Major League Baseball-- Final Three Weeks-- Who Will Win Each DIvision; Who should win the awards

Let's start with the most interesting division in baseball-- the AL EAST:

 WINNER:

Clemson-- GAMEDAY

What can I say about the place? Outside of the rolling hills, beautiful coeds, Tucker Carlson impersonators everywhere (Yes-- I thought Auburn was the lone place where a bowtie was a fashionable thing to wear to a football game), wonderful food, neat little area they call "downtown" (I'm certain a church was the tallest building) and a sixty year old female gas station attendant who was willing to talk about the new starting quarterback (Cullen Harper-- it appears the WIlly Korn, the highly touted product from nearby Duncan, South Carolina, will wait his turn---

the trip was just awful. So here's a best effort to summarize a gameday in Clemson.

After "sleeping in" (Clemson coeds told us our 10am departure from our home was behind the ball and the parking lot was evidence)--- we parked "downtown" at 10:25 AM and immediately went out to eat. We then went to a place called Peptino's Pizza to grab some beers and got in a pretty neat discussion with some Clemson alums about Clemson, FSU's new coaching staff, and of course, that magical word in Titletown that apparently has cross-conference appeal, Tim Tebow. "That guy has arms the size of loblolly pines", a man told us. What can a Gator fan do but agree, and then kindly inform him that Gator backup quarterback Cameron Newton is actually bigger? He then told us we needed to get over towards the stadium and the Esso Club and the Tiger Tavern (the "it locations" at Clemson on gameday or on a Thursday night)-- but before we could get out the door we had "Welcome to Clemson" beers to drink in addition to our own purchased beverages.

The Rest of the Day:

You can't overestimate the value of being Greek-- even if you are years removed from being an undergrad...there is a quad at Clemson where the Greeks tailgate and I was quick to find that and find my old fraternity's tent. We did the double secret stuff that was necessary and suddenly saved a bunch of money that we would have spent at bars. We were basically killing time before my sister's arrival-- but it was fun getting into it with the Seminole fans and having a bunch of people look at us as if we had six heads because of our Gator attire. Cameron was decked out as usual in the "Never been done before Three Titles in 18 months" shirt with the big Gator head and I had my Back-To-Back Hat reminding people that the searsucker pants, Clemson "Beat the Seminoles" Paw on my Lacoste shirt was just a front. The best part of this trip and the rest we have planned is "Taking Titletown to the Heathens/Masses"-- but I will say the Clemson people were very reverent of our Titletown roots-- perhaps simply because they were playing the Noles-- as they didn't appreciate my reverence towards Steve Spurrier (go figure)-- but they were reverent nonetheless.

It was on to the Esso Club once my sister arrived and gametime drew nigh-- and with a beautiful sun setting over the Appalchian foothills-- my sister and I wandered around the old gas station in sheer amazement. Alumni, well-dressed people, smiling faces, wonderful food (just get a meat plus three (your choice of veggies or side dishes) and be thankful you're in the Deep South) made us appreciate the place even more. You don't have to be at an SEC school to enjoy the tailgate and be part of something special-- but it helps to stay in the South. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a place like this in LA for an SC game, or at a Cal game-- I will give a shout out to the Sun Devils who have made Tempe fun for years-- but the Esso Club on gamenight rivaled Gainesville's The Swamp Restaurant.

The Game Itself:

The entrance was awesome. First-- I didn't realize the players ride a bus from a nearby facility to the Rock. So they show up minutes before gametime. After they charge down the hill (I wonder if any Clemson player has ever turned an ankle running down the hill)-- the pathway where Howard's Rock is closes in a very Charlton Hestonesque moment, except it's a Sea of Orange. The logic of Howard's Rock is "You can touch the rock if you give your all but if you don't-- keep your filthy hands off it." Clemson came through on this night. For all the ineptitude on the Florida State side of the ball (and there was a BUNCH-- even late in the game when the Noles were rallying)-- I came away quite impressed with both the Clemson Defense and the Clemson playmakers, CJ Spiller, Jacoby Ford and James Davis. Cullen Harper did a decent job managing the game and was mistake-free-- and I think that's what they will need to build on that victory. Certainly in the end Clemson is a few playmakers away from making big national noise-- and I don't know about their secondary really because Florida State's receivers (Greg Carr in particular) are woeful. But a big win for the Tigers, and one of the best runs of the season has already occurred I think-- if you didn't catch James Davis' 29 yard jaunt to the endzone in the second quarter-- here's a link.

A Final Note:

There's a statute outside of Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. I really like that statue despite my obvious disaffinity for the Noles. Here's a photo of that statute:

Under the statue, an engraved concrete slab says "UnConquered"-- true-- because the Seminoles are famous for being the Indian tribe that never signed a treaty of surrender-- indeed-- they never surrendered. I hope their fans don't quit on the school either. Recognizing, in this era of political correctness, and recognizing, the historical importance of not forgetting America's genocidal war vs. the indigenous peoples on this continent-- Florida State has a proud tradition of being very kind and good to the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

That being said, it was tough leaving Monday night. As Gator fans--you revel in the defeat of a rival. But as we did our (and we did keep it clean) harassing Monday night ("See You in Titletown, Noles...Jimbo Fisher Who?" etc...) --Nole fans, particularly the students-- seemed conquered. They didn't respond. They walked, some arms akimbo, some heads aimed at feet-- towards their cars or their hotels in disarray and defeat. I may be wrong-- but I think happier times are on the horizon at the old woman's college on I-10 West. The recruiting class has received a big boost from Fisher's presence-- and the O-Line has too good a coach to struggle forever. Antone Smith is a legitimate playmaker. One of my favorite people in college football-- Chuck the Chest-- is back in Tallahassee-- so all is not lost. But on this night, a game certainly was.

8:45 AM-- As my esteemed colleague notes below, the parking lot of my little sister's apartment complex is empty. I still feel pretty hard core though because:

a. I'm in Clemson, South Carolina on Labor Day to cheer against F$U

b. My sister isn't even here yet- she's on her way back from Chicago

I don't know what we are in for-- but we're way more dressed up than we'd be for a Gator Game in" the Swamp (something we are a bit used to thanks to other SEC Venues) and we'll go "downtown" to The Esso Club, which is basically an old gas station right off HWY 93 (which in the 1920's and 30's was the main way to Atlanta from the foothills) in the shadows of Death Valley which has been transformed into one of the greatest sports bars in the country. We are excited to see that today and compare it to our own Swamp-- a younger (1994) Gainesville restaurant but no doubt a landmark in Gainesville.

I can't describe much more until I see more. But I think it will be a great football game. And I'm especially excited about the town spirit here. Clemson paws are everywhere-- the roads, the o's in gas and grocery station signs-- it's remarkable. I can't imagine a city supporting a university more than Clemson and Auburn do their university-- unfortunately in places like the People's Republic of Gainesville and the People's Republic of Berkeley (things like trees outside the stadium or) a new city medical center when you already have one of the greatest medical schools in the world (yea I'm talking to you Gainesville) are more valued than the University.

So let's see if the New Look Noles look better after a makeover. Let's see if Gators wish they had him All-World RB CJ Spiller gets loose. And let's see a southern football town on gameday, which is a little different than waiting for the ol' USC-Idaho game. No megaphones at least.

1st STOP: THE BOWDEN BOWL, CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

So we know that Tim Tebow looked great but not as great as Appalachain State. We know that Lloyd Carr forgot that Mike Hart, one of the most reliable college running backs in the last twenty five years, played on his team until the second half, when it was too late. As an American, I think that if you didn't tear up when Virginia Tech took the field, say a little prayer when things were tight in the third quarter, and breathe a sigh of anxious relief when they won the game and not just the day, I can't help you. We Gator Fans know that FS Kyle Jackson still takes atrocious angles to the ball carrier and is the last guy to the pile, something that makes us miss Jaguar FS Reggie Nelson and worry about our upcoming game against Tennessee. Speaking of Tennessee, we now know that the Pac-10's second best team, Cal, needs to give students megaphones to generate crowd noise but nonetheless can hold serve against the SEC's 5th best team. (Sorry Pac-10 fans-- but you won a home game that wasn't against LSU, Auburn, UGA or Florida...and Sorry SEC fans- I'd include the Ball Coach's team but he thinks his guys are a bunch of "average stiffs.") I could go on. But I'll leave that to the rash of talented, excellent FOX Sports bloggers who break down games, matchups, make predictions, make criticisms, and the like of games all over our country. I thought I'd take a different angle. I thought I would take you to the campuses. I thought I'd tell you about the scenes, the scenery, the students, the alums, the traditions. I wanted a unique perspective on what TS Eliot never wrote about-- October, clearly the most beautiful month-- as the pennant races wind down, the greatest professional playoffs, the baseball playoffs begin, and college football is in full swing. And there was no better place to start than Clemson, South Carolina, where my little sister now lives and the New Look Noles will now debut in less than 24 hours. As my buddy Cameron that came along for the joy of it said-- "I might not have been to Europe-- but I've driven through the Smokey Mountain Foothills at night." And for what? To see a college football game. More from the home of

later on.

Finally -- if you didn't know-- Appalachian is HOT HOT HOT....just check out this video. I particularly love "Even when the weather is cold, cold, cold... Appalachian is HOT HOT HOT"

It's the final month of the baseball season-- abnd I've been heartbreakingly wrong about the Braves. It proves the old adage about writing or saying things about your personal favorite team without thinking. The real key-- think about it. And don't convince yourselves that Chuck James can get it done as a number three.

I have more on this issue later this week-- when I tell you all who will make the playoffs- and who will win their respective pennants. I hope everyone likes a West Coast series...hint, hint, hint...

8:25 PM-- AL Starting Lineup might be the best All-Star lineup I've seen in years. The 8 hole guy is hitting .335. Wow. The NL better hope to get to Dan Haren early.And yes... I clapped in my living room

for

Barry Bonds, who I'm turning the corner on. At some point-- the accusations fall at least a bit short of reality. Reyes-Bonds should be a good one-two... but somewhere Edgar Renteria is watching and wondering why LaRussa left him off the roster.

Fantastic commercial about Dads and Hank Aaron at 8:30, even if it is by an insurance company.

8:36 P.M.-- THIS IS GOING TO BE A TEARJERKER. Only baseball can provide a moment like this-- as it continues to trail the NFL in topical popularity... this type of moment is one that reminds us that American history is immersed in baseball. And how lucky is Jose Reyes and anyone who is catching one of those autographed baseballs. It is this type of tribute that makes a Braves fan hope they get the midsummer classic back to Atlanta soon so that Henry Aaron can have his moment. My grandfather once said "Mays was one of the three most graceful players I've ever seen...in any sport." (The others being Jackie Robinson and a young running back from the University of Georgia named Herschel Walker) I think that, coupled with Ted Williams "the All Star game was invented for Willie Mays" quote, perhaps are the most appropos.

10:29 PM-- After making a mistake to A-Rod and getting away with it-- Carl Crawford makes Cordero pay with a screaming shot to right. It was clearly gone- as Griffey didn't move too much. It's always nice when a small market guy on a forgotten team gets a chance to shine at the All-Star game, and Crawford has done so defensively as well as at the dish.

10:34 PM-- Carlos Beltran makes the Mets 4-8 in this game and dogs it into first but manages a triple thanks to an odd carem off the wall. The NL MUST capitalize here and AT LEAST score Beltran.. and they do on a second RBI by Griffey, who may yet have an argument for the MVP.

10:38 PM-- Mets now 5-9. But not even Met Homer McCarver notices. Buck is doing a better job doing color by himself. I really like Holliday-- he's a terrific young hitter and has just unbelievable bat speed. Why let Martin hit when you have Brian McCann on the bench??

10:45 PM-- The substitution of McCann at Catcher now makes LaRussa look pretty bad. They've also downgraded offensively at both 3rd and 2nd-- and at least the Sanchez substitution at 3rd makes the Cabrera PH decision earlier look silly...

10:51 PM-- The delay waiting for "God Bless America" was a bit irritating. And I think we need a constitutional amendment mandating Ronan Tynan sing the song at every All-Star game until he can no longer sing the song anymore. If you aren't familiar, hear Ronan here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjrcEK
q6Xnw

11:00 PM-- The only thing more meek than the NL's Bottom of the Seventh is any press conference involving clueless Sixers GM Billy King.

Might as well be midnight-- 11:07 PM-- Send the children to bed. Papelbon and JJ Putz (apparently a bad word) in the bullpen and Wagner serves up a PH Home Run to Victor Martinez-- which does, to McCarver's credit wake the echoes of the once promising career of Hank Blalock, who hit a huge PH homer a few years back in the All Star game. I doubt the NL has the firepower in its order now to muster a three run rally in a pitcher's park.

11:16 PM-- Only Andruw Jones would have caught Derek Lee's bloop single to center. But scouts everywhere had to raise a gentle eye when Lee stole second base off Papelbon...problem of course being that in order to steal on him you have to reach base.....

11:21 PM-- Lousy at bat by Rowand. Sanchez not patient enough and after the All-Stars avoid a collision the NL squanders one out and a man at third. Such is life, I suppose I know Putz is coming in but man all I really want to see now is K-Rod.

11:26 PM-- Since this may be the last time we see Trevor Hoffman in an All-Star game-- let's just reflect on what an astounding career he's had at the Murph and now PETCO for the Fathers. That 73 mph change up makes the cut fastball which has never really broke 88 mph look like it's about 98 mph. The downward movement was evidenced in the first ground out-- and the bottom has always dropped out of the circle. Glad to see McCarver point out to the die-hards still watching that the Padres are a terrific team that are in dire need of one more bat if they are to contend for a World Championship. Any time your playoff rotation is Peavy, Young, Maddux, and the young talent Justin Germano-- you have a real good shot at playing baseball late into October.

11:34 PM-- For whatever reason-- the foul tip off Bruce Froemming reminds me of one of the worst calls in the history of Sports:

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/
readers/worstcalls.html

Kent Hrbek's WWF Application on Ron Gant in Game Two of the 1991 World Series. Let's just say I didn't shed a tear when I read that Umpire Drew Coble resigned. Atlanta fans unfortunately have run out of time on the Statute of Limitations to collectively file their class action:

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopic
s/subjects/u/umpires/index.html?query=COBLE,%20DRE
W&field=per&match=exact

11:41 PM- An amazing demonstration of just how explosive JJ Putz's fastball is-- a GREAT fastball hitter, Brian McCann-- rips several balls foul and then pops out on a 97 mile an hour heavy one in on the hands. There was literally nothing the NL could do-- though I was really pulling for Dmitri Young (one of the better human interest stories at the All Star Game) to reach base, and he does on an infield hit to the right side.

11:44 PM- Soriano to hit, Hardy on deck. Fans in Boston and Orange County, California may have to put the phone down on those Game One World Series tickets as he takes Putz opposite field and cuts the American League's lead to one. It's all up to JJ Hardy. If he gets on, I may get to see K-ROD after all.

11:47 PM-- You have to love Hardy's patience... a career 240 hitter vs. JJ Putz ought to be a mismatch but he's deep in the count now.

11:50 PM-- Putz walks Hardy-- Derek Lee to bat... What will Leyland do?? (Especially with that series against the Mariners coming up??) He's going to pull his closer!! What a finish in San Francisco.

11:58 PM-- K-ROD can't find the strike zone. Hudson properly takes on 3-0 and New Englanders and Angels fans alike breathe a sigh of relief. K-ROD is pitching for home field advantage. At least that is what I think. But after three consecutive walks-- the bases are loaded for Aaron Rowand. Buck once again points out that it is cold in San Francisco, and saves himself by pointing out that K-ROD is overthrowing.

MIDNIGHT: The NL, appropriately, turns into a pumpkin and AGAIN the AL wins homefield advantage. For the first time, the CLOSER may be on the team that reaps the homefield advantage award.

MY MVP: Ichiro Suzuki, with apologies to Victor Martinez.

 THANKS EVERYONE FOR READING AND ENJOY THE 2ND HALF OF THE SEASON-- COME BACK AND CHECK OUT "RIVERA WALKED MILLAR" FOR MORE ON MLB AS WE ROLL INTO THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.

THE MIDSUMMER CLASSIC. No one watches the Pro Bowl. The NBA All-Star Game is an afterthought- a "Who Cares" installment after the Skills competition the night before. The NHL All-Star Game suffers the same flaws-- no defense; none of the thrills, forechecking and hitting that makes professional hockey interesting to at least a small pocket of Americans and a wider pocket of Canadians. But the original All Star Game. The midsummer classic. The one game growing up Dad would let you watch all of-- even though it meant you were in bed by midnight. This is the one that we love to watch. And if you don't-- I can't help you. The only thing worse than not liking the All-Star game is if you don't get choked up when Mickey Hart saves the Perfect Game for Billy Chapel in For Love of the Game. So in honor of one of my favorite sports event of the year-- I'll keep a live blog tonight.

SINCE THE COMMENTS ARE ON THIS THREAD-- I'LL UPDATE IT HERE.

8:52 PM-- Neat move with the Ironman and the Wiz announcing the lineups. Comparing the two lineups is frightening, to be frank. The NL may have the better bench though and LaRussa would be well-served to get to it quickly. However-- you have to like having this man batting second, no??

8:56 pm-- With the no hitter out of play after Ichiro-- one wonders if Jake Peavy can get the Captain out and avoid significant damage in the 1st.

8:57 PM-- Jeter grounds into Double Play...actually a pretty nice turn by two players unfamiliar with each other. Still-- you have to love how Derek runs everything out like a little leaguer.

9:00 PM-- Don't show that one to the kids. Couldn't Prince have just dropped the ball at around 11 o clock-- when most the little ones aren't watching anymore... or at least are dozing ? Peavy is overthrowing.

9:05 PM-- Reyes singles to start off the NL. Bonds bats for the first time. Reyes steals second-- a friendly reminder to everyone of why he's the most dangerous leadoff man in baseball today. Think Kenny Lofton in his prime-- with a better batting average and a smoother glove. Barry flies out to right-- the NL needs to capitalize here because after Haren you have Santana, Dice-K, Josh Beckett. Yikes.

9:12 PM-- Mission Accomplished. Ken Griffey Jr.-- yes, Ken Griffey Jr. singles to center and scores Reyes. David Wright-- another NL starter who probably shouldn't be starting-- grounds out weakly to Jeter. Inning over. I hope Leyland keeps his promise and leaves Haren out there for another inning.

9:19-- Brad Penny appears to be suffering no ill-effects from the blister that tormented him against the Braves earlier this week. To get a 1-2-3 inning against Vlad the Impaler, Magglio and Pudge is pretty impressive. I guess they'll go to Ben Sheets in the third, but I wouldn't mind seeing Penny for one more inning. Only problem with that is that he might have to hit this inning if anyone reaches base.

9:24 PM-- Tim McCarver has mentioned Cecil Fielder 234 times so far. Come on... talk about Cecil running the bases while Prince is on first... please??? 235. "Power, Power, Power."

9:30 PM-- Great job of pitching Cabrera by Haren. Everything was away, away, away-- which is theoretically the book on most great hitters-- but really the only way to get Miguel out. I'm a bit surprised that LaRussa used Cabrera to pinch hit though... I suppose he'll leave Wright in at third and use Freddy Sanchez later-- but that seems to surrender power and on-base percentage for Sanchez's ability simply to hit for average. Here comes Ben Sheets, who immediately retires Placido Polanco and now faces one of my favorite people in sports, MANRAM.

9:41 PM-- It would have been ironic if Papi, a DH, had helped the AL score an NL Type run (Ichiro singles to left, Jeter finds a hole to right center...) but it will not be. Reyes "doubles" on an odd bounce... I'll tell you what--- I'll be surprised if the NL scores off the middle of Leyland's rotation. And Leyland is lying about pitching to him in the regular season in this situation. Flat out lying. Speaking of lying-- I like the idea of "revising" endings to great October moments... I'm going to win with Mark Wohlers striking out Jim Leyritz on a fastball away. Stupid slider...

The building would have just collapsed into McCovey cove if that ball off Bonds bat would have left the yard. I was hoping Griffey would drive in another run and make a run at MVP tonight... great job of pitching by Beckett-- who has ROTO owners everywhere on edge, just waiting for the inevitable hand blister or disinterested month.

9:52 PM-- A-Rod singles and steals second. The NY POST HEADLINE TOMORROW READS: A-Rod Singles, Fails to Steal Third and Home, Deserves to be Booed. Especially likely now that he gets thrown out at home by Griffey, who may win the MVP yet... Cole Hamels is one of my favorite young pitchers but I think he was fortunate to have people hit the ball hard and right at people tonight.

10:11 PM-- Finally!! More Eric Byrnes... and Chris Young-- who issues the always dangerous lead off walk to Brian Roberts. Ichiro hits an inside the park home run and crushes all hopes o####riffey MVP. I'm still trying to catch my breath and Byrnes is still trying to find his dog. Ichiro is now 3-3... and Chris Young, the most dominant pitcher in the NL the last two months, finds himself on the short end of a decision right now. Buck confirms relatively quickly that the in the parker was the first in All-Star game history. Meaningless player interview likely to follow..

10:19 PM-- LaRussa is into his bench now-- nice play by Crawford on Soriano, who I imagine now will be part of a double switch. The thing that impresses me about Carl Crawford isn't his defense-- which has always been sound-- but rather the fact that he continues to get just a little more patient defensively... he's got a shot at a .350 OBP, which for him would be terrific, and really-- that's around where Tampa needs it to be.

10:22 PM-- I just got real excited about the NCAA FOOTBALL 2008 Commercial. Seven days baby.

10:25 PM-- Cordero in the 6th?? Wow. He makes a mistake to A-Rod, who misses it and hits a can of corn to center. Bold claim by Buck that AT and T is the prettiest park, not just in baseball, but "period." I'm moving the live blog back up to the top post-- so people don't have to scroll down. I'll start the prettiest park debate and say PETCO in San Diego is nicer.

Chipper Jones has been forgotten again. What else is new? Chris Berman just pointed out that Vlad Guerrero is one of only four players who have hit .300 with 30 HR's and 100 RBI's four years in a row-- the first season of which was when the player was under the age of 25. Berman incorrectly omitted Chipper from this list. While Vlad is putting on a show, Berman continues his often overlooked career as a great highlight guy and a mediocre play-by-play or live broadcast guy. Jones I'm sure doesn't mind the omission, but don't we wish that Boomer would be a bit more like Tim Kurkjian, and do "all the research" before spouting off.

The numbers on Chipper:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/j/jonesc
h06.shtml

What a performance by VLAD. I'm happy to be at Fox Sports blogging now, on another note-- and hope I garner readers here. I'll write a bio shortly. Following which I will provide my next two posts-- one about the merits of Rivera Walked Millar arch enemy Jayson Stark's arguments regarding Andruw Jones being the most overrated player of our era and one about the Greatest Sportscasters Today.

Speaking of which, Doesn't the Home Run Derby remind of you of one of the greatest commercials of all time?? And your author's personal favorite... Nike's "Chicks Dig the Long Ball.."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltD21rYWVw