When Does the World Series Start?
Judging by the ratings this year, I’m pretty sure that none of you know that it has already started. Seriously, the Cardinals won again last night and stand on the verge of winning the whole thing tonight, which would bring their win total for the season to like 90 games. I wish I were kidding about this. Aside from the Kenny Rogers (what is the media labeling it now “dirtgate?”), absolutely nothing has happened here. Truth be told, it has been a pretty boring postseason. Magglio Ordonez hit a walkoff homerun against the A’s to send the Tigers to the World Series, but that series was already over. I’m not saying that steroids should be legalized, but when every team has only one .300+ hitter, it’s no wonder that nothing exciting has happened.
And speaking of cheating, let’s get back to the Gambler. His name is Kenny Rogers and he’s 41 years old. Last year he was hammered for beating up (read pushing) a cameraman, which I’m sure EVERY MLB player has wanted to do at least once in their career. Other than that story, and his perfect game in Texas when nobody could pitch for the Rangers (they still can’t, by the way), he’s been known for his three horrendous seasons in New York with the Yankees and Mets. (At least that’s what he’s known for because the media only covers things related to New York, and have pounded us with that news.) Now the story is coming out that he (begin sarcastic quotes, a la Chris Farley) “cheated and used pine tar on his pitching hand.” Well, no s***. I’m not sure why people are suprised. I’m not sure he’s even been drug tested. He’s hopping around like Dennis Eckersley on speed right now, and considering he’s been as close to a Stoic (look up what that really means if you don’t know) as anyone throughout his career, maybe he’s on something. And if he is, should we really be suprised? This is baseball. It’s a game of cheaters. Seriously. If you are fast, the object is to steal stuff. Players are taught to watch other teams’ coaches to steal signs. People are constantly stealing stuff throughout the game. Baserunners steal catcher’s signs. Infielders steal third-base coach’s signs. Hell, I did it too when I played. Occassionally, I’d peak at the catcher’s signal while I was up at the plate. I’d even try to catch their signals when I was on the basepath to pick a good pitch to steal third. Our coaches would assign two pitchers in the dugout to watch the other team’s pitching coach to catch his signals to the catcher. We all did it. Sure, we never took steroids, or even greenies for that matter. But I don’t know what I would have done if I were given the opportunity. I’d like to think I was above that, but I was pumping creatine, protein shakes, and energy boosters at the time. So, who’s to say.
Anyway, everybody in baseball is doing something underhanded. It’s been the way of the game for as long as it’s been played. And right now, these teams are robbing me of my enjoyment of the game for their complete and utter ineptitude to take advantage of situations. Aside from David Ecstein (who has 1 shoulder left at this point), nobody has had any clutch hits. The Tigers pitchers are completely retarded at fielding their position (with the exception of the aforementioned Rogers). I blame the weather, because I still refuse to believe that its been the collective pitching efforts of guys like Suppan and Weaver. Craig Monroe botched a flyball by Eckstein that should have been a routine fly ball. What makes things even worse is the fact that when these teams finally do get runners on base, they don’t do anything with it. Sure, Manager Genius LaRUssa has bunted, but where is the baserunning. If you can’t hit for pop, why aren’t there more hit and runs? Make something happen. (Maybe this is a little bit directed towards the Tigers, but the Cardinals aren’t doing much on the basepaths either.) Ugh. It’s just ugly. It’s been so bad that I actually watched wrestling after the Clemson game ended last night, and occassionally flipped to the baseball game. AND I NEVER MISSED ANYTHING.
Phew. I’m glad I got that out. There will be another set of moronic NFL picks coming up tomorrow followed by my NBA preview. I think it is just about time to hit the ‘rents up with my annual early Christmas gift of the NBA League Pass.
