2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball still reigns during October
Commentary
Jeremy Acree
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Baseball's greatest stars live for October, and the post-season exposes the nerves of those who can't perform under the pressure, like Alex Rodriguez.
October glorifies players like "Big Papi" David Ortiz and "The Captain" Derek Jeter who want nothing more than to step to the plate with two outs and the game on the line.
This year A-Rod choked again as the Red Sox play on, but new stars are rising from the west.
The spotlight has shifted from the east coast to places like Colorado and Arizona sweeping their way through the first round. Matt Holliday is the MVP candidate no one has heard of, and Todd Helton could finally get his shot at a ring after suffering for ten years in the Rocky Mountain air.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won the West because of the youthful energy of guys like Stephen Drew and Chris Young, both 24.
And one thing the top two teams in the NL West have in common is outstanding young pitching.
Brandon Webb won the Cy Young Award last year for the D-backs, and Jeff Francis had 17 wins despite playing half his games on Coors Field.
Both teams have cruised through the playoffs behind a motto of "Anybody, Anytime." The Rockies got a huge lift from Kazuo Matsui when he hit his first career grand slam in the second game of the divisional series.
The D-backs have been led all year by guys like Eric Byrnes and Jose Valverde that were passed on by other teams.It's driving the stat guys crazy.
Arizona and Colorado have won without great hitting or pitching numbers. Arizona made a living in one-run games. The only stand out for Colorado is an outstanding fielding percentage.It could be just luck, but with a streak like the Rockies are on now, maybe you would rather be lucky than good.
After the Rockies swept the Angels in four games, they have won ten in a row, as well as 21 out of their past 22 games on their way to the World series.
Coming into the division championships, it was the AL who was largely favored, but neither of these teams should want to face the Rockies.
The Red Sox and Indians made quick work of their first round opponents with clutch hitting and shutdown pitching.
The highly touted Yankees offense couldn't stand up to Fausto Carmona and C.C. Sabathia. Josh Beckett continued his playoff dominance with a complete game against the Angels.
And now the offenses have taken over as the Red Sox and the Indians are close to resolving their series.
As the playoffs move on anything could happen.
The Rockies go for their first ever World Series appearance with an unbelievable streak.
Red Sox nation gets even more proof that the curse is gone.
College football may be taking the nation by storm, but October is still all about baseball.
October glorifies players like "Big Papi" David Ortiz and "The Captain" Derek Jeter who want nothing more than to step to the plate with two outs and the game on the line.
This year A-Rod choked again as the Red Sox play on, but new stars are rising from the west.
The spotlight has shifted from the east coast to places like Colorado and Arizona sweeping their way through the first round. Matt Holliday is the MVP candidate no one has heard of, and Todd Helton could finally get his shot at a ring after suffering for ten years in the Rocky Mountain air.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won the West because of the youthful energy of guys like Stephen Drew and Chris Young, both 24.
And one thing the top two teams in the NL West have in common is outstanding young pitching.
Brandon Webb won the Cy Young Award last year for the D-backs, and Jeff Francis had 17 wins despite playing half his games on Coors Field.
Both teams have cruised through the playoffs behind a motto of "Anybody, Anytime." The Rockies got a huge lift from Kazuo Matsui when he hit his first career grand slam in the second game of the divisional series.
The D-backs have been led all year by guys like Eric Byrnes and Jose Valverde that were passed on by other teams.It's driving the stat guys crazy.
Arizona and Colorado have won without great hitting or pitching numbers. Arizona made a living in one-run games. The only stand out for Colorado is an outstanding fielding percentage.It could be just luck, but with a streak like the Rockies are on now, maybe you would rather be lucky than good.
After the Rockies swept the Angels in four games, they have won ten in a row, as well as 21 out of their past 22 games on their way to the World series.
Coming into the division championships, it was the AL who was largely favored, but neither of these teams should want to face the Rockies.
The Red Sox and Indians made quick work of their first round opponents with clutch hitting and shutdown pitching.
The highly touted Yankees offense couldn't stand up to Fausto Carmona and C.C. Sabathia. Josh Beckett continued his playoff dominance with a complete game against the Angels.
And now the offenses have taken over as the Red Sox and the Indians are close to resolving their series.
As the playoffs move on anything could happen.
The Rockies go for their first ever World Series appearance with an unbelievable streak.
Red Sox nation gets even more proof that the curse is gone.
College football may be taking the nation by storm, but October is still all about baseball.
