Playoff baseball, she is a-looming
And since I happened to be in the neighborhood, I decided to drop by Wrigley Field and see what, if any, haps were shaking as we enter the "T-Minus less than a day until Dodgers-Cubs kicks off." The first order of the day was the 25-man roster, which may not have been quite set in stone- Joe Torre is reserving the right to make any last minute changes before the final cutoff point- but at least has taken the form of quickly drying cement. As BK noted earlier, there wasn't a ton in the way of true "surprises," but that doesn't mean that everyone included or left out met the announcement with a "que sera sera" attitude." It's probably expected that a rookie like Cory Wade, who began the season with hopes peaking at perhaps some kind of high-level Minor League Player Award, would find it fairly surreal to be included on a big league playoff pitching staff. "I think I probably would have laughed at them," shrugged Wade on his reaction had somebody told him in April that he'd be in Chicago for October baseball.
But even some former All-Stars haven't taken their spot on the roster for granted. Raffy Furcal isn't far removed from speculation as to whether he was even healthy enough to step on a postseason field, much less land in tomorrow's starting lineup. Torre's decision was met with both happiness and a literal "thank you" from his shortstop, who would have completely understood if he ended up with a bench role, given the stakes involved. "It's a big league game. it's not like it's a rehab game." Plus, as Furcal noted, "Everybody wear the same uniform. If we lose, we lose together. If we win, we win together."
Of course, with happiness often comes disappointment, which was felt by Mark Sweeney over not making the cut. Said the lefty batsman, "I think anybody that's competitive wants to be out there and help their team." Mind you, I said the Sweeney was "disappointed," which shouldn't be confused with "disgruntled." He made no bones about why he was left out, putting the blame squarely on his own shoulders and owning up to his lack of production all season. "There's nobody any more disappointed than I am in my performance." And because of that realism, to quote Bob Dylan, you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. "There's 25 guys you can have and you've got to protect yourself. That's the case and I respect that." Really, he didn't want to turn his absence into an issue, period. "It's way beyond a roster spot for me. It's about winning. I don't want this to be a negative thing at all."
While keeping hope alive that an NLCS round will provide a matchup more favorable for him, Sweeney will look to shift gears for time being, embracing a role where he acts as an extra set of eyes and offers advice to teammates whenever possible. "This doesn't mean I take off and leave," nodded Sweeney. That positive attitude is exactly why Torre admitted it was particularly hard to exclude Sweeney, and hearing his Skip acknowledge those "good teammate" qualities meant a lot to the player. "It's mutual respect and I thank him for it."
The series also provides an interesting wrinkle for Ned Colletti, a Chicago native who not only worked in the enemy's organization for several years, but grew up a die-hard Cubs fan. The first time he visited Wrigley was in 1961 with his dad as a birthday present and he estimated the grand total of visits as a spectator somewhere in the neighborhood of 400. "I can honestly say I was not a (White) Sox fan one day of my life." I asked his this particular pairing of squads means anything extra to him on a personal level. While noting that he doesn't really think about it unless someone asks, there's an undeniable history associated with the Cubs that made Colletti who he is now, whether professional or personally. "Where I'm from, baseball is always a key part of life, and that's something that's passed on from generation to generation."
That said, no need to sweat a conflict of interest due to sentiment. Colletti is rooting 100% for one team and it ain't the one located in his hometown. Still, the situation's uniqueness wasn't lost on him. "It is one of those sweet ironies of life that I had the opportunity to grow up here and work here at this ball park and then had the opportunity I have now to be a General Manager of another franchise that happens in the same league in the same point in time."
And unlike Alanis Morrisette's definition of the word, this would actually qualify as a situation truly ironic.
AUDIO
- Ned Colletti, Part I: Download ned_colletti_1_9.30.08.mp3
- Ned Colletti, Part II: Download ned_colletti_2_9.30.08.mp3
- Joe Torre: Download joe_torre_presser_9.30.08.mp3
- Raffy Furcal: Download raffy_furcal_9.30.08.mp3
- Cory Wade: Download cory_wade_9.30.08.mp3
- Mark Sweeney: Download mark_sweeney_9.30.08.mp3
AK
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
Is it me or are Plaschke's columns getting worse? Don't get me wrong, I love the guy. Been reading his stories for about 8 years now. They make for a great read if you like his style.
Lately, however, I find that he's been borrowing other people's ideas and elaborating on them to create his own column. The latest one about the Dodgers/Angels dream matchup has been circulating in the press since Sunday.
I'm starting to miss J.A. Adande.
In any case, let's forget about Bill and ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR THE DODGERS!!!
For those of you going to the game on Sunday, SEE YOU THERE!!
Posted by: Wasabi | October 01, 2008 at 01:43 AM
Despite all my SWN bashing during the year, I have grown to appreciate his presence as a teammate.
It's not enough to give him his vowels back, but it is very good to see he is being a class act.
Posted by: benzojones | October 01, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Benzo, its nice to see one guy admit his sucktitude rather than whine about it on the bench like JP. Remember he does have a quality haircut.
Posted by: poppinfresh | October 01, 2008 at 08:13 AM
PoppinFresh/Benzo,
As I said once before, Sweeney has been every bit as good a clubhouse guy/teammate as he's been a bad '08 pinch-hitter. For all the talk about why he should have been DFA-ed by now (and I've made those statements as well), I can honestly understand why Torre/Colletti have wanted him around. Mind you, I'm glad Torre left him off the 25-man roster, because it was obviously the right thing to do. But Sweeney's overly professional reaction, which appeared quite genuine, explains why he's so well regarded.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 01, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Anyone knows how I can catch this game online? If not, i might have to leave work early. Any help pretty please!!
Posted by: Jimmy | October 01, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Just moved to LA and wondering what is the best place/bar to watch the game with fellow die hards. Thanks! GO DODGERS!!!
Posted by: Mike | October 01, 2008 at 09:06 AM
AK:
Sweeney evidenced everything you've been saying about him all year with his professional response to being left off the roster. He won't be allowed in the dugout, unless the Dodgers suddenly designate him for assignment as a coach, but I think Torre realized that his presence in the clubhouse alone was all that was necessary. Despite his sucking, he's clearly a member of this team, and deserves .165 percent of a playoff share.
If the other players respect him, and Torre likes having him around, and none of us ever have to see him at the plate again, it's a win-win. Let's hope that describes the Dodgers' two days in Chicago as well.
Posted by: SaMo | October 01, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Plaschke is clearly suffering from having nothing to say. One day, he bashes the Dodgers and reminds us that they've blown three game leads with four to play. The next, he's talking about a freeway series. How ingenious.
Plaschke say:
Hey, would you look at that? Both LA teams might make the playoffs. Why,, if they both won two more series after that, well then, both would be in the World Series. That would be a subway series, except we don't have subways in LA. Let's call it a freeway series. We have lots of freeways.
Maybe we should cal it the sitting in traffic series, because that's what most people will be doing. Or the skipping out of work at 4pm series so we can be home in time to watch the World Series. Maybe we should call it the "Two teams that are still getting a tan in October" Series.
By the way, did I mention that the Dodgers are choking dogs. And that Juan Pierre adds the kind of speed everyone wants come crunch time. Did you ever notice that speed never goes into a slump. Well, it does if a fast guy can't get on base. But I digress.
And thank goodness the Dodgers got away from that stupid youth movement and started playing veterans. That Ethier kid really killed the team last year with his youth and inexperience. But this year, they've found a solid veteran in Andre Ethier, who is just mashing the ball and throwing out runners with his terrific arm.
Now that I think of it, there's a treasure trove of column fodder in the archives. All I have to do is go back and look at all the columns I wrote earlier in the year where I was wrong about this team. Nobody will remember, so I can just take the opposite position and presto, a whole new column.
In fact, I can use some of Simers' old columns too. He's wrong about everything.
Posted by: SaMo | October 01, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Plaschke, I'd much rather see Dodgers/Red Socks how great would that be? And it would keep national attention unlike an all LA series. Plus I lve two hours away from Fenway. I'd sell an arm to see the Dodgers win in Fenway.
Posted by: Ny Blue | October 01, 2008 at 12:21 PM