Bored

Tigers will stick with their rotation for the ALDS and start Nate Robertson in Game 1. A's will also stick with their rotation even though Rich Harden didn't pitch in the ALDS. I'm still thinking they still aren't sure about his elbow and he looked pretty bad in the last game of the season after two promising starts. I might as well mention that by reasons of insanity or more likely to force people into putting down deposits for 2007 season tickets, the A's are not taking off the tarps on the upper deck even if they make it to the World Series. They aren't even putting up World Series tickets for general sale but holding a lottery for the tickets. I can understand not selling the seats on top of Mount Davis as those seats are completely worthless for baseball (trust me I've sat up there once and you can see San Francisco better than the field) but not removing them from the upper deck is nuts.

Since it will probably come up, no the Cardinals would not have the worst record of any team to reach the World Series if they advance. The '73 Mets were one game worse at 82-79 as they upset the Big Red Machine and then pushed the defending champion A's to seven games in the Series. I'm rooting for the Mets as they've been by far the best team in the N.L. this year and deserve to represent them in the World Series.

I'm going to assign bravesfan as permanent replacement for Kansas State, unless Loaded Glove decides to show up by Thursday as I won't accept late picks from him. Big week in the contest as you'll see by the schedule. Unfortunately it's a really shitty week in college football so there's a few match-ups in there I know won't have many differing picks but I didn't have much choice. Two Thursdy games so it's very important everyone get their picks on time. Deadline #1: Thursday, October 12th, 7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PST -Lose out on both Thursday games Deadline #2: Saturday, October 14th, Noon EST/9:00 AM PST -Replacement picks, can't win by tiebreak Week 7 Match-ups #2 Oregon State* PM (Princess Leena, 5-1) vs. #4 Hawaii* PM (Will Scarlet, 4-2) - GAME OF THE WEEK #7 Georgia Tech* PM (iggymcfly, 4-2) vs. #8 Tennessee* (Sex Machine Gun, 4-2) #1 Oregon* PM (nogoodnick, 6-0) vs. UCLA* PM (phoenixrising, 6-0) #3 Syracuse* (CanadianChris, 6-0) vs. Stanford* (Bored, 2-4) #5 Kentucky* (Danville Wrestling, 4-2) vs. LSU* PM (teke184, 4-2) #6 Auburn* (Agent of Oblivion, 3-3) vs. Florida* PM (Urban Warfare, 3-3) #9 Virginia* (Edwin MacPhisto, 5-1) vs. Maryland* (Lando Griffin*, 4-2) #10 Notre Dame* (Lando Griffin, 4-2) vs. Boise State* PM (bravesfan, 1-5) Temple* PM (Ortonsault, 3-3) vs. South Carolina (Cuban Linx, 3-3) Miami* (Spaceman Spiff, 3-3) vs. Florida International (Vitamin X, 2-4) Minnesota* (Vern Gagne, 4-2) vs. Kansas State* PM (bravesfan*, 2-4) Michigan* (the pinjockey*, 4-2) vs. Penn State* (IK Cool Jew, 2-4) Connecticut* (SilverPhoenix, 2-4) vs. Texas A&M* PM (Secret Agent, 2-4) Arizona State* PM (Spicy McHaggis, 4-2) vs. USC* (Cartman, 2-4) Rutgers* (the pinjockey, 2-4) vs. Texas* (UTBroward, 2-4) Oklahoma* (Vampiro69, 4-2) vs. UTEP* (Angel Grace Blue, 3-3) Buffalo* (Carnival, 1-5) vs. Miami of Ohio* PM (Hawk 34, 1-5) Kent State* (JHawk, 3-3) vs. Alabama* PM (AlwaysPissedOff, 0-6) Ohio State (Gert T, 1-5) vs. San Diego State* PM (The Last Samurai, 2-4) San Jose State* PM (kkktookmybabyaway, 2-4) vs. Florida State* PM (Kingofthe909, 1-5) Week 7 Games to Make Picks For THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy?

No College Football Wrap Up today as I was out of town yesterday and missed the majority of the games, not that any of my "insights" ever require watching the games. On to the next rankings... 2004 Top 3 1. Mark Loretta 2. Jeff Kent 3. Ray Durham 2005 Top 3 1. Brian Roberts 2. Jeff Kent 3. Chase Utley 2006 2nd Basemen Rankings 1. Chase Utley, Phillies 2. Ray Durham, Giants 3. Dan Uggla, Marlins 4. Robinson Cano, Yankees 5. Jeff Kent, Dodgers 6. Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks 7. Tadahito Iguchi, White Sox 8. Josh Barfield, Padres 9. Brian Roberts, Orioles 10. Luis Castillo, Twins 11. Jose Valentin, Mets 12. Jose Lopez, Mariners 13. Brandon Phillips, Reds 14. Marcus Giles, Braves 15. Ian Kinsler, Rangers 16. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays 17. Mark Grudzielanek, Royals 18. Jamey Carroll, Rockies 19. Rickie Weeks, Brewers 20. Mark Loretta, Red Sox 21. Adam Kennedy, Angels 22. Jose Vidro, Nationals 23. Tony Graffanino, Royals/Brewers 24. Mark Ellis, A's 25. Placido Polanco, Tigers 26. Ronnie Belliard, Indians/Cardinals 27. Craig Biggio, Astros 28. Aaron Miles, Cardinals 29. Jorge Cantu, Devil Rays 30. Jose Castillo, Pirates

I feel bad for Jason Kendall that his #1 comp thru age 32 is still Thurman Munson which obviously means Kendall is going to die soon.

My prediction for the storyline FOX slams into the ground for the series is the Billy Beane chair throwing incident after the A's drafted Jeremy Bonderman.

It ended up going seven "overtimes" with North Texas winning 25-22. Can't find a complete play-by-play of the game but both teams failed to score in the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th "overtimes" with both kickers missing four field goals. Just brutal.

Remember how I've been preaching for patience? Things work themselves out in the end. After a few weeks nogoondnick had tumbled out of the polls despite being undefeated and it seemed unfair. But after a couple of big weeks he has grabbed the top spot. Also Leena has now been helped out by a boost in "stregth of schedule" and horrific weeks by Will Scarlet and Spaceman Spiff. Of course there is one bit of CONTROVERSY~ and that is the placement of Agent of Oblivion and the missing phoenixrising. Agent has now tied himself for the #1 spot in correct picks but has faced a brutal schedule which is why he's only 3-3. On the other hand phoenix is undefeated but has been very fortunate with the performance of his opponents as he's only 18th in correct picks. But like with noogoodnick, phoenixrising could find himself at the top in a couple of weeks. Bored Championship Series Rankings thru Week 6 1. Oregon - nogoodnick 4.3 2. Oregon State - Princess Leena 4.65 3. Syracuse - CanadianChris 5.8 4. Hawaii - Will Scarlet 6.4 5. Kentucky - DanvilleWrestling 7.9 6. Auburn - Agent of Oblivion 8.3 7. Georgia Tech - iggymcfly 10.05 8. Tennessee - Sex Machine Gun 10.05 9. Virginia - Edwin MacPhisto 10.1 10. Notre Dame - Lando Griffin 10.65 Other Receiving Votes: Miami (Spaceman Spiff), South Carolina (Cuban Linx), Temple (Ortonsault), UCLA (phoenixrising)

Week 6 Results #8 Oregon (nogoodnick) 11, #3 Oregon State (Princess Leena) 7 #7 Kentucky (Danville Wrestling) 7, #5 South Carolina (Cuban Linx) 6 Miami of Ohio (Hawk 34) 10, #1 Hawaii (Will Scarlet) 4 San Jose State (kkktookmybabyaway) 5, #2 Miam (Spaceman Spiff) 5; kkk wins by 2nd tiebreak #4 Syracuse (CanadianChris) 7, Kansas State (Loaded Glove/Angel Grace Blue) 6 Kent State (JHawk) 9, #6 Temple (Ortonsault) 8 #9 Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto) 7, Texas A&M (Secret Agent) 4 Maryland (Lando Griffin*) 10, #10 Georgia Tech (iggymcfly) 7 LSU (teke184) 8, Florida (Urban Warfare) 6 UCLA (phoenixrising) 7, USC (Cartman) 5 Minnesota (Vern Gagne) 7, Penn State (UTBroward*) 5 Auburn (Agent of Oblivion) 9, Rutgers (the pinjockey) 9; Agent wins by tiebreak Notre Dame (Lando Griffin) 10, Stanford (Bored) 6 Tennessee (Sex Machine Gun) 9, Florida International (Vitamin X) 7 Arizona State (Spicy McHaggis) 5, San Diego State (The Last Samurai) 3 Michigan (the pinjockey*) 9, Connecticut (SilverPhoenix) 8 Ohio State (Gert T) 7, Buffalo (Carnvial) 7; Gert wins by tiebreak Oklahoma (Vampiro69) 6, Texas (UTBroward) 5 Florida State (Kingofthe909) 6, Boise State (bravesfan) 4 UTEP (Angel Grace Blue) 7, Alabama (AlwaysPissedOff) 7; AGB wins by tiebreak Conference Standings Southeastern Seven 1. Kentucky (2-0, 4-2) 1. LSU (2-0, 4-2) 3. Auburn (2-1, 3-3) 4. Tennessee (1-1, 4-2) 4. Florida (2-2, 3-3) 6. South Carolina (1-2, 3-3) 7. FIU (0-2, 2-4) 7. Alabama (0-2, 0-6) Western Atlantic 1. Hawaii (2-0, 4-2) 2. Georgia Tech (2-1, 4-2) 3. Virginia (1-1, 5-1) 3. Maryland* (1-1, 4-2) 3. Miami (1-1, 3-3) 6. San Jose State (1-2, 2-4) 6. Boise State (1-2, 1-5) 6. Florida State (1-2, 1-5) Big MAC 1. Minnesota (3-1, 4-2) 1. Temple (3-1, 3-3) 3. Michigan* (2-1, 4-2) 4. Kent State (2-2, 3-3) 4. Ohio State (1-1, 1-5) 6. Penn State* (1-2, 2-4) 7. Miami of Ohio (0-1, 1-5) 8. Buffalo (0-2, 1-5) Pac-8 1. Oregon (3-0, 6-0) 2. UCLA (2-0, 6-0) 3. Oregon State (1-1, 5-1) 3. Arizona State (1-1, 4-2) 3. Notre Dame (1-1, 4-2) 3. USC (1-1, 2-4) 7. San Diego State (0-2, 2-4) 8. Stanford (0-3, 2-4) Big 8 1. Syracuse (2-0, 6-0) 1. Oklahoma (2-0, 4-2) 3. UTEP (1-0, 3-3) 4. Texas (1-1, 2-4) 5. Kansas State (1-2, 2-4) 6. Connecticut (0-1, 2-4) 6. Rutgers (0-1, 2-4) 6. Texas A&M (0-1, 2-4)

Unless iggy shows up in the next half hour he's going to lose a point for the Oklahoma State/Kansas State game. Here's his picks. THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 47 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 205 And if Loaded Glove doesn't show up I'll use Angel Grace Blue's picks as replacements. I may have to replace him permanently as he's been late almost every week and this would be his second use of replacements. Sorry I'm not going to get around to posting pick breakdowns but not like it's hard to look for your opponents picks and see where you differ.

THEY WON NINETY-FIVE GAMES Don't tell that to any announcers, they make it sound like the Tigers should feel blessed to be taking on the Yankees. Hey just wait until the ALCS if the Tigers win and we'll get constant yammerings about how the A's/Tigers is a battle of "Cinderella teams" and that they "weren't supposed to get here" like they are a couple of 16 seeds making it to the Final Four.

Yes Shelton was sent down after going into the tank after his amazing April, he slugged under .400 for the rest of the season. Of course it's funny they end up trading for a guy in Sean Casey who slugged just .388 while with the Tigers.

I never got to truly appreciate the A's run in the late 80's and early 90's because really as a kid how can you appreciate or understand the major accomplishments of your favorite sports team? I was spoiled rotten by the A's and 49ers to point that I pretty much expected my teams to always be in the hunt for championships. I was 12 years old when the A's beat the Red Sox 3-1 in Game 4 of the 1990 ALCS to sweep that series and win their third straight A.L. pennant. That game of course is best known for the premature, and hilarious to me, ejection of Roger Clemens in the 2nd inning. The A's winning was expected and their postgame celebration was fairly subuded. The A's that year would be swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series, a result that was even more shocking that their loss the Dodgers two years earlier. Little did we know it would be 16 years and five postseason failure later that the A's would win another playoff series. 1992 was the end of that dynasty and I unfortunately witnessed the nail in the coffin live in person, courtesy of the bat of Roberto Alomar. I attended Game 4 of that year's ALCS, the first A's playoff game I ever had a chance to go to. Well okay that isn't entirely true as I was at Game 3 of the World Series on October 17, 1989 but...that's another story. In that game in 1992 with Blue Jays leading the series 2 games to 1 the A's jumped Jack Morris with a five run third inning. They led 6-1 going into the 8th inning and the game was in the bag and the A's were back in the series. But Tony LaRussa pressed his luck a bit with an aging Bob Welch and left him in to start the 8th who was promptly met with an Alomar double. LaRussa hooked him for Jeff Parrett who had been very reliable during the regular season but became very unreliable here. He gave up back-to-back singles to Joe Carter and Dave Winfield to make the game 6-2. No matter, the A's had Dennis Eckersley and LaRussa would now rely on him to get a two inning save. But Eck would then give up rbi singles to John Oledrud and Candy Maldanado to make it 6-4. But it still seemed fairly secure but that ended quickly in the 9th. Eckersley just didn't have it that day as he gave up a lead off single to Devon White and then...Alomar hits one of the biggest LCS homeruns in history. I still remember those annoying Blue Jays wives sitting in one section waving around their blue "J's" as Alomar circled the bases. What did I do, along with my brother? We left. Ya too young and stupid to realize how lame it is to leave a tie game in the ALCS in the 9th inning but that's what we did. I would miss Mark McGwire bunt, yes BUNT, in the 9th inning and then a horrible baserunning miscue by A's fans cult hero Eric Fox that would send the game to extra innings. I would then miss the Blue Jays eventually win on that most exciting of baseball plays, the sacrafice fly, in the 11th. So really I didn't end up regretting our decision to leave early. But thanks to Eric Chavez and Marco Scutaro I'll be going to another ALCS game, either Game 1 against Detroit or Game 3 against New York. I want to say how happy I am that Eric Chavez played a big role in today's win. The guy has been nothing but a scapegoat for irrational A's fans since fan favorite Miguel Tejada left. Sure he hasn't lived up to the hype and promise he showed just a few years ago but the guy deserved to finally shine in the spotlight.

Well I'm still waiting on iggymcfly to correct a pick he left off but I need to get the picks up so here's the other PM'd picks. Florida - Urban Warfare THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Texas A&M Air Force Tulane Oklahoma LSU Colorado Kansas State Oregon State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee California Wyoming Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 46 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 294 Auburn - Agent of Oblivion THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Texas A&M Navy Tulane Texas Florida Colorado Kansas State Washington State Texas Tech Central Michigan Georgia California New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 58 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 202 San Diego State - The Last Samurai THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 69 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 215 UCLA - phoenixrising THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Texas A&M Navy Tulane Texas Florida Colorado Oklahoma State Washington State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee Oregon New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 45 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 275 Arizona State - Spicy McHaggis THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Kansas Navy Rice Oklahoma LSU Baylor Oklahoma State Washington State Missouri Toledo Tennessee Oregon New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 37 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 200 San Jose State - kkktookmybabyaway TCU Texas A&M Air Force Tulane Texas LSU Colorado Kansas State Oregon State Texas Tech Toledo Georgia California New Mexico Tiebreak #1: 51 Tiebreak #2: 215 LSU - teke184 THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 58 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 225 Temple - Ortonsault THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Texas A&M Navy Tulane Texas LSU Colorado Oklahoma State Washington State Texas Tech Central Michigan Tennessee California New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 54 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 400 Miami of Ohio - Hawk 34 THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 34 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida 226 Oregon - nogoodnick THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Kansas Navy Tulane Texas Florida Baylor Kansas State Washington State Missouri Central Michigan Tennessee Oregon Wyoming Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 55 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 234 Boise State - bravesfan TCU Texas A&M Navy Rice Oklahoma LSU Colorado Oklahoma State Oregon State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee Oregon Wyoming TB: 49/220 Virginia - Edwin MacPhisto THURSDAY TCU SATURDAY Texas A&M Navy Tulane Texas LSU Colorado Oklahoma State Washington State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee Oregon Wyoming Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 41 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 262 Alabama - AlwaysPissedOff TCU Texas A&M Navy Tulane Texas LSU Colorado Oklahoma State Washington State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee Oregon Wyoming TB #1: 48 TB #2: 246 Texas A&M - Secret Agent THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 45 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 206 Oregon State - Princess Leena THURSDAY TCU at Utah SATURDAY Texas A&M at Kansas Navy at Air Force Rice at Tulane Texas vs. Oklahoma LSU at Florida Baylor at Colorado Oklahoma State at Kansas State Washington State at Oregon State Missouri at Texas Tech Central Michigan at Toledo Tennessee at Georgia Oregon at California Wyoming at New Mexico Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Texas/Oklahoma game? 48 Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will LSU's JaMarcus Russell have against Florida? 177

FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Biggest win since clinching the division on the last day of the season in 2000. I'm going to the game Tuesday if its the Tigers or Friday if its the Yankees.

And the 'Noles lose. The "retirement" word is going to start floating in a hurry for Bobby Bowden although I'm sure just like Paterno he'll stay until he drops dead.

2004 Top 3 1. Albert Pujols 2. Todd Helton 3. Sean Casey 2005 Top 3 1. Derrek Lee 2. Albert Pujols 3. Carlos Delgado 2006 1st Basemen Rankings 1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals 2. Ryan Howard, Phillies 3. Lance Berkman, Astros 4. Justin Morneau, Twins 5. Nick Johnson, Nationals 6. Paul Konerko, White Sox 7. Carlos Delgado, Mets 8. Mark Teixeira, Rangers 9. Todd Helton, Rockies 10. Nick Swisher, A's 11. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays 12. Adam LaRoche, Braves 13. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers 14. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres 15. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 16. Richie Sexson, Mariners 17. Prince Fielder, Brewers 18. Scott Hatteberg, Reds 19. Kevin Millar, Orioles 20. Ben Broussard, Indians/Mariners 21. Mike Jacobs, Marlins 22. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks 23. Mike Lamb, Astros 24. Doug Mientkiewicz, Royals 25. Chris Shelton, Tigers 26. Sean Casey, Pirates/Tigers 27. Craig Wilson, Pirates/Yankees 28. Shea Hillenbrand, Blue Jays/Giants 29. Dan Johnson, A's 30. Travis Lee, Devil Rays

Loaded Glove, SilverPhoenix, Gert T, and Kingofthe909 are late with their picks. I'm holding off on posting the PM'd picks because there were a couple of people who submitted picks who accidently left off a pick and I'm waiting on them to give me their picks for those games. In case anyone is wondering about their match-up in terms of tonight's game Hawk 34, JHawk, Vampiro69, and Angel Grace Blue were the only ones to pick Utah.

Kendall does benefit from playing more games than any other catcher but he definitely had a better year this season than last.

It's official, Ellis is done for the postseason and any chance of Crosby coming back has been ruled out. So it's D'Angelo Jimenez for the rest of the playoffs at 2nd and Hiram Boccachica, who's primarily an outfielder, as the back up middle infielder. A's have no other infielders on their 40 man roster.

Sam Keller has a voodoo doll. Bad news for Clemson as Chansi Stuckey broke his foot in practice the other day and is out for five weeks. Hey can someone please get Matthew McConaughey off my television screen during football games? He's on the sideline for Marshall tonight to promote the "We Are Marshall" movie and ESPN is showing him every other play.

My Picks TCU Texas A&M Air Force Rice Texas LSU Baylor Oklahoma State Washington State Texas Tech Toledo Tennessee Oregon Wyoming Tiebreaks: 54/223

2004 Top 3 1. Ivan Rodriguez 2. Javy Lopez 3. Jorge Posada 2005 Top 3 1. Victor Martinez 2. Jason Varitek 3. Joe Mauer 2006 Catcher Rankings 1. Joe Mauer, Twins 2. Brian McCann, Braves 3. Jorge Posada, Yankees 4. Victor Martinez, Indians 5. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles 6. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers 7. Kenji Johjima, Mariners 8. Michael Barrett, Cubs 9. Paul Lo Duca, Mets 10. Jason Kendall, A's 11. Russell Martin, Dodgers 12. Mike Piazza, Padres 13. David Ross, Reds 14. Ronny Paulino, Pirates 15. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox 16. Johnny Estrada, Diamondbacks 17. Bengie Molina, Blue Jays 18. Mike Napoli, Angels 19. Miguel Olivo, Marlins 20. Eliezer Alfonzo, Giants 21. Damian Miller, Brewers 22. Jason Varitek, Red Sox 23. John Buck, Royals 24. Brian Schneider, Nationals 25. Rod Barajas, Rangers 26. Yadier Molina, Cardinals 27. Toby Hall, Devil Rays/Dodgers 28. Dioner Navarro, Dodgers/Devil Rays 29. Brad Aumus, Astros 30. Jose Molina, Angels

And the broken finger is on his right hand so I'd have to wonder if his posteason is done. The A's have no infield depth at the moment so hopefully Mr. Glass is available for the ALCS, if they advance.

Damn I had to go back to work right before Kotsay's at bat but oh well, thanks Torii. I hope they wrap it up Friday because if they lose the "can't win a clinching game" talk will be all we'll hear about going into Saturday. Of course it might be all we'll hear about going into Friday. At least through the first two games the things that killed the A's in past playoffs such as lack of "clutch" hitting, baserunning errors, and defensive miscues are happening to the other team this time around.