last tuesday, when i thought i had tickets for game one of the nlcs, i was asked by a coworker "where are you going before the game?" i politely explained to him that the wrigleyville bar scene had no appeal to me, at least on a game night, and that, if i went anywhere, it would be to batting practice. he was incredulous. i explained that, for me, the game's the thing.

i violated that belief this afternoon, and therefore have very little to say about today's 4-0 loss. (another co-worker called about 4:00, middle of the second inning, and asked what i was doing. i said, watching the game, and he invited me to watch with him at a bar less than a block from my apartment. i couldn't say no.)

so i drank and watched and conversated and i've come up with this: at least there's a sixth game on tuesday. and more importantly, if marky mark does his job that night, we're set up for a kerry (extra rest) - prior (regular rest) - whomever rotation. i think it's very important to get those guys at the top of the rotation, for obvious reasons.

in other news, saturday was a wonderful day: the cats won, the cubs won, the irish won. my joy was only tempered by another painful eastern michigan loss. ugh.

and finally, i've been reading larry dierker's recent book, this ain't brain surgery: how to win the pennant without losing your mind, and, with the holiday season coming up, it comes recommended as a gift for that sports fan who has everything. (does anyone buy books for themselves? i mean it. this was a dpl acquisition, if you're wondering.) the only thing that confuses me is the title itself - i mean, dierker never sniffed the grass at a world series. but it remains a good read. interesting stories about people you've heard of, along with an informative perspective on baseball itself.