Well, it happened again. Admist a baseball playoff that should be remembered for what the players do on the field, today the focus is instead reared to the mistakes the umpires made in the game. The out call on Chase Utley and the scoop out of Ryan Howard, just to name two. Baseball umpires have been so bad, I heard they want to make Stevie Wonder an honorary ump! And what is the response of Crud, er, Bud Selig to expanding replay? Um, no thanks, let's let our umpires gift-wrap a World Series to someone because it's "human error".

Is there any more lame excuse to make than "human error"? Does he logically think that championships should be (possibly) decided by "human error"? Can I use the phrase "human error" enough? I guess so! That's why I think Crud should be the head of the BCS system. Because both MLB and the BCS have such similarities:

1. They both will crown a champion that will, at best, leave something to be desired.
2. Both have their refs/umps work to ensure the top money makers stay at the top. 3. Both are stubborn to change and would rather say "lalalalalala, I can't see you!" than do the right thing.

And last, but most important:
4. Both live by the old axium; "Any publicity is good publicity".

It's shameful to hear Crud say he's opposed to replay, then go into an excuse-making session that would make the BCS head smile proudly. From "human error" to "it'll make the game too long" to "what should we replay?", it goes on and on. Here's my take on each excuse:

1. You should not have your showcase series decided on the eyes of a 50+ year old who thinks "internet" is some sort of espionage group intent on taking over the world! It's your fricking championship! Treat it with dignity!
2. Seriously; adding (at best) 10-15 mintues to a game whose players go through more gestures than Sergio Garcia to slow the game down is bad? Why don't you tell these glove-fiddlers and these rasin-grabbing pitchers to stop with the gestures! Make every pitcher pitch like Mark Buehrle, and the time difference is negligible. Don't give me that crap!
3. I wouldn't replay balls and strikes (these 50-year olds need SOMETHING to do), but fair/foul and catch/no catch should be reviewable. It only takes a couple looks to determine that.

So, I've ranted about Crud's stunning lack of foresight. But this is nothing new; Crud allowed the game to be tainted by steroids and the Bondses of the world, and didn't lift a finger until Congress got involved. And can someone tell me why he's the highest paid commish in the four major American sports (MLB, NBA, NFL & NHL)? He certainly hasn't earned it? And he's about to watch his supposed dream series blow up in a wash of bad calls and poor jugdement.

Oh well, this Crud's for you!

What's the deal with the fat contracts given to practically every baseball free agent of late? We've seen J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo, and Gil Meche (Gil Meche!), among others, garner fat contracts, the Red Sox pay $51 million just to talk to a Japanese pitcher, and Ted Lilly earn his contract... on the operating table! I guess the only requirement to get a good check is to throw the ball over the plate! Imagine the monopoly Roger Clemens could command for a half season of work? The question I wonder is this: who got the most bang for their buck? Any winners here?