Chapter 41.2: Who’s Next?

Ok, now that Harriet Miers has withdrawn from consideration for the Supreme Court of the United States, is there reason to presume that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is next to be nominated? It would be a significant nomination, as he'd be the first Hispanic on the court if confirmed by the Senate. But I seem to recall conservatives saying they were concerned about some of his decisions when he sat on the Texas Supreme Court. To me, what the Miers nomination has accomplished is to expose the dichotomy within the Republican party for all: conservatives are different than your random Republican.

Chapter 41.2: Who's Next?

Ok, now that Harriet Miers has withdrawn from consideration for the Supreme Court of the United States, is there reason to presume that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is next to be nominated? It would be a significant nomination, as he'd be the first Hispanic on the court if confirmed by the Senate. But I seem to recall conservatives saying they were concerned about some of his decisions when he sat on the Texas Supreme Court. To me, what the Miers nomination has accomplished is exposed the dichotomy within the Republican party for all: conservatives are different than your random Republican.

Chapter 41: It Is So, Joe! Cubs in 2006?

After 88 years, the city of Chicago can finally claim itself a city of baseball champions. The White Sox have won – convincingly. Though they had their share of breaks throughout the post-season, their eight straight wins in the ALCS and the World Series were impressive (A.J. Pierzynski’s third-strike scamper to first base aside, and that’s the umpires’ fault more than the player’s).

The Astros were an excellent club, and despite their age, I think they’re still worthy of consideration next year (provided that Clemens returns to form – a big if at his age and given his potential to retire).

I thought Joe Crede was going to be the MVP, but Jermaine Dye had a good series too, but I won’t argue against Jermaine Dye.

For next year, I can’t help but wonder if the baseball gods are helping the chronically underachieving. First the Red Sox (only 86 years), then the White Sox (88). Next year the Cubs (which would be 98 years)? Other than those teams that have never won, I believe the Cubs are the longest-suffering. And other than the Montreal Expos, who no longer exist per se, the Astros, Padres, Brewers, Washington Nationals (the former Expos) and Devil Rays still have many years of frustration to go before challenging the Cubs for futility.

Congratulations to the White Sox!

Chapter 40.8: A World Series for Baseball Fans

Wow, that was great baseball! I didn’t get a single one of my predictions correct in the championship series – correction, I predicted the NLCS would go six games, but I got the winner wrong, so it’s a moot point.

The Albert Pujols homer will fade into a pleasant memory for Cardinals fans, a step or two below what the Carlton Fisk homer in the ’75 Series means for Red Sox fans. The four complete games in the ALCS will be an interesting bit of trivia, but hardly important UNLESS it affects the Sox bullpen in the series. Are they well rested? Are they too rusty?

Bullpens will be interesting to watch in this series, because while both teams have decent pens, they also have excellent starters. I suspect we’re going to see a bunch of 2-0, 3-1 scores, maybe a 4-3 game. But I don’t expect either team to have an offensive explosion. It will come down to matchups and probably a bit of good fortune (or ill fortune, depending on who you root for).

I like the Sox starting four a hair more than the Astros’ staff, but you can’t overlook the experience level of Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. These guys will not be shaken by the stepped-up level of play. With Clemens available twice to start and potentially an exciting relief appearance a la Randy Johnson in 2001, the Astros have a strong hand available to them. Pettitte is one of the all-time greats in pressure post-season games; he should have two starts. And in a game seven it’s all hands on deck.

The White Sox have El Duque. I’ve been impressed by his unflappable presence in the post-season over the years, but I don’t expect him to be a huge factor in the series. I could be wrong. Jose Contreras has pitched well of late, and I think he’s proven himself this season. Freddy Garcia could be the X-factor. A Garcia/Brendan Backe matchup favors the White Sox.

My prediction: White Sox in six.