Four times the payroll does buy a lot!

I'll be interested in the Yankees vs. the Dodgers or the Mets, but I won't feel much excitement over the outcome because the franchise will have paid for a title. It's not uncommon in pro sports, but it's much more enthralling when the Cinderella story plays out.

Even though I'm a NY fan, I have been rooting for the Guardians. I miss the good old days.





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I found this quirky article. I you're so inclined and have time I'd like to know what you think about it.

It is true that MLB is milking the playoffs for more games and more revenue. But I can't agree with the author that those extra three or five games, or whatever it might be, are to blame for some players' lackluster post-season performances.

MLB switched to a 162-game season in the early 1960s. That's the most of any major sport by far and its longstanding. Teams are usually very careful not to push their stars too hard because they know that asking them to "go hard" with little time off may very well hinder them by the time the playoffs roll around.

I'm not suggesting that baseball treats everyone with kid gloves. Not at all. Pitchers, in particular, are under an expectation to throw harder and harder. The number of them reaching or surpassing 100 MPH is growing. But so too are Tommy John surgeries and other operations to repair ligaments and tendons.

As for the playoffs, in my opinion, it's more a matter of some players thriving when the spotlight is the brightest while others wilt under that sort of pressure. That's always been the case. It adds another layer of drama it all.

Perhaps the author didn't like what he saw from some of his favorite players and was offering a bit of cover for them. But the number of hurdles to clear to reach the World Series is the same for all of these athletes. Some will shine, some will disappoint. It's the nature of sports.

What are your thoughts?

There isn't a thing I'd disagree with you on. The one thing that really worries me is Tommy John surgeries. Not so much for the increased frequency but the frequency in kids. I saw an exposé about them not too long ago and it had me in shock. I'm going to see if I can find a link.

I try to keep an open mind otherwise I wouldn't learn a thing, but the writer was a little harsh which came off as somewhat jaded. Thanks for taking the time to read the article and give me your take.

Happy Sunday, friend!







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Everyone is watching Paul Skenes and wondering when, not if, he'll wind up under the knife.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday as well, LMSP!

That gif though...

But Yankees hit ten home runs, usually with runners on. Cleveland hit five.

According to the Cleveland radio announcers, Judge and Stanton took extra batting practice before the games. A pitching machine was moved around to different locations, set at random speeds and movement. It sure helped Stanton.

Smart Yankees -- can't say they didn't earn the series win. They figured out Clase, hammered him, and pretty much neutralized Ramirez. And they pitched Cleveland really well. A steady diet of change-ups that bedeviled them all year.

And I agree that Cleveland is a talented team with a bright future ahead of them.