2005 AL playoff thread

[peterman]

all my predictions for al and nl are right so far

 

[peterman]

Ahhhh.... the playoffs are so much better without the Yankees and Red Sox.

i know thank the lord i would watch any team in any series except for red sox and yankees i'm so sick of them to many people like them

 

[arthurracoon]

I was happy the Red Sox won last year.

This year, I'm rooting for the white sox.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

"Blah blah blah...Steinbrenner added Randy, A-Rod, Giambi...the result?...no rings as Yankees...blah blah blah...reporting from Anaheim, this is Pedro Gomez for ESPN."

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Ahhhh.... the playoffs are so much better without the Yankees and Red Sox.

 

[AZZenny]

I liked the look of the White Sox to go all the way in Spring Training - they just felt right from day one - balanced, energized -and I like Ozzie Guillen's mouthy, brassy style of running things. Never was a CWS fan before, but no problem rooting for them - it'll crush Cub fans' hearts, which is fine.

However, I've liked the Angels for many years - first regular season MLB games I went to, and they were my late mother-in-law's beloved home team - plus I like Scoscia.
Most important, can't help but think, "There but for Jerry, go you and I." So - not sure who I'll actually end up cheering for this round. But I predict an ultimate AL winner in the WS, who gets there playing NL-style baseball.

 

[Renz]

As a lifelong Angels fan, it is hard to to get used to them being in contention every year. My whole life I've been expecting disappointments like 1982, 1986 and 1995. The one sports moment I wanted to witness before I died was the one I never thought that I would, the Angels winning the World Series. 2002 was to me what 2004 was to Red Sox fans.

The Halos look to be up against it with the White Sox, but don't count them out. The one big advantage they have over the Sox is playoff experience. I think that could make a big difference in close games. If L.A. can get a split in the first two games then I think they'll have a really good shot at winning the series. Firstly, they need a good start tonight from Byrd.

GO HALOS!

 

[Diamondback Jay]

As a lifelong Angels fan, it is hard to to get used to them being in contention every year. My whole life I've been expecting disappointments like 1982, 1986 and 1995. The one sports moment I wanted to witness before I died was the one I never thought that I would, the Angels winning the World Series. 2002 was to me what 2004 was to Red Sox fans.

The Halos look to be up against it with the White Sox, but don't count them out. The one big advantage they have over the Sox is playoff experience. I think that could make a big difference in close games. If L.A. can get a split in the first two games then I think they'll have a really good shot at winning the series. Firstly, they need a good start tonight from Byrd.

GO HALOS!

The biggest disadvantage to the Angels, at least for Game One, is going to be the fatigue factor. Considering they played in New York Sunday, LA last night and Chicago tonight, that's quite a bit of frequent flier miles for anyone to deal with, and they could come out tonight flat exhausted. Then again, they also could come in riding and emotional high and make this a game. If Byrd throws a solid outing, this could be another nailbiter.

Also, IMHO, Mike Scioscia is a top 5 manager. He's easily the most underrated skipper in baseball, and if the Halos win another WS, I'll have him within my Top 3. He's taken a former sad sack organization (no offense to you Renz) that prior to his skippering had never won a PLAYOFF series let alone a World Series. They also made the playoffs about as infrequently as the Cardinals in football, and were in a sad state.

Since he took over, the Halos have been a routine playoff contender, when they DON'T make it their record is still good. A World Series win and a possible second on the way? He's the best thing to ever happen to that franchise.

And to think the Dodgers wouldn't even grant him an interview.

 

[Renz]

Great win by the Angels! Listening to Kruk and Reynolds on Baseball Tonight you would think L.A. had no chance in this series. The Angels' experience was the difference in this game IMO. The Sox played tight at times, especially when they tried to sacrifice.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

As a lifelong Angels fan, it is hard to to get used to them being in contention every year. My whole life I've been expecting disappointments like 1982, 1986 and 1995. The one sports moment I wanted to witness before I died was the one I never thought that I would, the Angels winning the World Series. 2002 was to me what 2004 was to Red Sox fans.

I kept thinking about 1986 last night. No matter how much they've come along as a franchise, as a lifelong fan of the team there's still a big part of me that thinks the Halos are always going to leave me disappointed. I'm sure it will be the same with the Cardinals if they ever get good.

 

[arthurracoon]

The Angels just got SCREWED on that call.

 

[Lefty]

Horrible call. The ump actually called him out and then changed his mind.

 

['08 Cubs]

White Sux steal one

what a joke!

unreal

 

[AZZenny]

I was listening on radio at the AZFL game - sounded really bad. and like the rest of the umps decided they better back him up. Maybe we do need some instant replay - at least in the playoffs.

I discovered, to a bit of surprise, that I am instinctively rooting for the Angels. If Chicago goes all the way, my ST nose was right, but until that time, pulling for the Halos.

 

[arthurracoon]

After that terrible call, I'm gonna root for the Angels.

 

[green machine]

It was a bad call, but the catcher needs to make the tag anyways. How many times is it close but we see the catcher do it? Granted, I thought the ump made an out signal, but still....gotta make the tag just in case.

 

[arthurracoon]

It was a bad call, but the catcher needs to make the tag anyways. How many times is it close but we see the catcher do it? Granted, I thought the ump made an out signal, but still....gotta make the tag just in case.

I agree with that.

 

[Southpaw]

As a lifelong Sox fan , I must say..............................

The Sox stole that game

That ump should be kicked off of the Postseason squad. He brain farted and got nothing right. Pumped him out twice with his fist.

A J knew Josh caught it. A J was headed to the dugout, until he saw Josh roll the ball to an empty mound. Then he turned around and ran for first. Those umps blew it. Just like a Football official who blows the ball dead and then can't reverse his call because everyone stopped playing. The ump stopped play and then basically said , oops, nevermind, do over.

P.S. If the ump didn't see the ball bounce, as he said, how could he make the call. It was strike three. He didn't see the ball bounce, claimed he might have heard it bounce. That is utter B S.

Can't wait to see what Slippery Selig does with this one. If he sits the ump, the ump union will strike.

P.S. Can anyone understand what Ozzie Guillen is saying during those insipid interviews? The guy should speak Spanish and use english subtitles.

 

[FinleyLover]

With those two CLEAR pickoff outs at the bases and Steve's catcher interference not called, it sure seems like this ump crew is either completly incompetent or on the payroll of the Sox. I can understand one bungled call, but now 4 against the same team?? Unacceptable.

 

[AZZenny]

Baseball Gods have chosen, I suspect, and the breaks will all be going one way.

 

[Ryanwb]

I know it's pretty late, but I want to go out on a limb and say that A-Rod is going to go down in history as the biggest playoff bust in baseball history.

I just read that his PR rep released a story to the media and said he played poorly because his uncle who raised him past away last month. With all due respects to the departed, I think it sucks to have that as your excuse.

Brett Farve puts out like a madman during personal crisis'. Stupid A-Rod

 

[FinleyLover]

IMHO I think A-Fraud will go down as the biggest bust dollar for dollar in both reg and post season. What a loser, blaming his lack of play on that. Shame on him., The MFY certainly got what they deserved with him...