Inter-league mutterings
By Jeff Mayfield
[JUNE 9, 2003]
I
don't know how many major league players read the LDN (but, who
could blame 'em?), but it may be more than we originally thought.
How's that? Well, take for instance, last week's column. In it, we
discussed how the Cubs would need to hold their own with the D-Rays
and the Yanks and that the Cardinals would really have to make some
hay while playing at home. Both teams did just that. So, the LDN
would like to thank whoever is responsible for getting that message
out. It's always exciting when our local source intended primarily
for area fans oozes into such places as professional locker rooms. I
never thought we'd ever get that close to the action and have inside
sources. Since we're so inside… does anybody have any stock market
tips for us?
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I thought the Cards
might fare well against the Toronto Blue Jays, but I was a little
worried about how hot the Jays were coming into that series. I
would've been happy with two out of three. A sweep was sweeet
(spelling error intended because it was so special and to see if any
of those national spelling bee-ers notice us)! A sweep over
Baltimore would've been just as nice, but on Saturday not much went
right for the Cards.
The Cubs slid by
Tampa Bay but then held on to take two of three from the Yankees.
That may prove to be bigger than most people could've imagined. By
virtue of those wins, the Cubs stay in first and stave off both the
Cards and the Astros… but, look out for Houston.
The 'Stros are on a
holy tear. I know they just swept the lowly D-Rays (sorry, Swanny),
but they're getting healthy arms back in. When Wagner gets in the
game, the W's are in the bank! Both the Cards and the Cubs have let
the Reds hang around, and by letting Houston and Cincinnati stay in
the race, that may be a recipe for disaster!
Saturday never turned
out to be the sports day everyone envisioned. Funny Cide failed to
become the first horse in 25 years to take home the Triple Crown, as
Empire Maker took the Belmont on one of the sloppiest tracks you'll
ever see.
Roger Clemons did not
win his 300th game, as we guess he decided he'd rather do that
against the Cards instead of the Cubs (who's advising this guy
anyway?). In fact, could be a marquee matchup building with the
possibility of Redbirds ace Matt Morris pitted against Clemons on
either Friday night or Saturday afternoon.
Note: One other
Cardinal note of interest… Stopper Jason Isringhausen threw another
great inning down at AA Tennessee, lending speculation that Izzy
could rejoin the Birds sometime this week in Boston or at Yankee
Stadium… Does that sound weird to you National League purists or
what???
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The NHL playoffs
continue to be one of the most exciting in years, as many fans,
including those who are only casual hockey fans (if there is such a
category), continue to root for the Hollywood fantasy team, the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks. We'd like to see 'em win, too. But could they
possibly go into New Jersey and beat the Devils on their home ice?
It will all come down to the goal tending.
The Nets have
wrestled away home-court advantage from the Spurs because San
Antonio could not stop Jason Kidd. If you let him run wild, he will
kill you!
Greg Taylor keeps
asking me about Annika Sorenstam. Well, Greg, she returned to the
LPGA tour two weeks ago. And what has she done in those two tourneys
since returning, you ask? Only win them both! She is truly the best
women golfer in the world right now!
Anybody got tickets
for the US Open?
If you're looking for
a fun track in the area… go over and check out Crane Creek; it is a
lot of fun.
If you're a high
school or junior high boy or girl hoopster, there may STILL be some
openings out at LCC for this week's camps. Go on out to the new
Laughlin Center right now to check in!!!
Gotta fly… Have a great week, everyone!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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