GIANT WINNING ^_^

AL Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera (right) of the Tigers walks away
dejected as San Francisco Giants teammates Buster Posey (left) and
Sergio Romo (54) celebrate the team's second world championship.

You know something? That jersey doesn't look half bad, when you win.

MAJOR LEAGUE GOOFBALL congratulates the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. My early season chastising of your road uniform modification did little to phase your postseason ambitions, and you came through with flying colours. The Giants won Game 4 of the best-of-seven series against the Detroit Tigers by the score of 4-3 after ten innings of play to close out the baseball season with an emphatic four games to none series win. This is the second world championship won by the Giants in three years; their earliest coming in 2010 when they defeated the Texas Rangers in five games to win their first since moving the ball club from New York to the Bay Area in 1958, and their second under manager Bruce Bochy ^_^

GIANT FIGHT BACK II

Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants, winners of the National League Championship Series, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 in the seventh and final game. They will host the American League champion Detroit Tigers in San Francisco for the first two games of the best-of-seven series.

Aside of the offensive explosion by the Bay Area baseball players in the penultimate game, the San Francisco Giants make history as they six consecutive elimination games during this year's playoff campaign. What does that mean? On six occasions (three against Cincinnati, and three against St. Louis), the Giants had to win the game otherwise they would be eliminated from the playoffs (Oh, right). What made the night so memorable for the Giants and their fans was the torrential downpour, which on a normal evening of baseball, would bring a halt to the action. The umpires allowed play to continue, and we saw the most memorable 9-0 finish in baseball history ^_^

The World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers begins tomorrow at 8pm Eastern time, and I might say a couple things about that series, as well as congratulations to the winning team. For right now, however, it is time to bring another season for the GOOFBALL to a close.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for making this blog so successful this year. This year we reached more baseball fans in more countries than in previous years, and the prospects for next year are higher still. I write all about baseball for you guys, and if you were not around, then none of this would be possible. There will be plenty to talk about in 2013, and I'm still holding to my "all designated-hitter" prediction that I made at the start of the year. If there is a playoff race, and a team qualifies with the luxury of a designated hitter in their lineup ahead of another that does not, then there will definitely be all-DH baseball for 2014. In the meantime, I still believe in all-DH baseball for 2013.

So, thanks again for all your support. I'll occasionally add a couple things to the blog during the winter months that are worth mentioning, but other than that enjoy the World Series, and I will see you all next year!

Bye! ^_^

Oh wait o_O I almost forgot: OZZIE GUILLEN GOT FIRED! O_O WHAT?!

Farewell Farrell

Back in RED: John Farrell makes his return to the
Boston Red Sox organization as manager in 2013.

Game 6 of the National League Championship Series is tonight at 7:30 ET between the St. Louis Cardinals and the hometown San Francisco Giants. The Cardinals lead three games to two in the best-of-seven series, and missed a glorious opportunity to close out the series at home in the previous game, but Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito stymied the Redbirds in over seven innings of work to secure a 5-0 Giants victory.

The big news of the day, however, is the Boston Red Sox signing of former Blue Jays manager John Farrell as their next bench boss. Toronto excused Farrell from the last year of his contract so he could take the Boston job. Going with him is pitcher Dave Carpenter, but in return the Blue Jays picked up infielder Mike Aviles.

I should be angry and flip a nearby table, but I'm not. This was a deal between the two basement dwelling teams in the American League East Division: One decimated by injuries and under performing pitching to finish below the expectations of management and fans alike, the other with enough in-fighting and threatening behaviour from its former manager Bobby Valentine to provide more drama than an ABC soap opera. Farrell's laid back approach is a contrast to the fiery, button pushing Valentine, who wilted under the intense media pressure found in Beantown; Farrell has enough friends and cohorts in the Red Sox organization to do well, so you wonder why it took so long to get him? For more on this story, click here for Ian Browne's column in MLB.com

According to reports through baseball, Farrell was to be Terry Francona's successor, but by the time of the infamous September collapse of 2011 and Francona's firing John Farrell already finished his first year of the three year stint with the Blue Jays. Unable to sign him away from my Jays, Boston went with "Bobby V", who was caught in the ultimate "Catch-22":

• WIN: Media spins story Valentine won with Francona's crew
• LOSE: Rumours of secret meetings with management and angry players, volatile radio interviews, and ambiguous Twitter statements calling for the removal of Bobby Valentine get national exposure. Oh, by the way, Valentine gets fired.

Personally, I would hold out until Boston traded Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz in exchange, so to get only Mike Aviles on top of giving up another pitcher confuses me, o_O seeing as the Red Sox wanted Farrell so badly! Alas, what's done is done. Look for the microscope of criticism to fall heavy on Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopolous, staff, and players in 2013.

Phil's thoughts: If the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013, I'm going to throw up.

Tigers Gone Bananas

Heartfelt congratulations go out to the Detroit Tigers, who defeated the New York Yankees 8-1 in the fourth game of the American League Championship to win the best-of-seven series four games to none, and will represent the American League in the World Series later this month ^_^

This is the second AL pennant for the ball club since the 3x Coach of the Year, future Hall-of-Fame manager Jim Leyland took over the ball club in 2006. Oddly enough, that was the same year the Tigers won their first pennant with Leyland, and their first as a ball club since 1984.

Congratulations Detroit ^_^ By the way, is there any chance you can hook me up with a celebratory American League Champion Detroit Tigers hoodie?

No? Oh, okay... :[

(All images courtesy of Major League Baseball)

What's Wrong With the Yankees?

A-BENCH for A-Rod! LOL!

The New York Yankees are mere moments away from their third game against the Tigers in Detroit for the American League Championship, and I am conflicted. I am conflicted because the Tigers are leading the series two games to none, and I expected this to be a lot closer and compelling.

Dozens of my friends are fans of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox; the two most prominent baseball franchises since the Strike of '94, if not in all of baseball. The former, in particular, gets the most exposure, television coverage, postseason accolades, individual awards, and notable players. The late George Steinbrenner purchased the Yankees from CBS in 1973 for a ridiculous seventeen million dollars; according to the March 30th edition of Bloomberg Businessweek, the Bronx Bombers' franchise value is $2.85 billion. The Yankees even have a television channel devoted to showing Yankee games all the time o_O

What I Do Hate About The Yankees: Nick Swisher and his constant, over-the-top celebrations for EVERYTHING!

Many dudes call in to the local sports radio show in Toronto, and argue for a salary cap in baseball, but only in the rarest of rare cases are those dudes Yankee fans. The team you despise the most is usually the one with the deepest pockets, are always on television (see Dallas Cowboys), have the best players (see Los Angeles Lakers), are constantly building on their illustrious history (see Manchester United), or have one of the biggest trophy cases in all of professional sports (see New York Yankees...oh wait!). There are loads of us "Yankee Haters" that would love nothing more than to see the New York Yankees suffer in grandiose style. However, for me anyway, to actually watch it happening is kind of sad.

To their credit, none of the Yankees make excuses for the lack of offensive output (maybe A-Rod). Offence is sexy, exciting, intimidating, and puts fans in the seats; since the days of the Babe and Joe Dimaggio, Yankee Nation takes pride in their team for its offensive prowess and defensive artistry (see The Flip).

Something Else I Hate: The Yankees lose two games, and all of a sudden there are parallels to 1996. Totally different team (2012 is not 1996), more money, Twitter, this is the ALCS (not World Series), and they are playing the Tigers (not Atlanta Braves).

A-SMILE for A-Rod! LOL wait, what?

The perfect setup would be for the Yankees to reach the penultimate stage, and blow it in true "Red Sox style" fashion. If they had an eighty-six year history of failure and jinxes, I would be the happiest Blue Jays fan in the world. The game of baseball would be better for it, without question! However, for the sport to be compelling and dramatic as it is, we need the New York Yankees to be the actual "New York Yankees" of old. That separates our lads from the "evil empire", and the more disdain we feel for the enemy the more love and respect we have for our team. That is systematic for all professional sports, and not just baseball. Hopefully, the Yankees will get some of their magic back against Scott Verlander and the Tigers tonight, so we can see the Bronx Bombers blow it in game seven! What?

It must feel good to be a Detroit Tiger player though; that team flew right under the radar, and are playing loose as a goose!

(All images and video are property of Major League Baseball. You may also notice a reduction in links to sites such as Wikipedia or YankeesBaseball.com for team information; all you need to do is ask a Yankees fan, and they will tell you everything you need to know about the Yankees.)

Jeter, Yankees, Postseason

For Yankee haters like me, it is unfortunate that you can't separate the three. There are only a few great New York Yankee players I would want on my all-time team: Derek Jeter is at the top of that list.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi (right) and the team doctor aid
Derek Jeter off the field following his left ankle fracture.

So, to see one of the all-time competitors go down to injury is impossible! Jeter fractured his ankle fielding a ground ball during Game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers yesterday. Team doctors affirmed the fracture is season-ending, as it is the same ankle Jeter had difficulty with all season.

The 6-4 defeat to the Tigers was secondary to the loss of team captain Derek Jeter, whose presence will be missed in the locker room, in the starting lineup, and on the field for the Yankees.

(All images are property of Major League Baseball.)

Washington Nationals: Wait, What?

Cardinals show Washington, world why they are the
"Defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals"

Davey Johnson Shuffles Deck, Deals Away NLDS to Cardinals

Apparently, I went to bed too early Friday night, along with hundreds of Washington Nationals supporters, and a few fans of the St. Louis Cardinals that gave up when the Redbirds were down to the Nats 6-0 at the end of the third inning.

The season ended like it began for the Nationals: Bizarre, improbable, and unexpected. Not even management expected the Nats to play competitive baseball in October, hence Stephen Strasburg suited up in April rather than May, and used up all 160 of his "doctor prescribed" innings pitched. Would there even be the need for a fifth game against St. Louis Cardinals if Washington believed in their ball club, and started Strasburg in May so he could pitch into the postseason?

Michael Morse's pump fist in the (ahem) third inning,
after his 2-run homerun gave the hometown Nats a 6-0 lead.

In his lone game against the St. Louis Cardinals this season, Strasburg left the mound on September 2nd after pitching six innings, striking out nine batters, surrendering only two hits, and leaving the game with the Washington Nationals leading 2-0. Reliever Sean Burnett coughed up the lead in the seventh inning, therefore Strasburg did not get the win as the Nationals fought back in the later innings to win 4-3. It was that championship fight back the Cardinals are known for, and it made another appearance last night at the worst possible moment for the Nationals.

My question is, if Tyler Clippard is the closer, then how does Clippard pitch the eighth inning ahead of Drew Storen, who pitches the penultimate final inning? Both are right-handed pitchers, so why didn't Clippard end the game as in games past; did manager Davey Johnson mess up his pitching lineup? Maybe the Cardinal batters in the eighth inning were too much of a test for Drew Storen, so Johnson installed Clippard in his place?



Clippard vs STL, 2012 regular season: Six batters faced, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K, .000 opponent BA

Daniel Descalso and David Freese on the verge of an EPIC
comeback win for the Cardinals.

Storen vs STL, 2012 regular season: Ten batters faced, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 stolen bases, .400 OBA

From what I can tell, Tyler Clippard pitched better against the Cardinals than Drew Storen. What the statistics don't tell you is Clippard pitched against the same batters he faced last night in the eighth inning: Daniel Descalso (Hit solo home run to bring Cardinal within a run at 6-5, as a matter of fact), Pete Kozma (pop out to shortstop), Matt Carpenter (struck out swinging), and Jon Jay (fly out to center field). In the ninth inning, the non-closer Storen pitched against perennial all-stars like Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, and last season's playoff MVP David Freese; there are even at least six Silver Slugger Awards between the four of them! It was no wonder that the Cardinals came back to tie, take the lead with four runs in the ninth, and go on to win the game.

NLDS Game 5 Nats starter Gio Gonzalez ponders what might have been,
after a shaky postseason, and shocking early exit after defeat to the Cardinals.

If Tyler Clippard is the closer, then he should close out the game. You can't win a baseball game in the third inning (Hi Michael Morse) or the eighth inning, so if Drew Storen dealt with the bottom of the lineup guys here, then Tyler Clippard could throw his best stuff against the best the Cardinals batters could offer in the ninth. The best versus the best, as it should be. It's all doom and gloom, according to Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post, whose article had this to say.

Yadier Molina (4) shows everybody when is the right time
to celebrate a trip to the NLCS.

The season ended as it began with a bizarre and shocking result, except the Nationals lost when it looked like they would do nothing but win. Today's moral of story: Expect the Unexpected.

Something About Game 3

Pablo Sandoval of the Giants (left) and the Reds' Brandon Phillips
on a close play at third with the umpire and fans looking on.

I'll be short with this today, but I wouldn't put too much faith and words into the performance of postseason teams in Game 3.

After playing the first two games of the Division Series, teams like the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds, and the Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers travel cross-country to play at their opponent's ball park. The flights were long, bumpy, suitcases got lost, someone forgot their lucky monkey, and then comes the jet lag! =_=



There are two ways a series could go after such an experience: In the case of the Cincinnati Reds, the need for sleep, to close out a series, and entertain the home crowd provided the Giants a stay of execution as San Francisco rallied through ten innings to defeat the Reds by a slim 2-1 scoreline. This could be a minor chip in the armour of the Red Machine as they look to close out the series tonight in Game 4. Then again, if you are following the Detroit Tigers, then the experience will completely throw you for a loop as the vindicated Coco Crisp and Oakland Athletics look to rebound and draw level with the staggered Tigers. Maybe there was more to Oakland's resurgence than "Alburquerque's Kiss"? ^_^

All images, videos, and associated material are property of Major League Baseball.

Four spot of Baseball ^_^

I didn't write anything for yesterday because our family had Canadian Thanksgiving on Sunday. Plus, I was enjoying watching the Forty Niners destroy the HoriBills.

ALDS - Yankees vs Orioles: Game 1

Russell Martin (left) puts the Yankees ahead with
a solo homerun, the first of five runs scored in the ninth inning
to give the Yankees the victory over the Orioles in Game 1 of the ALDS

I thought home field advantage meant playing the first two games of the series at your ballpark, but this year that isn't the case as the AL East Champion New York Yankees stole their first game against the Baltimore Orioles by a 7-2 scoreline. I say "stole" because, until the top of the ninth inning, both teams were tied when normally reliable Oriole closer Jim Johnson gave up five runs to the Bronx Bombers, including a solo home run to Canadian Russell Martin to put the Yankees ahead o_O

Johnson never had a year quite like 2012: An MLB best fifty-one saves, 2.49 ERA, and a lights out 1.02 WHIP put Johnson among the year's elite relief pitchers. The postseason is a different matter, however, and if the Yankees were a heavyweight boxing champion they would be "Smokin' Joes". I call this a rare misstep by Johnson, but for many of the Baltimore Orioles the playoffs are virgin territory. I expect them to rebound tonight with Wei-Yin Chen starting for the Birds in Game 2 against...Andy Pettitte?! Oh dear o_O

ALDS - Athletics vs Tigers: Game 2

Coco Crisp's uncharacteristic error was the keynote play
in the Athletics' Game 2 defeat to the Tigers yesterday. Oakland
heads westward down two games to none in their American League
Division Series with Detroit.

Verlander pitched the Tigers to a 3-1 victory in Game 1; it was an expected Tiger game played on Saturday with no nonsense pitching and clutch hitting. Game 2, however, ended in dramatic fashion with a walk-off sac fly by Don Kelly in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tigers a 5-4 victory. Critics argue the game would have a different ending had Coco Crisp's pathetic, running attempt at a basket catch on a short fly to center field by Miguel Cabrera not gone awry. The gaffe scored two Tigers base runners, gave Detroit the lead, and left Triple Crown winner and hands down MVP Miguel Cabrera with a shocked look on his face! Rangers star Josh Hamilton misjudged a similar flyball to the Athletics a week ago, which gave Oakland the AL West division title. This attempt at Willie Mays mimicry was a careless mistake, plain and simple.

NLDS - Nationals vs Cardinals: Game 1

Nats pinch-hitter Tyler Moore (57) watches his clutch hit
sail to right field to score two runs, and give Washington
the lead for good in Game 1 versus the Cardinals.

This was less about Washington's first postseason victory since 1933, and more about missed opportunities by the St. Louis Cardinals to start their NLDS against the Nationals on a winning note. The visiting Nationals won 3-2 over the defending world champions thanks to a pinch-hit single by Tyler Moore in the eighth inning. One short half inning before, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with no outs with Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus on the hill. On paper, if you work the count against Mattheus, you can score runs (12.00 ERA in only three innings pitched in bases loaded situations for Mattheus), but Allen Craig and Yadier Molina each hacked at the first pitch they saw resulting in a force out at home, and an inning-ending double play respectively. St. Louis has the experience and bat strength to win Game 2; hopefully, they can even the series. As for the remaining three games in Washington, I don't know.

NLDS - Reds vs Giants: Game 2

Cincinnati Reds players celebrate another postseason victory,
and head back to Ohio with a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five ALDS with
the San Francisco Giants.

Finally, the most complete team effort this postseason coming out of PNC Park in San Francisco, but it wasn't the Giants! Brandon Phillips' stellar leadoff performance in Game 1 got the Reds rolling to a 5-2 win; Bronson Arroyo also kick started their Game 2 victory with seven innings of mastery in their 9-0 drop kicking of the Giants fanning four batters, and relinquishing only one hit and one walk.

Perhaps it's just me, but there is something to be said about dudes named Phil. What do you say, Brandon Phillips? ^_^

Wild Card, Anger Management

The new playoff format is a hit, and gives baseball the added drama we haven't seen since the Rays/Red Sox race to the postseason a year ago. Wild Card Friday was shaping up to be sweet, but a couple of incidents left many fans with a sour taste.

Flip Table: National League Wild Card Edition

Braves fans are a tad disappointed with
the controversial "infield fly" ruling,
and voiced their opinions all over the field

Atlanta Braves fans are still reeling over the controversial finish and premature exit from postseason play yesterday as the St. Louis Cardinals doubled the Braves 6-3 at Turner Field. With the Braves down by three runs in the eighth inning, and runners on first and second with one out, Andrelton Simmons pops a short fly toward left field. Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma ventured back to left field and made a late signal to catch the ball, but thought he heard teammate and left fielder Matt Holliday call for the ball behind him, and broke off his run. The ball dropped for what appeared to be a hit, which advanced the runners, but the outfield umpire gave the "Infield Fly" signal. This takes away the hit and calls Simmons out at first, but the runners stay.

Adron Chambers (left) scores after a bad throw to home plate
by shortstop Andrelton Simmons (not in picture). The Cardinals
scored four unearned runs on three Braves errors to win 6-3.

This was too much to take for Braves fans as they tossed bottles and debris onto the field prompting a nineteen minute delay. As you can tell from the video below, Braves manager Freddy Gonzalez was not too pleased with the ruling, and protested the game to no avail. As an observer, I find it fanciful the Atlanta Braves were the better team on the night. The Braves committed only eighty-six fielding errors during the 2012 campaign to rank among the best overall in the National League; that night, they committed three errors scoring four unearned runs. If you take those away, the Braves would be playing the Nationals on Sunday. Second, the Atlanta Braves left twenty-one runners on base, so for all their at-bats during the game no one could seal the deal. Finally, the emotion of the game did get the best of both players and umpires. St. Louis, however, used the nineteen minute delay to steady their nerves, prepare their closer Jason Motte to pitch the eighth and ninth innings, and win the game.

Flip Table: American League Wild Card Edition

I think the Texas Rangers are snakebitten. They had success within their grasp numerous times during the final two weeks of the season, but their offense could not seal the deal. It doesn't help matters when the lone left-handed starter turned reliever Derek Holland is pitching three times in seven days, and giving up costly hits, too.

O's, for Pete's sake! D:

The visiting Orioles outlasted the two-time American League champion Texas Rangers 5-1. After Yu Darvish struck out seven Baltimore batters and held them to only three runs, Ron Washington played the percentages and called in the tired Derek Holland to pitch to lefty leadoff hitter Nate McLouth (McLouth was 1-3 versus Holland, but a combined 0-3 versus prime relievers albeit righties Alexi Ogando and Koji Uehara). One wild pitch to move an Oriole baserunner to third, and a hit to left field with two outs later, the Orioles were on their way with a 3-1 lead.

A few of my friends are Rangers fans, so after the game I wrote as my status on Facebook about how each of us were flipping tables over and being surly. I should progress and move on, but the recent history of the Texas Rangers has me thinking there is something weird going on o_O To come within a catch of winning the World Series in Game 6 against the Cardinals, within a strike zone of winning in Game 7, to lose a five-game lead over the Athletics with nine to go for the American League West Division on the final day of the regular season, and then fall apart against the Baltimore Orioles two days later has me thinking there is a new "hoodoo" on the likable losers from Texas.

Are the Texas Rangers the new "Charlie Brown" of Major League Baseball? I don't want to think about that; all I want to do is this:  (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

(All images and video are property of Major League Baseball and MLB Network)

Are The Rangers Snake Bitten?

An image far too familiar to Texas Rangers fans of late.

Last year, some of my friends and I decided to support the Texas Rangers in their World Series bid because we like Josh Hamilton, so when we watched Game 7 on the church projector the three of us were a little...miffed with what we saw.

Cardinals pitcher throws ball.
Ball lands off plate.
Umpire calls strike three.
Phil flips table.

It takes a lot for Andrew and Bryan to get angry, but I remember Game 6 and Game 7 being very trying experiences.

Flyball to right field.
Nelson Cruz to catch ball & win World Series.
Nelson Cruz lets ball drop.
Phil flips table.

I respect the Texas Rangers a great deal, so when they lined up against the Oakland Athletics for the penultimate game for the American League West Division championship, once again, I decided to pull for the Josh Hamilton, Ron Washington, starting pitcher Ryan Dempster, and the rest of the Texas Rangers.

David Murphy wears knee socks;
that means he's good.

Third inning begins.
Rangers rally for five runs.
Rangers on course leading 5-1.
Phil feels good.

I remembered former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster was pitching this very important game. Since the trade, his ERA progressively rose higher and higher with each start, and was barely pitching past five innings. Naturally, as his pitch count neared sixty heading into the fourth inning, I was concerned.

Fourth inning begins.
Dempster allows two runs to score after facing four batters.
Dempster leaves game with two on, and no outs.

Phil upon learning Dempster will pitch:
I have a bad feeling about this...

Phil finds table.

That's alright. Manager Ron Washington usually finds a way out of these situations. You don't win back-to-back American League Championships, and beat the best in the AL (Yankees, Tigers, etc.) just passing through town. Washington will find a way.

Washington brings Derek Holland into game.
Starter Holland pitching on two days rest.
Holland gives up game-tying double to right on first pitch.
Phil flips table.

The horses officially left the barn, and the game is tied at 5-5. Once again, I'm stressed, but with two Athletics on base, and two out with Yeonis Cespedes at the plate, I draw comfort there is a lot of game left, and Texas can "get out of Dodge (City)" and recover. Then, this happened.

NOOOOOOOO! D:

Cespedes pops ball up to centre field.
Favourite player Josh Hamilton runs to catch.
Hamilton drops ball.
Phil flips table.

Really? REALLY?! Nine batters faced, six runs scored, three doubles, two singles, two walks, one fielding error to bring in two unearned runs that give up the lead, and the Oakland fans are going crazy!

I love Josh Hamilton to death, and what he said in the post game interview is true. When you are running in the outfield to catch a steady flyball, you set your feet so the image of the baseball doesn't "move" as you stand still. There will be times when a diving catch is required, and you will know these times when a girl you like is sitting in the stands watching you play outfield. I'm not nearly as miffed about Hamilton's error as some Rangers fans I know might be (Hi Berent >_< ] ...Hi Tony >_< ] They flipped their tables, too).

Nelson Cruz in WS 2011, and now
Josh Hamilton in Game 162 vs Oakland in 2012.

I already stated "the horses already fled the barn", so if Hamilton makes the catch to end the inning, a tired Derek Holland remains in the game to pitch into the seventh inning and gets tagged with the loss. Although Holland is the losing pitcher, Dempster got the ball rolling with a disastrous fourth inning meltdown pitching down the middle on pitchers' counts. I don't know why Washington would call on Holland at that time, in his state of little rest, to end the inning? Does anyone know? Are the Rangers snakebitten?! o_O

The Rangers play a one game playoff at home to another surprise team, the Baltimore Orioles, tomorrow. I'm hoping the Texas Rangers can put this behind them as superstar Yu Darvish will start for the Rangers on Friday.

Now, if you will excuse me: Phil flips table.

(All MLB baseball images and content are property of Major League Baseball, and are linked to various websites which hold ownership rights.)

Washington Time Warp

Washington Nationals mistake the club house for the shower, and
douse what they think is water on their clothes in celebration
of their city's first post-season berth since 1933.

The 2012 MLB Postseason is upon us, and what better way to return to a formal writing schedule than by writing about this year's surprising Fall Classic? ^_^

Look for loads of new content and insight as I follow the baseball playoffs leading up to the World Series ^_^ I'm excited! The Washington Nationals are quite a story; this is the first time a major league ball club out of Washington will play a postseason game since 1933, when manager Joe Cronin's Senators (AL) lost to John McGraw's New York Giants (NL) in the World Series. According to Wikipedia, lots happened in 1933, including...

• Prohibition ends.
• Amidst the Great Depression, Franklin Delanor Roosevelt's "New Deal" legislation kicks in.
• The first major league "All-Star Game" takes place at Chicago's Comiskey Park.
• Wiley Post becomes the first man to fly solo around the world; aww :(
• The first "Krispy Kreme" doughnut shop opens in Nashville, Tennessee.
• James Brown and Yoko Ono are born.
• RKO releases some gorilla monster movie called King Kong. I heard it was alright.
• In only her third picture, a young actress named Katharine Hepburn wins the Academy Award for Best Actress playing the role of Eva Lovelace in Morning Glory (RKO).

For the latest on the Washington Nationals' winning the National League East Division Championship, click here!