Baseball Playoffs, Day 1

As the 2005 Major League Baseball season ran down, I was forced to face the reality that the Mets, while vastly improved from last year, were not quite yet a playoff-bound team. And while I plan a lengthy exposition, discussion, and defense of my baseball rooting habits in the near future, suffice it to say that my wellspring of fondness for the Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees ran dry many, many moons ago. Thus I devoted my energies for the past couple of weeks to ensuring that one of these three teams would not play playoff baseball this year. But with Cleveland losing six of their final seven, I failed in this goal for the third consecutive year.

So, for the Official Record, I am left with this preference order in the 2005 playoffs:

1. St. Louis Cardinals: Great ballplayers, classy team. Seems I've forgotten what bitter enemies the Mets and Cards were before divisional realignment. Just as well.
2. San Diego Padres: I'm a National League fan at heart, and I'd love to see the Padres surprise everyone and win the World Series. The chances of this happening? Slightly less than the chances of Mark Loretta being on my fantasy-baseball team for a third straight year in 2006. (Hint: I've been twice disappointed by Mr. Loretta.)
3. Chicago White Sox: Sure they almost made a colossal blunder by mailing in the second half of their season, but they pulled things together when it counted and should be a formidable foe to any opponent they face. Plus, Ozzie Guillen amuses me.

There's a big break here separating teams whom I would enjoy seeing win the World Series, ↑, from those whom I have mild grudges against, ↓.

4. Houston Astros: I like the Astros. I really do. They're pitching is amazing and their hitting is—well, their hitters try very hard, I'm sure. But they have Roger Clemens on their team, which is a big negative.
5. California Angels: In general, there's nothing to object to about the Angels. But there're no monkeys in baseball. And the whole Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baloney wreaks of an eight-year-old adding his county, country, continent, "Earth", and "Milky Way" to the return-address area of an envelope.

There's an even larger break here separating teams whom I do not seriously object to, ↑, from teams whom I despise, ↓.

6. Boston Red Sox: Shudder.
7. Atlanta Braves: Cringe.
8. New York Yankees: Suck.

So where do I stand after the first day of playoff games? My most preferred team beat team #2, which is expected and just fine. The Red Sox were pounded into submission by the Bleached Sox, which is great. And the Yankees won convincingly in Anaheim, which is worrisome. Oh yes, I am quite worried.

Watch this space for further updates.