Joe Torre to retire as Dodgers manager

Joe Torre announced Friday he will retire as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are mired near the bottom of the NL West, and the team immediately said hitting coach Don Mattingly will replace him.

Three great managers retiring at the end of the year. Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, and Bobby Cox. I can't wait to watch when the three of them are enshrined into Cooperstown. They will have LOTS of stories to tell.

Dodgers Advance With Sweep of Cardinals

With a combination of tough pitching and timely hitting the Dodgers beat the Cardinals 5-1 Saturday night to complete a sweep in their NL Division Series.
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How about Andre Ethier! He was just a single shy of the cycle! Wow!

The Dodgers will play either the Philladelphia Phillies or the Colorado Rockies.

The questions begin now as to whether or not Tony La Russa will return for his 15th season managing the St. Louis Cardinals. La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan are Free agents after this season.

Dodgers And Cubs Talk After Game 1

If The Cubs don't win tonight, they will have to win on the road.

Carlos Zambrano MUST pitch like an ace tonight, and the offense MUST wake up!

Where was the Cubs Home Field Advantage last night? I Sure didm't hear it. After that James Loney Grand Slam, you could have heard a pin drop at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs fans need to forget about the 100 years, being five outs away in 2003, Durham, All of that. That was in the past. The Cubs want to win in the present. Their fans should cheer for the Cubs with reckless abandonment, reguardless of the score.

My Baseball Thoughts...

Sorry Folks. I have not been able to update this blog in a while. My internet's down and this library won't let me go to youtube for Nba videos, but here are my thoughts on Baseball and the start of the season.

BOSTON RED SOX HAVE TOUGH ROAD TO REPEAT
If the Red Sox want to repeat as World Series Champions, they are going to have to rely on the old veterans (Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz) while riding on some new former rookies (Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Bucholz.) OManny Ramirez won the MVP Award for the first game played in Japan (Boston won 6-5), Manny won A Million Yen, which equates to about $10,000 on this side of the pond. Ramirez considered using the money for gas or giving the money to his mother!

Manny Being Manny...You've Gotta Love It!

Oakland Beat Boston 5-1 in Game Number Two as a Manny Ramirez homerun in the sixth stopped Boston from being shutout.

TEXAS RANGERS DECIDE JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA NEEDS TRIPLE-A SEASONING
Gerald Laird won the job as Rangers starting Catcher today after the Rangers decided to send Jarrod Saltalamacchia to their Minor League Camp. Jarrod will start the season catching every day in Triple-A Oklahoma.

Good move for both teams, as Laird keeps his catching job (for now) and Texas hopes that Jarrod works on improving his hitting and defense in Oklahoma. The Rangers realized that Jarrod is the Rangers catcher of the future, and the future doesn't need to happen right away.

KERRY WOOD TO CLOSE FOR CUBS, DEMPSTER IN ROTATION, LIEBER IN BULLPEN
The Chicago Cubs have finally sorted out their rotation. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, and Jason Marquis all keep their starting spots from last year. Starting in the rotation this year is former closer Ryan Dempster. Dempster was a starter until 2005 when he was converted to a reliever. Pinella last year said Dempster would start, but later changed his mind. Lou won't be changing his mind this year.

Good move by the Cubs to give the Fireballer Wood the job in the ninth, as Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry will back him up in the eighth inning. If Wood can handle the load and stay healthy, the Cubs could be dangerous in the late innings.


CENTER FIELD BATTLE TAKES UNEXPECTED TURN
The battle for the backup center field job in Chicago just got very interesting. Felix Pie will start the year in Center Field. Backup Sam Fuld got sent to the minor leagues. To take his place, the Cubs signed former Toronto Blue Jay Left Fielder Reed Johnson. Johnson doesn't have a whole lot of experience in Center Field, but he can hit right handed pitching, something Felix Pie is trying to figure out.

There will growing pains for Pie, but Reed Johnson will be there to help Felix along the way.

JOE CREDE NAMED WHITE SOX STARTING THIRD BASEMAN
Joe Crede was named White Sox starting Third Baseman, as the Sox sent young slugger Josh Fields to Triple-A Charlotte. Crede will no longer be mentioned in trade rumors with the Dodgers (who need a third baseman after both Nomar Garciaparra and Andy La Roche are injured) Manager Ozzie Guillen likes to reward players for their hard work so, despite the face that he described Crede's hitting in Spring as a word I can't mention, Crede was an ungrade defensively. Chicago needs the best defense to win ballgames, and Crede is their best option.

MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE PLAYERS IN 2008
Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder will be battling for the National League Lead in Homeruns. it will not get into "Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa 1998" territory (nothing will. That will never happen again.) but it will be fun to watch.

Joe Girardi will have an easier time managing the Yankees than Joe Torre will have manging the Dodgers. I really feel like this one will come true. The Yankees may be old, but they are experienced. They have a shot to win the American League East this season, but only if they stay healthy and play to their full potential.

For Joe Torre, he's walking into a Hornet's Nest in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have Andruw Jones but not much else. They had better hope Nomar, Kent, Jason Schmidt, and Juan Pierre stay healthy. Matt Kemp and Andre Eithier can play any of the outfield positions, i'm not worried there.

I'm worried about the Dodgers because they are playing in the National League West, the Toughest division in the National League. Two of the four teams (Colorado and Arizona) made the playoffs last season and may make it again, leaving San Francisco and Los Angeles as odd men out.

Hopefully my internet starts working so I can update this soon.

EVERYBODY ELSE's OPENING DAY STARTS MONDAY!
Don't Miss It!

Andruw Jones Heading To Chavez Ravine

Andruw Jones is heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Andruw Jones is following Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Gold Glove center fielder and the Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract that gives him the fifth-highest average salary in the major leagues.
Jones, the former Atlanta star who has won 10 straight Gold Gloves, is coming off one of the worst offensive seasons of his career. But if he rebounds, he could give the Dodgers a desperately needed boost in the middle of the lineup. He must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

A five-time All-Star, Jones will receive a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and also will receive a no-trade clause.

His agreement with the Dodgers was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.

Jones hit .222 this season, his lowest average since he batted .217 in 106 at-bats as a rookie in 1996. His 26 home runs were his fewest since 1997. He drove in 94 runs for the Braves, but finished with a paltry .311 on-base percentage.

Had Jones finished with big numbers, he likely would have sought a longer-term agreement.

Andruw Jones moves Juan Pierre out of Center Field. His Power Numbers will decline, especially now he is at Dodger Stadium, which is a Pitcher's Paradise of a Ballpark. Still, good move by the Dodgers to sign a big name after missing out on the Miguel Cabrera Sweepstakes, even if he may not be worth the risk.

Joe Torre officially introduced as Dodgers Manager

Joe Torre pulled on his crisp blue cap and shimmering white jersey, squinted into the California sun and immediately looked like a longtime member of the famous Dodger family.

Flanked by Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and broadcasting great Vin Scully on a center-field stage at Dodger Stadium, Torre was quick to pay tribute to one of baseball's most successful franchises Monday.

Indeed, Torre was front and center for his introduction as Los Angeles' new manager -- less than three weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees. Scully delivered the opening remarks for an event held in center field to accommodate the overload of media, a first according to team spokesman Josh Rawitch.

Near the podium, Torre was joined by team owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, general manager Ned Colletti, pitching ace Brad Penny and Lasorda.
Torre will wear No. 6, a carry-over from his Yankees uniform. He announced that former New York coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa will follow him and join his staff with the Dodgers.

Mattingly's son, Preston, is a minor leaguer in the Dodgers' organization.

Torre left the Yankees after 12 seasons and four World Series titles. He follows Casey Stengel in becoming the second person to manage both storied franchises. Stengel led the Brooklyn Dodgers to losing records from 1934-36, moved over to the Boston Braves, then guided the Yankees to seven Series titles from 1949-60.

The 67-year-old Torre replaced Grady Little, who quit last week, and takes over an underperforming team that hasn't won the Series since 1988. The Dodgers finished fourth in the NL West last season at 82-80.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are now the favorite to win the National League West for 2008, especially now that they have Joe Torre as manager.

(NBA Fans, Your Highlights are on the post below!)

Joe Torre goes from Yankee Blue to Dodger Blue

Joe Torre grew up in Brooklyn rooting against the Dodgers. Now, a half-century after they moved west, he's their manager.

Torre was hired by Los Angeles to succeed Grady Little on Thursday, taking the job two weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees.

The winningest manager in postseason history, Torre moved from one storied franchise to another, agreeing to a three-year, $13 million contract. He becomes the Dodgers' eighth manager since they left his hometown, where he rooted for the rival New York Giants.

"As a kid growing up, you didn't like them," Torre said on WFAN radio in New York less than an hour before the hiring was announced. "As a player, to me the Dodgers were the Yankees of the National League because ... you either loved them or you hated them."

The 67-year-old Torre will be introduced at a news conference Monday at Dodger Stadium. Little resigned Tuesday after completing two seasons of a three-year deal.

Torre joins the Dodgers for their 50th anniversary season in Los Angeles, hoping to spur October success.

Favored to win the NL West this year, the Dodgers finished fourth. They have only one playoff victory since winning the 1988 World Series under Tom Lasorda.

"I'm so happy for him. I think his record speaks for itself," said Lasorda, a special adviser to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. "I think what he accomplished with the Yankees, he should have been able to control his destiny.

"We're happy that he's here — very happy."

Torre guided the Yankees to four World Series championships from 1996-2000, and they made the playoffs in all 12 years he managed them. New York lost to Cleveland last month, eliminated in the first round for the third straight year.

Following that defeat, the Yankees offered Torre a one-year contract with a pay cut. He earned $7.5 million last season — more than any other big-league manager by far.

Calling the performance incentives in the proposal "an insult," Torre turned it down. He was hired by the Dodgers on the same day the Yankees introduced Joe Girardi as their manager.

The Dodgers had the NL's best record in mid-July. During their late-season slide, problems surfaced between older and younger players on the team, prompting criticism of Little.

"I think he's going to do a good job in the clubhouse because he's got great leadership abilities," Lasorda said of Torre. "He knows how to handle a ballclub."

Since Lasorda left during the 1996 season after suffering a heart attack, the Dodgers are 1-9 in three playoff appearances. One of those was in 2006 — Little's first year as manager — when the Dodgers won the NL wild-card with an 88-74 record but were swept by the New York Mets in the first round of the playoffs.

Torre ranks eighth on baseball's career list with 2,067 victories. He also managed the New York Mets, St. Louis and Atlanta but won only one division title in the NL, in 1982 with the Braves.

He passed former Dodgers managers Leo Durocher (2,009) and Walter Alston (2,040) last season on the career wins list. His teams have won 76 postseason games.

"Few managers in the history of the game have accomplished what Joe has delivered," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated the ability to turn a vision for success into results on the field and we welcome his passion and leadership. We have tremendous fans and they deserve no less."

Teams are generally directed to interview at least one minority candidate for open managerial jobs. The Dodgers were granted an exemption by commissioner Bud Selig, however, because of a strong track record on minority hirings.

Earlier this week, the Dodgers acknowledged they talked to Girardi about potentially replacing Little. Colletti said he did so because he was aware Little was leaning toward stepping down.

Don Mattingly, Torre's bench coach this year, is likely to join his mentor in Los Angeles as the bench coach. Mattingly lost out to Girardi for the Yankees' managerial job.

Torre completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract with the Yankees this season. He made $7.5 million this year — the highest salary among major league managers — and the Yankees offered $5 million for next year with an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

"Joe Torre is one of the most respected men in the game of baseball," McCourt said. "As a player, a broadcaster, a manager and in his life off the field, Joe is a winner through and through."

McCourt said on the season's last day that Little would return as manager next season. In resigning Tuesday, Little insisted it had nothing to do with reports that the Dodgers were talking to Torre.

With his track record, Torre seems destined to follow Alston and Lasorda into the Hall of Fame.

"There's definitely a locker waiting for him in Cooperstown, that's for sure," Lasorda said. "I've known him for close to 30 years and we've been good friends."

Wow. What a wierd Sports Day. On the same day that Joe Girardi is announced as Yankee Manager, his mentor, Joe Torre, was announced as Dodgers Manager.

The New Joe Era Is Announced At Yankee Stadium

Joe Girardi stepped to the podium, put on his new pinstriped jersey and showed off a most appropriate number — 27.


As in, now it's his job to lead the New York Yankees to their 27th World Series championship.

"How many do they have?" the new manager said Thursday, knowing full well the answer. In fact, that's precisely why he picked the number.

Girardi's name and picture were displayed on the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium for his introductory news conference. The team did its best to make him feel welcome, with general manager Brian Cashman presenting Girardi's wife, Kim, with a bouquet of roses.

"This is where we wanted to end up," Girardi said.

Girardi made it more of a family affair with a story about his father, who he said has Alzheimer's.

Steadying himself, Girardi said his dad hadn't spoken for a month. That is, until a caregiver showed his father a picture of Girardi being chosen as the Yankees manager.

"Oh, yeah," Girardi said his dad responded.

Girardi got a three-year contract. He said he had spoken to Joe Torre, who managed the Yankees to 12 straight postseason appearances. He also spoke with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"He was very congratulatory," Girardi said. "He said: `It's great to have you aboard.'"

After New York lost in the first round of the playoffs to Cleveland, Torre rejected a one-year contract with a pay cut.

"Joe had always been a person I always looked up to, respected," Girardi said. "We had a great conversation."

Girardi played, coached and broadcast for the team. He was the bench coach before leaving for the Florida Marlins, where he was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year.

Girardi said he'd spoken with former Yankees great Don Mattingly, who was Torre's bench coach last year. Mattingly wanted the manager's job and after finding out he hadn't been picked, he said he was not interested in a coaching spot for next year.

"I would've loved to have had him," Girardi said.

Girardi played for the Yankees and won three World Series championships as a hard-nosed catcher.

"The four greatest years of my career as a baseball player," he said.

The former Yankees broadcaster now gets the big office off the clubhouse, hoping he's the last occupant before the ballpark closes after next season.

This was the first introduction of a new Yankees manager at the ballpark since Torre was presented on Nov. 2, 1995. The following day the Daily News ran a backpage banner headline that became famous: "CLUELESS JOE" followed in smaller type by: "TORRE HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE'S GETTING INTO."

Torre went on to lead the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five seasons, joining Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel — Hall of Famers all — as the most successful managers in team history.

Torre didn't win the World Series in the following seven seasons. He chose to walk away when Steinbrenner and team management did not offer a contract Torre found satisfactory.

Girardi received a $7.8 million, three-year contract, nearly four times the $2.1 million, three-year deal the Marlins gave him before the 2006 season for his first managing job. That agreement called for annual salaries of $600,000, $700,000 and $800,000, but Girardi was fired after one season when he clashed with management.

He led a young Florida team to a 78-84 record, keeping the Marlins in contention. His Yankees contract includes a signing bonus of $300,000 payable over three years, annual salaries of $2.5 million and the chance to earn performance bonuses.

Girardi pushed his Marlins hard. Will he have to alter his style in a clubhouse filled with veterans used to Torre's laissez-faire approach? And what about dealing with George Steinbrenner?

"I still think the Boss is the boss," he said. "I've always enjoyed my times dealing with him."

While I do not think the Yankees will make the playoffs or win the World Series during Girardi's tenure, Joe is thinking as big as Yankee Nation. Yankee Nation is hoping Girardi has better luck with the Yankees than he did with the payroll slim Florida Marlins. Alex Rodriguez is not coming back to the Yankees. The Yankees have already lost a lot of offense.

If you disagree with my Assesment about The State Of The Yankees, Let me hear you! Comment and answer the poll question to the right.

New Joe to Replace Torre

Some Yankee fans may have spit out their morning cup of Joe after reading the news this morning...

Joe Girardi is back in pinstripes, taking over as New York Yankees manager from his mentor, Joe Torre.


Girardi was hired Tuesday, agreeing to a three-year contract to replace Joe Torre in New York's dugout.
"I think any of us would be somewhat surprised to get the job because it's such an honor," Girardi said. "I'm extremely excited and thrilled."

The deal is worth an average salary of at least $2 million annually, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the details.

Girardi was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year with Florida, plus he has a pinstriped pedigree. The hard-nosed catcher played on three Yankees teams that won the World Series, served as their bench coach under Torre and was a TV announcer this year.

Once he was informed Monday that the Yankees had chosen Girardi, Don Mattingly told the team he had no interest in returning next year as bench coach or in any other coaching position.

Which Leads us into our next topic...

The Dodgers want Joe Torre to be their next manager. The question is whether Torre wants to manage again so soon after leaving the Yankees.

At the end of a season, Torre routinely questions how badly he wants to manage the following year. The only difference now is that the Dodgers are waiting for an answer.

If Torre takes the Dodgers' job, it almost certainly would not be for the $7 million salary he earned in his final season with the Yankees, sources say.

The New York Times reported that Don Mattingly, who recently lost out to Joe Girardi in the race to be the next Yankees manager, would join Torre on the Dodgers' staff.

If Joe Torre goes to Los Angeles, Don Mattingly will join him. Will Alex Rodriguez join them both in Los Angeles?

Joe Torre holds news conference, explains why he left

Joe Torre held a news conference on Thursday to explain why he walked away from the New York Yankees.

Joe Torre knew he wasn't wanted back. Even in those final few moments, as he sat in George Steinbrenner's office and listened to the New York Yankees' offer, he hoped there was a way he could stay on as manager. But when the team submitted a one-year contract with a hefty pay cut, performance-based bonuses — and no room to negotiate — Torre was insulted and figured he had no choice but to walk away.

Sitting at a desk before a backdrop of Yankees navy blue — but no logo behind him — Torre admitted he was uncomfortable and nervous talking about himself, though he took questions for about an hour.

His voice trembled at times, especially when he spoke of his players, as his wife and sister stood by his side. Torre said his 12 years with the Yankees were the best time of his professional life, but he hasn't ruled out managing elsewhere.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract — $2.5 million less than he made this season, when New York failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

First, he wanted a face-to-face meeting with team management, saying he thought that was important. So Torre took a morning flight Thursday to Tampa, Fla., with general manager Brian Cashman, who had told him of the club's offer Wednesday night.

Cashman asked Torre if he was taking the trip to make a deal or say goodbye. Torre said he wasn't sure.

Torre walked into Steinbrenner's office at Legends Field and listened to the offer in a meeting that lasted about 20 minutes. The deal on the table never changed. He said he couldn't accept it, shook hands and left.

It is the end of an era in New York. Joe Torre will no longer manage the New York Yankees. I fully expect Joe Torre to do what Lou Pinella did for one season before he went over to the Cubs and do some television work.

Joe Torre is no longer in New York. How many will follow him out the door?

The Joe Torre Era Is Over In The Bronx

Joe Torre will not manage the Yankees in 2008.

Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday — $2.5 million less than he made last season.

Rather than put up with the indignity of a salary slap coupled with a performance-based contract, the man who led the Yankees to playoff appearances in all 12 years he managed, walked.

Most Yankees fans could see this day coming.

After losing the first two playoff games to Cleveland, owner George Steinbrenner said he didn't think Torre would be asked back if the Yankees didn't advance.

The 67-year-old Torre, who took over the team to start the 1996 season, made his decision after traveling from New York to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., and meeting with Steinbrenner, the owner's sons and top executives for about an hour. He was accompanied by Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost.

New York's offer included $3 million in bonuses if the Yankees reached next year's World Series and an $8 million option for 2009 that would have become guaranteed if New York won the AL pennant.

Torre just completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract.

The Bronx now really Is Burning! Joe Torre is Outta Here, and with it, many of his players who were fiercely loyal to him may be out as well. A-Rod, Pettite, Posada, all vital players to the Yankees season, may all not come back to Yankee Stadium next season. If that is the case, the last posteason game to ever be played at "The House That Ruth Built" was that game four loss to the Indians. The Yankees will not make the playoffs next season. If all of their free agents don't come back, There is no way they will.

Truth be told, though, could you blame Joe Torre for walking away? He was getting less money, and it was only for a single year. Add to that the fact that he gets treated like he has no idea what he is doing whenever they lose, and I can understand why he would walk away. It's unbelievable to me how badly Joe was treated in New York! The guy has four World Series Championships(1996,1998, 1999, 2000) and two more appearances in the Fall Classic (2001, 2003), but he still got treated like he had no idea what he was doing! Joe didn't want to get treated badly anymore. That's why he walked away.

Who could replace Joe Torre as Yankee Manager? Tony La Russa, Joe Girardi, and Don Mattingly have all been offered as possiblities to replace him.

Don't forget about Game five of the American League Championship Series tonight on Fox. Josh Beckett pitches for the Red Sox in a must win game for them. C.C. Sabathia is on the mound for the Inidans tonight, and if they win, Cleveland wins the American League Pennant and faces the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

What A Great Monday Night!

Grady Sizemore put the Yankees in a hole they were never able to climb out of with his leadoff homerun.

What A Great Monday Night! We finally know who the Boston Red Sox will play in The American League Championship Series. The Cleveland Indians wrapped up the series, defeating the New York Yankees 6-4. Alex Rodriguez hit his first postseason homerun since Game Three of the 2004 American League Championship Series, but it wasn't enough. Congratulations to The Cleveland Indians, as they try to win their first World Series dince 1948, as they will play The Red Sox at Fenway Park for Game One On Thursday. We have a great pitching matchup in Game One of the American League Championship Series, as Josh Beckett gets the ball for The Red Sox opposed by C.C. Sabathia. Watch The American League Championship Series on Fox.

Another great game Monday Night was the Dallas Cowboys-Buffalo Bills game. This was Buffalo's first appearance on Monday Night Football in 13 years, and Buffallo certainly made good use out of it, intercepting Tony Romo five times, including four times in the first half. However, Dallas battled back to make it a ballgame. If you went to bed early, you missed one heck of an ending to this game! i had the original 24 seconds of the game of the game on The Power Zone as of Yesterday (Tuesday), but that video has now been removed. Nick Folk kicked the game finning 53 yard field goal twice (it was waved off one for a time out) and Dallas stuns Buffalo to stay undefeated, 25-24.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and The Colorado Rockies will meet up in the National League Championship Series

The Diamondbacks contained The Cubs "Big Three" and outhit and outplayed The Cubs, and that's why they won this series.

Three solo home runs from Chris Young, Eric Byrnes, and Stephen Drew behind 6 innings pitched (1 run on 5 hits) from Liván Hernández, and 4 double plays turned on defense put Game Three out of reach for the Chicago Cubs who were swept out of the post-season by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

So, The Arizona Diamondbakcks and The Colorado Rockies are meeting in the National League Championship Series, which will begin on Thursday. Congratulations to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They've had a magnificent season, and they managed to sweep The Cubs in their house, Wrigley Field. Carlos Zambrano's next start will be opening day 2008, where the Same Old Chant of "Wait 'till Next Year" will be heard for the 100th time in Chicago.

Time for me for me to go off on the Cubs for a second.

Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Derrek Lee. Where in the world was your plate disipline at? Did you leave it in Cincinnatti or something? My Goodness, every time you guys had runners in scoring position, you guys grounded into a double play, killing your chance to win. I'm not gonna fall for this again. If they manage to win the division next season, I'm not gonna take their season seriously until they get to the World Series. There was so much promise for their season, and now I remember something I should have remembered a long time ago: They're The Cubs. The Cubs continue to use that stupid excuse of "We're cursed by a billygoat" to explain why they have not won a World Series, and I'm sick of it. It's way too early to talk about the 2008 Baseball Season, particularly because the American League Championship Series has not been determined yet, although it may be by tonight, as Boston and Cleveland are both going for sweeps of Anaheim and New York.

Speaking of New York, Joe Torre is about to be fired as manager of the New York Yankees. He will either be fired or resign as Yankee Manager. New York is dead come game three, and even if they win tonight, they're still dead. George Steinbrenner may already be looking for a new manager of the Yankees. He just hasn't said it publicly yet.

Let's talk about their archrival, the Boston Red Sox. Congratulaions guys. You guys swept The Angels and you're about to face Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. Boston has been the best team in Baseball since day one of the 2007 Season. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez may be about to bring home another World Series Pennant for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have the best rotation in Baseball, with Fireballer Josh Beckett, Wise Pitcher Curt Schilling, Japaneese Import Daisuke Mastuzaka, and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (Wakefield had a bad back, so he was not on the Red Sox American League Divisional Series roster.)

There are my random thoughts and feelings on the Divisional Series of the Baseball Postseason so far.

My Picks for the World Series: Boston meets Arizona in the World Series and beats them in five games.