National League Miscellaneous

On the 1970 New York Mets’ highlight film an opposing team runner is picked off, caught in a rundown, and tagged out.

The great Lindsey Nelson, narrating that section of the film (Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy also voice narration) says, “Where are you going Rusty Staub? The player caught in that rundown, would of course, later become a Met and a key player for them in their 1973 National League Pennant winning season.

So who is going to win that pennant 40 years later? It is ridiculous to give a prediction but perhaps we have a good idea as to who will be the five playoff teams in the National League.

There is still a long way to go but the Atlanta Braves have a seven game lead in their division. Meanwhile the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds have at least 5 game leads for playoff qualification.

That leaves the NL West where the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Arizona Diamondbacks by a half game. Likely, but far from definitely the NL West winner, (I join the Dodgers’ bandwagon but would never give the 4 to 1 current odds) will join the other four in the playoffs.

Now I could say at least one of the four Atlanta, St. Louis, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati will not make it. I just do not see which other team will beat at least one of them in the standings.

Rusty Staub