The Diamond Fan

At the outset all of the LDS appeared to be quite competitive with the potential to provide us with some great postseason baseball.  So far the results have been pretty one sided, with each series now 2-0 and the losing teams not looking particularly good.  The only really good game of the first three days was last night’s Red Sox-Angeles game in which the Angeles clawed back from a 5-1 deficit to tie it in the bottom of the 8th, only to see J.D. Drew quash their hopes with a two-run homer in the top of the 9th.

That game gives hope to Angele fans that their team can fight back agaisnt the Red Sox, but it looks like a tall order for them to beat the playoff-tested Josh Beckett in Fenway on Sunday.  If they can somehow get by that game they have a shot, but I’m predicting the Red Sox will seize the moment and sweep the Angeles out of the playoffs for the fourth time in a row. The Angeles are a fine team, but for some reason Boston just seems to have their number on October.

With the White Sox winning a tense victory over the Twins the field is finally set for the American League playoffs.  In contrast to the National League field, this group is comprised mostly of teams that have had great success recently (with the notable exception of the Rays, of course).

• The Red Sox, White Sox and Angels have all won World Series titles this decade (the Red Sox twice). Between them they have four World Series appearances (all victories), as opposed to none for the four NL playoff teams.
• Between them the three teams have 10 playoff appearances this decade (versus five for the NL contenders).
• Of course, prior to this decade these franchises all suffered from a notable lack of success. The Red Sox “curse” is well known, and the White Sox had not won a championship since before the notorious Black Sox scandal of 1919.  The Angels’ pennant in 2002 was the first ever for the team.

So, while based on recent events the Rays have to be your team if you like to cheer for the underdog, longtime fans of the other three teams may rightfully feel they still have some making up to do for long years of championship drought.

I just hope the Tampa Bay fans show up to see their excellent young team compete in what should be an exciting playoff. The Angels-Red Sox matchup is one of the best first round pairings ever.

Just when I thought that the Yankees trading their way into serious contention was going to be the big story of this year’s trade deadline, along comes news of the blockbuster three-way trade sending Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, Jason Bay to the Red Sox, and a quartet of prospects (featuring Andy LaRoche) to the every-rebuilding Pirates.  Taking a look at it from the perspective of each team:

Pirates:  They did a lot better for themselves in this deal than they did in virtually giving away Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees.  Andy LaRoche has a legitimate shot at become an above average third baseman.  Brandon Moss also looks like he could stick as a big-leaguer, and the two pitchers coming their way (Craig Hansen from Boston and Bryan Morris from the Dodgers) at least have some potential.  Overall, not a bad deal for the Pirates long-term.

Red Sox:  They have to eat the remaining $7 million on Manny’s contract for this season, but they get rid of what has become a huge headache for them, and in return get a good outfielder whose numbers so fat this season is comparable to Manny’s.  For a team that basically “had to do this” I think they made out fine.  I’m not sure it makes them a better team for this year’s pennant race, and with the Rays not going away and the Yankees having definitely upgraded at the deadline they run a serious risk of not making the playoffs, but in the long run Bay is an asset and they will have some extra money to play with this off-season.

Dodgers: Of all the teams in this deal, the Dodgers are the ones with the highest risk-reward factors.  They trade away one of their legitimate blue chip prospects, albeit one in whom they apparently lacked confidence since they didn’t give him a good chance to prove himself as a major league 3rd baseman before trading for Casey Blake.  They seriously needed a big bat in the middle of their lineup, which Manny provides, but they already had a glut of outfielders and the potential is there for Manny’s presence to be a big distraction in a clubhouse that apparently had some veteran versus young guys issues last season.  Joe Torre has his work cut out for him.  Also, reports are that the Dodgers had to waive the club’s option to pick up the next two year’s of Ramirez’ contract, so this is basically a half-season rental.  Still, if Ramirez produces at anywhere near the level he is capable, this pushes the Dodgers to the front of the NL West contenders.  They are definitely in position to give the Diamondbacks and resurgent Rockies a run for their money, and with their pitching once they get into the playoffs anything is possible.  So, yes, it is a gamble, but is probably a gamble worth taking.  “Flags fly forever,” as they say, and the NL pennant is there for the taking in 2008.

Congratulations to Jon Lester, who pitched the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history today. As a fellow lymphoma survivor I was especially thrilled to see him come back to such a great accomplishment after beating the disease.

Anyone who has ever received a cancer diagnosis know the fear, stress, and uncertainty such a diagnosis brings. Anyone who has survived chemotherapy and radiation treatment know how debilitating it is, and how big a challenge it is to come back physically after going through it.

We use the word “hero” much too often when it comes to sports stars.  Jon Lester is one athlete who deserves the label.

I refuse to acknowledge it as Opening Day (that will be next Monday, when all the teams start playing), but I did get myself out of bed at 3:00 a.m. Pacific time to watch the A’s and Red Sox open the MLB season. It was worth it, as the game was a good, close game that went extra innings and was decided by a baserunning blunder.

Manny Ramirez was impressive and looks to be primed for another big season, even if he is a hot dog who stands at the plate to admire his stand-up, bases clearing double to center field (which turned out not to be a stand up double because of his grandstanding. I also like how Dice-K pitched out of trouble even though he was obviously not on his game and probably nervous in pitching before his home fans in Japan.

It’s great that the counting games are here. Play ball!