Bruiser Chong

Yeah, man, he sucked at the plate so that makes him gay. I think someone needs to show this chap the cyber exit. And I'd imagine Rolen's still not 100 percent from that injury that kept him on the shelf most of September.

You truly believe that offense is what kept the Yankees from going to the World Series? It went cold in the NLCS, but when you have Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield, Matsui and Posada in your everyday lineup, offense shouldn't be a high priority. Why not throw some of that bank into the tailend of the mediocre starting rotation and god-awful bullpen?

Since I'm jaded as hell about the Cubs, I didn't want the Sox to even advance to the NLCS, so clearly it's the Pistons. On top of that, being from Michigan, I can't help but take a little bit of pride in seeing a team that was god-awful a decade ago absolutely bitchslap around the NBA's version of the Evil Empire; in a fashion that went against the current NBA formula of star players and ball-hogs getting all the glory. Not a single bonafide superstar on the Pistons squad, yet they destroyed the Lakers. And unlike the Sox/Yankees series, virtually nobody (myself included) thought the Pistons had a chance of winning two games in the series, let alone the series, itself. What the Sox did was uncanny, but they were clearly the better team; while the Pistons were ultimately the better team, it was more like watching Miracle in that series. Even when they were winning, you didn't possibly think they could hold on.

As it should be. As incredible as all of this is, the final piece of the puzzle must fall into place before the true celebration begins. I just think it's funny that the largest payroll in baseball was a part of the biggest choke in sports history. And believe me, it's the biggest choke. The Yanks had to win a single game and they dropped the next four; the last two being at home. What an utter collapse, but in the end, the better team won. And clearly, the Sox were the better team. I actually wanted the Yanks to win, but if they couldn't manage one win in four games, then that's their prob. I'm just glad that the Cubs' collapse in the NLCS last season now looks like small beans compared to this disaster. Heads shall surely roll.

I'm not going to enjoy seeing them lose. I think he just meant it's sad that you can't find any joy in the game other than the Yankees winning. As in, you can't enjoy a good game between two good teams, even if you don't care one way or the other about either of them.

Man, I thought I was full of hate. Wishing death on someone for striking out? C'mon. Most of you Yanks fans are nuts here. Granted I'd be going up the wall if my team squatted a three-game lead, but you're showing zero faith in the team you've stood by all this time. You get the homefield advantage, Lowe and that Yankees magic we always hear about. You'll be fine. For my sanity, it can't be Sox/Stros.

This is not happening... The Cardinals are experiencing a meltdown at the worst possible time. I know Backe's not a slouch, but one hit? That's ridiculous. They had to do something to make sure that they saw someone; anyone in there between Backe and Lidge. Thank god there aren't any more games in Houston as far as this series goes; it's becoming clear that the Stros are unbeatable in that bandbox of horror.

Thank god they get to go back and play two more games in St. Louis. They looked absolutely helpless against Lidge (but really, who doesn't?). The secret is obviously forcing Phil to go to the pen instead of going from starter to Lidge. Ultimately, though, I think that's gonna lead to their demise.

Funny you should mention that, AoO. I had no clue what that was until reading about it in an assigned chapter in my Late Western Civ. class last week. Now it all makes sense. You go to school so you understand messageboards better.

Millar popped up with the (non Curt) fat man at third. Mueller GIDP. I think that proves how god-awful the transmission was.

I had to work on the newspaper so I missed the entire game. Caught the last inning on the AWFUL ESPN radio. When the broadcast didn't sound like a transmission within a fighter plane that was going down, it sounded like some intense stuff. I pulled in my driveway as Millar hit into the doubleplay to end the game. Tremendous.

Wendell Kim. Sarge Matthews and Gene Klines will also switch roles, with Sarge moving to the first base coach and Klines taking over the role of hitting coach. At least some changes were made, but is Klines any improvement over Sarge? I know absolutely nothing about his hitting knowledge.

A couple years. No big deal.

Apparently they've had a couple of assorted incidents over the years. Something about a Dominican chucking an overweight old man to the ground and a brief argument between the one team's third-baseman and the other team's catcher. Other than that, I don't believe the two teams have much of a history, unlike that tired and played Twins and Angels mega-rilvarly that we've been subjected to time and time again.

Because there's still a LONG way ahead. I remember being thrilled about the Cubs winning the NLDS last season, but the possible two weeks of play that lied ahead seemed like an enternity. I'd call the Cards favs to take the series, but then again, me backing a team seems to be the kiss of death, so I'll pipe down. As much as I dislike the Astros, I couldn't help but feel a tad bit happy for Bagwell and Biggio. I guess they deserve at least one postseason series win. Oh, and hey guys, did you know that there's some game between the Red Sox and the Yankees tomorrow? FOX keeps mentioning it like it's some sort of holiday, so I take it's like gonna be the greatest game in the history of the sport, right?

Does any of this really matter? You can spin it any way you'd like, but at the end of the day, the Braves have one ring to show for 13 straight division titles. As a Cubs fan, I'd kill for just one ring, but then again, I'd probably expect more than one if they had made the postseason for nearly a decade and a half.

I think I'm over the Juan Cruz trade.

It's all about the Cards now, folks. They're the team that's played like a World Series team all season. Like them or not, they deserve to play in the Series. I don't know how you Braves fans do it. I couldn't subject myself to this postseason misery seemingly every year.

+ postseason =

The stigma of the Braves sputtering out in October looks like it'll continue. After yesterday's game, they should've had all the momentum in the world. Guess not. Then again, it's tough to win when three of your top hitters do virtually nothing the entire series.

I think he's done. He was clearly running on fumes the entire inning. If the Braves can hold the Stros where they are, they should have a good shot to tie it up within the next inning or two.

Not with Wright on the mound. He's been horrible in this series. And I love Beltran. I just wish he didn't play for the Astros. Braves are gonna have to get into the Astros' pen quick if they want a shot at this. Otherwise, they'll have the indignity of being the first to go down in defeat to the Stros in a postseason series.

The Braves aren't a very encouraging team at home.

You might want to hold off on that, actually. Paul Reubens is releasing the whole series next year as a limited edition set with commentary on every episode, along with bonus material from his own collection. The set being released in November is just the episodes. Here's an excerpt about it from the press release: Yeah, I saw that a couple weeks ago. I'm usually one of those guys who bashes people for buying a DVD that already has a superior version announced and on the way, but this is one of those shows I grew up watching and don't think I can hold out for another year for. I may get these and then sell them off when we get closer to the ultimate set.

These sets getting back up to regular prices may be a good thing for me, actually. The next three months are going to be insane enough without this deal. When you consider things like the second wave of the Monster Legacy sets, first four seasons of Pee-Wee's Playhouse, Seinfeld set, fifth season of the Simpsons and the first season of the original Twilight Zone (just to name a few) being released before the year's over, I'll have my funds tied up enough as it is. And there's still the inevitable DDD 20% off sale.