Attention, all members of the East Coast sports media. Yes, the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees were both eliminated from the American League playoffs over the past few days.
The playoffs can–and will-?_”go on without them. Have no worries; everything will be alright.
I’m not going to sit here and say that that the Red Sox and Yankees don’t make for exciting baseball, because they do–whether it occurs in the playoffs or the regular season.
Their confrontations in each of the past two years in the American League Championship Series will no doubt go down in playoff lore.
From then Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone’s series-winning home run in extra innings in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, to Curt Schilling pitching with a blood- soaked sock en route to Boston climbing back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the pennant in seven games, things definitely get exciting when those two hated rivals meet in the playoffs.
As I said before, the playoffs will go on. Fans, as well as some members of the national media, might have to learn about a few players with whom they are unfamiliar, but that is a good thing; baseball will be better for it.
In taking a hard look at the four teams whose seasons have yet to expire, a few great stories could potentially come to the forefront in the next couple of weeks.
First of all, let’s look at the winners of the Central Division in each of their respective leagues:the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox.
The Cardinals are the most playoff-tested of the four remaining teams; they are playing in October for the fifth time in the last six seasons, and are looking to return to the World Series–only with a different result than their 4-0 loss to the Red Sox last year.
For the second straight season, they have entered the postseason with the best record in the major leagues.
They led the National League in Earned Run Average this season, while also posting some of the best team offensive numbers in the NL.
They are led by first baseman Albert Pujols, who very well might be the best hitter of his generation.
Just two years after missing the entire 2003 season with an injury, starting pitcher Chris Carpenter is now a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate.
The Chicago White Sox are trying to follow the lead of the 2004 Red Sox to become the second team named after footwear to end a long World Series drought.
The Sox haven’t won a World Series since 1917 and haven’t made it to one since 1959.
Amazingly, they don’t even have the longest World Series drought in their own city, as their rivals on the North side of Chicago, the Cubs, have gone 11 years longer without winning at all.
The Sox enter any series with a strong set of starting pitching, with Mark Buerhle, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras all enjoying good seasons.
As I write this commentary, the Los Angeles Angels hold a 1-0 lead over the White Sox after winning the opening game of the ALCS.
The 2002 World Champions are making their second straight playoff appearance.
In the shadows of the Los Angeles Dodgers for years, the Angels finally busted through in 2002 and have since maintained their high profile through major free-agent signings–most notably outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who is without a doubt one of the elite players in the game.
On the pitcher’s mound, Bartolo Colon leads the way, but the 21-game winner will not pitch in the ALCS due to an injury.
This leads Game 1 winners Paul Byrd, Jarrod Washburn, and John Lackey to shoulder the load that Colon’s heavy frame carried so capably all season.
Rookie Erwin Santana made a name for himself in Game 5 of the Division Series against the Yankees when Colon got injured early in the decisive contest.
Santana threw 5.1 innings and picked up the win.
Finally, no discussion on the Angels’ pitching is complete without a reference to closer Francisco Rodriguez, who had his coming out party throughout the entire 2002 postseason at the age of 20. Now 23, “K-Rod” enjoyed a very good first season as the team’s full-time closer, tying for the league lead in saves.
The Houston Astros are also an intriguing team. They bring an impressive starting rotation composed of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt.
All three pitchers finished the regular season in the top 10 in ERA, with Clemens and Pettitte claiming the top two spots on the list. Closer Brad Lidge is also a formidable force.
Their supposed disadvantage is an anemic offense, which has been depleted this season by the off-season departures of outfielder Carlos Beltran, second baseman Jeff Kent and an injury to first baseman Jeff Bagwell that limited him to playing in only 39 games this season.
Third baseman Morgan Ensberg had a breakout year, swatting 36 home runs and driving in 101 runs.
In the suffering fans category, the Astros have yet to win the World Series since the team’s existence and didn’t win a playoff series until last season.
In analyzing the possible World Series match-ups, it is very likely that some exciting baseball will happen in the near future and lead to an interesting World Series duel.
Let’s take a look at the possibilities: Cardinals vs. White Sox: the two best teams in the regular season.
These cities have repeatedly gone to battle in baseball, only it is normally the Cardinals facing off with the Cubs, not the White Sox.
I think it is pretty safe to say that this scenario is an absolute nightmare for a die-hard Cubs fan.
Even more intriguing is the White Sox pitching staff: Buerhle, Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts. All three were born in the St. Louis area. Politte triumphantly began his career with the Cardinals before eventually cooling down and being traded.
Buerhle has said on occasion that he still roots for the Cardinals when he gets the chance.
Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa also began his managing career with the White Sox.
Cardinals vs. Angels: The players make this an appealing match-up. Each team has one of the premiere hitting talents in the game with Pujols for the Cardinals and Guerrero for the Angels.
Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein was signed by the Cardinals only days after he had been released by the Angels, who signed Orlando Cabrera.
The most interesting story about this one, though, is found behind the plate.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina could end up battling both of his older brothers, Angels catchers Bengie and Jose Molina, for a World Series title.
White Sox vs. Astros: battle of two teams looking to grab the elusive World Series crown.
Both teams are known for their pitching instead of their hitting, playing in stadiums that are known for being friendly to hitters.
Not only would it be a battle of two teams, but also a battle of pitching vs. hitter-friendly stadiums.
Angels vs. Astros: two franchises that began one year apart. This series would clearly be a chance for one of these teams to really put their stamp on baseball history.
The Angels finally won their first World Series in 2002, but the Astros have yet to do so. The Angels could leave their mark on this era, while the Astros could officially make their entrance into the elite of Major League Baseball.
Those of you who think baseball needs the Red Sox and the Yankees to be successful in the postseason shouldn’t be worried. Don’t lose any sleep over it.
On the other hand, do lose some sleep over it, but not out of worry. Lose some sleep while you are staying up an hour later watching games being played in the Central and Pacific time zones.
