Blog Zone
L.A. teamwork
The Dodgers have had too many teams over the last 20 years that were made of good/great players but never had the feel of a "team" and even had some of that "players vs. team" feeling going this year.
But the additions of Manny and Blake (Casey doesn't get enough credit for what he's meant to this team) have pushed the Dodgers into "team" mode and helped them focus on what this team can really do together.
Look out, Phillies
Wow. We are actually going to the NLCS.Despite just about everyone thinking the Cubs were going to win the series, the Dodgers pulled it off with solid play all around. Hitting, pitching and defense. This is an unbelievable moment for Dodgers fans. It's something we've been craving for a long time.
I'll have more to come soon, but in the meantime let's all celebrate and get ready for the NLCS!
Oh man, I can't wait till Thursday.
Statistically speaking
The Phillies are going to LCS play for the first time since 1993. Couldn't be happier. In eliminating the Brewers (who played the game with all the enthusiasm of a father watching his daughter's ballet recital during a huge playoff game) they also cemented their status as a definite contender.They pitched well, played great defense and looked to possess that special "IT" factor that sabermatecians deny the existence of. Right now, Bill James is fuming, and I probably just inadvertently cursed the Phils if they play the Sox this year. (Side note: James now works for the Red Sox as a senior adviser for baseball operations.)
Danger zone
It's official: Cheerleading is more dangerous than playing football. At least that's according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, which has studied such things. They say that football has more deaths overall, but cheerleading has more serious injuries. No word on how dangerous it is to be in the band.
Between the tension
The best part about baseball's postseason is the wait in between series, when your team can't lose, when anything is possible, when you walk around with a smile on your face until Thursday because the Phillies are playing and winning in October.
Worried but hopeful
I also feel that Utley and Howard's poor performance in the DS has changed expectations. The national media has been watching the Dodgers destroy their darlings, the Cubs, while our two biggest hitters (plus Burrell for three games) were really struggling. If our guys can feast on LA's righthanded rotation, the Phils will win hands down, even if our pitching isn't as stellar. But considering that they were nowhere to be found against Jeff Suppan, I'm a little worried.On the plus side, Victorino is a gamer and perhaps Burrell is starting one of his ridiculous hitting streaks at just the right time.
- http://beerleaguer.typepad.com
Sports Wit'out
Women. I don't think I'll ever figure 'em out - am I right, fellas? It's not like I don't make an effort to do so, mind you! I love women, especially the ones who show up for my beloved Dodgers home games. Some of those ladies are capital-B beautiful! Trouble is, by the eighth inning they've all left to beat the traffic, probably to congregate at one of many nightclubs our great city is famous for not letting me into.
A lot of guys make the mistake of thinking that a woman has "ulterior motives" when speaking to a man. . . . Nothing is further from the truth! . . . When a woman approaches me, bats her eyes, smiles and asks for the time, there's only one thing in my mind that could possibly mean.
I look at my watch, tell her the time, and go on my merry way. If a woman really wanted something else from me (and I think you know what I mean by that), she would just come out and say so, wouldn't she?
Truth be told, a lot of women I run into seem to ask me for everything EXCEPT a romantic night on the town!
