It's time for the American League Championship Series. My team, the Boston Red Sox, are playing the Tigers of Detroit.
Normally, I wouldn't give a pair of red socks much chance against a gang of ferocious felines, but I'm willing to entertain wagers from my fellow bloggers who happen to be fans of the tiggers. Anyone up for a bet?
(MY WIFE and I used to like to imagine who would win for real in a sporting match between teams actually made up of what they liked to call themselves. It was always a good argument when it was the Jaguars versus the Panthers. On the other hand, it was pretty easy when it was, say, the Detroit Lions against the Indianapolis Colts. When was the last time you heard of a lion getting his ass kicked by a horse? We gave it up for two reasons...
1 - In real life, the Lions were getting beat down by just about everybody, even teams with wimpy mascots like the Cardinals.
2 - We came to the theological conclusion that nobody would ever beat the Saints.)
Anyway, the Tigers are a good team. They probably have the best pitcher in baseball in Justin Verlander. But I still like my Sox.
This year's edition of the Red Sox are a fun bunch. The team motto has been "Blood, Sweat & Beards". This is because the entire team has been growing beards since sometime back in May. When someone does something good, his teammates tug on his beard rather than shaking his hand.
In addition, fans have taken to wearing false beards to games, especially women and children.
If you can't tell who's who under all the hair, just use the following chart to identify your favorite players.
So, any Tiger fans up for a bet? Propose your terms below and we'll get something together; I guarantee it.
Soon, with more bettor stuff.
25 comments:
Someone pranked the Wikipedia page for the A's and changed the owner to Justin Verlander.
There are some who would argue that Verlander may not even be the best pitcher on the Tigers staff.
No, I don't want to make any wagers.
At this moment I am a (temporary) Cardinal fan.
Hah! That's a great joke! When they replaced him in the 9th last night, I was appalled. Strictly on aesthetic principals, I began rooting for the A's to come back and win.
So I hope you won't hate me when I say I am a Tigers fan....pulling for them hard now...they don't call me the crazy cat lady for nothing!
I'm not much of a bezbol fan but I AM a big fan of all things Dee-troit, given they need all the help and support they can get. I wanna see the Tigers go all the way simply coz Detroit needs the boost, not to mention a couple o' burning police cars.
As for a bet... I'm gonna save my wagering for the playoffs that begin in April. Chances are pretty good yer Broons and my Wings will be engaged at some point during that process.
Hate you? Certainly not! But, any interest in a wager? Some sort of "Loser displays winning team's logo on their blog" sort of thing? Or do you have a better idea?
OK, we'll have a bet then (if the situation warrants.)
REd Sox all the way my prediction'
I'm up for that...that and an essay on why the winning team deserved to be? By the loser of course...
OK, you're on. The essay and team logo to appear within two days following the loss, and must be displayed for at least a full 24 hours?
I have no interest in baseball...but amazingly I have enjoyed your post on this. Thanks..now at least I can contribute a small story to my baseball loving S.O.L.
Hmm... I do believe the baseball team swiped the beard idea from hockey players. They have been doing it for the Pittsburgh Penguins for years now. But whatever works, works.
Of course, while you had high hopes that the Pirates would beat the Cardinals (going by their names, the Pirates should have roasted the Cardinals and feasted on them while drinking a mug of grog), it was not to be. Not much of a surprise. The Pirates had a 21-year losing streak. They were in no way in "play-off" mode that could have been sustained for the entire run. Maybe another four or five years in reaching that level of professionalism again will make the Pirates a formidable team to take the Championship.
Since i don't like to lose money, i don't bet. However, i will pull for your team.
I hope you're right!
Glad I could amuse! That's always my objective, even if it's a subject some may not find as interesting as others.
ALL hockey teams grow playoff beards. . . I'm a little surprised that yer Pens (and THERE'S a fearsome nickname, eh?) would hop on the playoff-beard bandwagon, tho, since Sindey Crosby is on the team, and I don't think he can grow one. . .
;P
Yeah, but playoff beards begin with the start of the playoffs. The Sox - some of them, anyway - have been growing theirs for 5 months. There are some seriously LONG beards on a few of these guys. Google photos of "Mike Napoli", for instance.
(I know you dig facial hair, so this is definitely the team for you, at least now that the Pirates are out!)
Thanks!
Aw, you're just layin' for me, arntcha?
How 'bout a quart of Michigan Navy Bean Soup vs a quart of Boston Clam Chowdah?
Or, if you prefer, a quart of Jen's homemade applesauce?
And yeah, for most of the season, Verlander was probably no better than our third-best starter. Which might concern me just the least bit, after last night, if I were a Red Sox fan. . .
;)
Yes, Crosby can grow a beard although it isn't as fashionable as some players with their long whiskers. Then again, he's only 26, so his age may still be a factor for the little hair on the chin. Even the fans here get into the beard phenomenon (called a beard-a-thon). And if you need to see the Penguins Playoff beards, you can check out the link. http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0612/nhl_g_penguins15_668.jpg
Oh, and int he essence of using Wiki as a reliable research webpage, hockey player have been growing playoff beards since 1980, whereas baseball players only adopted the tradition in 2010. I like the fact that the beard-a-thon raises money for charity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playoff_beard
I accept the bet, my friend. I'll bet the quart of clam chowder against the Michigan Navy Bean Soup!
(No offense to Jen. I just really dig bean soup.)
I saw that; great prank.
For most of the season, Verlander was the third-best pitcher on our staff. Scherzer is more-or-less favored for the AL CYA, and Sanchez led the league in ERA. When a former CYA winner and MVP with a 3.4 ERA and 200 Ks your third-best pitcher, we call that a good situation. . . (unless he's pitching to Pablo Sandoval. . . still have nightmares about that. . .)
Should we be so fortunate as to win (which I do NOT take for granted). . . Playing the Cardinals in the World Series is SO 2006. . . or 1968, or 1934. . . playing the Dodgers would at least be different (and our World Series history is somewhat better against teams from Southern California, than against their Northern California cousins. . .) (besides, if we do play the Dodgers, I know we'll have your support)
;)
"Normally, I wouldn't give a pair of red socks much chance against a gang of ferocious felines" made me laugh on this Monday morning! Thank you. Was the "bettor" intentional or, most prabably, am I out of the loop on this one?
Quite intentional. It is what one calls a person who bets!
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