<p>Yes, Cincinnati–I grew up in SW Ohio, and the Reds were great in the early-mid 70s. (We used to get free tickets for straight A’s in school. I remember one of my elementary school teachers won a “Win a Date with Johnny Bench” contest and he came to our school. Another time–late 70s–at work, I got to talk to Joe Morgan on the phone. . .)
Since then, I have never been a fan of any team until the Royals started winning this year. </p>
<p>Well, that sucked.</p>
<p>I’m with dstark on that one.</p>
<p>It was pretty exciting from where I sat. Fireworks, high fives. And the Giants fans behind me finally went quiet.</p>
<p>Ned Yost must be the Baseball Les Miles. Whatever crazy/stupid decisions he makes are all working out. Who can give us the last time a team’s #3 hitter laid down a sac bunt in the first inning of a playoff game?</p>
<p>Ned knows all.
Amazing thing about this run is in 5 of their 7 games they’ve gone into the 9th inning tied (behind once) and won every one.</p>
<p>Oh my! Honking, cheering all over town! Royals swept it!</p>
<p>Yeah .,. The Giants win the pennant!!!</p>
<p>And they’re going to play the Royals!!!</p>
<p>Has there ever been a World Series in which neither team won 90 games? : =D> </p>
<p>I don’t think so. It seems impossible before 1995 (although maybe before they went to 162 games . . . ). Since then, the only year when there were two wild cards in the series, they had both won 95 or more games. The Yankees won it at least one year recently with fewer than 90 wins, but I think it was a short season because of labor issues, and the opponent had won a lot more games.</p>
<p>Giants vs Royals.
Predictions?</p>
<p>Don’t stop believin’…in the Even!<br>
Giants!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It has always been theoretically possible. For example, suppose the top team in each league has an 82-80 record, the worst team has an 80-82 record, and all of the others have 81-81 records. But nothing even close to that happened in practice.</p>
<p>In 1987, the Minnesota Twins finished the regular season with a record of 85-77 while scoring fewer runs than they gave up. But they won the ALCS against the 98-64 Detroit Tigers and then the World Series against the 95-67 St. Louis Cardinals.</p>
<p>I’ve never felt so torn about which team to root for in the WS. My team (Yankees) didn’t even make the post season. My adopted city team (Orioles) - - well you know what happened there. I’ve always liked the Giants. But the Royals are just absolutely a fascinating team to watch. I think it is going to be a huge battle. I have no idea who will win. Nor do I even know who I want to win.</p>
<p>All I know is this postseason was terrific!</p>
<p>Will be interesting to see if Yost brings back Shields for Game 5 if it gets to that point, especially if the Royals are down 3-1. </p>
<p>I know he’s their ace, but he’s been brutal for going on a month. Wonder who gave him the name big game James?</p>
<p>Yeah!!! Great start!!!</p>
<p>I read this morning that “Big Game James” stemmed from his time in the minors and just carried over. Certainly didn’t live up to it last night. Bumgarner on the other hand . . .</p>
<p>Dear Mom-</p>
<p>Will be home to visit soon.<br>
My vacation starts October 26.</p>
<p>-Lorenzo</p>
<p>I certainly love the concept of the ace in a series;Did you hear how Bochy called Bumgarner “country- strong”?Shields had a 3.17 ERA and hasn’t missed a start over the last four seasons.</p>
<p>Rarely does a series go according to expected form (I’m remembering: Zito v. Verlander; Lincecum v. Lee; Kershaw v. Wainwright)
Not scoring with the bases loaded, down 3-0, was what seemed the undoing of the Royals. </p>
<p>Ouch. That was painful.
Cinderella made it to the ball. . .and then she fell down the stairs.</p>