This week I decided I didn't want to write about college football. Virginia being ranked is enough for me -- I don't want to jinx it. Previously I wrote that USC, LSU, Oklahoma and West Virginia would all go undefeated this college football season and would finish as the top four teams in the nation. Well, if anyone reading this is a betting man or woman, I hope he or she had the foresight to know I would be totally wrong. So, at the risk of ruining the Cavaliers' momentum, I'll switch my focus to the MLB playoffs.
I want to start by saying it boggles my mind why Major League Baseball agreed to have both of its division series televised exclusively on TBS. Casual baseball fans who would naturally assume the playoffs to be on basic channels (such as FOX) might not have been able to find the games, even by channel surfing, because TBS is such a strange choice for the MLB playoffs. I wonder, how could the people running "America's pastime" take the playoffs off basic cable and leave a large number of baseball fans out in the cold? It's not as if the league is starving for money, so I'm disappointed that the playoffs would be relocated to another channel off basic cable.
Now, indulge me as I rip into two completely overplayed commercials that appeared during the playoff broadcasts, the first of which you couldn't have seen if you didn't have TBS.
Frank TV: enough already. I like Frank Caliendo , having listened to his comedy routine long before he got this show on TBS. I might even tune in to watch the show. But if you have watched even one game during the playoffs you probably have seen at least 16 ads for his show. While his impersonations are funny, especially those of John Madden and George Bush (although his Jack Nicholson is pretty good too), you know the commercial is on too much when people start getting good at impersonating his impersonations.
Dane Cook: get off the screen. You are a good comedian, although, in my opinion, you are overrated. You belong in movies like "Waiting" (which was funny), but you sure as heck do not belong on MLB playoff commercials. What do you know about baseball, Dane? Why isn't someone like Tommy Lasorda or Orel Hershiser -- trusted, impartial baseball people -- running the ads about the postseason? There's only one October, Dane, and I don't want to see you again the rest of the month.
Finally, if I may talk about the actual baseball being played, let me say that the Colorado Rockies are arguably the hottest wild card team to ride into the playoffs in recent memory. They are 20-1 in their last 21 games dating back to Sept. 16 and are winning with a team that includes a few under-the-radar players that should earn some well-deserved awards this year. Phenomenal shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (.291 AVG, 24 HR, 99 RBI, 104 runs) came on so strong at the end of the year that he might supplant Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun (.324 AVG, 34 HR, 97 RBI, 91 runs) in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Also, left fielder Matt Holliday is my pick to win the MVP award in the National League. Holliday led his league in batting average, RBI, hits, doubles and total bases, and he was also third in runs scored. The stats don't lie, and even though the playoffs shouldn't factor into MVP voting, Holliday's Rockies blew past shortstop Jimmy Rollins (the next best candidate) and the Philadelphia Phillies in the divisional series.
As far as the American League goes, the Red Sox and Indians are playing an exciting series, with a few notable individuals taking center stage in the league championship series. First, Boston pitcher Josh Beckett has been lights out this year, picking up where he left off with the 2003 Florida Marlins. Every time he takes the mound this October, it seems he can pitch a complete game shutout. Of course, designated hitter David Ortiz and left fielder Manny Ramirez are playing tremendously well, but what else would you expect from them in the playoffs? Boston has all the tools needed to win another World Series, but Cleveland has so far done a fine job staying with them.
At the risk of being embarrassed, I won't make any playoff predictions, but I will say that I hope the Rockies win the World Series. They are young, exciting and fun to watch. I'm also happy that the World Series will be on FOX, so that everyone can watch, regardless of how much they pay for television service. Baseball is America's game, and everyone in America should be able to watch it. Plus, on FOX, I won't have to watch any Frank TV commercials. And when it's all said and done, I won't have to see Dane Cook anymore, either.
Read More
No. 5 men’s tennis defeats No. 15 South Carolina in season-opener
By Thomas Baxter | 4 hours agoThe Cavaliers notched a quality victory to kick off the semester.
Aly Khalifa moved on, Ron Sanchez retraced his steps, and then their paths converged
By Michael Liebermann | 5 hours agoKhalifa starred for Sanchez at Charlotte before making the wrenching decision to transfer.
Buchanan jolts arena with season-best performance
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayRon Sanchez challenged his players to rebound better, and Buchanan answered resoundingly.
