BASEBALL
	World Series Predictions 10.17.02 The Giants:  As a Cardinals fan I looked forward to the innings when Aurelia, Kent and Bonds would not be batting.  Unfortunately, it seemed like Aurelia led off almost every inning, with Kent and Bonds behind him.  The real problem, though, was that those three players didn't really beat St. Louis.  Aurelia had his two homerun game and Bonds came through at times, but the hits that really killed the Cardinals came from J.T. Snow, Benito Santiago, and Kenny Lofton.  If the Giants continue to get that kind of production from guys not named Aurelia, Kent or Bonds, Anaheim will have a tough time. Another suprise from the Giants was their pitching, especially Jason Schmidt.  I knew that he had talent, but he had never really lived up to his potential.  He certainly did that against the Cardinals.  Some players need a playoff series to bring out their best and then it carries over into the rest of their career.  I believe that Jason Schmidt is going to be one of those guys.  Look for him to be in the NL Cy Young hunt next year. The Angels:  Who would have thought?  Going into the post-season, just about everyone assumed that this would be the year that Oakland finally beat the Yankees for the Pennant.  The smart money was on those two teams in the AL.  The sentimental favorite had to be Minnesota.  Many fans were rooting for the Twins to win it all so Bud Selig and his contraction plans could take it right in the eye.  But no, the Angels are the American League representative.  MLB must be pissed that they missed out on all those storylines.  The storyline the media is trying to sell us is that Anaheim made it to the Series on heart.  That sounds nice and all, but it doesn't mean a damn thing.  Do the Giants not have heart?  It is empty rhetoric spouted by people that can't think of anything substantive to say.  The truth is that the Angels are not a sexy team for the media because they are an all around solid team.  They are the jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none team.  Not really much to talk about there.  Their pitching is talented and deep, but without a bona fide "ace" starter.  Instead they have four or five guys that are solid #2 or #3 guys that may not match up well against the oppositions ace, but match up very well 2-4.  Their relief is strong as well, achored by closer Troy Percival.  Before the postseason could you have named any of the other Angels relievers?  Me neither, but they've all been solid throughout. They have a diverse offense, as well.  Eckstein and Kennedy are the singles hitting speedsters (except for that 3 dinger game by Kennedy that came out of nowhere).  Garrett Anderson and Scott Spezio are the RBI guys and Glaus is the masher.  Then they've got Tim Salmon as a producer and veteran leader in the clubhouse that always does and says the right things. Prediction:  This is a tough series to call.  I believe it will come down to the production of the Giants hitters other than Aurelia, Kent and Bonds versus the Angels bullpen.  Whichever unit produces better in the playoffs will lead their team to the crown.  My call: Giants in 6. Off the subject:  After the Yankees got eliminated, Raul Mondesi announced that he would play one more year and then retire at the age of 33.  I guess he figures that he's got nothing left to accomplish in baseball since he's never won a World Series and he's never even driven in 100 runs in a season.  Talk about wasted potential.  Why did he feel the need to make this announcement now?  Is he angling for a farewell tour?  Hey Raul, MLB will be better off without you, you overpaid, egotistical waste of a roster space.
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