Ah, the leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter. This can only mean one thing: baseball playoffs!!!There's just something about "America's past time" going into playoff mode...atmosphere, the strategy, the competitive spirit. Maybe I like it a little too much as that I will watch the games even if I don't particularly care who wins.
That being said, here's my opinion of the teams in contention for the 2009 fall classic (and yes, I do have my favorites....):
National League:
- Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies winning would be cool only because it's a rarity for any team to win back to back championships in any sport. And if they do, maybe we'll discover what the "Philly Phanatic" actually is. To me, it resembles a green, hairy Snork.
- Colorado Rockies: Admittedly, I'm not that well-versed on the Rockies - I don't think anyone outside the Mountain Time zone really is unless one is a ginormous baseball fan. That's enough reason to pull for them.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: I'm not sure how I feel about them. Although, they are currently up 2-0 in the NLDS vs. the Cardinals....and that's a good thing.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Just as long as it's not these guys.
- Minnesota Twins: Ah, the Twins. They amaze the MLB every year as they always put together a competitive team despite not being a large-market baseball city and low payroll (read: Yankees polar opposite); and losing big-name players like Torii Hunter to the Angels and Johann Santana to the Mets (note: Mets, not in playoffs). They may lack the finesse of the Yankees as the word "scrappy" comes to mind...but they've got spunk. Spunk wins over finesse. And they have Joe Mauer, AL Batting Champ. On a personal note, I've been a Twins fan for about as long as I've been a Cubs and Orioles fan - and was probably the only kid in Potomac, MD (aside from my brother) who possessed a Homer Hankie and a Twins Wheaties box. I remember the magic of Kirby, Hrbek, Gaetti and the rest of the 1987 and 1991 teams. The Twins put together something special in those years, and have the gumption and talent to do it again in 2009. GO TWINS!
- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels are the only team with something else to play for: Nick Adenhart. Adenhart was an up and coming starting pitcher who was killed by a drunk driver in April 2009. The news of his death shocked the MLB - especially in LA/Anaheim and Baltimore (as he was a Maryland native). The team has essentially dedicated this season to Adenhart's memory...and he continues to be a driving force in their playoff run. If the Angels win, it will definitely be in part due to the Adenhart factor and fans jumping on the bandwagon for that very reason. By far, the sentimental story of these playoffs. I made the corny "angels in the outfield" reference, but in this case, it's not far from the truth. The Angels has persevered in this tragedy, along with commitment and emotion. It just might bring them to the World Series.
- New York Yankees: There's baaaaaaack....and most folks, myself included, aren't overly thrilled about it. I can respect their history, their storied players, etc. However, it just goes to show that money can potentially buy a championship.
- Boston Red Sox: They broke their curse before my beloved Cubs did. I'm not happy about this.
- I would love a Twins/Rockies series. Sadly, I don't think that will happen, but with the magic of October baseball, you never know.
- If the Twins don't go, I'm with the Angels. For reasons referenced above, they are the sentimental favorite.
- Realistically, I'm looking at a Yankees/Dodgers series. Joe Torre faces his former team. Dodgers in six.
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