CPA says…I usually don’t fall under the same spell every year which generally curses the national media.  However, I thought this year was different, I thought their team (at least offensively) resembled the ’96 – ’00 teams.  Their top 3 starters should have been good enough to get them to the next round.  The Tigers remind me somewhat of the ’91 Braves with Verlander and Bonderman replacing Glavine/Avery/Smoltz and Rogers as a more effective version of Leibrandt… I think the Yankees are making a mistake bringing in Piniella, instead of Girardi…

I won’t even comment on the AL East until after the offseason… both the Yankees and Red Sox have a lot of perceived holes to fill – who knows what their teams will look like next season… I have never been a big Cards fan, but I guess I will have to pull for them in the NLCS (there has to no way the Mets could win a WS with that starting rotation)… the Tigers look to be like the D-Backs, Angels, Marlins and White Sox the last few years – mid market teams putting everything together for 1 season to win a WS…

And my reply…You’d think a more even-tempered Torre type would fare better there than the volatile Piniella, but imagine Girardi not talking to the NYC press!  Hate to see Joe go out this way, but that’s still going out close to the top…nine straight division titles, and 11 of the last 13 years…with four World Series crowns.  ESPN was running a stat of most consecutive years with 90 or more wins…13 or 14, I think…one more than the Braves and Cox.

You would’ve thought that the Yankee lineup could overcome any pitching shortfalls…similar to the Braves situation this year, except the Yankee lineup was one for the ages.  Who goes free agent this year…Sheffield?  With all the changes, the Red Sox could take the flag next year.  I think pressure had something to do with it as well.  Funny how the SI story last week was “Collision Course…is another Subway Series inevitable?”  Go Cards!

This postseason is interesting because no one left is really hot, unless it’s the A’s.  The Tigers limped home in September, as did the Cards and Mets.  So whoever heats up in October can run the table.  I won’t even rule out the Mets.

I had forgotten the Piniella – ARod connection.  Lou will manage the Yankees over the Marlins?  For Atlanta, it makes some sense that old hands Eddie Perez and Brian Snitker are promoted, to keep up the Braves winning tradition, as opposed to bringing in someone from another team.  That’s something to lose so much of your coaching staff.  I guess the Mets will want to keep Glavine, with Pedro missing so much of next year.

Perhaps now the I’m back to normal I can keep up with the playoffs better…the in-laws were here until Sunday as well…the GT – Clemson game on the 21st will be big, but no way GT wins without Ball.  I guess it’s good to win when the team comes out flat…I guess you can’t be up for every game…at my age/experience, I’d know I’d only get to play so many games, and treat each as special…easy to say anyway.  Without the two returns UGA really got beat…perhaps they should’ve gone to another QB.  Saturday night the in-laws wanted to keep tabs on the South Carolina game, so we were flipping between that, UGA, and baseball.

Busy week…Will has a game and a school project due.  Ceil is going out two nights, and Will has practice tomorrow and Thursday and church on Wednesday.  I signed up for a golf outing Thursday to hang out with the new boss, and tonight it's Talladega Nights with the guys...look out!