Seat 22

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 1^st 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 5^th 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 11^th 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 11^th 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.

The Buc Starts Here

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."

Yanks Down, But Not Out

"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...

Play For Today, Not Tomorrow

"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. 

Familiar Territory

"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.

Go get 'em, Carl.

And So It Begins...

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 Yankees had 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.

Enjoy the games today, we'll see ya in 2011.

You Just Never Know

Who woulda thunk?

Diamondbacks prove that Mariano is mortal. Giants and Angels go to 7 games in the West Coast World Series. Marlins swim up-stream. Red Sox shock the world. White Sox play in first World Series since the 50's.  Cardinals are the "Champs," but only win 83 games.  Red Sox don't shock anyone.  Phillies make Jimmy Rollins look like a modern-day Nostradamus.  Yankees finally nail down the right formula.  Wow, what a decade.

All these wonderful and dramatic story-lines defined the first decade of this new millennium, how the heck could we even begin to anticipate what the next ten years will bring?  Who are we kidding, we can't...and that's the magic of this wonderful game.  The last storyline that preceded a new decade was the 2000 Subway Series with Mike Piazza dodging bat ammunition from Roger Clemens.  We had no idea, then, what to expect over the next ten years.  We couldn't even fathom what the Red Sox winning a World Series would look like...let alone coming back from 3-0 against the Yankees.  We didn't know who Albert Pujols was!! Or Miguel Cabrera, or Carlos Beltran, or Joe Mauer, Tim Lincecum, Grady Sizemore, among others... .  Michael Lewis' New York Times Bestseller, Moneyball, hadn't been written yet.  We didn't know anything about the decade's most popular General Manager, Billy Beane, renowned statistician Bill James, and the concept of sabermetrics was foreign to our minds.

And here we are, ten years later.  The Cubs still haven't been to a World Series, the Royals haven't contended for anything, the Yankees and Red Sox still try to out-move each other in the off-season, and the Pirates still have not had a winning season.  But that's what makes it interesting, all it takes is one moment for all of that to change.  The next Albert Pujols could be playing in his first season this year (cough cough, Jason Heyward) or he could be in his freshman year of high school, or he could even be signing up for his first year of tee-ball this Spring.  The bottom line is that we don't know what this decade holds for us as baseball fans - but we can be sure of one thing, when we hit 2020 and look back over these upcoming 10 years, we will be able to sum it up with one word, "wow."

For starters, just look at the memorable occurrences that have already taken place in the first half of the season.  We've had perfect games from Dallas Braden and Roy Halladay, and Armando Galarraga...kinda.  We've seen the Major League debuts of young kids with superstar potential - Jason Heyward, Steven Strasburg, Buster Posey, Michael Stanton, Carlos Santana, etc... .  And in terms of looking at it from the decade perspective, we're only just teeing off. 

But let's look closer at the season now - we're one half of the way in, and although we've seen a couple of surprising team performances this year, a true student of the game knows that it is way too early to put much stock into the standings at this point of the season.  The best example in recent memory, of counting chickens before they hatch came in the 2005 season, where the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles were both in first place of their respective divisions at the all-star break.  Meanwhile, the two teams finished in 5th and 4th place of their divisions, respectively.

So my message - with all the aforementioned in mind - is to take it all in and enjoy it for what its worth.  If you're a Reds or Padres fan, who knows how long your surprise success will last...so, soak up the moment.  If you're a Pirates fan, you must never forget the frustration you feel right now because some day, it will make the success you experience taste that much better...so, soak up the moment.  If you are a Mets or Braves fan, experiencing a season of roller-coaster emotions, appreciate the fact that your season has meant something from day 1...so, soak up the moment.  This wonderful game is all about soaking up moments - from the amazing moments of the last decade, to the earliest moments of this next 10 years, soak them all up, enjoy them for what they are worth, and never get too attached to how things "are" because all it really takes to change everything is, well, just a simple moment.

For kicks and giggles, here are some end-of-the-year predictions...

*wildcard

AL East.

Boston

New York*

Tampa Bay

Toronto

Baltimore

> Half of Boston's roster is in the infirmary, and they are still keeping pace.  Just wait till they get healthy - getting Victor Martinez, Josh Beckett, and Jacoby Elsbury back in the second half is like making 3 blockbuster trades at the deadline.

AL Central.

Minnesota

Detroit

Chicago

Cleveland

Kansas City

> I think that the Twinkies have the most balanced team, which will the give them the ability to outlast the Tiggers and the ChiSox.  Although big props to the Sox for getting red hot in the middle of the season.

AL West.

Texas

Los Angeles

Oakland

Seattle

> Cliff Lee to the Rangers pretty much solidifies their first NL West title in a while.

NL East.

Atlanta

New York*

Florida

Philadelphia

Washington

> The Phils have been playing way above their level for far too long - ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the real Philadelphia Phillies.  And you shouldn't be surprised at the Mets - they've been playing way below their level for far too long - ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the real New York Mets.

NL Central.

St. Louis

Cincinnati

Chicago

Milwaukee

Pittsburgh

Houston

> Great run for the Reds, but once the Cards get Penny back - that rotation is going to be out of control, period.  Matt Holliday just needs to catch the ball in the postseason.

NL West.

San Francisco

San Diego

Los Angeles

Colorado

Arizona

> San Francisco might have the best starting rotation in all of baseball, and once their 2-time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum, get his act together, they won't be losing many games.  They should probably pick up another bat before the waiver deadline in August though.

                                 ALDS.                                                                       NLDS.

    BOS def. MIN(4)   /   NYY def. TEX (4)             STL def. NYM(4)   /   SF def. ATL (5)

ALCS.

BOS def. NYY (7)

NLCS.

SF def. STL (6)

WS.

SF def. BOS (7)

Pay It Forward

May I please have a McChicken sandwich, a chipotle BBQ chicken wrap, and a medium vanilla milkshake?  That right there, ladies and gentlemen, is my go-to order when I pull up to a McDonald's drive-thru window.  And as we approach this first Monday of April, I am more excited about it then I have ever been.

Now, given that I've got a half-marathon coming up on May 2nd, I have no intention of eating McDonald's until I wake up from my post-race collapse.  That being said, why then would I  be excited about my McDonald's order on Monday, April 5th?  The answer is - I am excited about my order because of what I will be doing with it.

This Monday, many of Major League Baseball's teams will kick off their home schedules with Opening Day festivities.  Opening Day is one of the most popular days on the sports calendar because it is a fresh start, a clean slate for all teams.  It is the sign that Spring has sprung, and every team, even the Washington Nationals, are mathematically tied for first place on Opening Day.  I am excited to say that I will be attending my first Opening Day game ever, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I am excited for the atmosphere, the excitement, the energy, the weather, and everything in between.  Again though, I remain equally as excited about my McDonald's order.

Opening Day is likely to be the one day in the entire 162-game season where every game will be a sell-out, meaning that there will be a maximum amount of people flocking to baseball stadiums, this Monday. 

Since moving to Pittsburgh this past August, I have developed a running course that often takes me over the Roberto Clemente (6th Street) Bridge, and past PNC Park.  When the weather was good, and a few times when it was bad, I would notice less fortunate, potentially homeless individuals sitting on the bridge asking for some donations.  Some of them entertained with instruments, and others just greeted you with a smile, hoping for some help.  Every time I ran by, I had nothing but my I-Pod, and I always felt bad about having nothing to offer.  And so I decided that this Monday, when I am walking across the bridge to the ballpark, for an experience that is likely to make my day - I will take my favorite meal from McDonald's with me, and give it to the first needy person I see on that bridge...in hopes of making their day.

It's perhaps ironic that I will have the opportunity to "pay it forward" on a bridge that was named after a man who knew how to pay it forward with the best of them.  For those of you who don't know, Roberto Clemente, though famous for his on-field accomplishments, was even more famous for the way he left this world - in a plane crash, while flying to deliver supplies to the needy.  And so in the spirit of Roberto Clemente, and in light of the fact that so many people will be walking across streets and bridges alike to arrive at their Opening Day destination - I ask and encourage all fans reading this, who plan to attend an Opening Day game this Monday, to make it a day of paying it forward.  On your way to the ballpark, stop at McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, KFC, or even your favorite local pizza place, grab your favorite meal, and then when you get close to the stadium, spot the person that needs the food more than you do, and pay it forward.

Still need convincing? Well, there's no better way to save yourself some calories then by making someone's day.  And odds are, in giving up that favorite meal of yours to someone who really needs it, you will probably enjoy that meal more than you ever have.

So please take the time to pay it forward this Monday, and "be the difference." Thank you.

Sometimes, 'Sorry' Just Isn't Enough

Sports writers.  They cannot succeed entirely on their own talent...they need help, mainly from the athletes that they cover.  Help in developing good rapport and respect around the league.  Help in setting up interviews to get the first-hand scoop on a big story.  Help in being welcomed as a 'writer' and not exiled as a member of 'the press.'  Sports writers are always asking athletes for help and let's face it, they need them.  So where does the balance come in?  Well aside from having the ability to portray their stories from a certain angle, a select few sports writers have a power that turns the tables and makes the athletes need them in return.  Long after their playing time is over and long after they have been out of the public spotlight, athletes need sports writers if they want to achieve ultimate sports glory and be inducted into the Hall of Fame (HOF).  Right there, that's it, that is the one thing that gives a sports writer any type of edge over an athlete.  With that power comes an important responsibility; for the writers to make appropriate decisions that will set the tone of their respective sport for centuries to come.

And so here we sit, two weeks after Andre Dawson was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and it's already old news.  Why?  Because just last week, Mark McGwire rocked the baseball world and admitted his use of both steroids and human growth hormone (HGH).  Did he rock the baseball world because he took performance enhancing drugs?  Haha, no, we've known that for a while now, Mark.  But he rocked the world, because he finally acted like a man and admitted it.  And now all the pressure falls off his back and onto the baseball writers with HOF votes.  In just a short 50 weeks, it will be time to vote again, and McGwire will be on the ballot - will he have convinced enough people that he deserves a spot?  I sure hope not.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that McGwire apologized.  I think it's great that he owned his mistakes.  But if anything, his confession should only solidify the fact that he should never be inducted to the Hall.  This is the National Baseball Hall of Fame we're talking about - not the National Honesty Hall of Fame, or the National Apology Hall of Fame.  Should McGwire be rewarded for admitting that he did something wrong.  If I had a HOF vote, I definitely would honor him with my respect and admiration, but not my vote.  Personally I am proud of him, but professionally, I am disgusted.  I don't know, maybe it's the country we live in - we seem to pity people if they have the guts to admit something regardless of what they did.  Our legal system is specifically designed to reward people with a plea bargain if they admit to a crime, rather than hold them accountable for the offense they committed.  So what's the message?  If you cheat - in sports, life, or business - as long as you don't get caught red-handed, and tell the truth after the fact, you get a free pass.

You know what, that's a personal choice, if the general public wants to forgive and forget, live and let live, and all those cutesy sayings...fine.  But that doesn't change what McGwire did in relation to the sport of baseball - which again, is what he hopes to be inducted to the HOF for.  McGwire claims that, "I wish I had never played during the steroid era...I can't say enough how sorry I am...It ripped my heart out."  My question to McGwire is, are you sorry that you took steroids, or sorry that you got caught?  It is often in professional sports that athletes are not sorry about the actions that they took, but the results that followed.  Well, when I was a toddler, I learned that if you do something wrong, there is a consequence - why should the rules be any different for grown men?

I took a White Collar Crime class in undergrad, and dropped it after two weeks because I couldn't handle the exams - but I learned one of my most valuable lessons in that class: the majority of people are not well behaved because they are good people, they are well behaved because they are deterred.  This illustrates the concept that in most cases, we abide by the law, or moral and ethical codes because we fear the consequences, not because we truly believe in those codes.  Obviously that cannot be an absolute concept because as lousy as this world can be, it also has the potential to be unbelievably great; there are people who help others "just because," there are people who save lives "just because," there are people who do what they love simply because they love it and they spread that passion like a brush-fire, there are people who make good choices because they believe in those choices and what they stand for.  Oddly enough, those great people, those life-changing volunteers, and momentum building mentors are not in the public spotlight very often, because they would rather spend their time making a difference instead of drawing attention to themselves.

My point is that if McGwire was sorry, truly sorry, this news would've came out five years ago.  But the fact of the matter is that the reason he couldn't tell us, the reason he had to deal with this secret "ripping his heart out," was because he couldn't get legal immunity.  Oh, so he couldn't get a free pass on the crime he committed?  If McGwire was authentic in wishing that he had "never played in the steroid era," then he would've admitted it at the get-go and accepted the consequences.  At the same time, I understand that no normal human being would openly admit something that would earn them prison time - but then he shouldn't act all noble and say "I wanted to tell everyone."

McGwire said, "If I didn't get immunity, I could face prosecution...Here I am sitting there and wanting to tell my story, but the immunity didn't come through."  He went on to say, "I did this to protect myself and my family.  Anybody in my position would have done the same thing.  I took the hits for five years.  I took the bullets to protect my family."  First of all, please do not include all of us in your cowardly acts and assume that "anybody would do the same thing."  So what I hear is, 'I wanted to tell the truth, but I would've had to face consequences, so I was forced to settle for the pain of having to not come forward with the fact that I cheated.'  Wow, what a courageous move Mark...you are such a humble man.

Ok, so now that we've established that McGwire was only willing to admit his mistakes without having to face consequences, let's look at another concerning issue - McGwire claims, and I believe he truly feels this way, that "the only reason I took steroids was for my health purposes.  I did not take steroids to get any gain for any strength purposes."  Here's the problem Mark, it is common knowledge that one of the key components of getting stronger is muscle recovery.  So by taking steroids for "health purposes" is directly correlated to gaining more strength.  You cannot have one without the other.  But, even if we took strength out of the picture, staying healthy is what enabled McGwire to break all the records he did - so whether he took steroids for strength or not, it still had a drastic impact on his numbers.

And if we want to take longevity out of the picture and operate under the assumption that he 'would've been healthy anyway,' his numbers are still inflated.  The reason for this is that - despite McGwire's claims that "I was given this gift" genetically and that he would've hit the same amount of homers despite steroids - there is no way his strength wasn't impacted.  For example, I agree that reaction speed, instinct, and bat speed are all natural talents that can't be inflated by steroids - so I'll give you that, Mark.  BUT, by turning quickly on an inside pitch and getting the bat on it, the amount of strength applied directly correlates to how far the ball goes.  So hypothetically a non-steroid hit to the gap = a steroid hit over the wall for a home run...both with the same applied bat speed.

The bottom line is that I am happy to see Mark apologize, I'm happy to see him as the batting coach for the Cardinals, and I am excited that Tony LaRussa said he might add McGwire to the playoff roster in the Fall.  Despite all that excitement, I have zero doubts that McGwire's entry to the HOF would ruin baseball.  And I don't just single out Big Mac - I say all of them should be out...all the cheaters - McGwire, Bonds, Clemens, Pettitte, A-Rod, Giambi, Canseco, etc... .  They are great players, all of them.  And they all would've been great without the steroids, but they made the greedy choice to want more, and there needs to be consequences, otherwise what's the message - cheat, apologize, and it's all gravy?  If there is one person on this planet who deserves to be more angry than anyone else about the 'steroid era' it's Ken Griffey Jr.  Junior could have and would have been the best player of all time if he had a clean bill of health all the way through, but he was hampered by injuries and sat on the bench and in rehab, watching as these cheaters continued to inject themselves to points of physical longevity and added strength.

To quote the great Dick Vitale on the matter, "they all belong in the Hall of Shame."  If Pete Rose gets banned from the sport for betting - then these guys should feel lucky that they still get to be a part of the game by playing, coaching, etc... .  So please sports writers, to send the right message to young kids, to high school kids, college kids, minor league players, and to all the major league guys who played by the rules - don't let the cheaters into the Hall, it will taint the game forever...

A Night To Remember

Wow.

If you are a true baseball fan, you've go to be feeling like a kid in a candy store tonight.  It'll be a cool night in the Bronx, 47 degrees, 9mph winds, and a clear sky that will have the night filled with stars in the air and on the field.  And last but certainly not least, there will be a pair of aces on the mound, and what a pair it will be.

In the Yankee corner - Andy Pettitte, 37 years old, the most experienced postseason pitcher in the history of the game, and notorious for rising to the challenge of a big game.  And in the Phillie corner - Pedro Martinez, 38 years old, storied enemy of the Yankees, and a member of the historic 2004 Boston Red Sox team that banished the Curse of the Bambino at Yankee Stadium.  Between the two of them, they combine for 54 postseason games pitched with a record of 23-12.

Pettitte is a career Yankee (minus a 3-year sabbatical with the Houston Astros) and a no doubt, first ballot hall-of-famer when the time comes.  He also has to be one of the most respected Yankees of this generation - infamous for his glove covering his face, his hat pulled tightly down over his brow, and through the tunnel the two create, peers his overpowering glance of determination.  Any Pettitte is a competitor; he celebrates a big out, but not for himself, rather for his teammate that made the play, he doesn't talk trash, he doesn't guarantee victories, he doesn't make excuses, he gives credit where credit is due, even if to an opponent.  Simply put Andy Pettitte is a true "ballplayer" and one could only hope he remains an ambassador of the game for a long, long time.

And on the other side Martinez - an 18-year veteran of the game who has definitely come full circle.  Another first ballot hall-of-famer, who spent 7 years of his career making his mark on the hearts of Bostonians everywhere as well as on the dramatic history of the Red Sox organization.  Pedro was a go-to pitcher in his prime, and when you saw him on the list of pitching probables for the day you knew the Sox were going to win.  In his time in Bean Town, Martinez posted a record of 117-37, so on average his record was 17-5...wow.  Then he went to the New York Mets where all good careers go to die (i.e. Carlos Baerga, Mike Piazza, Johan Santana, etc...) - he had 4 atypical seasons, plagued by injuries.  But now Pedro is back for perhaps one last chance at glory.  Like Seabiscuit and Red Pollard coming back from injury to obtain past success - it is not necessarily within the realm of physical law to determine the ability of a player like Martinez, that's too shallow.  For what he lacks physically is compensated by his eager heart, his fierce determination, and the immense amount of wisdom he has grown since his time in Boston; making him as formidable an opponent as ever.

Perhaps it is poetic justice that the game of baseball is the only main sport not limited by time, because tonight, in the new Yankee Stadium, time will truly be irrelevant.  Not just in terms of game length, but for the two studs opposing each other on the mound age will be of little, if any significance.  The only role history will play is that each competitor is likely to fuel themselves with powerful memories of the past, where they have faced each other many times before.  There will be no limitations on either pitcher - this is, for a fact, the last game they will pitch in the year 2009, so they will both be prepared to reach back and give it everything they've got, and then some. 

I am prepared to be wrong and disappointed, but to be honest, I don't think the laws of the universe would allow it.  This game is meant to be, and will be, one of the best games in the history of the Major League postseason.  And as a true baseball fan I can honestly say that regardless of who wins, I just can't wait to sit down, turn on the TV, and be a blissful spectator of two guys doing what they love, and doing it exceptionally well.

Take It Like A Man

So after making the decision that I'd rather see Babe Ruth in a speedo than see the New York Yankees win the World Series, I started to realize how difficult it would be to stand by the Philadelphia Phillies.  They aren't making it easy to root for them, that's for sure.  First there was the guarantee by Jimmy Rollins that they'd win in five games, "six if their nice," - well Jimbo if you're going to win it has to be in Game 7, so what happened to your cute little prediction?  Ok, that doesn't even matter, I'm over Rollins' arrogance, and now my frustration is purely centered on the Phils' manager, Charlie "I should read a coaching" Manuel.

If you've seen a Charlie Manuel press conference, you probably agree with me when I say that Charlie needs to take it like a man.  Manuel has developed a nice little routine of heading to the podium after a loss and putting on his cranky pants.  He answers every question with a tone of "how dare you ask me something so dumb," and he also defends every decision he makes like it was the right move and it just happened, coincidently, not to work out.  Well, in trailing the Yankees 3-2 in the World Series, there seems to be quite a few coincidences costing the Phillies their season.  I was really expecting the Yankess to lose this Series as a result of Joe Girardi's mismanagement - but what I underestimated was Manuel's incredible ability to mismanage his own team.

Granted, Manuel is riding high now because the Phils won Game 5 behind ace Cliff Lee, but that's not a big surprise, we all expected Lee to win and he did.  And there's a great chance that the Philadelphia takes Game 6 in a Pedro Martinez vs. Andy Pettitte showdown for the ages.  So where did Skipper Chuck go wrong?  Well we could start with Game 2 when he let Pedro go back out to the mound for the 7th inning, but we'll let that Grady Little-esque moment slide.  Lets look at Game 4.  The Phils had just lost Game 3, at home, with their former ace, Cole Hamels on the mound.  So how does Charlie respond in a must-win game?  He sends out his #4 starter, Joe Blanton, on the mound against the Yankees ace, C.C. Sabathia - genius idea Chuck.  In his post-game cranky pants session, Manuel was asked, "Charlie, Cliff Lee said he was willing to pitch tonight, if he had insisted he wanted to pitch, would you have gone with him?"  Manuel's quick and degrading response was, "Nope, absolutely not."  Wow, how insightful; thanks Chuck, great explanation.

In pregame discussions, many said that Manuel wasn't starting Lee because he had never pitched on three days rest before.  Who cares!?  It's not like he's making him drive blindfolded or something; pitching on three days rest isn't dangerous, it's just uncommon because this generation's pitchers are so pampered.  In the current age of pitch counts, 6-inning starts, and 1-inning saves, we forget that pitchers of previous generations threw until the cows came home, and they didn't even have Tommy-John surgery, or all this medical pampering available!  Regardless, starting a short-rested Lee is still better than a well-rested Blanton.  Many will say "well, Blanton didn't pitch that bad."  Ok, true.  But guess what, he didn't pitch that good, and I guarantee that Lee would've pitched better and probably won.

So now let's look at the big picture.  Let's say Pedro out-duels Pettitte tomorrow, who is on the bump for Game 7?  In the Yankee corner, their ace, at home, Sabathia - and in the Phillie corner, choke artist of the '09 playoffs, the guy who can't even win at home and is now on the road, in the hardest postseason building to win at, Hamels.  Perfect.  Lee will only be on two days rest for Game 7, so even if he is available, there are two concerns - 1, Lee will only be able to pitch limited innings whether it's in a start of in relief.  2, if Manuel is willing to use him on two days rest, why didn't he use him on three days rest in Game 4??

Right, I know - if I know so much and I can complain about the problem, what is the solution?  I'll tell you what it is.  Start Lee in Game 4 and win, tying the series at 2-2.  Then, you save Pedro for Game 6 in the Bronx because he can win there, and in Game 5 you give the ball to...Jamie Moyer.  That's right, old man Jamie Moyer.  I say this for multiple reasons - 1, Moyer has been out of the rotation for a while and the Yankees would have to look back to August to find film on him.  2, it's a great change of pace - all these pitchers, Sabathia, Lee, Hamels, Pettitte, Blanton, even an aging Pedro, rely on bringing some low-to-high 90's heat.  Jamie Moyer changes a hitter's entire approach, first he has to roll his wheel chair out to the mound, then he has to use his cane to stand up, and then he throws a nasty 88 mph fastball...on a good day.  In the same way that Tim Wakefield's knuckleball can baffle any lineup, so can Moyer's finesse.  3, by pulling Hamels out of the rotation, you now have someone reliable in your bullpen, and should probably use him as the closer, this way Lidge can't blow any more games.  The postseason makes us forget, but the Phillies had the most unreliable bullpen in baseball in the 2nd half of the season, they could use a change of pace.  4, Moyer has experience...I mean like dang, he is living proof that dinosaurs once roamed the Earth.  He knows what he's doing on the mound, he knows how to control a game, and how to come through in the clutch.  And 5, by starting Lee in Game 4 that makes him available to start and win a potential Game 7, so even if Moyer loses and the Phils go down 3-2 as they are now, the outlook for the next two games is much better.


Doesn't seem so complicated to me, so why not try it?  Oh that's right, Charlie didn't think of it, so he won't do it...because clearly anything that Chuck thinks of has worked perfectly.  Don't get me wrong, managers will always be second-guessed by fans and media, and it's a lot harder to make the call before you know what will happen.  However, it's not so much Manuel's managing that I'm frustrated at, it's his attitude.  Don't you dare go to that podium and make someone feel dumb for asking you a perfectly valid question.  You got paid big money to make the right decision, and you messed up...big time.  So go to that podium, admit your mistakes, and for crying out loud...take it like a man.