Big Dick in Austin has justifiably called me out for not talking baseball, and perhaps specifically the Rangers. Fact is, I’m still nonplussed by the Ranger collapse we witnessed. All the theories I’ve heard and read have a degree of validity. As a nerd, I believe a close study of the statistics will shed some light on the potential explanations. What it won’t explain is the mentalities behind the statistics, and we won’t ever learn most of that, so we’ll have to infer. Which I am reluctant to do.

For now, then, I will state my loyalties viz the current post-season:

• The Detroit Tigers have been my backup MLB team since the mid-80s and a TDY to Detroit, where I was treated to Tigers-Jays rivalry games at the storied corner of Michigan and Trumbull. I love Kirk Gibson. I love Jimmy Leyland. I loved Ernie Harwell. So, Go Tigers.
• Overriding that, of course, is defeating the Yankees. Can’t stand them, their fans, their sycophants in the media, the bandwagoners, the rappers, the entire & complete world encompassed by the phrase “New York Yankess.” Just go away, disappear into a black hole. So, Go Orioles.
• The Cincinnati Red Legs are a childhood favorite for Johnny Bench and The Big Red Machine. Sadly, they are out of the post-season at the hands of the Giants, who I simply can’t cheer for. It’s not just that they defeated the Rangers in the 2010 World Serious, they just bug me, probably because they’re in San Franciso, and are eternally linked to Barry Bonds.
• The Nationals are a bandwagon pick. I like Davey Johnson, though. He seems to be a level-headed guy and a good manager. I guess I want them to beat the hated Cardinals, who won the 2011 World Serious over my beloved Rangers.

Bottom line, it’s Go Tigers for me, my Detroit friends, Gibby, Jimmy, Ranger Peterson of Grand Rapids, the designated hitter rule, and the glory of the American League.*

[* Which really means nothing any longer, which is sad, but it is the way of Beelzebud to water down these distinctions so MLB can become the NBA and The Greatest Game ever invented can just kick me in the nuts again and remind me who's in charge here. It's tough having a crush.]

Meanwhile, I’ll keep cogitating on How To Fix The Rangers.

NB to Big Dick: I hope your crotchety curmudgeonly defeatist demeanour doesn’t filter out to your young son and his love of the Rangers.