Though I've never lived there, Boston has always been one of my favorites towns. (Along with San Fran and Vegas). Great places to visit with lots of stuff to see and do.
Maybe for that reason, I've long been a closet Bosox fan as well.
Hence, consider yours truly tickled pink the Bosox will be heading to the World Series.
And they mowed down a couple really good teams to get there. The Sox rolled over their hated nemesis Yankees, with the Bronx Bombers able to only win a single game.
And now the Houston Astros, defending world champs, and quite the formidable team. After splitting two games in Boston, the Beaners went into Houston and swept three straight. Down go the Astros. Former Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander, who bailed to Houston a year back (just in time to win a World Series, and good for him) got two shots at beating the Sox and couldn't pull it off. Alas, JV got tagged with the loss in the 5th and deciding game. Of course, he has Kate Upton to go home to, and that's quite the consolation prize.
So now Boston awaits the winner of the LA Dodgers/Milwaukee Brewers series, with LA currently up 3-2. Even thought the series will be heading back to Milwaukee for games 6, and 7 if necessary, the Dodgers have two games to win one, hence they have to be favored. But ya never know. The Brew Crew bopping them two straight is hardly out of the question.
Personally, I'm rooting for Milwaukee. I've been to both towns. Milwaukee makes a ton of beer and Harley Davidson motorcycles. How can you root against that? LA has -- well -- way WAY too many cars. Only in LA-LA land can you get on an interstate, 5-6 lanes of traffic both ways, and find it backed up bumper to bumper for as far as the eye can see. Who wants to cope with that nonsense every day?
Thing is, Boston will have a distinct advantage going into the World Series.
First, the National League series is being played a day later than the America League series was. It's a TV thing. Ratings rule.
And given the Bosox polished off Houston in 5 games, while the LA/Mil winner will have to go at least 6 and maybe 7, the Sox get a few days extra rest. Everybody will be fresh.
Plus, having, by far, the better regular season record, Boston gets home field advantage in the World Series. True, that might not mean a lot, but any team would rather play at home than away.
If LA should happen to prevail in the NLCS, it would set up some mighty long flights as well. Actually, about the longest possible. LA's as far west as you can get in the continental United States, not counting Alaska. And Boston's as far east.
It's roughly 3000 miles from LA to Boston. And given most airliners fly at about 500 MPH, that computes to 6 hour flights, give or take a little head or tail wind.
But for now, all hail the Boston Red Sox, champions of the American League. It's really no great surprise, seeing as how they had the best regular season record (by a significant margin) in the entire Major Leagues.
Bring on the Fall Classic.
(Come on Milwaukee, you can still pull this out. And BTW, when's the last time Milwaukee got to celebrate any sort of championship? I'm so sick of New York this and LA that. I love it when "new blood" wins a title.)
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Sunday, October 14, 2018
The problem with Kansas City.....
Make no mistake. The KC Chiefs are a really good football team. You don't get to be 5-0 in the NFL unless you're doing a lot of things right.
Second year quarterback Patrick Mahomes has surpassed all expectations since he took over the starting job this season. He's mobile, fleet of foot, can make all the throws, and has terrific "vision" regarding when his receivers will come open.
And he just threw for over 350 yards and another two touchdowns against the New England Patriots.
But the Chiefs still lost the game.
Forty points is a lot in any typical NFL game for a team to score. Normally, that's more than enough to win. And the Chiefs put up 40 against the Pats.
Problem is, they wound up surrendering 43.
If you're giving up that many points a game, something is horribly wrong with your defense.
It appears the Chiefs can't generate much of a pass rush, and their secondary somewhat resembles a screen door on a submarine trying to cover receivers. Given few would doubt the NFL, and most colleges as well, have morphed into pass-happy offenses, the "running game" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Or perhaps exists only to keep defenses "honest".
It's not like Tom Brady and the Pats are some sort of offensive juggernaut. They don't do anything spectacularly well. But give #12 "all day" to throw, and chances are he's going to find a receiver eventually. The Chiefs couldn't seem to pressure him much at all.
Couple that with tight end Rob Gronkowski torching a defensive back on the crucial play of the game towards the end -- on a simple fly pattern, at that -- and it spells trouble. Granted, Gronk is a very talented guy, but there's no way he's supposed to out-run a defensive back.
So now the Chiefs have fallen from being undefeated.
Score 40 points -- on the road, no less - and still lose?
Oh my. Head coach Andy Reid and his staff have some serious work to do with the KC defense.
Because that just won't get it, especially come play-off time.
Second year quarterback Patrick Mahomes has surpassed all expectations since he took over the starting job this season. He's mobile, fleet of foot, can make all the throws, and has terrific "vision" regarding when his receivers will come open.
And he just threw for over 350 yards and another two touchdowns against the New England Patriots.
But the Chiefs still lost the game.
Forty points is a lot in any typical NFL game for a team to score. Normally, that's more than enough to win. And the Chiefs put up 40 against the Pats.
Problem is, they wound up surrendering 43.
If you're giving up that many points a game, something is horribly wrong with your defense.
It appears the Chiefs can't generate much of a pass rush, and their secondary somewhat resembles a screen door on a submarine trying to cover receivers. Given few would doubt the NFL, and most colleges as well, have morphed into pass-happy offenses, the "running game" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Or perhaps exists only to keep defenses "honest".
It's not like Tom Brady and the Pats are some sort of offensive juggernaut. They don't do anything spectacularly well. But give #12 "all day" to throw, and chances are he's going to find a receiver eventually. The Chiefs couldn't seem to pressure him much at all.
Couple that with tight end Rob Gronkowski torching a defensive back on the crucial play of the game towards the end -- on a simple fly pattern, at that -- and it spells trouble. Granted, Gronk is a very talented guy, but there's no way he's supposed to out-run a defensive back.
So now the Chiefs have fallen from being undefeated.
Score 40 points -- on the road, no less - and still lose?
Oh my. Head coach Andy Reid and his staff have some serious work to do with the KC defense.
Because that just won't get it, especially come play-off time.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Khabib, Conor, and silliness
As the fight world knows, a few days ago Khabib Nurmagamedov and Conor McGregor squared off for the lightweight mixed martial arts title. Sane people know that anybody that anybody that gets into the octagon for a "no-holds barred" gladiatorial fight to the finish likely isn't wrapped too tight to begin with. In other words, these guys, and gals, are nuts.
So bizarre behavior should come as no great surprise. Yet there are still "rules" that aren't supposed to be crossed. One is for a contestant to initiate a fight anywhere but inside the octagon. And that's exactly what Khabib did after forcing McGregor to tap out in the fourth round of their fight. It appeared he went even further off the deep end. Meanwhile, McGregor threw a punch at a non-combatant, and he in turn was ambushed from behind by an apparent spectator who had jumped over the cage and into the ring.
The Nevada commission in charge of overseeing these spectacles was on the spot. What do they do about it?
And that's where it got downright silly. OK, we get it that they withheld Khabib's $2,000,000 purse -- for a short while -- before releasing it. So what was the point? McGregor was paid.
And then.....
Boom, they suspended Khabib for....
Ten days?
What, pray tell, manner of nonsense was this?
After a fight, the combatants aren't doing anything for ten days, or likely even a few months, anyway except healing up from the pounding they took, win or lose.
Suspending a MMA fighter in such a manner would be akin to suspending a Major League baseball player for the same amount of time -- in December. They're not doing anything either.
So again, what's the point?
Oh sure, they'll make noise about holding a hearing somewhere down the road in a month or two. Thing is, any such hearing could and should be held immediately. They have all the video they need to analyze whatever happened. And a month or two from now, nobody will care anyway.
Does anybody seriously think the powers that be will take either or both of these guys out of the arena of combat for any amount of time that would prevent them from fighting? Hah.
Not likely. Why? Because of the same reason these spectacles have always been held. Money. Lots of it.
Millions and millions of dollars pour in from the pay-per-view outlets. This one was $65 a pop. Multiply that by ten, twenty, or however many million people chose to tune in, and you're talking serious dough.
And you just know a re-match between these two guys is in the works. The folks that rake in the dough aren't about to shoot themselves in the foot by "grounding" Khabib and/or McGregor that might prevent another windfall in the future, deserved or not.
Who's kidding who?
So bizarre behavior should come as no great surprise. Yet there are still "rules" that aren't supposed to be crossed. One is for a contestant to initiate a fight anywhere but inside the octagon. And that's exactly what Khabib did after forcing McGregor to tap out in the fourth round of their fight. It appeared he went even further off the deep end. Meanwhile, McGregor threw a punch at a non-combatant, and he in turn was ambushed from behind by an apparent spectator who had jumped over the cage and into the ring.
The Nevada commission in charge of overseeing these spectacles was on the spot. What do they do about it?
And that's where it got downright silly. OK, we get it that they withheld Khabib's $2,000,000 purse -- for a short while -- before releasing it. So what was the point? McGregor was paid.
And then.....
Boom, they suspended Khabib for....
Ten days?
What, pray tell, manner of nonsense was this?
After a fight, the combatants aren't doing anything for ten days, or likely even a few months, anyway except healing up from the pounding they took, win or lose.
Suspending a MMA fighter in such a manner would be akin to suspending a Major League baseball player for the same amount of time -- in December. They're not doing anything either.
So again, what's the point?
Oh sure, they'll make noise about holding a hearing somewhere down the road in a month or two. Thing is, any such hearing could and should be held immediately. They have all the video they need to analyze whatever happened. And a month or two from now, nobody will care anyway.
Does anybody seriously think the powers that be will take either or both of these guys out of the arena of combat for any amount of time that would prevent them from fighting? Hah.
Not likely. Why? Because of the same reason these spectacles have always been held. Money. Lots of it.
Millions and millions of dollars pour in from the pay-per-view outlets. This one was $65 a pop. Multiply that by ten, twenty, or however many million people chose to tune in, and you're talking serious dough.
And you just know a re-match between these two guys is in the works. The folks that rake in the dough aren't about to shoot themselves in the foot by "grounding" Khabib and/or McGregor that might prevent another windfall in the future, deserved or not.
Who's kidding who?
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
DOWN GO THE YANKEES!!!
I like the Boston Red Sox. I don't much care for the NY Yankees. And I don't live anywhere close to either. So how did it come to be?
Near as I can tell, it's because I've visited both cities, and was treated better in Beantown, though they sure seemed to talk funny.
After dispatching the Oakland Athletics in the wild-card game, Bronx Bombing fans screamed "We want the Red Sox!!!"
Well, they got them, and..........
DOWN GO THE YANKEES.
With the defending World Series champion Houston Astros, it seems only fitting the Bosox should move on. Sure, the Yanks have a bunch of sluggers and won 100 games this year. But the 'Stros won 103 and the Bosox 108. They were the two best teams in the American League.
It should be a really good series to determine whether Houston or Boston moves on to this year's Fall Classic. Both are loaded with hitters, pitching, speed, and play outstanding defense. No prediction here, but I hope it goes seven games, just for more to watch.
Oh yeah. Bring it on.
Near as I can tell, it's because I've visited both cities, and was treated better in Beantown, though they sure seemed to talk funny.
After dispatching the Oakland Athletics in the wild-card game, Bronx Bombing fans screamed "We want the Red Sox!!!"
Well, they got them, and..........
DOWN GO THE YANKEES.
With the defending World Series champion Houston Astros, it seems only fitting the Bosox should move on. Sure, the Yanks have a bunch of sluggers and won 100 games this year. But the 'Stros won 103 and the Bosox 108. They were the two best teams in the American League.
It should be a really good series to determine whether Houston or Boston moves on to this year's Fall Classic. Both are loaded with hitters, pitching, speed, and play outstanding defense. No prediction here, but I hope it goes seven games, just for more to watch.
Oh yeah. Bring it on.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Mason Crosby and the Detroit Lions
A rookie place kicker, or even a second or third year man, would have been cut before the day was over. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Yer outta here.
But Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers is in his 12th year. And he's been Mr. Reliable all along. An overall 80% success rate on field goal attempts -- and almost 98% on extra point attempts -- is a mighty impressive career record for any place kicker.
Until his proverbial wheels fell off against the Detroit Lions. His atrocious performance against the Motowners is truly difficult to comprehend.
Oh sure. The Lions and their ever-faithful lap dogs -- sometimes known as the local media -- will always put a positive spin on things, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. The Honolulu blue and silver kool-aid they serve up in Detroit by the box car load is not only powerful stuff, but very addictive as well. Once hooked on it, it's nigh impossible to kick the nasty habit.
[Full disclosure. Yours truly was one of the few fortunate ones that was once hooked on that kool-aid -- for decades -- but when Barry Sanders walked with several good years still in him, and likely gave up the all-time rushing record as well -- along with mucho millions of dollars -- I went cold turkey the same day and haven't looked back. No regrets.]
Reading a by-line on the Lions defeating the Packers made me laugh out loud.
The secondary's pretty good, it said. Quarterback Matthew Stafford went even further. He was quoted as saying the defense is outstanding. If you say so, Matt.
Even new head coach Matt Patricia chimed in. "The biggest thing has been the continuity", quoth Mattie P.
At least he got that right, sort of. The Lions have most definitely had continuity. You can't go over fifty -- count-em -- FIFTY years -- without ever making it to a Super Bowl, let alone winning it, and not call it continuity.
For that matter, they've won a grand total of one playoff game since Super Bowls started back around the time Richard Nixon was becoming President. ONE!!
But let's cut through the crap. The sole reason the Lions improbably won the game over the Packers is the above-mentioned Mason Crosby. He knows it. His teammates and coaches know it. Everybody in Green Bay knows it.
Only in Detroit do they choose to ignore the obvious, while giving themselves yet another pat on the back for a job well done.
It was no such thing. The Lions didn't do anything to win that game. They should have lost.
But Crosby missed 4 four field goal attempts, three of them quite makeable that he normally nails, along with an extra point attempt, which is typically almost automatic. A missed fourth field goal attempt was from 56 yards. That's within Crosby's range, to be sure, but he's about 50-50 from there.
Even discounting the long one, that's ten points the Packers should have had, but didn't get due to Crosby's freakish wildness.
They would lose the game by only eight points -- 31-23.
Whether or not Mason Crosby some day winds up in the Hall of Fame -- it's rare for place kickers -- remains to be seen.
There's no doubt he's had a long and terrific career in the NFL over the years. He might even have a few years left in him.
But even given that, if he has another game like the debacle he had against the Lions, don't think for a minute he's immune to the bum's rush out of town as well. It can and might well happen.
So for now, let the Lions and their faithful bask in a win. And hey, Ws and Ls are the only thing that counts in the NFL.
But this one was a gift from Crosby.
And no amount of kool-aid can change it.
Period.
But Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers is in his 12th year. And he's been Mr. Reliable all along. An overall 80% success rate on field goal attempts -- and almost 98% on extra point attempts -- is a mighty impressive career record for any place kicker.
Until his proverbial wheels fell off against the Detroit Lions. His atrocious performance against the Motowners is truly difficult to comprehend.
Oh sure. The Lions and their ever-faithful lap dogs -- sometimes known as the local media -- will always put a positive spin on things, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. The Honolulu blue and silver kool-aid they serve up in Detroit by the box car load is not only powerful stuff, but very addictive as well. Once hooked on it, it's nigh impossible to kick the nasty habit.
[Full disclosure. Yours truly was one of the few fortunate ones that was once hooked on that kool-aid -- for decades -- but when Barry Sanders walked with several good years still in him, and likely gave up the all-time rushing record as well -- along with mucho millions of dollars -- I went cold turkey the same day and haven't looked back. No regrets.]
Reading a by-line on the Lions defeating the Packers made me laugh out loud.
The secondary's pretty good, it said. Quarterback Matthew Stafford went even further. He was quoted as saying the defense is outstanding. If you say so, Matt.
Even new head coach Matt Patricia chimed in. "The biggest thing has been the continuity", quoth Mattie P.
At least he got that right, sort of. The Lions have most definitely had continuity. You can't go over fifty -- count-em -- FIFTY years -- without ever making it to a Super Bowl, let alone winning it, and not call it continuity.
For that matter, they've won a grand total of one playoff game since Super Bowls started back around the time Richard Nixon was becoming President. ONE!!
But let's cut through the crap. The sole reason the Lions improbably won the game over the Packers is the above-mentioned Mason Crosby. He knows it. His teammates and coaches know it. Everybody in Green Bay knows it.
Only in Detroit do they choose to ignore the obvious, while giving themselves yet another pat on the back for a job well done.
It was no such thing. The Lions didn't do anything to win that game. They should have lost.
But Crosby missed 4 four field goal attempts, three of them quite makeable that he normally nails, along with an extra point attempt, which is typically almost automatic. A missed fourth field goal attempt was from 56 yards. That's within Crosby's range, to be sure, but he's about 50-50 from there.
Even discounting the long one, that's ten points the Packers should have had, but didn't get due to Crosby's freakish wildness.
They would lose the game by only eight points -- 31-23.
Whether or not Mason Crosby some day winds up in the Hall of Fame -- it's rare for place kickers -- remains to be seen.
There's no doubt he's had a long and terrific career in the NFL over the years. He might even have a few years left in him.
But even given that, if he has another game like the debacle he had against the Lions, don't think for a minute he's immune to the bum's rush out of town as well. It can and might well happen.
So for now, let the Lions and their faithful bask in a win. And hey, Ws and Ls are the only thing that counts in the NFL.
But this one was a gift from Crosby.
And no amount of kool-aid can change it.
Period.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Around the NFL
It happens every year. Just when your truly thinks he has a bit of a handle on who's who in the NFL -- I don't. Not a clue.
Of course I'm not alone in that regard. Sports Illustrated's pre-season pick to win this year's Super Bowl was Atlanta. The Falcons are currently 1-4 and can't seem to get out of their own way.
The usually pretty good Pittsburgh Steelers haven't impressed anybody. Nor have the always good New England Patriots. They lost to the Detroit Lions for crying out loud.
The almost dynasty that never was called the Seattle Seahawks seems to have imploded. They're average, at best.
The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, typically contenders for the NFC North division title, have been floundering. What's that? The Chicago Bears -- DUH BEARS!! -- are leading the division? Get outta here.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles appear to be suffering from a hangover. They're OK, but nothing great -- at least so far. But nobody saw them coming last year either.
Yet there are a couple pleasant semi-surprises as well. The KC Chiefs are rolling along rather nicely -- at 5-0 -- with young phenom Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Dude's been highly impressive.
As have the LA Rams. It's gotta hurt the football fans in St. Louis to see their former team get so good, so fast, after they left town.
The Cleveland Browns have even won a game, and tied yet another. Will miracles never cease? Don't be surprised if their front office -- in its infinite wisdom -- tacks a few more years and a bazillion dollars onto head coach Hue Jackson's contract. Hey, if they didn't see reason to fire him after his team won one measly game in two entire seasons, the fact he's got a win and a tie this year might make him the toast of the town. Alas, poor Cleveland. They knoweth not. Even more clueless than me.
As a former Detroit Lions fan, I peek in on them once in a while. True to form, they've defeated a couple teams they probably shouldn't have (see the above NE Pats, and the Cheesers from Green Bay), but went down in flames to the gawd-awful NY Jets and San Fran 49ers. They must drive the bookies crazy.
So I couldn't help but notice the three letters on the sleeves on their uniforms. WCF. Huh. What could those stand for?
We Can't Finish?
Wacky Clown Festival?
Then it dawned on my feeble brain. It was a salute to their former owner and recently deceased William Clay Ford.
Good thing old Willie's middle name wasn't Thomas, though WTF would fit them to a tee. I'd spell it out, but I suspect you know what it typically stands for in today's jargon. There's that and. if I did, my boss wouldn't be amused. Great guy, but he's made it quite clear there are some words totally off-limits. I haven't been hauled down to headquarters and had my pee-pee whacked (can I say pee-pee? -- guess I'll find out) in quite some time. And I'd just as soon keep it that way, thank you very much.
How will it all turn out and who will wind up in the Super Bowl?
Are you kidding?
If I knew that, I'd be a mighty rich schmuck come February instead of just an average one.
Besides, it would take all the fun out of watching the spectacle for the next few months.
And no doubt a few more dumb ideas for blog posts along the way as well.
We Cater (to) Fools?
Of course I'm not alone in that regard. Sports Illustrated's pre-season pick to win this year's Super Bowl was Atlanta. The Falcons are currently 1-4 and can't seem to get out of their own way.
The usually pretty good Pittsburgh Steelers haven't impressed anybody. Nor have the always good New England Patriots. They lost to the Detroit Lions for crying out loud.
The almost dynasty that never was called the Seattle Seahawks seems to have imploded. They're average, at best.
The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, typically contenders for the NFC North division title, have been floundering. What's that? The Chicago Bears -- DUH BEARS!! -- are leading the division? Get outta here.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles appear to be suffering from a hangover. They're OK, but nothing great -- at least so far. But nobody saw them coming last year either.
Yet there are a couple pleasant semi-surprises as well. The KC Chiefs are rolling along rather nicely -- at 5-0 -- with young phenom Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Dude's been highly impressive.
As have the LA Rams. It's gotta hurt the football fans in St. Louis to see their former team get so good, so fast, after they left town.
The Cleveland Browns have even won a game, and tied yet another. Will miracles never cease? Don't be surprised if their front office -- in its infinite wisdom -- tacks a few more years and a bazillion dollars onto head coach Hue Jackson's contract. Hey, if they didn't see reason to fire him after his team won one measly game in two entire seasons, the fact he's got a win and a tie this year might make him the toast of the town. Alas, poor Cleveland. They knoweth not. Even more clueless than me.
As a former Detroit Lions fan, I peek in on them once in a while. True to form, they've defeated a couple teams they probably shouldn't have (see the above NE Pats, and the Cheesers from Green Bay), but went down in flames to the gawd-awful NY Jets and San Fran 49ers. They must drive the bookies crazy.
So I couldn't help but notice the three letters on the sleeves on their uniforms. WCF. Huh. What could those stand for?
We Can't Finish?
Wacky Clown Festival?
Then it dawned on my feeble brain. It was a salute to their former owner and recently deceased William Clay Ford.
Good thing old Willie's middle name wasn't Thomas, though WTF would fit them to a tee. I'd spell it out, but I suspect you know what it typically stands for in today's jargon. There's that and. if I did, my boss wouldn't be amused. Great guy, but he's made it quite clear there are some words totally off-limits. I haven't been hauled down to headquarters and had my pee-pee whacked (can I say pee-pee? -- guess I'll find out) in quite some time. And I'd just as soon keep it that way, thank you very much.
How will it all turn out and who will wind up in the Super Bowl?
Are you kidding?
If I knew that, I'd be a mighty rich schmuck come February instead of just an average one.
Besides, it would take all the fun out of watching the spectacle for the next few months.
And no doubt a few more dumb ideas for blog posts along the way as well.
We Cater (to) Fools?
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The Chicago Cubs and one lousy game
They lie. They've always lied. And they always will. Do I speak of politicians? Not a bad guess, but no.
I refer to those that say early season losses in Major League Baseball don't matter much. How many times have we heard some talking head or scribe -- after their home team found a way to lose a game they should have won -- say -- it's only April, or May. Not to worry. It's early.
They lied.
Consider the Chicago Cubs. They were just ousted from the playoffs. Somewhere the ghost of Harry Karay moans. Michael Wilbon of Pardon The Interruption, a die-hard Cubs fan, sighs, again.
As we know, first the Cubs lost, at home, a one-game playoff with the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Central Division championship. That made the north-siders a wild card team. The very next day, again at Wrigley Field, they would host the Colorado Rockies in said wild card game. A one game knockout. Which the Cubs lost again.
This is what happens when a team plays 22 innings (the latter went 13) and can only manage to score two measly runs.
But if they'd have won just one more game anywhere throughout the season, they wouldn't have found themselves in such a predicament. The Cubs would have been Division Champs, assured of at least a 5 game "quarter-final" series.
That game back in April or May, or perhaps June or July, that they let get away -- pick one -- ultimately sealed their fate.
It WAS important. Just as much so as the last game of the regular season in a tight pennant race.
So the next time you hear or read a pundit saying "it's early, the loss doesn't matter much", know that they're lying to you.
Because as the Cubs showed this year, every game counts just as much as every other one.
Pity. I've long been a closet Cubs fan myself. I feel your pain, Harry and Mike.
I refer to those that say early season losses in Major League Baseball don't matter much. How many times have we heard some talking head or scribe -- after their home team found a way to lose a game they should have won -- say -- it's only April, or May. Not to worry. It's early.
They lied.
Consider the Chicago Cubs. They were just ousted from the playoffs. Somewhere the ghost of Harry Karay moans. Michael Wilbon of Pardon The Interruption, a die-hard Cubs fan, sighs, again.
As we know, first the Cubs lost, at home, a one-game playoff with the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Central Division championship. That made the north-siders a wild card team. The very next day, again at Wrigley Field, they would host the Colorado Rockies in said wild card game. A one game knockout. Which the Cubs lost again.
This is what happens when a team plays 22 innings (the latter went 13) and can only manage to score two measly runs.
But if they'd have won just one more game anywhere throughout the season, they wouldn't have found themselves in such a predicament. The Cubs would have been Division Champs, assured of at least a 5 game "quarter-final" series.
That game back in April or May, or perhaps June or July, that they let get away -- pick one -- ultimately sealed their fate.
It WAS important. Just as much so as the last game of the regular season in a tight pennant race.
So the next time you hear or read a pundit saying "it's early, the loss doesn't matter much", know that they're lying to you.
Because as the Cubs showed this year, every game counts just as much as every other one.
Pity. I've long been a closet Cubs fan myself. I feel your pain, Harry and Mike.
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