hiway29

In case everyone has forgotten-there's still baseball to be played before the long cold winter sets in. I'm thinking this Rays-Phillies series is going to be fun. As an old American Leaguer at heart, I'll be pulling for the Rays.

I'm not offended at all by your memories of Grandma. I think that's great. I know you love to wax poetic this time of year, so I'll just let you be.

I can just imagine the response I would have gotten a few years ago, and even now, if I ever referred to the Yankees as 'underdogs', in any situation. The Sox are the defending World Champions, going up against the upstarts from Tampa. Yes, they need to come from behind now, but that's not what I'm talking about.

Haven't you already had 2 world championships to dedicate to your grandmother ? I really mean no offense, but the Sox have moved way beyond any kind of underdog status.

The Dodgers didn't lose because of Furcal, though he didn't help. They finally came back to earth and played like they did most of the year. If they don't sign Manny-well, you can see what they are without him. Manny carried them on his back this far, My nightmare is opening day next year, Manny gone, and Andruw Jones back in the of.

The Phillies spoiled an otherwise perfect night, in the awful eighth. A win would have been great, but it was still an amazing night. Great game that I thought the Dodgers had put away-sometimes I have to remind myself that this is baseball, where anything can happen, and usually does. It was awesome just being at a playoff game, where every pitch is magnified. The only downsides ( and I'm stretching here), are the looong waits between innings, so the network can run commercials, the lines to the restroom that seem to stretch half way around Chavez Ravine, and the intense 'jock culture' present. It seemed like every guy there weighed at least 250, with no neck. But the atmosphere, the fun of being there, the complete involvement with the game was great. I thought Torre should have kept Lowe in longer, and that he pulled Kuo too soon. My biggest gripe with Torre in Yankee playoff games, was his throwing everyone in the bullpen out there, until one of them ruins it. I lost count of the number of pitchers , but it was at least 2 to many. Barring a miracle, that's it for me at Dodger Stadium this year. It will be an interesting winter, for sure. oh-another thing that surprised me was the number of mound meetings allowed. I lost count of the meetings on both sides, and the umpire was real slow in breaking them up. I understand it's a playoff game, but this was so opposite of a regular season.

The LA perspective is that for the first time in ages, the Dodgers have a real shot at it. I'm heading to Dodger Stadium this afternoon, and only hope tonight's game is as fun as last nights. Well, it was fun if you're a Dodger fan. An added bonus is having Nomar and Furcal healthy just in time. The day is starting extremely windy. If that keeps up, I have no idea how it will affect the game. Home runs in Dodger Stadium don't come easy. If Lowe's sinker is working, he should be fine. Hey, I'm going to a real deal play off game today ! Life is good.

Myers is looking great as a hitter. Hey it's only the 4th inning-this game already feels like it's been going on for days.

at least I know the Dodgers still have to play on Monday, when I'm going. I just hope I'm not there to watch the Phillies celebrate.

as much as I believe that Manny would inject life into the Yankees ( in the short term, at least), I really would rather he stay with the Dodgers. He fits in perfectly here (so far), and I want to see him when I go to the Stadium. Maybe the fan boy is growing old. Here I am hoping the Yankees don't get him. I don't know what that means. And Boras is the anti-Christ.

Just found out I got great seats at the Ravine for next Monday. That one for sure they have to play. In a perfect world, I'll see the Dodgers win the NL that night. So far, the world is not perfect, but it will be fun regardless.

How bout that. The Angels won a game. Is it just a blip on the radar, or have they now beaten 'the curse' ? It still looks like an unlikely task to me, but I suppose if you can win one you can win two.

the song is 'What am I doing hanging round ?", by the Monkees, featuring Mike Nesmith- one that I never tire of hearing

Before Manny arrived, the team played like it didn't know what to do. Players failed to execute at an alarming rate. Bunting, moving runners over, hitting to opposite field-whatever the need, it seemed beyond their abilities. It seemed like they all wanted to hit home runs, on a team and a ballpark not built for home runs. Beyond that, the young players were still resisting instruction, and advice. Last season's clashes between the Jeff Kent vets, and the James Loney,new kids, still hung over the team like a cloud. The 'addition' of Andruw Jones, the injuries to Furcal, Nomar, made for a team that didn't know what it was. It took Joe Torre half the season to even get a handle on who these players were. Lots of potential, but little living up to it. Basically-no one was having fun. Of course, Manny changed all that. He immediately produced big hits in big situations. Of course, he made the hitters around him get better pitches to hit ( as much as Jeff Kent refused to admit it ). Where before, any and every player could be pitched around, there was now Manny who had to be dealt with. From game one, the team looked way better, just looking at the line up. Suddenly, they were playing like they wanted to be there. Andre Ethier went on a tear. James Loney started to find himself. Russell Martin, though not having as good a year as last, matured, and much of the weight that was on him eased. Manny made going to Dodger Stadium fun again. The fans fell in love with him from day 1. Seems like he hit at least 1 home run every game I went to , and sometimes more than 1. If you really wanted a Dodger Dog fast, you'd get one when Manny was at bat. Except Manny hitting was more important than a short line. Joe Torre says the biggest surprise was Manny's work ethic, and commitment to keeping himself sharp. Of course, we've only seen Manny on his best behavior, but that's ok. The Dodgers have got to sign him, no matter what it takes. They're delusional if they think they can maintain this without him. That's my 2 cents, at least.

no-not Warren Zevon I'll let this go for a while more, but it may be too obscure. It's a darn good song from a non group that doesn't get much respect.

That guy was called faggot 100 times ? Was that from one person or from a hundred ? I hardly ever hear that term used anymore-especially out here. I wasn't expecting you to 'feel sorry' for any fans.I just thought it interesting that the case you made for the Cubs could be applied to the Angels-except for the 100 year drought. It's also interesting you turned one 'spitcup' into plural. I'm trying to remember the last 'spitcup' I saw at a ball game, and can't recall any. I've heard Angels Stadium referred to in a lot of ways, but 'vicious and vile' is a first.I'm sure you're emailing friend was telling it as he saw it. If there's an Angel fan in Boston , I'm sure he'll be treated with the utmost respect today.

ha-no it's not 'Yellow Rose of Texas"-though there is a Texas connection with the performer "Just a loud mouth Yankee , I went down to Mexico. I didn't have much time to spend, about a week or so" I just realized this song may be somewhat obscure, though the group isn't

Are you going to feel sorry for Angels fans as well? They are the AL equivalent to the Cubs, in terms of dominating the season. I didn't think so.

Pink Floyd- I think it's 'Comfortably numb" "Close to the Edge" was easier for me-I just didn't see it. "Just a loud mouth Yankee, I went down to Mexico"

I was all set to go to Dodger Stadium today, too ! I'm hoping I can work the same deal in the NLCS. If you watched the Dodgers all year, you'd know exactly how they lost 78 games.You cannot overstate the impact Manny has had. If the MVP really means 'most valuable player', he should win unanimously , as they were going nowhere without him. Right now, the Dodgers are 'putting their best game forward and mentally indestructible'-and that's sure not the Dodgers I know. The next round will be interesting to say the least. I also think you can't underestimate the impact of Joe Torre. I admit, I enjoy having him and Don Mattingly in the dugout.

I doubt that you loved it when it was the Yankees putting their best game on the table and were mentally indestructible. It's completely different when it's your team, of course.

Mstar is understandably happy today. I'm wondering what's up with all these lopsided series lately. Right now, every one could go 3 and out. The world series has turned into a 4 and out contest. I don't think there's an answer to this, but it makes for some real yawners, unless you're rooting for a team. Of course, that will probably all change, as the Cubs win the next 2 here.

suddenly the Dodgers are playing like the '27 Yankees, '76 Reds, and every other great team rolled into one. I assure you, this is a new phenomenon. The Cubs were especially sloppy in the field last night. I'm torn right now. I can get tickets for Sunday-unless the Dodgers wrap it up Saturday. Am I supposed to hope for a Cub win ? I have the same opportunity for the LCS, so I'll probably just look to move to the next level. Holy Cow ! I MIGHT have a World Series game in my future ! That's something I never thought I'd see. See ? A team wins a couple of games , and expectations start rising. I'd best go back to one game at a time.

I lived with a 'clergy' dude for a while who, every 6 weeks or so, would go on an ouzo binge, drinking amazing amounts of the stuff. Afterwards, he would return to his legalistic , tightly wound self, until the need to break loose returned. My boot out the door of the house began with him blowing his top over me drinking one, and only one, beer in the house. But that's a long, ugly tale.

Yes, I've enjoyed 8 championships in my conscious lifetime. The most rewarding being '77 , and '96, coming off periods of ineptness. So, I have no complaints. Of course it's never 'enough', and you want more. I do enjoy seeing teams that have never won, or won for a long time, make it. Here in LA, there are college grads with families who have never seen the Dodgers win. Texas hasn't hosted a Series in any city. There are several others.