winning baseball team doesn't need big salary players, famous names, or the biggest national fan base. They just need fans who can count on their players and players who are confident in themselves. All it takes is a glimmer of hope, which is what the Bucs have right now. And while that's good enough to enjoy, regardless of how the next 10 weeks go; it would be pretty special to see the Pittsburgh atmosphere transform from a city who is hoping, to a city who is believing.
What a treat for me. This franchise and fan base have endured 18 years of sub-500 seasons, and in only my second year living in the city, I get to see them make a run like they haven't made in close to two decades. I couldn't be more happy for them. This winter at the team's preseason event, PirateFest, I got a chance to spend some time talking to Jeff Karstens (RHP). The guy didn't have a big head, or glance past me as someone who wasn't worth his time; rather, he held a regular conversation and didn't seem at all concerned with getting somewhere else. Furthermore, earlier this season the team had a "photos with the fans" day, and I got to manage the line at the tent where Josh Harrison (IF), Garret Jones (OF,1B) and Jose Veras (RHP) were sitting. The three of them could not have been more kind to the fans, giving high-fives, making jokes, and staying past the deadline to take a few extra pictures. So I root for those guys when I see them out on the field, just as I root for their teammates who appeal to my underdog spirit.
And so, though I can't say I've endured 18 years of pain, or that I'm a Yinzer, or that I was raised on Primanti sandwiches - I can say that as a sports fan, being in this city at this time is something I'll never forget. And win or lose, hang in or fall out, no matter how the season ends, I'll continue to tip my hat towards that beautiful ballpark that lines the Allegheny and say, "let's go bucs."
So it's almost been a quarter of a century that I've been kickin' it on this planet and I've learned two solid facts. Life is a funny thing and the world is a funny place. I currently find myself at one of those proverbial forks in the road, and it has recently led me to take a step back and just stare for a little bit.
Life is funny because it is totally unpredictable. Like the weatherman predicting rain for this entire week only to have the sun beam beautifully every day, you can have expectations or even "sure things" planned in your life, but it really only takes one second to change it all. Even right now, before I finish this post, my phone could ring with great news about x, y, or z and I would be on top of the world; or it could ring with bad news about the health of a family member and I would be devastated beyond reason. Between the moment the phone rings, and the moment that I actually hear the news, my entire life could be changed. And that is why life is funny - because the only way to figure it out is to live it.
The world is funny because the world doesn't know what it wants. If the world was a man, I would describe him as hypocritical, indecisive, or dramatic. I think of two phrases here, "less is more" and "silence is golden." In recent years these phrases have helped me to bite my tongue more often than not, and I'm glad for that. I have realized that you add more value to what you say, based on the infrequency with which you say it. Like paper flyers used as advertisements, anything that is too frequent becomes routinely tuned out. I've also come to believe that you should not proclaim things that have not yet come to you. Again, less is more and silence is golden. Not to go biblical on you guys, but there is a gospel passage where Jesus tells us that when arriving to a table with two seats open, leave the one to His right side open, and sit in the seat at the far end of the table. Better to sit at the far end and be called to the Lord's right side, than to sit near the head of the table and be told that you are in the wrong chair. Ok, I'm done with analogies, I think you get the concept by now. My point is that I don't think the world plays by these rules. The world thinks that any time he has something on his mind he can say it, without reservation. The world is a flake. He sets these standards and expectations, he tells us to abide by a cultural code and how there is a common path we all need to travel. But then he also encourages us to walk off the beaten path, and define our own destiny. The world has no concrete values, he changes them based on each and every situation, to the extent that if we as people rely on the world, we are stashing money in a bottomless pocket. And that is why the world is funny - because he is the first to talk, but the last to act.
Another thing that is funny to me is how as I've gotten older, I've started to place more value in the meaning of Disney movies. For instance, I'm pretty confident that as we age, we all can understand pretty well why Peter Pan doesn't want to leave Neverland. Who would want to leave Neverland? Simply put, Neverland is the shit. To leave is to become part of the world, part of a system, part of the man that always talks but never acts. My intent here is not to exaggerate, because I know that there are countless men and women who are more than happy with their lives, who are successful, and who have great families. That being said though, there's nothing quite like Neverland - there's really no rules, no stress, and no settling for less.
I firmly believe that the world has norms because he is insecure. We create standards as a society because we are too afraid to make our own decisions. Then, we get so accustomed to those norms that life carries on as plainly and complacently as Pleasantville. It is at that point when the world changes his mind, and he tells us to be different. He tells us to fill ourselves with color among this world of black and white. He tells us that we should be breaking the mold.
The truth is, I agree with the world on this point. We should be breaking the mold, because that is truly how evolution is implemented. One generation uses the norms of the previous generation as a foundation to building their own brand new norms. That is how animals and bacteria evolve, so why not us? Well there is a significant problem with the evolution of humans - the ego. Animals and bacteria can evolve easily because it seems to be a purely natural process rooted in biology. Our evolution as a species is rooted more in our intellect than anything else, so our emotions naturally become involved. The most keen observation I've made in my life is that more often than not, the people who walked the road before us don't like it when we try to walk further than them, because if they couldn't do it, why should we be able to? And so that brings us back to Pleasantville, where everything is black and white, and life is the way it's always been.
The core issue here is that most of us have lost the ability or awareness to break the mold. I think for that to change, we need to learn how to break our own personal molds before we worry about the societal ones. That brings me back to my fork in the road - a fork that I'm sure people graduating from any level of education (or life for that matter) face more often than not. The fork of "where do I go from here?" There could be two paths in front of you, or there could be 20; so how do you choose? We receive all types of influence while staring down the fork in the road - influence from friends, family, mentors, and the world himself. The world tells us to dream, but not too big; to challenge ourselves, but not beyond reason; to avoid paths that are too safe, but also ones that are too risky; and to do something we love, but only if we get paid well for it.
I'm starting to believe that the world wants us to be "different" then the norm, but only the type of "different" that exists within the norm. And if we want to be more than permissibly different, the world tells us that it can't be done because it hasn't been done that way before. What it comes down to is that I think we have lost track of what it truly means to be a pioneer. The people who created the acceptable form of today's "different" were making it up as they went, probably to the tune of many nay-sayers. So what is the bigger challenge for today's emerging adults? Is the true test the one that has you travel a direction that you've never walked before? Or is it the one that has you find out if you have what it takes to master one path before jumping to another?
Maybe, just maybe, the boldest step to be taken by anyone at a fork in the road is to walk down the path that you can hear calling your name. And to others, this path may be too safe, too dangerous, too plain, or too complicated; but that's why they get to choose their own paths as well. The people who we look to for guidance and wisdom got to where they are because they followed the wind down the path that they knew was for them. So perhaps it's helpful to gauge what our mentors might see; but at the end of the day the best way to truly break the mold society has placed us in, is to face our paths on our own, listen for the wind, and simply start walking.
It's about that time for the highly anticipated NFL playoffs. After a long season of impressive comeback stories (Vick, Big Ben), surprising contenders (Chiefs, Bucs), and disappointing pretenders (Vikings, Cowboys, Chargers), we have it narrowed down to the field of 12 (really 11, but we're obligated to include the Seahawks). Looking at this year's Wildcard Weekend matchups you could really make an argument for any team to win any game. In fact, with the exception of the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Jets, any of the other 9 teams could win the Super Bowl and I don't think it would be a surprise.
Enough small talk though, here's some key points that I'm thinking about for this year's postseason...
>A River In Egypt...Denial - I have hated the Patriots for so long, that I am actually incapable of envisioning them as the Super Bowl Champs. Some people just want to see a team lose because they hate them, but I actually believe the Patriots cannot win because I despise them so much. So off the bat, there is some bias here. At the same time they DID lose to the Browns, so they are far from invincible.
> The Two Dark Horses - I'm a firm believer that a team with something to prove, or a team that has been insulted is a most dangerous team. Ironically enough, in this case, it's the two Super Bowl contenders from last year. Due to the Colts having several players in the infirmary along with the Steelers and Pats hogging headlines, the Colts are a forgotten team this year. Though I would give the Jets a 10% chance of pulling off a first round upset, it's hard to ignore that the last time the Colts were forgotten about in the playoffs, they won it all. As for the Saints, I don't know how an 11-win team can fly under the radar, but for whatever reason some people are even picking Seattle to beat them in the 1st game...are you kidding? Watch out for an angry Saints team.
> One Man Show - I never really believed when one defensive player got a ton of hype on a football team, because basic math says there are too many guys out there for one guy to change the game. Meet Troy Polamalu. Over the last two seasons the Steelers are 5-7 without him, and 16-4 with him. He literally takes their defense from average at best, to nearly impenetrable. In the playoffs the best defense usually prevails...it's hard to pick against the Steelers.
> Getting Over The Hump - It's fitting that the Jets, Ravens, Eagles, and Packers are playing on "wildcard weekend" because they are all definitely wildcard choices. All four of them have made several playoff appearances in the last decade, and they have all faced early exits, as well as making deep runs. That being said, the only time one of them took home a ring was when the Ravens did it in 2001. Any one of them could get hot for 4 games and make a deep run.
Enough beating around the bush though - if you put a loaded nerf gun to my head and forced me to pick, here's what it would look like (home team in italics):
While I am being too lazy to offer game-by-game analysis, I will defend my ultimate pick. The Packers have lost 6 games this season. Four of those losses were by 3 points, and the other two losses were by 4 points. They went into Atlanta where the Falcons are supposedly invincible, and only lost by 3. AND they went into New England and only lost by 4 points, with Matt Flynn at quarterback.
Clay Matthews leads a potent Packers defense.
The common theme here is that the Packers have had a chance to win every game this season, despite a non-existent running attack and an Aaron Rodgers concussion. It all falls back to the strength of their defense. Of all the playoff teams, how many could lose their best player and still compete? The Colts without Manning...done. Steelers without Troy...done. Pats without Brady...done. Falcons without Matt Ryan...done. Saints without Brees...done. Eagles without Vick...done. Ravens without Ray Lewis...done. Bears without Urlacher...done. Jets, Seahawks, Chiefs...they're done anyway. Sure, not everyone will be playing without their best player, but my point is that the Packers have proved the depth of their team throughout the season. Despite having the worst seed in the conference at #6, the Pack are looking poised to make a deep run, so the rest of the league better look out below.
Alright, we know what happened - nobody is trying to deny it. The Cowboys tanked; they totally tanked. They talked all this big game before the season started, and they didn't back it up. They lost their pro-bowl quarterback. They let teams walk all over them. They waited way too long to give Wade Phillips the heave-ho. They even lost to the Vikings...ouch. And most embarrassing of all, after so much hard work to get the new stadium built and to land the 'big game,' their home will be another team's celebration station for the Super Bowl...or will it?
True to form, always in support of a great underdog story, let me tell you why the Dallas Cowboys may be dead, but not quite buried. The way that they have played the last two games, particularly on the road against the Giants, is only surprising to us because they were 1-7 prior to those games. For example, if we rewind back to late August and looked at the schedule, we probably would have said how these mid-season games with the Giants and Saints would be evenly-matched, or maybe even in favor of the Boys. But now because they are 3-7 we allow that to dictate our expectations. While that mindset is valid to an extent, I like to look at it from a different angle and say that the way the Cowboys have played under Jason Garrett the last two weeks is how they are actually capable of playing all the time; it's actually how they should have been playing all season. So if any team could run off an eight-game winning streak to close the season, I wouldn't put it past the Cowboys that we thought we would see this season.
By no means would it be an easy task - with two games left against the Michael Vicks...oh, I mean the Eagles, and with a game to play in Indianapolis, the Cowboys would definitely need some favor from the football gods to pull it off, that's for sure. My point is that it is not out-of-the-question for them to pull out some big wins in some close battles. And if they can, teams better watch their backs. Because in the event that the Cowboys can sneak into the playoffs at 9-7, they are the last team that I would want to play. In John C. Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership he speaks about the concept of The Big Mo, which is his reference to motivation. Heading into the postseason, the Boys would have some serious Mo on their side, and once you're in the playoffs, your record really doesn't matter anymore.
Tony Romo is hoping that he will have a good reason to return in December.
So will this immaculate turn-around happen? Probably not. Will the Cowboys finish 9-7? Doubtful. If they do finish 9-7, will that be good enough to make the playoffs? Not likely. And on the long-shot that they sneak in to the postseason, will the Boys be able to win a ton of do-or-die games on the road? Don't count on it. But despite all of the odds against them, I am putting Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on upset watch today for their Thanksgiving showdown in Dallas. After the last two weeks there's no doubt that the players in that Dallas locker room are thinking about hitting that 9-7 mark. And if they can defend their home turf today, the worst nightmare of many teams will start to grow, because those same players in that same Dallas locker-room won't be thinking about 9-7 anymore, they'll be believing it.
"Don't let us win one." Those were the famous words spoken by Kevin Millar of the Red Sox before Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, when Boston trailed the Yankees, 3-0. The Yankees proceeded to lose Game 4...and Game 5...and Game 6...and Game 7. Even if you are up 3-0 in a series, and 10-0 in Game 4, and you have recorded 26 outs - it. does. not. matter. The simple fact of sports is that it ain't over till Roseanne sings.
In 2003, the Florida Marlins trailed the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in the NLCS. They had stolen Game 1 at Wrigley Field, and then proceeded to lose three in-a-row, including Games 3 & 4 at home. Even if they could win Game 5, they would have to go back to Chicago and beat Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, back-to-back, at Wrigley, a task that had never been achieved by any team...ever. As a Marlins fan, I remember feeling defeated, especially when talking about it with my high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Hicks...a Yankee fan. Despite our back-and-forth banter, I received the best perspective from him. He said, "so you're down 3-1, so what? Chris, you think the Marlins are the best team, right? You think that they should be World Champions, right? Well then if anybody can pull off a comeback from being down 3-1, all the while defeating two pitchers in a row for the first time, it would be the World Champions...don't you think?" That's when I realized, that if the Marlins were supposed to be World Champions, that they would be the one team who could get out of the deepest hole...and get out of a deep hole, they did.
Fast forward to 2010. The Yankees stole Game 1. Then they lost three in-a-row. Now, even if they win Game 5, they would have to win back-to-back games, in Texas, with one of them against Cliff Lee...someone they can barely hit, let alone defeat. So what? If the Yanks are the best, winning three straight games is nothing. Now sure, they could very well be eliminated from the postseason three hours from now, and I wouldn't be surprised. But as someone who received a great 'pick-me-up' mindset from a Yankee fan when I thought my boys were down and out...I thought, despite my unhidden hatred for the Bronx Bombers, that I would return the favor.
I'll be rooting against you C.C., but let's see what you've got...
"I don't care about Game 7, I'm trying to win Game 6." ~ Jack McKeon
I don't have a lot of time here, as the first pitch is in less than 5 minutes, so there isn't going to be a lot of statistical backing and what not - but for what it's worth, I wanted to point this out...
The Texas Rangers have had a great season. They removed the LA Angels as perennial division champions, have played great baseball, and won the first two games of this year's ALDS on the road in Tampa. I'd love to see them win, especially because they have the best chance to shut the Yankees up. That being said, what the heck is manager, Ron Washington, thinking!?
I just checked the starters for today's game and saw that Tommy Hunter is on the bump for the Rangers. Shouldn't that read, "Cliff Lee," in the paper? He threw on 3-days-rest all of last postseason, so there's no reason he can't do it this year. Going back to McKeon's quote, he said that about starting Josh Beckett on 3-days-rest in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series, while leading the Yankess 3-2. He wasn't going to "take it easy" in Game 6 to set up Beckett for Game 7. Why? Because anything can happen in a Game 7.
I have no doubt that Washington would be starting Cliff Lee if he was down 2-1, so why not start him when you are up 2-1 and can put the series away at home? Don't get me wrong, Tommy Hunter could pitch great today - but if he doesn't, yea you'll have Cliff Lee on the hill in Game 5, but it's still a final game, in the other team's ballpark, so anything can happen...even if Cy Young is pitching. Not to mention, if you go to Game 5 and win with Cliff Lee, you now lose him for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees.
C'mon Ron, get with the program. And oh yea, good luck today...please prove me wrong.
"The hero is the great motivator, the magician, the person everyone will count on when things get tough. They have unshakable character and style. They do things everyone else wants to do but is afraid to try. Heroes are symbolic figures whose deeds are out of the ordinary, but not too far out. They show - often dramatically - that the ideal of success lies within human capacity." ~ Corporate Cultures (Deal & Kennedy, 1982)
The day was Wednesday, October 22, 2003. The Florida Marlins were trailing the New York Yankees 2-games-to-1 in the World Series, after just having lost their first home game 6-1. The Fish were in danger of going down 3-1, and having to play 2 of their final 3 games at Yankee Stadium. Starting pitcher Mark Redman had performed poorly in the postseason, as had Dontrelle Willis; and both Josh Beckett and Brad Penny would not be rested enough to pitch Game 4. What was Florida skipper, Jack McKeon to do? Simple, give the ball to Carl Pavano.
Pavano, in October 2003
Pavano, at this point in his career, had been labeled a severe disappointment. As the stud prospect who was acquired by the Montreal Expos when they traded away Pedro Martinez, Pavano was once expected to become an ace worthy of going toe-to-toe with someone of Pedro's stature. Pavano had under-performed year in and year out in Montreal, and then was traded to Florida as a giveaway in a deal that brought Cliff Floyd to the Expos in July of the 2002 season. With 2003 being his first full season, Pavano posted a mediocre 12-13 record with the Marlins, and had an earned run average of 4.30. So naturally, when it came to the Marlins postseason run, Pavano was not in the plans.
Then something strange happened - Jack McKeon got desperate. With the Marlins digging for some reliable bullpen help against the Giants in the NLDS, Pavano pitched a total of 2.2 innings in Games 2, 3, and 4 - giving up no runs on only 1 hit. Then, amidst one of the greatest attempted comebacks in NLCS history, the Marlins turned to Pavano, in Game 6 against Mark Prior and the Chicago Cubs. McKeon gave Pavano the ball for the first postseason start of his career, as the Fish trailed 3-games-to-2. Facing elimination, the Marlins would have to defeat Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, back-to-back, at Wrigley Field...something that had never been done...ever. Pavano took the ball and went to work - going 5.2 innings, giving up 2 runs - not the best outing, but he kept his team within striking distance, and on that night, Steve Bartman took care of the rest.
So back to the 22nd, McKeon gives the ball to Pavano again, this time in an 'unofficial' must-win game against none other than Roger Clemens. Clemens would be a tough opponent, not just because of his remarkable track record, but because this was likely to be the final start of his career (so we thought, at the time). How did Pavano respond? He went 8 innings, threw 115 pitches, surrendered no walks, and gave up only one run. His performance was the heroic effort the Marlins needed to get back in the series...and after Alex Gonzalez's walk-off homer that night, they would never lose again.
Now what is the point? Well tonight, here in 2010, the Minnesota Twins need someone to step up. They need that person who is the great motivator and magician that creates success out of tough times. So naturally, they are giving the ball to Carl Pavano. The Twins have lost 10 straight postseason games, they haven't been out of the ALDS since 2002, and they are sick and tired of having the lead role in baseball's version of the movie Groundhog Day, where they just keep getting knocked around by the Yankees. Ironically enough, they face an 'unofficial' must-win to tie the series - and 2 of the next 3 games will be played in the Bronx. That puts Pavano in some pretty familiar territory, especially because he'll be opposing yet another Yankee legend...Andy Pettitte.
We keep hearing the critics mention how if the Twins want to beat the Yanks this time around, they need to do something different, they need to play the Yanks in a way they never have before - simply put, they need to stop being intimidated. So in the moment that they need a leader, at the time that they face the daunting possibility of heading to the Bronx down 2-0, when they feel like it's just the same old story - they'll lean on a guy who has once again fallen off the map and fallen short of expectations...expectations that he created in October of 2003. This time it's a shot at redemption for both the Twins and the man on the mound. The Twins look to get back in this series, and Pavano looks to get back on the big stage. Tonight Carl Pavano takes the hill at Target Field, and the Twins need him to be something more than just an average pitcher...they need him to be a hero.
After driving for a long six months, we've finally arrived...it's time for playoff baseball.
So let's start off with a word association game - what do David Ortiz, Mike Scioscia, Albert Pujols, and Joe Torre all have in common? The fact that they will all be watching playoff baseball this October, not playing it. Over the course of the last decade, we've become accustomed to Ortiz, Scioscia, Pujols, and Torre all playing frequent roles in the drama that is the MLB postseason. This year, those guys are being replaced by names like Joey Votto, Tim Lincecum, C.J. Wilson, and Aroldis Chapman.
With postseason play beginning this afternoon, and a ton of new faces on the postseason scene, everyone is trying to anticipate how this year's playoffs will play out. The usual arguments will be made - one's about the importance of pitching, the intangibles of momentum, and the pricelessness of previous experience - but how can we narrow down which two teams will be left standing, come the last week of October? Well there is really no way to be sure of who will outlast the competition, but what we can be sure of is that October baseball always promises us some extraordinary drama. It's fitting that on the eve of the playoffs, ESPN aired their movie "Four Days In October" - recapping the unprecedented and embarrassing collapse of the 2004 New York Yankees, and the defiant curse-breaking effort of the Boston Red Sox. The film reminds us that no matter what we think on day 1 of the playoffs, anything is truly possible...
And without further adieu, here is the 2010 MLB Playoff breakdown:
ALDS, Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays: Rangers in 4
The Rays could be the first of many upsets this offseason. Although the Rays are considered the main heavyweight in the AL, having clinched the best overall record and home-field advantage, the Rangers are no bunch of slums. Sure, people will point out that Rangers' ace, Cliff Lee is 0-3 against the Rays this season, including an 0-2 record at The Trop, where he will pitch this afternoon - but if I've learned anything about predicting playoff baseball, it's that preexisting stats really don't matter. That being said, I totally expect Cliff Lee to pick up where he left off last postseason...baffling hitters left and right. All the Rangers really need to do is steal one game in St. Petersburg, where all 36 Rays fans, Dick Vitale included, don't really add much as an intimidating "10th man." In fact, I think the obnoxious catwalks at Tropicana Field present more of a home-field advantage than the Rays' fans do. If the Rangers can get back to Arlington with a win, I am confident that they will take both games at their home ballpark, which will be stoked to host their first playoff game since 1999. After all, the Rangers have something to prove and are glad not to be playing the Yankees - since the Wild Card era (1995), Texas has been to the playoffs three times ('96, '98, '99) and has won only one game...losing all three ALDS appearances to the Yanks.
ALDS, New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins: Twins in 4
As is the same story every year since the beginning of time, Yankees fans will irrationally argue with anyone as to why they are destined to win the World Series. Well, the Twins won't easily forget last year, where they worked so hard to claim a postseason birth, only to have the Yanks sweep them out. Francisco Liriano may not be on the same level of 'acehood' as C.C. Sabathia, but the Twins' pitching staff is more complete than the Yanks' at this point. Believe it or not, New Yorkers, there will come a time that Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera won't be able to pitch as well as they did in the 90's, and this is the year that the Yankees' "core 4" start to show their age. With redemption on their mind and a brand new ball field, full of fans who are amped up to host Games 1 & 2 in sub-50 degree temperatures, the Twins might not even need to take a game in the Bronx to secure their first ticket to the ALCS since 2002.
NLDS, Cincinnati Reds @ Philadelphia Phillies: Reds in 4
It has baffled my mind since 2007, but I have to give the Phillies credit, because they have somehow been able to play up to their constantly over-hyped reputation. Ok sure, they have a great-looking big 3 for their rotation, and while pitching is critical in the playoffs, you still need to score runs! The Reds offense has been explosive this season, and they will continue to be, here in October. One thing that I have noticed about the Phillies is that they really only play as well as they think of their reputation - when public opinion doubts the Phillies, they doubt themselves, and then we see the real Phillies. I think that if the Reds can make a suspected god bleed in Game 1 or 2, the Phillies will start to shake in their boots, and will implode, to the Reds delight. The Reds pitching is not as good as the Phillies pitching, but it's not bad. Also, I think that Aroldis Chapman, and his 105-mph fastball will have a large roll to play in the late innings. I would love to see a Phillies-Giants matchup so that the G-men can prove they have a better rotation, but I just honestly don't see the Phillies living up to expectations here. Oh yea, look for Halladay to have some postseason debut jitters, and I think the Reds jump behind Edison Volquez to steal Game 1 today.
NLDS, Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants: Giants in 3
I don't think that anybody wants to see Bobby Cox go out like this, and I would have picked the Bravos to beat the Reds or Phillies, but the Braves drew the short straw and have to play the Giants in round 1. It's no secret that the Braves ran out of steam towards the end of the season, and as much as they want to "win one for the gipper,"the Giants' rotation is just too good. I said at the end of last season that the Giants were the best team to not make the playoffs last year, and that if the Giants had made the playoffs last season, they probably would have won the World Series with the rotation that they have. Well this is step 1 for the Giants to show the world that - when you have a staff of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and added bullpen help from Madison Bumgarner and seasoned veteran, Barry Zito - there is no way you will lose two games in a row...ever. Powerful sweep here for the G-men.
ALCS, Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins: Twins in 7
In one of the least-watched ALCS matchups in recent memory,the dynamic duo of Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson will force the Twins to a Game 7, but the Twinkies' home-field advantage and team mindset will prevail, landing them in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1991. The Rangers will walk away with their heads high though, having played for their first pennant since 1945, when the franchise was still the Washington Senators.
NLCS, Cincinnati Reds @ San Francisco Giants: Giants in 5
This is the series where people will finally wake up and say, "wow, the Giants pitching is really good." Despite the fact that there offense is often criticized, the Giants have the perfect type of role-playing offense that compliments a dominant pitching staff in the playoffs. Congrats to the Reds for making it this far, but this won't be much of a series.
World Series, Minnesota Twins @ San Francisco Giants: Giants in 6
If the Yankeeshad the pitching rotation that the Giants had, we would be re-naming the Cy Young award after them. But because they do their own thing, quietly, over in the city by the bay, nobody has taken the time to notice them. Not only to the Giants boast three Cy Young awards on their staff (Lincecum '08, '09 & Zito '02), but they also made key offensive pickups throughout the season. Buster Posey should win rookie-of-the-year, as long as the Jayson Heyward hype doesn't overshadow Posey's better numbers - Pablo Sandoval should return to his heroic, clutch performances of last season - and Brian Wilson can close the door on the 9th inning with the best of them. Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know why you couldn't see it coming sooner, or why Vegas gave them 20:1 preseason odds, but I present to you your 2010 World Champions, the San Francisco Giants.
