The State of Sports: October 27th

-Baseball

Yes its the end of the World Series and the White Sox have won their first title in 88 years. I think this team is for real. I didnt on the eve of Game 4, but god darnit im wrong sometimes.

According to one of my favorite sites (Baseball Reference.com), the '05 White Sox are only the sixth team in the history of the sport to finsh the postseason in ALCS and ALDS play with one loss. They join the company of such teams as the '89 Athletics, the '85 Tigers, the '70 Orioles, and the '69 Mets. In ALSC play only the Yankees have lost one game in 12; the others have lost one game in 8 games. The only team in the two division format to sweep throughout was the '76 Reds, out of one of the classic dynasties on baseball; "The Big Red Machine."

A classmate said that this team couldnt score runs. He didnt see how people could get on base and then scoring runs against very good pitchers. I agreed with him, but didnt read through the lines. The White Sox won with small ball. What the Angles rode on two years ago during their run. Small ball of getting on base, sac bunting, stealing, being aggresive on the base paths, and making sure every infielder on their toes. You don't see that out of teams anymore. Even from an American League team that uses a DH.

Pictured-Juan Uribe Catch in the 9th of Game 4

I thought that baseball moved away from "small ball" and went with the Moneyball strategy. This idea of Bill James that players cant make outs like sac bunts. Outs are what puts teams in the hole right away. Yes, you want to be aggresive on the basepaths, but outs are what you are trying not to make. Ozzie Guillen proved that in winning this series. He did more than that, he repealled the notion of what I people think have revolutionized the sport. Moneyball, opened peoples eyes. Maybe this will too.

Still, the White Sox outpitched to a mediocre lineup. There was no one in that lineup that could power the ball down field. Berkman has had his day and is battling a shoulder problem. Its god damn remarkable how he can still play with his arthritic shoulder. The Astros had a lineup that was young and experienced, but no real power threat. The White Sox scouts did what the Red Sox did last year; thier homework. With a rotation like Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, Jose Contrearas, Garland, and the young pitcher McCarthy that rotation was pretty solid.

Pictured- Brad Lidge

Of course, being the hypercritical Red Sox fan I am, I thought they were mediocre. I thought they lacked postseason experience. When you see a closer throw a 97-100 MPH fastball, not many people are going to hit it.


The problem was the Astros pitchers just fell apart. Oswalt's bullpen blew it. Clemens went out at the right time. Andy Pettitte's bullpen blew it. And Brad Lidge lost confidence in the fastball with the Puljois home run. Doubt is what killed that kid. His 96-98 MPH fasball location was really bad. I must admit he was the biggest surprise this postseason. He was 0-2, with a 4.91 ERA in 3.2 IP in 3 apperances.

This offseason is going to be defined at who wants the vetrens. There isnt much of a free agent crop to choose from, but all I know is, it will be interresting. I look forward to reporting what goes down.
Pictured- Geoff Blum's solo shot to end Game 3