ANGELS GET FIST #$%^ED
Friday, October 14, 2005, 12:52 am
Josh Paul just got his book deal.
AJ - gets to meet Jay Leno, and has probably nailed down a Hummer commercial
Doug Eddings - The ball didn't bounce but he will. From the moment he raised his right fist he entered... The Twilight Zone. Currently in denial and headed for infamy
Vlad - 5 outs on 6 pitches in 4 at-bats has to be an ALCS record.
The Umpires Union - Should apply for faith-based tax status.
Selig - has run out of eyes to be blackened
The Ball - may show up "Often" on ebay
Damn! A Baseball game with a moral! Actually many morals. If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin' . I played league softball w/umps for many years, and as a batter I would often take an extra long stride into a pitch to try to sell it as "High" to the umpire. As an outfielder I would try to sell a trap. It's endemic in all sports where there are refs, judges and umpires. Players do what they can to influence calls.
Scioscia was wonderful in the post game interview. It was something like 'If you let one bad call beat you, you didn't play well enough to win.' In a world where blame is always thrown on others as a way avoiding personal responsibility, Mike became a beacon of honesty.
Eddings joins Carl Everett and possibly Karl Rove in the plausible deniability hall of fame.
As I watched the replays of AJ taking three steps towards the dugout and then deciding "Why not? It' might've hit the ground" I thought of Reggie's Rumba in the basepaths in '78. Now, I can also see that even Alex's pathetic slap at the glove last year is part of this syndrome. I think in each case the obvious attempt to influence reality, came after a failure. Reggie had done something boneheaded and got hung up between first and second, ARod had grounded weakly to the pitcher in a clutch at-bat, and of course AJ had struck out.
Sorry to go on like this, but this game was almost too good to be true. I had the feeling we were gonna lose it all game long, and, in fact, we did! I think in some way we caught a break that the White Sox win was tainted. If it becomes a rallying cry, what would likely have been Sox win anyway, becomes a hollow victory. We will see if this inspires the Angels.
Bottom line: That the umpiring crew did not huddle immediately, and that Eddings didn't ask for help immediately on a call that he later admitted he had "Questions about" is beyond the pale and illustrates the arrogance of many umps when they are in doubt. All in all an incredible morality play.
What should change because of this?: If the home plate umpire is really extending a "Courtesy" to the catcher (who has his back to him) by saying "No catch!" Then, after every inning ending strike three, the catcher should turn and hand the ball to the ump. That should be a rule. If the ump does not take it, then the catcher will know that the umpire feels that the ball is still in play. The rolling of the ball to the mound is a courtesy the catcher is extending to the umpire. Eddings bonehead play should put an end to the extending of courtesies.
In this case the real replays to be looked at should be possible iso's on the other umps. Their immediate body language would tell the truth of what they saw him do. (Since they are hanging together now) If they are starting to walk in or off the field, that would indicate that they too saw Eddings give what appeared to all the world as the "Out" sign.
Baseball 2004 "Urine Review"
Tuesday, December 21, 2004, 12:29 pm
Baseball’s 2004 All-Head-Case Team
(“The Urine Review”)
By Richard Goldman
Have Baseball players become doped up, spoiled brats, who have no respect for the game? Absolutely. But rather than whine about it, why not recognize the achievements of the current crop of fruit loops whose unique personal choices leave their indelible stamp on the summer game. The All-Head-Case Team salutes the unstrung heroes of the game. The envelope please!
RF - Sammy Sosa – “God bless you!” Right field has traditionally been the home of the head case and often where the competition is the stiffest. But when a future Hall of Famer sneezes in the clubhouse, spraining ligaments in his back and misses a month of the season, one must say “Right this way, Mr. Sosa, here is your award!” Sammy’s ill-fated sneeze finally explains why there are so many “No Pepper” signs at ballparks. A clever marketer might hook him up with Big League (uh) Chew. He could be their spittin’ image!
Honorable mention goes to Raul Mondesi whose attitude and commitment to the game were as negligible as his impact. But getting thrown off two teams in one season does show persistence.
If there was a doubt in voters minds, Sammy locked up the award on the last day of the regular season when he chose not to suit up for the final game and then lied about when he left the park. He should have just said he felt a sneeze coming on.
CF – Milton Bradley – Milton had the kind of a season most Head Cases can only dream of; Cut loose by the Indians at the start the season for an attitude problem, suspended early in the season for freaking out after a ball/strike call, suspended again in September for throwing a water bottle at a fan and finally, arrested during the off season for dissing a traffic cop.
Publicly the Dodgers have been asking Milton to drop in on a few Anger Management classes, but privately they have been discussing a lobotomy.
Sadly, by not beating up his girlfriend, Milton ended up one offense shy of the Head Case “Cycle.” A feat only accomplished by Darryl Strawberry, who did it twice!
LF – Jose Guillen – “Guillen, Guillen, Gone” - 6 teams in 8 years should tell you all you need to know about Jose. He doesn’t play well with others.
Early in the season, Jose was the favorite Angel target of opposing pitchers, most of which were likely ex-teammates. He complained that his new teammates were not protecting him enough and called out the Angel pitching staff for not retaliating. Jose is not good at making new friends which is a very self-defeating problem because it forces him to constantly have to make new friends.
At the end of the season with the Angels struggling to stay in contention in the American League West, Jose went ballistic in the dugout after being removed from a game for a pinch runner. For his public rant at manager Mike Scioscia, Jose was suspended indefinitely by the Angels and soon after season’s end was shipped off to the Artists formerly known as the Expos.
This years runner-up was surprisingly not Barry Bonds whose Grand Jury testimony was admirably HC. Instead Moises Alou’s “Off the record” remark that he urinates on his hands to toughen up the skin, garnered serious attention for it’s utter naiveté concerning what is and isn’t newsworthy these days. Talk about your news leak.
P - Kevin Brown – Always a perennial contender for this award, when Brownie went to the Yankees, those in the know expected trouble and Kevin did not disappoint. With his tank running on empty this season, it was only a matter of time before he hit the wall. Which he, in fact, did in the clubhouse with his glove hand, breaking a number of small bones a few weeks before the playoffs. Self-mutilation has always been a hallmark of Brownies’ career but the timing this season is what gets him the nod.
3B - Alex Rodriguez – “Slappy” has always been one of Baseball’s decent guys, but this season events conspired to drive him over the top. An almost trade to Boston, a real trade to New York, a fight with Jason Varitek, and then snapping in the playoffs when he attempted to slap a ball out of a Red Sox pitcher’s glove. The act alone would not have been considered All-HC, but after being busted by the umps for what was blatantly obvious, Arod stood at second base, arms outstretched, still feigning innocence in a moment that would have made OJ proud.
SS - Rafael Furcal – There may be no “I” in team but there certainly is one in DUI and Furcal knows that more than most as he racked up his second drunk driving offense in four years. When the Braves lost the Division Series and his teammates went off to play golf, Rafael went directly to jail to learn his lesson behind bars. He certainly knows what to do in front of them.
1B - Jason Giambi - A tough call in that there was some concern for his life and career during a nightmarish season of mysterious injuries. However, his BALCO steroids admissions inevitably shot him up ahead of runner-up, Shawn Green, the Dodgers’ semi-observant Jew who (as we go to press) is still searching for his “Stroke.” Many Dodger fans believe that when the WMD’s are found, among them will be Shawn’s stroke.
RP - Julian Tavares – In what could best be described as a “Kevin Brown Moment”, Tavares raged in the dugout after a poor playoff outing and broke bones his glove hand by punching a water cooler. Although in the current political climate one could argue that it was a preemptive strike, even Tavares’ father was appalled. Operation Dugout Storm cost the Cardinals his services during critical playoff games and made him somewhat iffy during the World Series.
Jeff Nelson’s fighting with civilians at the ballpark for a second straight season grabs honorable mention. He may only be half the Nelson he used to be, but he’s become Baseball’s “Enforcer.”
2B - Jose Vidro - In May, when Jose re-signed with the Expos, a cash strapped and doomed franchise lacking an actual owner to pay him the $30 million he signed for, it seemed like poor fiscal planning. However, now that he’s headed for the nation’s capital, at least he’ll be among similar-minded people.
C - Jorge Posada – By process of elimination. Jorge backed up Moises and admitted that he too urinated on his hands. Alou’s remark was unwitting, Jorge’s was simply too much information. Not only did he become personna non gratta in the Palm Reading community, but he and Moises became honorary members of the “Whiz Kids.”
Runner-up was Jason Varitek for picking a fight with Arod and keeping his catcher’s mask on. For this Jason nailed down the annual “Pedro Martinez - One Tough Hombre” award.
DH – Frank Thomas – The Big Hurt once again lived up to his nickname and missed half the season with a stress fracture in his ankle and an upset stomach. Waiting till October to have his foot operated on, means he will miss spring training and more than likely the first month of the 2005 season. His tummy remains day to day.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004, 12:29 pm
Baseball’s 2004 All-Head-Case Team
(“The Urine Review”)
By Richard Goldman
Have Baseball players become doped up, spoiled brats, who have no respect for the game? Absolutely. But rather than whine about it, why not recognize the achievements of the current crop of fruit loops whose unique personal choices leave their indelible stamp on the summer game. The All-Head-Case Team salutes the unstrung heroes of the game. The envelope please!
RF - Sammy Sosa – “God bless you!” Right field has traditionally been the home of the head case and often where the competition is the stiffest. But when a future Hall of Famer sneezes in the clubhouse, spraining ligaments in his back and misses a month of the season, one must say “Right this way, Mr. Sosa, here is your award!” Sammy’s ill-fated sneeze finally explains why there are so many “No Pepper” signs at ballparks. A clever marketer might hook him up with Big League (uh) Chew. He could be their spittin’ image!
Honorable mention goes to Raul Mondesi whose attitude and commitment to the game were as negligible as his impact. But getting thrown off two teams in one season does show persistence.
If there was a doubt in voters minds, Sammy locked up the award on the last day of the regular season when he chose not to suit up for the final game and then lied about when he left the park. He should have just said he felt a sneeze coming on.
CF – Milton Bradley – Milton had the kind of a season most Head Cases can only dream of; Cut loose by the Indians at the start the season for an attitude problem, suspended early in the season for freaking out after a ball/strike call, suspended again in September for throwing a water bottle at a fan and finally, arrested during the off season for dissing a traffic cop.
Publicly the Dodgers have been asking Milton to drop in on a few Anger Management classes, but privately they have been discussing a lobotomy.
Sadly, by not beating up his girlfriend, Milton ended up one offense shy of the Head Case “Cycle.” A feat only accomplished by Darryl Strawberry, who did it twice!
LF – Jose Guillen – “Guillen, Guillen, Gone” - 6 teams in 8 years should tell you all you need to know about Jose. He doesn’t play well with others.
Early in the season, Jose was the favorite Angel target of opposing pitchers, most of which were likely ex-teammates. He complained that his new teammates were not protecting him enough and called out the Angel pitching staff for not retaliating. Jose is not good at making new friends which is a very self-defeating problem because it forces him to constantly have to make new friends.
At the end of the season with the Angels struggling to stay in contention in the American League West, Jose went ballistic in the dugout after being removed from a game for a pinch runner. For his public rant at manager Mike Scioscia, Jose was suspended indefinitely by the Angels and soon after season’s end was shipped off to the Artists formerly known as the Expos.
This years runner-up was surprisingly not Barry Bonds whose Grand Jury testimony was admirably HC. Instead Moises Alou’s “Off the record” remark that he urinates on his hands to toughen up the skin, garnered serious attention for it’s utter naiveté concerning what is and isn’t newsworthy these days. Talk about your news leak.
P - Kevin Brown – Always a perennial contender for this award, when Brownie went to the Yankees, those in the know expected trouble and Kevin did not disappoint. With his tank running on empty this season, it was only a matter of time before he hit the wall. Which he, in fact, did in the clubhouse with his glove hand, breaking a number of small bones a few weeks before the playoffs. Self-mutilation has always been a hallmark of Brownies’ career but the timing this season is what gets him the nod.
3B - Alex Rodriguez – “Slappy” has always been one of Baseball’s decent guys, but this season events conspired to drive him over the top. An almost trade to Boston, a real trade to New York, a fight with Jason Varitek, and then snapping in the playoffs when he attempted to slap a ball out of a Red Sox pitcher’s glove. The act alone would not have been considered All-HC, but after being busted by the umps for what was blatantly obvious, Arod stood at second base, arms outstretched, still feigning innocence in a moment that would have made OJ proud.
SS - Rafael Furcal – There may be no “I” in team but there certainly is one in DUI and Furcal knows that more than most as he racked up his second drunk driving offense in four years. When the Braves lost the Division Series and his teammates went off to play golf, Rafael went directly to jail to learn his lesson behind bars. He certainly knows what to do in front of them.
1B - Jason Giambi - A tough call in that there was some concern for his life and career during a nightmarish season of mysterious injuries. However, his BALCO steroids admissions inevitably shot him up ahead of runner-up, Shawn Green, the Dodgers’ semi-observant Jew who (as we go to press) is still searching for his “Stroke.” Many Dodger fans believe that when the WMD’s are found, among them will be Shawn’s stroke.
RP - Julian Tavares – In what could best be described as a “Kevin Brown Moment”, Tavares raged in the dugout after a poor playoff outing and broke bones his glove hand by punching a water cooler. Although in the current political climate one could argue that it was a preemptive strike, even Tavares’ father was appalled. Operation Dugout Storm cost the Cardinals his services during critical playoff games and made him somewhat iffy during the World Series.
Jeff Nelson’s fighting with civilians at the ballpark for a second straight season grabs honorable mention. He may only be half the Nelson he used to be, but he’s become Baseball’s “Enforcer.”
2B - Jose Vidro - In May, when Jose re-signed with the Expos, a cash strapped and doomed franchise lacking an actual owner to pay him the $30 million he signed for, it seemed like poor fiscal planning. However, now that he’s headed for the nation’s capital, at least he’ll be among similar-minded people.
C - Jorge Posada – By process of elimination. Jorge backed up Moises and admitted that he too urinated on his hands. Alou’s remark was unwitting, Jorge’s was simply too much information. Not only did he become personna non gratta in the Palm Reading community, but he and Moises became honorary members of the “Whiz Kids.”
Runner-up was Jason Varitek for picking a fight with Arod and keeping his catcher’s mask on. For this Jason nailed down the annual “Pedro Martinez - One Tough Hombre” award.
DH – Frank Thomas – The Big Hurt once again lived up to his nickname and missed half the season with a stress fracture in his ankle and an upset stomach. Waiting till October to have his foot operated on, means he will miss spring training and more than likely the first month of the 2005 season. His tummy remains day to day.
Bush's October Surprise
Saturday, October 30, 2004, 1:03 pm
In these last few days running up to the election, when one could be pondering whether the lunar eclipse was good for Bush or good for Kerry, it seems perfectly possible that the Red Sox winning the World Series was Bush’s October Surprise.
Back in 1980 the release of Americans in Iran begat the term October Surprise. Similarly the Red Sox had been held hostage from a World Series victory for 86 years. Negotiating their release on the eve of this election may ultimately prove beneficial for Bush in New Hampshire or Maine.
In these critical pre-election hours when New England voters should be taking care of themselves and getting plenty of rest, thousands are getting drunk, turning over cars and probably not eating balanced meals. Come Tuesday some will be in jail, some will be in hospitals and some will be chemically imbalanced due to poor dietary habits. Not to mention the rest of Red Sox Nation who have had their baseball landscape turned upside down. Many are too numb and can’t quite take it all in, while others I am told are experiencing Curt Shilling stigmatas.
Ultimately Bush benefits from what would have appeared to be a feather in the Kerry’s cap. It is a strategy reminiscent of the Swift Boat gambit and all too Rovean in concept. Could the Bushies have actually rigged the World Series? Well for one thing it was on Fox, and if the entire cast of “That 70’s Show” could all get tickets to the games then anything is possible.
During the Series the Cardinal bats were strangely silent. Between Edmonds, Rolen and Pujols it was hard to decide which was the more likely shoeless Joe Jackson candidate. Those few Cards who accidentally did get on base seemed to do everything in their power not to score.
Did anyone else notice a bulge in the back of Boston second baseman Mark Bellhorn’s jersey? It was a remote receiver. He was being tipped on the pitches. Who was doing it? Rupert Murdoch or Steven King; it matters not. But as a Yankee fan, what scares me the most is that the Red Sox had to get to the Series through New York, and Yankee manager Joe Torre’s inexplicable decision to start Kevin Brown in Game Seven smacks of a dive. Say it ain’t so, Joe.
Finally, in 1919 it was relatively easy to bribe baseball players, but in these times how do you buy guys who are already millionaires in the first place? Tax cuts.
Saturday, October 30, 2004, 1:03 pm
In these last few days running up to the election, when one could be pondering whether the lunar eclipse was good for Bush or good for Kerry, it seems perfectly possible that the Red Sox winning the World Series was Bush’s October Surprise.
Back in 1980 the release of Americans in Iran begat the term October Surprise. Similarly the Red Sox had been held hostage from a World Series victory for 86 years. Negotiating their release on the eve of this election may ultimately prove beneficial for Bush in New Hampshire or Maine.
In these critical pre-election hours when New England voters should be taking care of themselves and getting plenty of rest, thousands are getting drunk, turning over cars and probably not eating balanced meals. Come Tuesday some will be in jail, some will be in hospitals and some will be chemically imbalanced due to poor dietary habits. Not to mention the rest of Red Sox Nation who have had their baseball landscape turned upside down. Many are too numb and can’t quite take it all in, while others I am told are experiencing Curt Shilling stigmatas.
Ultimately Bush benefits from what would have appeared to be a feather in the Kerry’s cap. It is a strategy reminiscent of the Swift Boat gambit and all too Rovean in concept. Could the Bushies have actually rigged the World Series? Well for one thing it was on Fox, and if the entire cast of “That 70’s Show” could all get tickets to the games then anything is possible.
During the Series the Cardinal bats were strangely silent. Between Edmonds, Rolen and Pujols it was hard to decide which was the more likely shoeless Joe Jackson candidate. Those few Cards who accidentally did get on base seemed to do everything in their power not to score.
Did anyone else notice a bulge in the back of Boston second baseman Mark Bellhorn’s jersey? It was a remote receiver. He was being tipped on the pitches. Who was doing it? Rupert Murdoch or Steven King; it matters not. But as a Yankee fan, what scares me the most is that the Red Sox had to get to the Series through New York, and Yankee manager Joe Torre’s inexplicable decision to start Kevin Brown in Game Seven smacks of a dive. Say it ain’t so, Joe.
Finally, in 1919 it was relatively easy to bribe baseball players, but in these times how do you buy guys who are already millionaires in the first place? Tax cuts.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 11:46 pm
Joel,
How does one guy single handedly blow the entire series in third inning of game three?
It was amazing, it was like Steve Bartman at the Cubs game last year. It was so stupid that it was breathtaking. I screamed a lot. I am rooting for the Cards.
I have an idea of what happened? Suppan got a bad read on the ball. I think he initially thought that it was going to Ortiz at first, and Ortiz could throw him out. That would be the only explanation of why he would stop running. Just prior to that, Jeff had also gotten a bad read on Rentaria's double. Nixon had given up on that ball and turned his back well before 'Soup' kicked it into gear. He doesn't seem to make sound, wise judgments on the base paths.
A nod to La Russa for going on "live" sorta from the dugout between innings and being amused that Fox had the audacity to intrude on that particular inning break.
But there was clearly a collective "Uh-oh" in the stands and in my house. "Uh-oh's" don't happen twice. The series is over.
But Joel, when I go to that place of anger I see the future. I told Atticus everything that would happen in that game from the top of the fourth on. I got the final score right and when he asked me how the Cardinals would score, I said a meaningless ninth inning home run from Walker.
When he hit it I was in shock. I was the only one left watching and suddenly felt lonely and out of control. It was McCarver who settled me down. He hearkened back to a similar WS game that he had played in back in '67 where Roger Maris hit a meaningless ninth inning solo shot. I remember it. I watched that game and although I don't remember it all that well, it must have sunk in. So, in fact I didn't really predict the future, I just tapped into the past. And Walker is currently the only guy on the team that isn't swinging scared. It was merely sound logic and baseball muscle memory.
But now I am left with coming to grips with Red Sox winning the Series. No more bambino.
Maybe it will rain for thirty days and they'll call off the series.
RG
Joel,
How does one guy single handedly blow the entire series in third inning of game three?
It was amazing, it was like Steve Bartman at the Cubs game last year. It was so stupid that it was breathtaking. I screamed a lot. I am rooting for the Cards.
I have an idea of what happened? Suppan got a bad read on the ball. I think he initially thought that it was going to Ortiz at first, and Ortiz could throw him out. That would be the only explanation of why he would stop running. Just prior to that, Jeff had also gotten a bad read on Rentaria's double. Nixon had given up on that ball and turned his back well before 'Soup' kicked it into gear. He doesn't seem to make sound, wise judgments on the base paths.
A nod to La Russa for going on "live" sorta from the dugout between innings and being amused that Fox had the audacity to intrude on that particular inning break.
But there was clearly a collective "Uh-oh" in the stands and in my house. "Uh-oh's" don't happen twice. The series is over.
But Joel, when I go to that place of anger I see the future. I told Atticus everything that would happen in that game from the top of the fourth on. I got the final score right and when he asked me how the Cardinals would score, I said a meaningless ninth inning home run from Walker.
When he hit it I was in shock. I was the only one left watching and suddenly felt lonely and out of control. It was McCarver who settled me down. He hearkened back to a similar WS game that he had played in back in '67 where Roger Maris hit a meaningless ninth inning solo shot. I remember it. I watched that game and although I don't remember it all that well, it must have sunk in. So, in fact I didn't really predict the future, I just tapped into the past. And Walker is currently the only guy on the team that isn't swinging scared. It was merely sound logic and baseball muscle memory.
But now I am left with coming to grips with Red Sox winning the Series. No more bambino.
Maybe it will rain for thirty days and they'll call off the series.
RG
Understanding The Undecideds
Sunday, October 24, 2004, 9:26 pm
Game two of the World Series - I finally know what it feels like to be an undecided voter. To dislike both sides and not really care one way or the other. I watch the games and feign interest, but I don't scream at the TV, seethe at the umpires and the ubiquitous and annoying, Tim McCarver, doesn't bother me at all. Like the passionless undecideds, I casually observe and try to grab hold of an intellectual position that requires no emotion.
As a registered baseball fan it is my duty to watch the World Series, but as a youth I imprinted on the Yankees. Both the Cardinals and the Red Sox are by natural law, enemies of empire and I would like nothing better than to see defeat snatched by both sides. This powerful dislike of both teams causes an emotional inertia in me but I assume from the TV ratings that some do care. The truth is that for those fans
outside of New England and Missouri the rooting interest really comes down to one issue; who wants the Sox to reverse the curse, and who wants the curse to continue for the sake of tradition.
A Sox victory would be a religious cleansing for Boston fans, however, Baseball's strength is it's traditions. To lose the Curse of the Bambino would be like cutting out part of the fabric of the game. I imagine some Sox fans know this deep down. A World Series victory would have them join the ranks of the Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and Marlins. Ordinary teams. Once the Sox win, their identity is lost.
Still for two games now, I have rooted for Boston. It's a very odd feeling and quite frankly so disturbing, that I've been eating quite a bit while watching. What I'm learning is that although tradition is important to me, it does not trump the growing fondness for Jason Varitek.
Why then do I want the Cards to pummel the Sox in St. Louis? It seems that even in indifference I am plagued by contradictions. I pity the undecided voter, for these internal conflicts make me dull, hungry and wanting to got bed on the early side. It is no picnic being an undecided.
Sunday, October 24, 2004, 9:26 pm
Game two of the World Series - I finally know what it feels like to be an undecided voter. To dislike both sides and not really care one way or the other. I watch the games and feign interest, but I don't scream at the TV, seethe at the umpires and the ubiquitous and annoying, Tim McCarver, doesn't bother me at all. Like the passionless undecideds, I casually observe and try to grab hold of an intellectual position that requires no emotion.
As a registered baseball fan it is my duty to watch the World Series, but as a youth I imprinted on the Yankees. Both the Cardinals and the Red Sox are by natural law, enemies of empire and I would like nothing better than to see defeat snatched by both sides. This powerful dislike of both teams causes an emotional inertia in me but I assume from the TV ratings that some do care. The truth is that for those fans
outside of New England and Missouri the rooting interest really comes down to one issue; who wants the Sox to reverse the curse, and who wants the curse to continue for the sake of tradition.
A Sox victory would be a religious cleansing for Boston fans, however, Baseball's strength is it's traditions. To lose the Curse of the Bambino would be like cutting out part of the fabric of the game. I imagine some Sox fans know this deep down. A World Series victory would have them join the ranks of the Blue Jays, Diamondbacks and Marlins. Ordinary teams. Once the Sox win, their identity is lost.
Still for two games now, I have rooted for Boston. It's a very odd feeling and quite frankly so disturbing, that I've been eating quite a bit while watching. What I'm learning is that although tradition is important to me, it does not trump the growing fondness for Jason Varitek.
Why then do I want the Cards to pummel the Sox in St. Louis? It seems that even in indifference I am plagued by contradictions. I pity the undecided voter, for these internal conflicts make me dull, hungry and wanting to got bed on the early side. It is no picnic being an undecided.