Random Thoughts (September 26, 2008)

With the Dodgers clinching the N.L. West yesterday, there are only three playoff spots still up for grabs. In the A.L., the Twins and White Sox are battling it out for the Central Division. The Twins finished up a three game sweep of the ChiSox yesterday with a dramatic 9th inning, walk-off victory. The Twins, who now hold a .5 game lead, host the Royals this weekend while the White Sox host the Indians. In the N.L., both the Eastern division and Wild Card are still up for grabs. In the East, the Phillies hold a 1 game lead over the Mets. The Phillies host the Nationals and the Mets host the Marlins. As for the Wild Card, the Brewers and Mets are tied. The Brewers host the Cubs, the N.L. Central champions and a team looking forward to next week's N.L.D.S. In the A.L. Central, one has to like the Twins, a team that has a lot of momentum right now. In the N.L., the picture is a little more cloudy. The Phillies control their own destiny and need to take 2-of-3 from the lowly Nationals to clinch a playoff spot. The Mets, who will be playing through torrential rainstorms in the Big Apple all weekend, could end up facing a situation where they are forced to squeeze in three games in a two day period, which would be hell on their weak bullpen. The Brewers could be in a position to steal the Wild Card. As of Friday morning, I will put my money on the Twins, Phillies, and Brewers... While writing about Troy Brown yesterday I forgot to mention the one play that truly symbolizes what type of player Brown was. In the 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff game in San Diego, the Pats were driving late in the game, trailing the Chargers by a field goal. When Charger defensive back Marlon McCree intercepted a Tom Brady pass on fourth down, it looked like the Patriots season was finished. Instead of hanging his head and accepting defeat, Brown lunged at McCree and in the middle of his tackle, reached in and stripped the football. The Patriots recovered the fumble and went on to win the game. Brown, speaking last night on the Felger & Tanguay show on Comcast SportsNet, said the play would have meant more to him if the Patriots had gone on to win the Super Bowl. Just another example of Brown being a brilliant football player and a true champion... Johnny Pesky, weather permitting, will have his #6 retired at Fenway Park tonight before the Red Sox host the Yankees. Pesky is one of the all-time great Red Sox, a loveable old-timer who serves as a link to the days of Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr, two of his best friends. To get a better idea of Pesky's career and life, take the time to read David Halberstam's book, The Teammates. Tonight will be a great tribute to Pesky... For all the talk of USC's dominance, both the Trojans and the Pac-10 took a major hit last night with Oregon State's 27-21 victory over Pete Carroll's team. The SEC, home to Top 10 teams Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Alabama, is the favorite to have a member of its' conference in the BCS Championship Game in January. Any of these four teams could be in line to face a Big 12 power like Oklahoma, Missouri or Texas. However it plays out, USC is out of the national championship picture for now and it also will keep Ohio State, a 35-3 loser to USC two weeks ago and the loser of the last two BCS Championship games, out of the national championship picture no matter what they do in the Big 10 this fall... What a great start last night to both My Name is Earl and The Office. Earl is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows -- Randy and his talking hand puppet almost forced me to change my sheets -- and The Office was full of both laugh out loud moments and their usual inside jokes -- the Andy/Angela/Dwight love triangle is amazing -- that had me enjoying the hour-long premiere... Enjoy #6 tonight...