Don’t look now but there’s trouble in paradise ….

Don’t look now but there’s trouble in paradise

By Tophatal

It’s not yet time to strip down the inner workings of the New York Yankees, but with the current furor now encircling this storied franchise and the fact that they are now on the cusp of being unceremoniously dumped out of the ALCS for this season. The one question, we may well choose to ask, is how could this all have happened so rapidly? Losing Mariano Rivera in the middle of their season obviously was a serious enough blow that the team never truly recovered from , and that is even with the installation of Rafael Soriano to take over the closer’s role for the franchise. And as great as Soriano has been , Rivera’s departure has dealt the New York Yankees a great blow.

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If the questions that abound concerning the Yankees, that have permeated throughout their season beyond the inconsistency of the team’s pitching woes . Then, it would have to include the poor performances of Alex Rodriguez throughout this season. That notwithstanding, having to fight all the way down the very last day of the regular season to barely hold on to the AL East, the ball-club found themselves in the postseason. The team dealt with the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS , having won the series 3-2. As I alluded to earlier, the New York Yankees now find themselves on the cusp of bowing out of the ALCS , as the Detroit Tigers have simply made a mockery of Joe Girardi’s players. One could point to the fact that with the loss of Derek Jeter in game one of the series against the Tigers against the Orioles , the team would face an uphill battle for the rest of the series. To compound it all, his loss for the entire postseason, has in essence, ripped the “heart and soul” out of this team. Where Jeter would lead by example , his teammates more often than not, would follow. Now there is simply no one on this roster that is prepared to assume the mantle of being the vocal leader amongst his peers. Alex Rodriguez, perhaps the team’s most naturally gifted player doesn’t wish to assume the role , nor can he be considered a team player , much less a good teammate . Yet somehow, in spite of his accomplishments , and the fact he remains not only the Yankees’ highest paid player. Rodriguez’s ten-year $275 million contract , has now become a boondoggle for the New York Yankees, from which they can never truly escape.

Game three of the ALCS, saw both Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher being demoted from the lineup in a pivotal series’ game. With both demoted players on the sidelines , the decision to include Brett Gardner and Eric Chavez , was meant to be a boost for the franchise. Unfortunately, someone forgot to mention that in the script to the opposing Tigers’ players , as the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP winner, Justin Verlander , seemingly pitched his team to victory . Now down 3-0 to the Detroit Tigers , can we all now admit, that this Yankees’ team simply hasn’t lived up to the perceived expectations ?

The fourth game in this best-of-seven series is unlikely to see the return of Alex Rodriguez or Nick Swisher to the Yankees’ starting lineup. Joe Girardi, simply hasn’t got that many options for a team that has simply been woefully inept in this series from a pitching and offensive standpoint. And simply looking at the team’s postseason stats in the ALCS and one could see why Joe Girardi has been perturbed by his players’ display, in terms of their hitting and pitching. Beyond C C Sabathia, during this postseason, there has been little that one could possibly describe as being positive about the Yankees’ pitching. As to the team’s offense, well, let’s just say now comes and can described as being anemic at best, mediocre at its very worst. Matt Scherzer of the Tigers will be looking to seal New York’s fate when he takes the mound against C C Sabathia, tonight at Comerica Park , in Detroit , Michigan.

In light of what is likely to be the demise of the New York Yankees during the postseason, the rumors have started that the front office will seek to offload Alex Rodriguez , by shopping the player to any interested party seeking acquire the player and assume the bulk of his remaining contract. The local Tampa Bay area CBS television affiliate WTSP Channel 10, through their sports’ anchor ,Dave Wirth, reported that GM Brian Cashman sought to gauge the interest of the Miami Marlins, and that the front office has spoken Marlins’ GM, Michael Hill. Both parties have categorically denied that there has been any maneuver made along those lines. It is believed that the Yankees’ organization are prepared to offer Alex Rodriguez in exchange for the Marlins’ relief pitcher Heath Bell. As to what this might suggest as to the possible desperate measures now being sought by Brian Cashman , speaks loudly to the fact that the team’s third baseman is now proving to be a disquieting cancer within the team’s locker room and having a deleterious effect upon the whole organization.

From my own perspective , I have always felt that Alex Rodriguez was a singular minded individual , who cared nothing for his teammates and whose sole emphasis when it came to the game of baseball was the financial gain and the acclaim ! Well he now has both , having been the only player in baseball history to sign two salary packages totaling in excess of $ 500 million (half-a-billion dollars) . Also bear in mind, he is now the active home runs’ leader in Major League Baseball (MLB) , as he focuses on, and looks to surpass Barry Bonds’ home runs’ career mark. Less we forget also, Rodriguez still has the scourge of his admitting to the use of steroids during his career , and for which some six months after his admitting that use , his named was linked to incarcerated Orlando medical professional, Dr. Anthony Galea, now serving time (5 years) for transporting illicit drugs across state and international borders, and then knowingly , prescribing and selling those very same products to the public as well as some very prominent professional athletes . Begs the question even light of his less than contrite apology 2010 , why did the New York Yankees still choose to support the player ? Greed , no less, as that can be the sole reason for their stance. A lesser player, would have been thrown to the wolves by the ball-club. Apathy and hypocrisy, knows no boundaries within the realm of sports , but more so within the game of baseball.

It would not be remiss to suggest that Alex Rodriguez has greatly under-achieved this season when adjudged against other third basemen within the AL as well as the rest of baseball . Undoubtedly, he is still a very skilled player , but one simply gets the impression , if he could get by, giving the least effort necessary , he certainly would. And that if anything, has been one of the main criticisms of Rodriguez as a player. Clearly, that has been the case since he joined the New York Yankees via a trade from the Texas Rangers in 2004 . Eight years later , the Yankees have profited greatly from a financial and competitive standpoint to have Alex Rodriguez within their midst , but at the same time , while with the organization he has proven to be an even greater distraction rather than that ever reliable asset sought in the mold of his teammate , Derek Jeter. Brian Cashman , and to a lesser extent the Yankees’ players have sought to present the organization as a singular unified union , all seeking the same goals. This season they have simply fallen short of those goals, and one has to wonder what if anything has set about the chain of events that has seen this team simply fall apart , when in other — seasons , we would never have witnessed such discord within this franchise . What thoughts if any, do you have on the matter?

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Do you now believe that it would be in the New York Yankees’ best interests to trade Alex Rodriguez ? And if so, which team would be the best fit for the player? Also what has been the biggest failure of this baseball team over the course of this season? Do take time to leave a comment on this article and on anything else you believe pertinent to the subject matter.

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(1)New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez watches Game 4 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Paul Sancya …

(2) New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez reacts with Andruw Jones before Game 4 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Paul Sancya ….

(3)Detroit Tigers’ Delmon Young hits an RBI single in the first inning during Game 4 of the American League championship series against the New York Yankees Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel …

(4) DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: Nick Swisher (33) of the New York Yankees reacts after he struck out in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images …

(5) Alex Rodriguez (2) (2L) of the New York Yankees talks with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman (R) before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Getty Images North America / Nick Laham …

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What’s your take ?

What’s your take ?

By Tophatal

Well the MLB postseason is now in full flight, and we now have the two championship pennant series up and running. In the ALCS , the twenty-seven time World Series’ champions now find themselves in an 0-2 hole , with the team having lost their captain, Derek Jeter . Could anything else, go wrong for the franchise at this juncture ? Throw in the fact that Jeter will not be a participant in the remainder of the postseason , and the team offense is barely hitting above the Mendoza Line (.200) in the playoffs , and one could subscribe that to the fact that the New York Yankees have created their own recipe for an unmitigated disaster.

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Now if that was not enough to deter the most vociferous of Yankees’ fans , then they will most certainly have to be pessimistic, in knowing that the face will have to face reigning AL Cy and MVP winner ….. Justin Verlander in tonight’s pivotal game three match-up at Comerica Park , in Detroit, Michigan,. I would like to think that Joe Girardi’s players can dig themselves out of this self-created hole , but all signs now point to the fact that they are now way beyond being rescued . A high-priced cabal of players simply assembled together, and there seems to be no synergy at all with regard to this playoff roster. Granted, Jeter was the glue that held the team together , but now there appears to be no one that Joe Girardi can rely on to lead by example. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano are having forgettable postseasons, in terms of their offensive statistics . And for three-time MVP , Rodriguez , I would dare say that there is a growing belief that he is being vastly overpaid , while offering so little tangible in return to the New York Yankees. Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in pay by merit in terms of production , but what happens when a player who is the highest paid individual in the game offers up a measly return for an organization ?

Now some might say when your franchise is worth an estimated $2.5-$4 billion and you can simply write-off a $30 million salary against the ball-club’s operational expenditure over the course of the year, then there should not be a real cause for concern. But how many of baseball’s other teams can actually afford to be as capricious in their spending as the New York Yankees ? With the exception of the Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers , Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers , I certainly do not believe that any of the other of the MLB ball-clubs can afford to be that generous by way of team salaries. Desperate times do call for desperate measures, and the decision of Joe Girardi not to have Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher in tonight’s starting lineup , with both players being replaced by Eric Chavez and Brett Gardner in the Yankees’ lineup. Starting pitcher, Phil Hughes will be New York’s hope of trying to slow down the Tigers’ offense in this game.

For manager, Jim Leyland and his coaching staff, a chance at redemption after 2011’s letdown would provide this veteran manager with a great deal of satisfaction. Tigers’ GM, Dave Dombrowski, went out on a limb to acquire Prince Fielder to bolster an already potent Tigers’ offense , that is spearheaded by 2012 Triple Crown winner, Miguel Cabrera. Beyond the offense, the Detroit Tigers to solidify their position as best the best team in the AL this season, albeit that their record does not bear this out , but they were able to win the AL Central division with consummate ease.

Whatever the outcome of tonight’s game, one thing is sure , GM Brian Cashman, COO Lonn A Troost , and Managing General Partner, Hal Steinbrenner , will have some serious decisions to make , as it relates to the future makeup of this player roster . Acquiring high-priced free agents, has been far too often the norm concerning the organization’s mantra, and when it has borne fruit it has proven to be extremely successful for this ball-club. However, when it has proven to be fruitless , it has been something of a monumental failure , with the organization ending up with egg on its face. This Yankees’ franchise has a wealth of talent within its farm system and amongst their top twenty prospects, but it appears that urgency rather than prudence has been the driving force with regard to the organization , as they seek to win, meanwhile profiting quite comfortably from an economic standpoint .

In the NLCS, the two participants are the San Francisco Giants, and the St Louis Cardinals seeking to be the NL pennant representatives in the World Series . The season series between the two teams in 2012 proved to be eventful , with the Cardinals ad Giants having met six times (tied series 3-3) over the course of the year , with their last meeting coming on the 9th August , 2012 , ending in a 3-1 victory for the St Louis Cardinals. . Game one of the NLCS will pit Matt Cain (1-1,5.06 ERA) of the San Francisco Giants against the Cardinals’ Kyle Lohse (0-0, 1.29 ERA). In this first best of seven-game series , it will be incumbent upon the Giants to come quick out of the gates in order to gain that initial game one advantage, and there is no denying that both managers, in Bruce Bochy and first year manager Mike Matheny, of the Cardinals , as they each seek to take their respective franchises to baseball’s biggest postseason fare. Bochy’s intent is to secure the San Francisco Giants’ their second World Series’ title in three years , with the team winning their most recent title in 2010. With the resurgence of the Bay area professional sports’ franchises , specifically the Giants and off course the San Francisco 49ers , it should be noted that this is a boom time for the awareness of these two franchises nationally. These two teams will be at full strength and I believe that the series will be a competitive one throughout! Whether or not the NLCS will go the full stretch of seven games will be dependent upon the play of players such as David Freese, Carlos Beltran, Adam Wainwright , Chris Carpenter and Jason Motte seeking to make the Cardinals repeat champions in 2012. Likewise, the Giants will be looking to Buster Posey, a likely candidate for the NL MVP candidate, along with teammates Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval , Marco Scutaro , Matt Cain, Madison Baumgartner , Tim Lincecum and Santiago Casilla will be chasing that dream to secure another world championship for this renowned franchise.

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Do you believe that the 2012 MLB postseason has lived up to your expectations when adjudged against that of 2011 ? By all means do leave a comment as you deem fit on this and anything else you believe to be pertinent to the subject matter .

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(1) New York Yankees’ David Phelps throws in the fourth inning during Game 3 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Matt Slocum ….

(2) Detroit Tigers’ Delmon Young is congratulated by teammates after hitting a home run in the fourth inning during Game 3 of the American League championship series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Matt Slocum ….

(3) New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talks to the media before Game 3 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Matt Slocum …

(4) New York Yankees’ Robinson Cano blows a bubble as he waits to hit in the fourth inning during Game 3 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Matt Slocum ….

(5) New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez walks out of the batting cage following batting practice before the start of Game 3 of the American League championship series against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Detroit. AP Photo/Matt Slocum …..

(6) St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. The Cardinals host the San Francisco Giants in Game 3 baseball’s National League championship series on Wednesday. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson ….

(7) San Francisco Giants’ Angel Pagan sits in the dugout during baseball practice, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. The Giants are scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of baseball’s National League championship series Wednesday in St. Louis. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson …..

(8) San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. The Giants are scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of baseball’s National League championship series Wednesday in St. Louis. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson ….

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Karma is a bit#h, and revenge can be bitter, as it can be sweet …..

Karma is a bit#h, and revenge can be bitter, as it can be sweet …..

By Tophatal …..

The MLB postseason is off and running, with the divisional series now in full swing. Having witnessed the Atlanta Braves succumb to the reigning — World Series champions, the St Louis Cardinals in the league hierarchy’s new one game sudden death format , and it was somewhat distressing to see the team bow out in such a fashion. Along with the Braves’ departure , it also signaled the end of a two decade career of excellence from Chipper Jones. In essence it brought to a close the last remnants of the era when this franchise essentially reigned supreme over the NL East as the multiple divisional champion , under the tenure of Bobby Cox as the team’s manager , with John Scheuerholz as the general manager of this esteemed franchise. Fourteen successive divisional titles and three World Series’ appearances , with the ball-club’s sole victory , coming in 1995 .

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With Jones , having announced his formal retirement at the start of the season , 2012 essentially became a parade for the Braves’ utility player and switch-hitter. The team had an admirable season, albeit , that manager Fredi Gonzalez and the managerial staff came up short at the end of the day in their hunt for the NL East divisional title . Beating out the Braves for that privilege are the newly rejuvenated Washington Nationals (98-64) , who if anything , have been the surprise team of the season .The Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds (97-65) were the two best teams in Major League Baseball , based upon their respective records. And the two managers in question , Davey Johnson and Dusty Baker might just be in line as the contenders for this year’s NL Manager of the Year award.

The Cincinnati Reds won the NL Central with consummate ease , and would have the privilege of playing the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. In what should have been an eventful series , now appears to be turning into a monumental nightmare for Dusty Baker’s players , and it could very well bring about an abrupt end to the Cincinnati Reds’ postseason foray for 2012. With the series now tied at two games apiece (2-2) , the Reds now face a one game elimination playoff, in the best of five-games, series. In what amounts to a do-or-die situation the Reds’ players will have to play for their dear lives when they host Bruce Bochy’sGiants today in a game that will pit Matt Cain (0-1, 5.40 ERA) of the Giants against Mat Latos (0-0, 2.25 ERA) of the Reds. A great deal is being ask of both pitchers , given what awaits the victorious team at the end of this series , nothing other , than a berth in the NLCS .

It has been the postseason pitching more than anything else that has seen the San Francisco Giants prevail over the Cincinnati Reds as they kept this potent Reds’ offense almost hitless throughout much of this series . And it now begs the question who amongst the players , from , Joey Votto , Xavier Paul , Mike Leake, Dionner Navarro and Ryan Ludwick , will step up to the plate and ensure victory for the Reds from an offensive standpoint ?

All season long as the Washington Nationals were slaying their foes on the field of play, the constant remained . What, and if this team , made the postseason , what should we expect to see from the team’s pitching ace , Stephen Strasburg ? Well, those questions were answered when the front office inexplicably made the decision to shut-down Strasburg for the remainder of the season , in mid-September. GM Mike Rizzo’s explanation is seemingly based upon the organization’s wishes to safeguard their long-term investment in the young pitcher. To some that might seem feasible, but in reality it was completely asinine when you consider that Strasburg missed a great deal of the 2011 season , having had to undergo Tommy-John surgery on his right shoulder. So any thought that the managerial staff and ownership sought to ensure that the player would not suffer further or fatigue was shot to hell , the moment he went unto the DL for the very first time in his young career , especially from an ailment that seems to befall a number of pitchers at some stage of their career. The one saving grace to the National’s season , was the very fact that the ball-club had opened up a large enough lead within the division to be assured that they would garner the NL East title as well as a postseason berth.

Without Strasburg to spearhead the Nationals’ pitching rotation, it has been left to Gio Gonzalez (21-8,2.89 ERA, 207 K’s, 76 BB’s, 1.13 WHIP)< to lead the ball-club’s postseason pitching roster. Somehow, you get the feeling that had Stephen Strasburg been included on the roster for the playoffs, rather than being forced to sit out this whole episode as an unwilling participant. Then quite possibly, the Nationals’ position would not be so precarious, with the team facing elimination, with a determined Cardinals’ team seeking to close out the series , having taken a 2-1 lead . Looking to stave off an early exit , the Nationals will play host to the Cardinals at Nationals Ballpark in Washington, DC , in-front of what is sure to be an enthusiastic crowd throwing their support behind the team. On the mound as opposing pitchers , will be Kyle Lohse (0-0, 0.00 ERA) , facing Ross Detwiler (0-0, 0.00ERA) of the Washington Nationals .

As a big league ball-player what can $30 million a year , get you nowadays ? Well , if you happen to be the New York Yankees , with all the money in the world to burn and a treasure chest (YES Network) that affords you the privilege of writing down tens of millions of dollars annually as a write-off . Then, Alex Rodriguez’s contract , which the player believes to be befitting of his status cannot be considered a waste .However, this season , Rodriguez has been less productive than in recent years , and the postseason has seen the player’s anemic statistics sinking to a near , all-time low. Through three games against the Baltimore Orioles , with twelve at bats , the third baseman’s figures , do leave a great deal to be desired (12 AB’s , 1 H, 1R, 1BB, 2 SO’s, BA .083, .154 OBP, SLG .083, .237 OPS) . Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi doesn’t appear to be perturbed by the Rodriguez’s anemic stats, and suggests that the player will successfully overcome his issues of the postseason . From my own perspective , I have always felt that since Rodriguez joined the Yankees, he has simply ridden on the coat-tails of some of his more successful teammates , albeit, that he has won three AL MVP Awards and a World Series’ title , in his eight years with the franchise. Those asides, beyond the so-called marketing prospects, it is extremely hard to justify the player’s worth, by way of his salary .

Luckily enough, as the Yankees battle the Orioles for the right to a berth in the ALCS , it should be noted that as a team , Buck Showalter’s players are having their own anemic woes this postseason. Suffice to say, the Showalter will be expecting a great deal more from his players when they seek to even their series (1-2) against their divisional rivals . The two teams will meet today at Yankees Stadium , as the “ Bronx Bombers” seek to close out their ALDS opponents and make their way to their forty-first appearance in the ALCS. Taking the mound will be Joe Saunders of the Orioles , who will be opposed by Phil Hughes . Should the Orioles manage to erase that 2-1 deficit , then look for this series to simply take on a life of its own.

Well, now that the Texas Rangers have been dumped on , yet again ! There cannot be much left to be said at this juncture, because the Rangers were their own worst enemy, in falling apart in such a cataclysmic w ay. For 178 days of the one hundred and eighty-seven days of regular season baseball, the Rangers led the AL West. What inexplicably happened on the last day of the regular season as the team — succumbed to the Oakland A’s could not have been scripted with more excitement and thrills , had the events been scripted by a Hollywood writer. Nolan Ryan , GM Jon Daniels and the Rangers’ managerial staff will have some tough decisions to make during the off-season. Clean house or simply just tinker with their roster ? While the Texas Rangers are lamenting their misfortune , the A’s have marched on as the AL West champions for 2012.

Of all of the postseason series now underway, the match-up between the Oakland A’s and Detroit Tigers could prove to be the most interesting and competitive of all. Both teams during the regular and postseason have proven themselves to be well versed in all aspects of the game . Bob Melvin and his counterpart Jim Leyland of the Detroit Tigers, are two very adept managers. Now the consensus may well be that the small-market A’s do deserve to go all the way , but I would preface that by saying , as deserving as the A’s may well feel , that now is their time. On the flip side of that coin , the Tigers’ fans feel entirely the same way about their ball-club. And I would dare say, that for all of the millions spent by GM Dave Dombrowski , at the behest of team owner, Michael Ilitch , the billionaire entrepreneur wouldn’t mind selling a another 10 million extra pizzas , if it meant that the Tigers went to the World Series .

The series between the A’s and Tigers is now tied (2-2) ,and there remains a great deal left to be played for. Game five comes into play tonight with the AL West champions playing host to their AL Central counterparts at the O Coliseum , in Oakland, California ,. Justin Verlander (1-0,1.29 ERA) of the Tigers will be on the mound as he faces he faces Jarrod Parker (0-1, 2.84) . This will be a game that will define the seasons of both franchises, dependent upon the end result . The season series, between the two teams, shows the Tigers with a slight edge (4-3) in the seven meetings during 2012 , but over the past four years , shows the A’s with a 20-21 lead in their head to head meetings. Care to proffer up a prognostication as to tonight’s outcome ?

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What if anything has piqued your attention during the postseason series that are now ensuing , and which teams have provided you with the biggest surprise thus far ? By all means, do leave a comment as you see fit .

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(1) Washington Nationals’ Adam LaRoche , right, is greeted by teammate Michael Morse after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of Game 4 of the National League division baseball series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon ….

(2) WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 11: Kyle Lohse(26) of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during Game Four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images …

(3) New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi listens to a question during a news conference before Game 4 of the American League division baseball series against the Baltimore Orioles Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, in New York. Girardi’s father Jerry Girardi died on Saturday, in Metamora, Ill., the Deiters Funeral Home said. He was at 81. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II …..

(4) New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, left, talks to manager Joe Girardi during the 10th inning of Game 3 against the Baltimore Orioles in the American League division baseball series Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in New York. The Yankees won 3-2 . AP Photo/Kathy Willens ….

(5) Oakland Athletics’ Stephen Drew, right, is out at third on a tag by Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera after Drew hit a double to drive in a run in the sixth inning of Game 4 of an American League division baseball series in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. AP Photo/Ben Margot …..

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Simple , they played the game to win …..others just wanted an invite to the dance

Simple , they played the game to win …..others just wanted an invite to the dance

By Tophatal

There were no hits or misses , as it related to the MLB season , there were simply teams who came prepared to play over the long and arduous 162 game schedule . And with today (Wednesday) being the final day of the regular season schedule , teams are now playing simply for pride , specifically those who have missed out on the postseason foray . The divisional champions have been pretty much settled within the three divisions, from each league. Albeit , that within the AL West , with both the Oakland A’s and Texas Rangers (93-68) tied with the same mark within the division , their contest today , at that the O Coliseum , now has even greater meaning than any of their previous meetings this season , as a divisional title is now on the line. The Oakland A’s, leads that series 10-8 , in their eighteen meetings to date in 2012 .

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For A’s manager Bob Melvin and his coaching staff , this has been a truly exceptional season , as this team has simply risen to the occasion, and simply outshone many of their more high-profiled and high paid rivals. GM Billy Beane has been able to work miracles by being prudent in the team’s free agency acquisitions and draft decisions made over the past few seasons. In 2012, it has all borne fruit , with a number of unsung heroes stepping up to the plate and making this a year, where the A’s fans have something to be extremely proud about.

With the inaugural one-game format set to commence the 2012 postseason , these series of games, which will begin on the 5th October , with the Atlanta Braves playing host to the St Louis Cardinals in a single game elimination, winner takes all format. Suffice to say, as an avid Braves’ fan , I sincerely hope that Fredi Gonzalez and his players are triumphant in that meeting at Turner Field , in Atlanta, Georgia , this Friday ! Taking the mound for the Braves will be Kris Medlen, who will be facing Kyle Lohse , of the Cardinals. Mike Matheny, having succeeded Tony La Russa, has simply taken up from where his predecessor left off. The reigning World Series champions , may not be as dominant a team from last season , but there is enough experience on this roster to make have made a spirited return to the postseason , for an organization that has known unprecedented success. As enthralling as this addition to the playoff format is meant to be , in adding another layer to what is already an arduous postseason schedule. To my mind , all it really has going for it, is the additional lure for the viewing public by way of the television broadcast coverage. As meaningful as Bud Selig wishes to the postseason to be , this new change in essence does nothing to address the most acute issues that the game of baseball currently faces. The commissioner espouses the fact that the game has seen rise in revenues , but remains at a loss to explain why there’s a preponderance of teams who are so reliant on the league’s tax sharing revenue scheme to even eke out an operating profit . Yes, that’s baseball’s commissioner for you, full of nothing but a great deal of fecal matter and platitudes!

OK, so who would have thought that the New York Yankees(94-67) would be playing and clinging on for dear life, as they seek to avoid being in a single game elimination format ? In the past eight and half weeks the team has seen their double-digit lead within the AL East being erased to a mere one game over the fast charging — Baltimore Orioles (93-68). It is at this point that you have to wonder what the hell is going on inside of the Yankees’ clubhouse over the past two months ? However, tonight the Yankees should feel lucky enough that they will be facing the beleaguered Boston Red Sox (69-92) at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx Bombers’ final game of the regular season. In what has been a too tumultuous season for Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine , there now seems to be a sense of foreboding that this may well be his final game as the manager of a team, which he has mismanaged and sought to apportion blame elsewhere for all of the Red Sox’s woes over the course of their season. There is probably nothing that Valentine would clearly like than to seemingly pull the rug from out under the Yankees’ feet as they seek another berth in the postseason.

The MLB season, as we know, is a long an arduous schedule, spread over 187 days spanning one hundred and sixty-two games. In the AL West , the Texas Rangers led that division for an astonishing 178 days. In what has been an astonishing turn of events, the Texas Rangers fell apart in unbelievable fashion, as they succumbed to the Oakland A’s 12-5 in a game that saw Bob Melvin’s team snatch the divisional crown from the forlorn Rangers. As to what this might suggest about the defending two-time AL pennant winners , and the very fact that also in successive years they have fallen in the World Series in 2010 and 2011. Well, it is enough to indicate that this team has no real stomach for any real type of adversity. The fact that the Rangers fell apart in such a catastrophic way , leaving the fans in attendance in sheer astonishment and disbelief.

Ron Washington and undoubtedly the Rangers’ front office led by team President Nolan Ryan and GM Jon Daniels will have seen the events of today as a tremendous disappointment and one which now places this team in a precarious position. With the loss now, comes a one game playoff against either the Baltimore Orioles or New York Yankees, dependent upon the events that unfold over the remainder of today. With the payroll, and the high-priced acquisitions sought to bolster the Texas Rangers , it is astonishing to think that ball-club is now a mere nine innings away from being an afterthought , and not actually playing in the divisional round of the postseason.

Of the high-flying teams that made the biggest splashes during the off-season and then at the trade deadline , then one would have to say that the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers would have to be two of those teams. Angels’ owner Arte Moreno simply opened up his pocket-book to commit almost $300 million to acquire Albert Pujols and C J Wilson , but the spending did not stop, there with GM Jerry Depot also making his input known to Moreno. Unfortunately, for the franchise but for the efforts of rookie phenom and sensation Mike Trout , perhaps , we would have merely looked at the Angels throughout the season as an afterthought. It would not be remiss to suggest that the Angels far short of their fans’ expectations and that of the ownership group as well. At 89-72, the best that the Angels can now do is to seal their season with a final game victory over the Seattle Mariners. Beyond that, it has been a profoundly disappointing season for the Angels.

The hoopla was there as the circus came to town , with the immediacy of the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to a consortium led by Magic Johnson , Mark Walter , Todd S Boehly, Peter Guber and Stan Kasten . The famed ball-club purchased for $2.156 billion , after the organization had been taken into a forced bankruptcy by then owner, Frank McCourt. As the league hierarchy’s handling of this sorry episode, and the fact that Bud Selig sought to interject himself in the bidding process , suggests that this whole process was not without a great deal of subterfuge and the very fact that the commissioner favored one consortium over the six other interested parties at the time , even though this whole process was presided over by a federal bankruptcy court judge . Get the feeling that this was an episode that the commissioner simply wanted to disappear because of his office’s inept handling of this whole episode ?

Don Mattingly tried in vain to get his team playing with a great deal of zeal, but with the repeated injuries to key players at varying points of the season, it was clear that this would be all in vain. In their final game of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated divisional rivals and this year’s NL West champions, the San Francisco Giants (94-68). Finishing eight games out of first place within the division and 1 ½ games out of the wildcard berth within the NL, the future of the Dodgers now lays in its future and that of the major free agency acquisitions made by ball-club. Adrian Gonzalez , Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett were never able to put together the productivity sought by front office . Next season an emphasis is likely to be placed on bolstering the Dodgers’ roster , as a clear emphasis will be made by this ball-club to succeed. Magic Johnson has clearly emphasized this, in his repeated public statements concerning his ambitions for the franchise, and that is to win multiple World Series’ titles. In their future , I am very sure that the Dodgers will be a contender for not only the division but also the NL pennant as well as a World Series but this year was never meant to be their year.

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Picture gallery

As this final day of the season filtered through, it has been clear that so many teams faltered at the most unexpected of moments , while others rose to the occasion. The postseason now waits, and the expectations will be high. The fans of the game would like nothing better than to see thrills and spills exhibited in 2011, as part of excitement by the participants in the postseason fare. As a fan , what are your expectations this postseason , and which team do you believe to be the favorite to win this year’s World Series ? Simply leave a comment on this topic and anything else you deem pertinent to the subject matter.

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Baseball pieces within this site

Picture and slide show details below.
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(1) Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Brandon McCarthy , left, douses a teammate with a beer as they celebrate in the clubhouse after their 12-5 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game , Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. The A’s clinched the AL West title with the win. AP Photo/Ben Margot ….

(2) Oakland Athletics players celebrate after clinching the American League West at the end of their 12-5 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. AP Photo/Ben Margot …..

(3) Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour , left, and catcher Derek Norris celebrate after their 12-5 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. The A’s clinch the AL West title with the win. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez …

(4) Atlanta Braves’ Chipper Jones acknowledges fans as he heads for the clubhouse following a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final baseball game of the regular season in Pittsburgh Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar ….

(5) San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey , right, grounds out as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Tim Federowicz watches during the fourth inning of their baseball game, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 5-1 . Posey became the first Giants player since Barry Bonds in 2004 and the first Giants catcher to win the National League batting title with a .336 average . AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill …

(6) Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (88) gets a hug from co-owner — Mark Walter after the Dodgers’ baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 5-1. The Dodgers failed to make the postseason finishing a distant second to the Giants within the NL West . AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill …..

(7) LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Juan Rivera (21) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his two-run home run with Elian Herrera (37) for a 5-1 lead over the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on October 3, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images ……
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