SHUHEI MATSUO
Assistant Sports Editor
Every year, it seems the temperature drops dramatically when September ends. That’s the most physically noticeable sign that summer is ending, which may be sad for many of us. But here is some good news: we have the heat of the World Series to keep us warm.
First of all, I’d like to say something about the name “World Series.” Today, baseball is played in many countries. In fact, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) began this March to determine which country has the best baseball team in the world, just like soccer’s World Cup does so every four years. And I believe the uses of the word “World” in these two events are appropriate because they actually involve the entire world.
Now let’s go back to the World Series. MLB may have many players from a number of countries, but it’s only played in the United States. So I think the most appropriate name would be something like the MLB Championship Series. Maybe that’s a little bit boring?
Fine, just stick with the World Series. But by the way, the inaugural WBC’s winning country, Japan, has a baseball league just like the U.S. has the MLB here, and its final championship every season is called the Japan Series.
Anyhow, the Graphic’s sports team is not very happy about the match for this season’s World Series. David Nakagami’s Yankees quickly disappeared from the playoffs as well as Jane Lee’s A’s, who got swept by the Tigers during the AL Championships. And more importantly, my Padres lost to the Cardinals in the first stage.
Three of our teams made it to the postseason, but none of them is still alive. But the two teams that crushed our hopes have been fighting for the World Series since Saturday. They are the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
According to ESPN.com, about seven out of 10 people in the country believe Detroit will win the series.
Stats may show that Detroit is a better team overall, especially the pitchers. For example, Kenny Rogers, 41, might be pitching the best of his career after extending his postseason scoreless innings to 23 innings with Sunday’s win.
More importantly, these guys beat the Yankees 3-1 and swept the A’s before this championship series. They sure have a lot of confidence.
But the question is: Will Detroit win the World Series this year?
It’s a safe bet to say yes, as the rest of the nation does, but I am going to go against it.
Of all eight postseason teams, St. Louis had the lowest regular-season winning percentage (.516). Also, they lost the last seven out of 10 games during the regular season, but those red birds are still flying in the air.
When it comes to MLB playoffs, I don’t think stats matter as much as many people might think. At this point, I think it’s all about the attitude and the momentum of the team. Both Detroit and St. Louis have excellent chemistry in their teams and are playing very well, but I think the Cards have better momentum right now, especially having the current Major League’s greatest hitter, Albert Pujols.
If Pujols keeps hitting like he has been this postseason, the Cards will have a chance to eat out those scary Tigers at the end, and they will do it in Detroit this weekend.
Some of the Graphic staff members are going to St. Louis this week for a conference. Maybe the Cards will get some power from the Graphic while we are there.
Oh wait, every team that a Graphic member supported has lost already. Oops, maybe I just jinxed it. Actually, I’m not even supporting them: I just think they will win.
10-26-2006