The three American League teams that have gone the longest amount of time without a post season berth are in contention for one this season.
Those teams are the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Royals, who have not been to the post season playoffs since winning it all in 1985, are in the midst of another good run that has them battling the Detroit Tigers for the A.L. Central crown.
The Mariners, who last made the post season with an American League record 116 wins in 2001, are in the thick of the race, for what likely will be one wild card berth.
By the way, the New York Yankees defeated the Mariners in five games in that year’s ALCS and Seattle, now in their 37th to be completed season, has never made the World Series
The Blue Jays last in post season when they rode Joe Carter’s game six home run to a second straight title in 1993, are on the outside looking in, trailing, but still factors in the race, for that likely to be lone wild card spot available.
Sadly, Robin Williams, who was a great comic, actor, and humanitarian, “exited” this world two days back.
He certainly left behind an abundance of rich work that most of us could not fathom being able to leave behind.
While blown out of proportion by the insipid media coverage, the fact Mr.Williams did “leave behind” all that he was, including family is worth consideration.
The terrible event has led to a greater awareness about suicide, which results in more deaths each year than homicides.
If this helps even one person contemplating such drastic action then it is invaluable.
Please consider all possible options and all possible assistance and even then know suicide is irrevocable while other options are not.
Robin Williams work as an actor in such films as “The World According to Garp” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” was extraordinary.
Working with his idol, the great Jonathan Winters, Robin was part of comedic masterpieces.
His charity and willingness to give also should not be forgotten.
I met Mr. Williams once, on a hot day in New York City on the day the great actor, Rod Steiger died.
Robin told me that Mr. Steiger was a friend. He was friendly and in the brief conversation talked of days like that one “bringing the puppies out” to be walked, so to speak by the woman around town.
Even in this “phony enhancement” age concerning such entities, they are a welcome sight.
I hope Robin Williams, who in his decision felt lacking in enough “delegates” to live, finds more than enough in a better world.
His brilliance and caring certainly helped this one.
Another week of Canadian Football League games begins tonight as the East leading Toronto Argonauts host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are in a tie for the most points in the West.
Last week, the Saskatchewan RoughRiders rallied for a victory vs the Blue Bombers who are now (5-2). The Argonauts whose (2-4) record has them in front in the far weaker East, were idle.
Both the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos won their games last week to raise their records to (5-1). Each beat a CFL East team and going into this week the West is an incredible (16-2) in games vs the East.
Last week at this time I stated that the Detroit Tigers had the best chance to win it all in baseball 2014. Now that “status” goes to the Oakland A’s and one wonders to whom it will belong next week. Situations change then revert back quite often in baseball as is the case in life in general.
Rather than comment on Detroit’s slip, the A’s with a four game lead over the Angels not only for the A.L. West lead but baseball’s best record, now have the best chance. However, the championship race is wide open.
Remember the American League will have the home advantage in the World Series and the team/league with the home advantage has won 23 of the last 28 World Series contested.
The Phoenix Mercury won by two points vs the Minnesota Lynx last night in WNBA action to all but clinch the regular season Western Division title and the league’s best record.
Our next report on the WNBA will be on the upcoming playoffs, but now some comments on why I like the WNBA.
The brand of basketball is good, basic, and with some fine set plays. I like the proficiency in the woman’s game free throw shooting. The passing is excellent.
Additionally, there have been and are some real stars in the league. Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Lisa Leslie come to mind.
This past week Becky Hammon, who is retiring as a WNBA player with the San Antonio Silver Stars, was hired as an assistant coach with the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
Diana Taurasi
Last night in Baltimore, there was a celebration of it being the 60 year anniversary of the Orioles’ franchise move from St. Louis, where they were the St. Louis Browns.
Appropriately, the Orioles opponent was the St. Louis Cardinals and such O’s greats as Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson were on hand.
Right now the Orioles are 5 games ahead in the AL East while the Cards are battling in the N.L. for either the Central crown or wild card berth.
Another “round number” anniversary this year is that it is 70 years since the all St. Louis 1944 World Series won by the Cardinals in six games vs the Browns.
Twice the Orioles and Cardinals have been in post season together (1996 and 2012) and twice the teams won World Series in consecutive years (Baltimore in 1966, St. Louis in 1967 and then St. Louis in 1982 and Baltimore in 1983) but there has never been an Orioles/Cardinals World Series.
Brooks and Frank Robinson
Last night there was a sports rarity as there were rematches of last season’s championship round in both Major League Baseball and in the NFL.
Of course one was a pre-season football game, the other featured a current world’s champion that has given up on the current season.
In baseball, the St.Louis Cardinals completed a three game sweep of the current champion Boston Red Sox and the three wins keep the Cards in strong contention for both the NL Central crown and failing that, a wild card berth.
The Red Sox are out of contention and have given up on this season. However, they won 3 World Series in 10 seasons (2004-2013) which is not quite their 4 in 7 seasons from (1912-1918) and certainly not as great as 3 titles in 4 seasons (1915-1918) with Babe Ruth pitching. Yet, it is a great feat, especially after an 86 year title drought.
For the Denver Broncos their “pre” win vs their Super Bowl conquerors, the Seattle Seahawks, is of little solace though it seemed Denver’s attitude was more intense than for just any pre-season game. Both Denver and Seattle are the top choices to win their conference.
The Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies series this past week evoked memories of the great 1980 National League Championship Series between the two franchises.
Both teams are out of contention this year and are no longer even in the the same league.
Back to 1980:
The Phillies won that best of five NLCS in five games, four going into extra innings including the 10 inning game 5 win by Philadelphia.
Gary Maddox drove in the winning run and caught the last out of that epic series. We lost Ralph Kiner this year, who once said “two thirds of the earth is covered by water and the other third by Garry Maddox.” He was a great fielder.
Del Unser and Manny Trillo also were big heroes for the Phils, with big hits in game 5.
The Phillies would go on to win their first World Series ever.
Philadelphia also won it all in 2008 but a supposed great era with the likes of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard and “bought pitching” has come up short of great. However, they did win a World Series.
The Astros have never made a World Series. They were switched to the American League and are improved, but still way out of contention.
Oh, but the memories of that 1980 NLCS still resonate as it was arguably one of the most competitive post season series ever.
Click this link for some great moments
Last Monday night, Detroit Tigers’ outfielder Ezequiel Carrera made one of the best catches in a long time in the game between the Tigers and New York Yankees.
Carrera is by all accounts a good guy, who was promoted to the Tigers from Triple A baseball when Austin Jackson was dealt in the trade that brought David Price to Detroit.
Certainly his great catch shows the defensive potential he has. It will be fun to follow this young player, who likely is headed to some serious action down the stretch and into post season with the Detroit Tigers.
It is so hard to get the right perspective on the career of Eli Manning and for that matter, the New York Giants of his era.
The most important plus for the Manning/Giants is that the team won Super Bowls following not so stellar 2007 and 2011 regular seasons.
That is really the telling factor as Eli Manning, far from a great quarterback, never the less, has to be considered for the Football Hall of Fame on that accomplishment alone.
He has some good years left. This year likely will be one of them. The Giants should improve and certainly could win the NFC East.
The schedule has games against all four NFC West teams, going in, the best division in football but also four games vs the AFC South, quite likely the worst division in football.
My early prediction is the Giants will go (9-7) and battle for the NFC East crown.
Andy B Sports 