So I never wrote that World Series preview I promised, did I? The truth is, I was all geared up to break down why the Phillies (or Giants) would triumph over the Yankees, but when the Yanks were unceremoniously kicked to the curb, it sort of took the wind out of my analytical sails. But as it turns out, that was a good thing. I haven't watched a World Series in which I had no rooting interest for quite some time - probably the first since 2005. It was a wonderful experience. I only wish it had gone six or seven. But I think we have to realize that that just may not happen as much anymore thanks to the extra round of playoffs. The last year that the World Series was a best-of-nine was 1921. From 1922-1968, which was the last year before the advent of the League Championship Series, the World Series went to seven games 43% of the time (20 out of 47). Since, it has gone to seven only 32% of the time (13 out of 41). Is that a bit of small sample size theater? Probably. But I think that there's something to the theory that these days, the players are exhausted by the time they reach the World Series, and this is decreasing the likelihood of the Fall Classic reaching the sixth or seventh game. It's the best reason I can think of to not expand the playoffs.
Some other random thoughts on a Sunday night:
- This Rajon Rondo fella might make it. Nine or more assists in each of the C's first seven games, and he has the team on a roll. In an unrelated note, I was a little concerned at the outset that the O'Neal's would steal some of Perk's minutes when Perk returns in February/March, but so far those concerns are unfounded. Shaq can't stay healthy, and Jermaine O'Neal is a very animated corpse.
- One side effect to being a father is that, unless you have limitless energy - something I thought I had but have been proven dead wrong - you inevitably fall behind on pop culture. Luckily, I have built my holiday cd mixes as a safeguard against falling behind for too long, at least in terms of music, but I am definitely slacking. I still haven't picked up Drake's LP, but I'm looking forward to digesting that, as well as new material from Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Wiz Khalifa, 7L & Esoteric, Rah Digga, that Boy George & Mark Ronson collabo and a whole slew of randomness. Oh, plus the Freddie Gibbs and Wale CD's I downloaded three months ago but still haven't listened to.
- Work will soon commence on my latest version of my favorite 100 movies. Shoo-ins include Toy Story 3, The Town and The Social Network. Also, stay tuned for my new take on Avatar.
- I was watching True Lies the other night. Whatever happened to Tia Carrere? I liked her.
- Speaking of which, Netflix and it's streaming online presence are making it really difficult to justify ever buying a DVD or Blu-Ray ever again. I added True Lies to our instant queue in approximately 26 seconds.
- After today's whupping in Cleveland, Tom Brady is just 3-8 in stateside road games since returning from being Pollard'ed. One win was last season against the Bills, a team the Patriots haven't lost to since September 7, 2003. The other two came earlier this year. In the drubbing of the Dolphins and the squeaker over the Chargers, the Patriots won with total team efforts. In them, Brady basically put up the same stat line - 19 completions, 150 yards passing (153, 159), with one TD and no picks. In other words, he wasn't leading the charge. He wasn't doing anything detrimental, but he wasn't leading the charge. Brady has hardly been himself this season, but in each game, he'll put it together for one series, which makes his numbers look good. In games where you get blocked field goals, TAINTS, or the other team forgets to play to the whistle, it's no big deal. When Peyton Hillis won't stop running over defenders though, it's a different story. The Pats need Brady to get back in top form, or they may have to draft a legit QB of the future very soon.
- I love that Microsoft Phone ad. "Really?!?"
- Random idea the other day - who says no first to a Torii Hunter for Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Papelbon swap, the Sox or the Halos? Bring on the Hot Stove.