Baseball Playoff Chronicles, Vol. 2

That was as satisfying a division series as I've ever experienced. This is the first time I can remember that all four teams that I rooted for were victorious. Actually, this is better described as a case where the four teams that I was rooting against lost. First, there were the perenially-gagging Braves, who mercifully excused themselves in a mere four games. Is there a more unloveable, uninspiring successful team in sports? Florida State football and Kentucky basketball come to mind. Next, there were the San Diego Padres, a team that I didn't see play one inning during their postseason run. I guess I'm just bitter that a team so untalented still mangaged to top my Giants in the NL West. If Barry and Benitez had been healthy all year, the Giants and Cardinals would be playing in Game 5 tonight.

Tonight, the Yankees bid adieu to the playoffs, in a series that was easily the best of the first round. It's so satisfying to see the Steinbrenner/Cashman philosophy of defense-be-damned slugging come crashing down in the glare of October. Finally, no first round result was sweeter for me than watching the Red Sox get swept. What a complete turnaround for this team that won my heart over last October. In the past year, it's been nothing but chest-beating, gloating and self-importance from Red Sox Nation, who viewed the ALCS as their birthright.

Here's to an LCS free of hateable teams.

 
Baseball Playoff Chronicles, Vol. 1

Once again it's time to marvel at the magic that is postseason baseball. Here are my observations two days into the playoffs:

- Speaking of a team not in the playoffs, how disheartening was it to see the Indians choke away a playoff spot last week? By losing 6 of their last 7, the Indians gave Cleveland fans an identical end-of-season collapse to match the Cavaliers' performance last spring.

- Cleveland's collapse ought to attract attention from conspiracy wonks who've been solely focused on the NBA. Not only do the plucky, small-market Indians fail to oust the White Sox, but it just so happens that the Yankees and Red Sox slide into the postseason. So now the four AL playoff teams come from the four biggest TV markets in the league: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Red Sox Nation. Hmmmm.

- The most fascinating aspect of a postseason game is watching a team manufacture a run. It's like a baseball version of a two-minute drill to get into field goal range. Tonight in the 7th inning, the Angels gave a textbook example, using infield singles, sacrifices and a two-out hit to take the lead.

- Once again, ESPN Page 2 is running their entertaining playoff feature, Second Guessing, in which writers analyze the most difficult managerial decisions made in the previous night's games. I like the fact that the column is smarter than most of the "20/20 Hindsight" drivel on Page 2.

- I like Clemens, Pettite and Oswalt as much as the next guy, but people are overrating the importance of their pitching staff. I think they'll get past Atlanta , but I don't think they have enough bats to win it all. It would be a different story if they still had Beltran and Kent.

- Tonight's games is proof how how important defense is when evaluating players-- and why that should factor into the MVP vote. Let's just say that Chone Figgins is a bit more valuable a player than Tony Graffanino.

- This is just a gut feeling, but I don't think any of the four division series will go to five games.