Prior to hearing Brutus’ rousing speech about the validity of Julius Caesar’s murder in the Roman Capitol, a plebeian suggests that Rome should “Give him [Brutus] a statue with his ancestors!” Those familiar with Shakespeare’s play know that this venerable request comes much too eagerly following the morally ambiguous murder of Caesar. Two acts later Marc Antony laments on the good intentions of Brutus, who lay dead after his own suicide.

Great intentions – poor decisions.

Good thing the commons avoided that awkward moment of returning to Rome with a massive reminder of Brutus’ misguided judgment awaiting them.

That awkward moment, however, has not escaped some famous athletes and institutions this past year. Usually a professional athlete’s consecration of his or her accolades comes in the form of a bust for the Hall of Fame. Such an honor only comes after the athlete’s career has concluded and sometimes, an athlete’s choices play a role (see Pete Rose and Mark McGwire).

Nowadays sports fans can find statues outside most arenas and on campuses all around the country, many for players and coaches not yet retired but indeed still very active.

Surely before this year the national consensus on Joe Paterno, former Penn State head football coach, was that he’d be immortalized as one of the most morally upstanding coaches in all of sports. Not only a coach, but a “humanitarian” as his statue outside Beaver Stadium states. For some, that has changed.

No matter which side one’s opinion may fall, it is hard to dispute that Paterno’s legacy has been altered by the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse allegations. That statue, once thought to be for a man who would retire with the utmost respect of all sports fans, now serves as a symbol of hypocrisy to others.

© 2011 Tornoe Ink – Rob Tornoe. All Rights Reserved. http://robtornoe.com/2011/11/paterno-statue/

The issue is not to question or forget the many honorable acts a coach like Joe Paterno has done for many student-athletes, but to question the premature consecration of those who can still reveal flaws. Damaging, consequential flaws. Or maybe not even flaws, but rather just make a mistake. A mistake that seems to outweigh all other great decisions.

Much like Brutus’ case in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, statues can serve as a means to express loyalty while a person is still serving. It’s always unsettling when a deserving athlete has to be posthumously inducted into a Hall of Fame (see Ron Santo and Dennis Johnson). And, just as in Brutus’ case, how awkward would it be to erect a god-like statue when that loyalty is not reciprocated.

Look no further than St. Louis. After winning his second World Series title with the Cardinals this past season, Albert Pujols entered free-agency as the most coveted player in years. Nine time all-star; three time NL MVP; a legitimate threat to break the all-time homerun record; a guaranteed first ballot hall of famer. All for a player barely in his thirties. And all for a player who has done it in one uniform.

An anonymous donor from the St. Louis community decided it would be best to show St. Louis’ loyalty to Pujols by paying for a 10-foot bronze statue to sit outside Pujols’ restaurant. Ironically, the statue was unveiled after the 2011 season.

A security guard protects the Albert Pujols statue outside the Pujols 5 restaurant in St. Louis. (Photo: Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Pujols ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim leaving some fans in St. Louis feeling betrayed. As if the statue won’t be a hurtful reminder of what a record-breaking career could have been in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform, just think of this Cardinal fans: What hat will Pujols decide to don upon his bust’s consecration into the Hall of Fame? Was this a mistake on Pujols’ part? Should his loyalty to the Cardinals have outweighed his business decision?

Regardless, Pujols’ decision makes it all the more awkward for Cardinal fans to revel at a 10-foot bronze mammoth that they some no longer, well, feel loyalty towards anymore.

Paterno and Pujols certainly aren’t hardened criminals or oppressive dictators who deserve their statues to be torn from its supports like Saddam Hussein’s in Iraq. It’s not that their flaws or mistakes (if you even consider them such) should result in some kind of sacrilege of what their statues should represent from their careers.

In fact, try to find two sports figures more philanthropic than these two. It’d be difficult to do. Mistakes? I think we all know Paterno would do things differently. Flawed? Some might now think so about Pujols. But both also certainly have a litany of great choices and benevolence beyond what any would expect.

No, the issue lies with why society feels the need to prematurely idolize sports figures. We know great players and coaches will eventually receive their due respect in some form (retired jersey, Hall of Fame bust), but to erect a statue of a man not yet completed with his career seems selfish and misguided.

Man is not flawless; for that reason, a statue should try to sanctify the closest form of ethics and performance in mankind. Much like religions and nations do for their pioneers and vanguards.

If St. Louis values unbridled loyalty, perhaps retiring Pujols’ jersey number or putting his name in the stands would have sufficed after his retirement from baseball.

Perhaps if Penn State had waited to honor their beloved coach upon his retirement, they would have been content with the library bearing Paterno’s name and maybe added it inside the stadium as well.

A statue after all is an artist’s rendition of a person in his or her absolute perfection, whether it be as a coach, player, president, or activist. The only problem is that man is not perfect and may simply give fodder to those who wish to only focus on flaws rather than endearing qualities.

Ultimately, it would be wise to wait and choose more carefully. Allow each and every man to complete his athletic journey and then decide if he is worthy of such a sacred, prestigious sculpture.

Kershaw is the favorite for some offseason hardware, but take a look at just how good he has been this year.

By Kyle Soppe

This year, we have three pitchers who have won at least 20 games and have a winning percentage of .800 or higher (Clayton Kershaw, Ian Kennedy, and Justin Verlander). We haven’t seen this since 2002, when Pedro Martinez, Barry Zito, and Randy Johnson did it. Prior to 2002, 1910 was the only other season in which three pitchers have had such success.

Very outside chance, but Verlander and Kershaw could both win the pitchers triple crown this year. We haven’t seen it done in both leagues in the same season in over 85 years.

The long and storied history of the BoSox has never seen a season in which three of their players have reached the 40 doubles plateau, that is, until 2011. Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez, and David Ortiz all reached the mark this year, but they could use a few more, to punch their postseason ticket.

The Phillies have recently gone on cruise control, as they have everything locked up. Their 7 straight losses is the longest losing streak by a team with at least 98 wins in MLB history.

We have seen three players this year (Craig Gentry, Tony Campana,  Jose Altuve) have their first career homer be an inside the parker. The career inside-the-park HR record is 55 by Jesse Burkett, so they aren’t quite on pace.

Michael Young, officially listed as the DH of the Texas Rangers, is tied with Adrian Gonzalez for the second highest batting average in the MLB. The last time a DH ranked that high was 2005, and it was again Michael Young.

Jose Bautista has been walked 20 more times than any body else in the majors. You have to go back to the years of Barry Bonds (2004) to find a bigger gap between the league leader in walks and the runner up.

Devoted Expo fans will be celebrating (mourning?) the 7 year anniversary of the team’s last game, which was played October 3, 2004. Expo fans had to often deal with seasons ending in early September, as they rarely made appearances in the postseason.

Got any MLB splinters? Share them here.

I challenge you, loyal readers, to view the picture below and provide a captivating caption that will cause “the shores a-crowding” with “people all exulting.” Should you provide the wittiest of captions, for you the flag will be flung and the bugles will trill.

This week we have a few members of the Chicago White Sox taking a nice stroll before the game:

Photo: Rick Osentoski/US Presswire courtesy of SI.com

You’ve got the context, now make like the father of free verse and create the best caption you can in the comments below.

I am gulping the Granderson Gatorade, or whatever it is that he is promoting here

By Kyle Soppe

Detroit Tiger closer Jose Valverde has converted all 39 save attempts this season and the last 2 save attempts in 2010. The 41 straight successes are impressive, and rank him fourth all time. However, he isn’t even half way to the all time mark of 84, set by Eric Gagne from 2002 to 2003. An interesting note: Valverde has surrendered 18 runs over the streak, 6 times as many runs Gagne gave up over his stretch of dominance.

Red Sox relieving ace Alfredo Aceves has a good staff in front of him, a powerful lineup, and great arms behind him. So it is no surprise that Aceves plays a part in many victories. What is shocking, however, is that the Red Sox seem to always score in support of the reliever. Of his last 25 decisions, 23 have been wins. That broke an MLB record for most wins in any 25 decision stretch that had stood for 131 years.

Justin Verlander reached the 20 win mark, and we are still in August. He is the quickest pitcher to the milestone since Curt Schilling in 2002. Verlander is tops in the majors in k’s (218), wins (20), and could make a late push in ERA (2.38). He would be the first pitcher to win the Major League Triple Crown since Johan Santana accomplished the feat in 2006.

Another blurb on Verlander, although I don’t believe this is something we have to worry about. The last pitcher to win the MVP was Dennis Eckersley, who benefited from the lack of a standout hitter in 1992.

That standout hitter is the Yankees Curtis Granderson. Granderson has scored 121 times so far this season, an amazing 26 more than second place Jacoby Ellsbury. You would have to go back to the 1985 season to find a disparity at least that large, back when Ricky Henderson outscored the field by 28 runs. The amazing part here, is that Granderson is only batting .278 this season, some 36 points lower than Henderson. Another statistical disadvantage for Granderson, making his amount of runs scored that much more impressive, was that Henderson was in scoring position after a walk (the man stole 80 bases). Granderson has only swiped 24 bags, meaning the bats behind him have consistently come through when he is one base.

Continuing on Granderson spectacular, and unique, season, I examined the most steals by the MLB leader in RBI’s. Now teammate Alex Rodriguez stole 24 bases while leading the majors in RBIs during the 2007 season. Assuming Granderson can surpass that, he only needs one more steal, and can hold his RBI lead over Adrian Gonzalez (107-103), he would become the first RBI league leader with 25+ steals since Jose Canseco put together a 40-40 campaign in 1988. If you are of the belief that the scrawny Granderson isn’t juicing, the last time a “clean” player accomplished the feat was Joe Carter in 1986.

David Price struck out 14 Blue Jays on Sunday, setting the franchise record. He struck out at least 2 batters in 6 of the 7 innings he pitched, and K’d 10 of the first 14 batters he saw.

Mark Reynolds is 21 strikeouts behind league leader Drew Stubbs. He still ranks 3^rd in the league in most number of punch outs, but this should be seen as progress. Ever since the Baltimore hacker became a MLB regular in 2008, he has led the league in number of K’s. Don’t rule out a late season surge, but it looks as if he will avoid the season golden sombrero.

Michael Bourn leads the league in stolen bases, and is batting a respectable .302 on the season. If he can maintain that average, it will be the highest batting average by the league leader in SB’s since Juan Pierre batted .305 in 2003.

Lastly, this would have been the 62nd anniversary of the Montreal Expos, who became the first MLB franchise outside of the USA. The Toronto Blue Jays want to pay tribute by stealing signs, and still losing 85 games.

The Angels look to hurdle the wild card leading Yankees

By Kyle Soppe

Setting: The top two wild card teams in the AL do battle at new Yankee Stadium for a three-game set starting Tuesday night. The Yankees are a game back of the BoSox in the East, and are seven games clear of these Angels, who trail the Rangers by one game in the West. The offense has dominated for the pinstripes, ranking in the top top in the MLB in slugging percentage, OPS, HRs, walks drawn, and RBI, but the surprising strong pitching staff has made them more of a complete team. The Angels rely on superior pitching and timely hitting. Aces Jered Weaver and Dan Haren have paced a pitching staff that boasts an impressive 3.35 ERA and has thrown the 2nd most innings in the league. Ervin Santana has been on fire of late, throwing at least 8.1 innings in his last three starts which included a no-no in Cleveland 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, of that trio, only Haren will get a look at the Bombers. With division leaders Boston and Texas being heavily favored in their upcoming series, neither the Yanks or Angels can afford to drop 2 of 3.

Plot: The Angels will throw Dan Haren (12-6 2.81) in the first game of this series. Haren has been hot all season, and his last 9 starts show just that. Over that span, he has gone 6-1 with 7 quality starts. Whenever he or Weaver are on the mound, the Angels know they have a chance to win. The Yankees have given Haren a bit of trouble in the past, but have trouble beating him. They have 52 hits in his 50 innings against them, but Haren has pitched in and out of trouble and owns a 4-1 career record. The Angels will be counting heavily on Haren, as Weaver and Santana won’t appear in New York.

Hisanori Takahashi (3-2 3.35) will pitch in the second game, his first start this season. The 36 year old lefty is expected to fill Joel Pineiro’s spot in the rotation, and serve as a band aid until Jeff Weaver returns. Although a small sample size, Takahashi has a 1-0 record versus the Yanks in his 2 starts. In 12.1 career innings pitched versus New York, he has yet to give up an earned run. He may be on a pitch count, as he hasn’t pitched more than 2 innings this season, and the revamped pen in Los Angels will get a workout.

Rookie Tyler Chatwood (6-8 4.10) will pitch Thursday’s matinee, his first career appearance on the big stage in New York. With a season WHIP of 1.53, Chatwood will need to be much better than that to give his team a chance. The Yankees have a potent, but patient, lineup that will take what they are given, and make the most of it. One stat in Chatwood’s favor is his ability to keep opponents in the ballpark. With only 9 homers given up this year, he has the potential to limit the middle of the Bombers order that features Mark Teixeira (32 HRs), Curtis Granderson (28), and Robinson Cano (18). If the bullpen is beat up after the game on Wednesday, Chatwood may have to throw his 100 pitches, regardless of how effective he is.

The Yankees will miss out on their pitching ace as well, as C.C. Sabbathia isn’t slated to start again until Friday night. Phil Hughes was expected to start the Tuesday opener, but he pitched out of the bullpen in Sunday’s 3-2 extra inning loss to Boston, and will be unavailable to start this game. It is still undetermined who will serve as a spot start in the first game.

A.J. Burnett (8-8 4.54) will be pitching on Tuesday, looking to break a winless streak that dates back to June 29th. Burnett has the ability to strikeout many batters, but if his pitching aren’t moving, then tend to straighten out and are very hittable. His last start was one of those nights, as he gave up 13 hits and 7 earned runs against the White Sox. If there is going to be an offensive show, this figures to be the game.

The series finale will see the resurgent Bartolo Colon (8-6 3.33) pitch against the Halos. Colon has given up more than 3 earned runs only once since May 23rd, and that’s all he is counted on for. With the statistically top offense in the league, holding the opponent to 3 runs or less will be good enough on most days, and has been for Colon this year. That theory of damage control was evident in Colon’s last start vs LA, where he gave up 3 runs in 5.1 innings, but earned the victory. The Yankees can put extreme distance between themselves and the field for the wild card, but more importantly, they have the opportunity to keep up with Boston in the divisional race.

Final Word: Baseball is a game of averages, and when you put people on base, the odds of winning improve. The New York Yankees rank 2nd in the league with a .344 on base percentage while the Angels rank 22nd with at .312. With most of the top pitchers being unavailable for this series, the ability to score runs will be vital. In high scoring games, both teams will need to take full advantage in keep piling the men on base.

Soppe Score: I typically back the Angels, and believe they have what it takes to make a playoff run. However, I don’t think they match up well at all in this series. Dan Haren gives them their best shot to win, and he must pick up the win if the Angels want any chance at salvaging this series. I do believe he can win, but they will not win the series. Yankees take at least 2 of 3 now, but if I am Joe Girardi, I want to take the steam out of the Halos sails with a sweep. If the Angels were to make the playoffs, they would be a tough out for anyone, but in a series that won’t feature a Cy Young candidate in Jered Weaver and  the hottest pitcher in the MLB, I don’t see them limiting the Yankee offense.

By Paul Casey Gotham

On June 18th, Chris Bostick went through the formality with fellow classmates and crossed the stage at Rochester’s Eastman Theatre to receive his diploma from Aquinas Institute. In actuality, the Gates, New York resident started graduation proceedings almost two weeks prior to the official high school ceremony.

The Oakland Athletics chose Bostick in the 44th round of the recent Major League Baseball draft, and the high school graduate finds himself with plenty of options and time to consider his choices.

“It’s a tossup,” Bostick said when asked if he will sign with the A’s or take advantage of a full scholarship offered by St. John’s. “I haven’t even started negotiating.”

For those who have seen him play, the late-round selection may have come as a surprise, but Bostick took it all in stride.

“I had thoughts of it going through the season,” Bostick said. “I had seen a bunch of scouts and talked to them, but I never could put my finger on when I would get chosen.”

Poor weather conditions worked against Bostick. With the Little Irish not playing from May 14th to the 29th, scouts could not get a chance to see him play.

“I thought the Cubs would draft him in the sixth to eighth round,” Aquinas head coach Mark Magliocco explained. “But 15 days of bad weather hurt his draft choice.”

“It helps to play in the south,” Bostick reflected. “They play 50-60 games. When it comes to the draft, they separate by warm-weather and cold-weather states with warm-weather going early in the draft.”

Bostick hit .510 his senior season for the Little Irish. This after hitting at a .507 clip his junior year and .490 as a sophomore when AQ when the New York State title.

“From day one I have been telling people this kid is unbelievable,” Magliocco said.  “He played every position in the field as a freshman. He is so fluid in his movements.”

Being chosen in the draft out of high school, Bostick was able to take advantage of a rule change in the New York Collegiate Baseball League and get a taste of the next level. The NYCBL, a summer wood bat league sanctioned by the NCAA and partially funded by MLB, modified one of its rules during the off-season giving high school seniors, taken in the MLB draft, immediate eligibility for league play. The recent draft pick and the Webster Yankees wasted little time, and the infielder appeared in the pinstripes less than a week after hearing his name called.

“I”m having fun,” Bostick said about playing in the NYCBL. “I like it a lot.”

The new level of play for Bostick means a few changes. Instead of playing seven innings as in high school, NYCBL games go the full nine. Aquinas played just eighteen games this past spring. The Webster Yankees have already logged 14 of their 44-game slate.

“It almost becomes a lifestyle,” Bostick continued. “It’s different playing everyday. Instead of showing up an hour before a game you are there at four to play a seven o’clock game to get in batting practice.”

The Webster nine have won five of eight games with Bostick in the lineup and have jumped to first place in NYCBL’s West Division. The infielder is hitting .576 with three extra-base hits, nine RBI and eight stolen bases.

“He raises the bar for everybody,” said fourth-year head coach Dave Brust. “It’s obvious he is talented, but he brings a level of confidence especially on the defensive side. He gives us a lot of versatility. His ability to make plays has already bailed us out a couple of times.”

“His hand speed is the thing I noticed right away,” added Brust who played three years in the Atlanta Braves’ system. “The sound the baseball makes coming off his bat is unlike anybody else’s.”

The change in NYCBL rules also gave Bostick the opportunity to play with his older brother, Ben. The brothers were teammates at Aquinas and during summer ball in past years.

“I never really thought I would get a chance to play with him again,” Bostick said. “It’s great. That is a big reason why I signed on to play with Webster.”

Bostick’s selection in the MLB draft is the first for the school on Rochester’s northwest side since the Montreal Expos chose Ken Lelek in the second round of the 1975 draft.

“That’s pretty exciting,” Bostick said when asked about the 35 years between the two. “There have been a lot of great players out of Aquinas. To be the one picked means a lot.”

Lelek’s  selection came when MLB had a draft in both January and June. Being chosen in January, the right-handed pitcher had not yet played a college game.

“I got letters from teams interested in having me try out,” Lelek recalled. I know Montreal sent one, and I think Cincinnati. Montreal took us up to Jarry Park. I remember going up there with a scout and having us work with the team.”

Lelek didn’t sign with the Expos.

“They would have put me on their rookie league team in Alberta, Canada,” Lelek recalled. “I wasn’t ready. I was just out of high school, and I wanted to play a little bit. I wanted to play professional baseball, but I wanted an education. My dad always said if you’re good enough to play, they’re going to find you. I wanted to get my degree.”

Lelek continued at Monroe Community College and led the Tribunes to their first of seven Junior College World Series appearances.

He was later chosen in the January 1976 and June 1976 drafts before deciding to accept a scholarship to play at Bowling Green.

“The Cubs offered me decent money, but I wanted them to match what Bowling Green was giving me in scholarship.”

Eventually, Lelek tore the medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during his first semester at Bowling Green. He returned to pitch but lost his velocity.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Lelek said. “If I was to change anything, I would have redshirted my senior season to allow my elbow to heal.”

For now, Chris Bostick can enjoy the ride and the opportunities available to him. He and the Webster Yankees continue their season on Friday, June 24th when they host Niagara Power at Basket Road Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 pm.

There is often nothing funnier than capturing a facial expression or occurrence at the right time, or, should we say, the most inopportune time.

I challenge you, loyal readers, to view the picture below and provide a captivating caption that will cause “the shores a-crowding” with “people all exulting.” Should you provide the wittiest of captions, for you the flag will be flung and the bugles will trill.

This week, we have New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter looking a little worried with the hug he’s about to receive from Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal after reaching an agreement on a new contract:

Getty Images: Shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees gets a hug from Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal during a press conference to announce his new contract with the club on December 7, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.

You’ve got the context, now make like the father of free verse and create the best caption you can in the comments below.

Texas Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee fields a hit during baseball pitching drills in an afternoon team practice for the World Series, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are scheduled to play the San Francisco Giants in the opening game of the series on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

By Aaron M Smith

Somewhere Brian McCann is wondering if he is going to get a World Series ring this year.  Sounds a little strange, as McCann’s Braves are already home hitting the local golf courses.  But thanks to McCann’s double in the Midsummer Classic, also known as the MLB All-Star game – the National League won the game and ultimately home field advantage for the World Series. The San Francisco Giants are the recipients of Brian McCann’s game winning hit.

For those that have been hiding under a rock it is David vs. David. One team is in the World Series for the first time ( Texas) and the other hasn’t won a World Series Championship in 56 years ( San Francisco). Either way after this series, the drought is over for one city.

Games 1 & 2 are in San Francisco and National League rules are in. Conventional wisdom would say that the American League representative would be at a disadvantage. These Texas Rangers don’t fit that mold. While this team does have power, this team also relies on speed and situational hitting to create runs. The Giants however, are an opportunistic team who relies on its pitching to keep them in games.

Game 1 features a pair of aces with Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum matching up. Games 1 & 2 also see the DH rule going away, forcing Vladimir Guerrero to the field. This means David Murphy will likely not start and if the Rangers get a lead – will be a defensive replacement. Will Guerrero’s knees hold up in the field?

AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Both teams are inexperienced in post-season play, so how much will nerves play in Games 1 & 2? Giants don’t score a ton of runs, so any defensive miscues will be amplified. The Rangers has hit the opposition’s starting pitching hard in the first two rounds  – how will they do against Tim Lincecum? Lincecum has been outstanding in the post-season, second only to Bob Gibson in strikeouts in their first two appearances in the postseason.

Will either League Championship series MVPs, Josh Hamilton or Cody Ross continue their torrid hitting? Conventional wisdom says Hamilton, but history has shown that conventional wisdom doesn’t rule in the playoffs.

Prediction – Series heads back to Texas tied 1-1.
Got a prediction? Let’s hear it!

By Paul Casey Gotham

It is that time again. Let’s hear from you readers. We had another week of stellar performances. Pick the ONE that stands out to you, and tell us a story.

Roy Halladay earned my POTW.

Halley’s Comet is visible on earth every 75-76 years. Pitching a no-hitter in the MLB playoffs apparently occurs every 54 years.

Roy Halladay spun a no-hit gem in his first MLB post-season appearance as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 in the opener of the 2010 NLDS. Halladay allowed just one runner, Jay Bruce on a walk, over nine innings.

Halladay struck out eight and threw just 25 of his 104 pitches out of the strike zone. Those statistics can be measured. What is not so easily measured is the command and rhythm Halladay possessed for the evening. He was able to throw all of the pitches in his arsenal for strikes, and kept Cincinnati hitters off-balance throughout the evening.

Halladay’s gem came 54 years after Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

Off the topic – which American novelist’s life spanned the appearance of Halley’s Comet. He was born the year Halley’s Comet appeared and died 75 years later just after the comet flashed across the sky.

Who gets your POTW?

By Aaron M Smith

As we are in the first days of  October, I have this vision of Vin Scully out walking his dog, describing the beginning of fall.  It goes something like this: “As the leaves turn, so does the chapter in this novel we call the 2010 Major League Baseball season.” I am sure his dog would be to busy trying to figure which tree to mark his/her territory to listen, but for me – it is poetry that I could listen to all day. Now this vision didn’t really happen,  but  October is here – so are the Divisional series. 8 teams remain and only 3 games stand between them and a trip to their respective League Championships series. But before we get too far ahead, let’s take a look each Divisional series:

American League:

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins - When Boston beat New York yesterday, which team was happier – Minnesota or Texas?  My money is on the Texas Rangers.  In the 2000s, the Yankees have faced Minnesota in the ALDS 3 times – 2003, 2004 and 2009 with a record of 9-2. Game 1 will feature a pair of lefties – Francisco Liriano and C.C. Sabathia.  After Game 1, the Twins will follow with Carl Pavano, Brian Duensing and Nick Blackburn. The Yankees answer with Andy Pettite, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett.  Much of the Twins ability to knock off the Yankees will depend on the health of All-Star Joe Mauer.  With Justin Morneau out for the season, the Twins cannot afford to lose their MVP for any part of this series.  Games 1 and 2 take place in the spacious Target Field – the Yankees will have to rely on the feet of Granderson, Gardner and Jeter to engineer runs.  Jorge Posada is slightly under 15% in throwing runners out – will the Twins put runners in motion to create chaos on the base paths?
Prediction :  Yankees in 5 games.

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays -  When the Texas Rangers made the trade early in 2010 for Cliff Lee – they envisioned him being the horse that got them to the World Series. Game 1 will be that first step as Lee will face David Price. Bad new for the Rangers  – the Rays have the second best W-L record when their opponent starts a left-hander. Texas starters for Games 1 and 2? Lefties. The Rays beat Lee three times this year – once when he was with Seattle.  However – the Rays leader, Evan Longoria is battling an injury – will he be effective? The Rangers got a HUGE piece of their puzzle back with the return of Josh Hamilton. Not only is Hamilton their best player, he also provides protection for Vladimir Guerrero in the batting order. Rangers bullpen won 32 games during the season and was a key to the Ranger’s success during the regular season. Can their success carryover into the postseason? The Rays bats have disappeared at times during the season – having 2 no-hitters thrown against them in 2010. October is not the time for one of those slumps.

Prediction:  A shocker – Texas in 5 games.

National League:

Atlanta Braves vs.  San Francisco Giants – Bobby Cox’s retirement tour continues, and this makes the Braves dangerous. This series features 2 teams that rely heavily on their pitching as neither offense can be labeled with the title “juggernaut.” The Giants will send out Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez. That leaves former Cy Young winner, Barry Zito as the 4th option in their rotation. The Giants closer, Brian Wilson, has been dominant. The Braves send out playoff veterans, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson. Throw in Tommy Hanson and the Braves have a formidable starting 3.  With injuries to Chipper Jones and Martin Prado, the Braves will rely on an aging Derrick Lee and rookie Jason Heyward to carry them to the NLCS. One name to watch in the Giants lineup – Buster Posey,  possible NL Rookie of the Year.

Prediction:  Atlanta in 5 games.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies – The surprise team against the hottest team in the National League. The Phillies, probably the favorite to win the World Series, will send a formidable starting rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Equally dangerous is two of those starters have not won a World Series – look for Halladay and Oswalt to pitch lights out in the playoffs. The Phillies lineup is healthy, but the key is Jimmy Rollins. When Rollins is healthy, he is the catalyst for a potentially dangerous lineup. The Reds have done of an amazing job of mixing youth with veterans to provide the right chemistry. Playoff baseball is back in Ohio!! The Reds will send youngsters Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.  The Reds lineup features MVP candidate Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips. If either team has a weakness, it is their bullpens. Can both hold up? Will rookie flame thrower, Aroldis Chapman provide stability in the Reds bullpen? Both ballparks are hitter friendly, so anticipate a high scoring series.

Prediction: Phillies in 3 games.

Got a Prediction? Let’s hear it!