Page 8 -The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 5, 1988

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THE SPORTING VIEWS

BY STEVE GINNS
The Oakland Athletics (104-58) winners of the weakest division in
baseball, earned the right to face the Boston Red Sox (89-73), winners of
the toughest division in baseball, for the American League pennant.
Most people will simply look at the each team's record and conclude that
Oakland will win this series. Granted, on paper Oakland should win this
series, but most people forget these games will be played on grass.
Efficiency is Boston's strongest asset. Unlike their opponents, the Red
Sox did not waste any victories en route to first place in the Eastern
Division. A total of 89 wins was just enough to edge out the Detroit
Tigers by one game.
Boston's attitude is, why win unless it is absolutely necessary? This
explains why they lost six of their last seven.
HOWEVER, when it became necessary to win, the Red Sox were able
to. In July, they won 19 of 20 simply because they had to.
On the other hand, Oakland's performance for the season is a clear
example of inefficiency. The Athletics wasted 12 games during the season
by finishing 13 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. Extra effort had to
be put into each of these 12 excess wins. As a result, Oakland will be more
worn out than the Red Sox.
Strike one.
In terms of personnel, the Red Sox are superior to the A's. Boston's
lineup is filled with home-grown talent. Infielder Wade Boggs, outfielders
Ellis Burks and Mike Greenwell, and pitcher Roger Clemens are products
of the Red Sox farm system.
Also, Bill Buckner is no longer a member of this team. In 1986,
Buckner's error in the 1986 World Series gave the New York Mets the
title.
OAKLAND'S LINEUP is riddled with a bunch of castoffs. After
being cast off by the Red Sox, pitcher Dennis Eckersley, infielder Carney
Lansford, designated hitter Don Baylor, and centerfielder Dave Henderson
traveled throughout the league, before Oakland claimed them.
Strike two.
Last year, the home field advantage was the decisive factor in the Twins
championship. This year Boston has the advantage of playing four games
in friendly Fenway Park. Since four wins is all that is needed to win the
pennant, Boston doesn't even need to travel to Oakland.
That's strike three.
Oakland's out.

Two opposing views on
Red Sox vs. Athletics
BY LORY KNAPP
Boston fans, get ready for another disappointment, your Sox will lose
to the almighty Oakland Athletics.
The Red Sox don't even belong in the playoffs. A miserable 1-6 record
in the heat of a pennant race to finish the season? That describes either a bad
team, or a team gagging on chicken bones. With that kind of momentum,
this series will be over in four games.
Oakland, on the other hand, ended its season on a winning note,
winning 7 of its last 10.
BOSTON finished with the worst record in the majors for a first-place
team - just one game ahead of the Tigers. The A's simply cruised through
their division, finishing 13 games ahead of last year's World Series champs,
the Minnesota Twins.
Oakland is a team of extreme offensive strength. Jose Canseco has
accomplished what no other player has ever done by hitting 40 home runs
and stealing 40 bases in the same season. Strength and speed.
Add that to his .307 batting average and a league-leading 124 RBIs and
you have a man that can make even Boston ace pitcher Roger Clemens,
who is currently ailing, worry.
Sure, Boston has an offensive threat of its own in Mike Greenwell.
Come on though, the man wrestles alligators in the off-season.
BESIDES CANSECO, Oakland's Mark McGwire with 32 home
runs of his own, is capable of putting any pitch into the seats.
While Oakland may not have a two-time Cy Young Award winner like
Clemens in its rotation, it does have Dave Stewart who finished the season
21-12 with a 3.23 ERA. Plus, they sport former Dodger Bob Welch (17-
9), no slouch himself on the mound.
Oakland's bullpen ace and ex-Red Sox player Dennis Eckersley led the
majors with 45 saves this season. Also, an ex-Bosox player, center fielder
Dave Henderson hit .304 with 24 home runs and 94 RBIs this season for
the A's. You have to question Boston's intelligence for letting go of these
players.
Now, Boston may have the home-field advantage in the series, but it
will not matter. In fact, while Boston's record for away games was well
under .500 (36-45), Oakland was 50-31 on the road.
Oakland manager Tony LaRussa played guru by predicting his team
would win 100 games this season; they did. All they need is another
prediction from LaRussa, this time about the Series.

Adam's Rib
BY ADAM SCHRAGER

Reagan calls the shots

Bill Veeck, the late baseball
owner once said, "Baseball is almost
the only orderly thing in a very
unorderly world. If you get three
strikes, not even the best lawyer can
get you out."
In this unorderly world of ours,
we have hostages, recessions,
political campaigns and yet, there is
always time for baseball. After all, it
is America's game.
This was clearly illustrated when
President Ronald "Dutch" Reagan
surprised everyone last Friday by
showing up at the Chicago Cubs
baseball game and announcing an
inning and a half on the WGN cable
television station.
Of those surprised, the fans were
probably the most surprised. Charles
Pecoraro, from a suburb outside of
Chicago, said that it was a thrill to
see Reagan at the ball park. "I had
no idea that the President would be
there," said Pecoraro. "But when I
saw all the security at home plate, I
didn't figure they were all here to see
(Cubs pitcher) Rick Sutcliffe."
Regular WGN announcers Harry
Caray and Steve Stone warmly
welcomed the President to the
broadcast booth after he threw out a
ceremonial first pitch that was high
and outside. Before heading to the
booth though, Reagan shook hands
with all the Cub players and perhaps
inspired them to score, which they
did for the President in the bottom of
the first inning..

REAGAN, who was in town to
talk to the Chicago Mercantile
Exchange, was an announcer for the
Cubs back in the 1930's. Back then,
Reagan read from the telegraph wires
to call the game, but this time it
was live television and Reagan was
up to the task.
"Well... it's Mitch Webster
coming to the plate for the Cubs in
the bottom of the first," said Reagan
in his familiar drawl. "...And there
are still men on first and third. And
there goes a hit out into center field.
One run in. Men on first and third."
Putting Reagan's political
feelings aside, this was fun; for him
as well as for the audience. He could
have plugged Vice President George
Bush in front of a national television
audience, but he didn't. He could
have insulted Bush's rival, Michael
Dukakis, but he didn't. Or he could
have promoted his own political
ideology, but he didn't.
What this incident shows more
than anything else is that sports can
supercede anything. Political,
economic, environmental issues
aside, sports, especially baseball can
make everyone forget, if just for a
few moments.
Upon leaving in his limousine
headed to downtown, Reagan was his
usual jovial self. "You know, in a
few months I'm going to be out of
work, and I thought I might as well
audition...The job I presently have
is calling me...but not for long."

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WHAT'S
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