September 27, 2003 [LINK]
Cubs win the NL Central!
Pittsburgh's Jose Hernandez just grounded into a double play in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Cubbies a 7-2 win and a lock on the National League Central Division championship. (I must say, the mlb.com Web site's "Game Day" feature is almost as good as listening to the play-by-play on a radio, and in some ways much better!) It's the Chicago North-siders' first divisional championship since 1989, and settles the last of the races for postseason slots. I may be a Yankees fan, but I've got a big soft spot in my heart for my father's long-suffering favorite team, so I'll be rooting for them throughout the playoffs. I'm almost tempted to cheer on the Red Sox (almost as long-suffering), in hopes that this will be the first all-classic-era stadium World Series since 1964 (Yankee Stadium and old Busch Stadium, a.k.a. "Sportsman's Park")**. Now wouldn't that be something?!
** Correction thanks to Chris Jackman; I had originally written "1961" and "Crosley Field" -- my apologies.
There were two historic accomplishments over the last couple days: Toronto's Carlos Delgado hit four home runs in one game, the 15th player ever to do so, and only the sixth to do so in four at bats. Also, Atlanta's Javy Lopez hit his 43rd home run, breaking the single-season major league record for home runs by a catcher. More signs that, behind all the $leaze, baseball as a game is as vibrant as ever. As the regular season draws to a close, let me pay respects to Bobby Bonds, who passed away in August at the age of 57. Barry hit two game-winning home runs during the last week of his father's life (both against Atlanta, broadcast on TBS), and it's hard to imagine a nicer, more gratified way than that to depart this harsh earthly existence. Bobby was traded around several times during his career, and probably felt like he got the short end of the stick in life, but his son's amazing batting accomplishments more than made up for that, easing his dad's pain and then some...