40
Page 10-The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, October 3, 1989
Blue
Jays
n S 1w+e spr\ \ the sporting
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sporting V ,e h At n w h s o t n
Athletics
Toronto lives by
by Leonard Fritz
Daily Sports Contributor
heart and soul A
s hitting and
pitching is tops'
With the score 3-1 in favor of
the visiting Orioles in the eighth
inning of the 161st game of the
season, you had to wonder.
Toronto was on the verge of
losing not only the ballgame, but
also the American League East
title.
The scenario repeats itself over
and over in the minds of the Jays'
fans; lose today, then lose on
Sunday, and it'll all be over. Again.
The Toronto Blow Jays.
In 1985, the Jays backed into a
division title during the last few
weeks of the season on an eight-
game losing streak by New York.
To solidify the fact that they didn't
belong in the playoffs, they blew a
3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series
against Kansas City by dropping
the next three games and a ticket to
the World Series.
The Toronto Blow Jays.
And let's not forget 1987. Blue
Jays' fans haven't. A three-and-a-
half game lead with seven games
left, and they let the Tigers steal the
division crown from the warmth of
their bosom?
The Toronto Blow Jays.
Not just tagged with the nick-
name, but tattooed with it. Branded.
Across the forehead. And forced to
wear a scarlet "C" that stood for
chokers.
Not this year. They beat Bal-
timore 4-3 on Sunday and won the
division title.
Something special happened in
that game. Through the first seven
innings, they were as exciting as
watching tuna drain, but sparked up
in the eighth to close the door on a
lackluster division race. The sigh of
relief shook the stadium. Sunday
didn't matter.
And the best part wasn't just the
comeback, but the players who
staged it. The heart of their line-up.
Toronto mainstay Lloyd Moseby,
newly-acquired Mookie Wilson, and
home run champion Fred McGriff
all took turns shoveling dirt onto
the O's.
George Bell not only drove in
the game-winning run, but also
helped Jays' fans forget his hitting
slump at the end of the 1987
season. He was born again with one
stroke of the bat.
It's a work ethic. If the heart of
the Jays line-up played in Detroit,
they'd be called "blue-collar work-
ers."
They don't live by the "Jeff
Spiccoli Handbook of Ethics," as
do the Oakland A's, champions of
the Western Division. They've
never been to Ridgemont High.
They don't use terms like "narly" or
"rad."
Blue-collar ballplayers.
After Sunday, when a certain
team from Canada has a 3-2 lead in
the best-of-seven series, only then
will Athletics' fans begin to have
flashbacks of last year's World
Series. Only then will Toronto gain
the respect that they so rightly
deserve after years of frustration.
And only then will the "Toronto
Blow Jays" become just a distant
memory.
by Michael Bess
Daily Sports Contributor
After 162 games and six months
of wN
a ric af
finally did. Beginning Tuesday
night, Oakland will battle Toronto
for the pennant.
The A's endured a rash of early
season injuries to top Kansas City
and California in the West. The
Blue Jays stumbled early, but
rebounded following the installment
of Cito Gaston as manager to edge
out the Orioles in the East.
However, the A's will beat the
Blue Jays in five games in the
AL CS.
Wp W ich'is led by
pd ter xtraordinaire Rickey
Henderson, is awesome. Henderson
started off slowly with the Yankees,
provoking owner George
Steinbrenner to ship Rickey back to
the bay area. Since the trade,
Henderson has performed
brilliantly, bolstering his batting
average by 30 points and lifting his
on-base percentage to well over
.400. Obviously, his pending free
agency status has motivated
Henderson to perform up to ability.
In addition, third baseman
Carney Lansford batted at a .336
clip while Dave Parker and Mark
McGwire combined for almost 200
RBI's.
Let's not forget Jose Canseco.
Following arrests for speeding
violations and handgun possession,
as well as a serious wrist injury,
Canseco has returned to form. He
may be cocky, but Jose backs it up.
Since his return two months ago,
he has tallied 50 runs batted in and
16 dingers.
It is easy to concentrate on the
A's lineup, but it's their pitching
that kept them on top. Oakland
pitchers recorded a league leading
earned run average of 3.15 and have
four starters with at least 17
victories. With Dennis Eckersley as
a stopper, the A's have the premier
staff in the majors.
Athletics manager Tony
LaRussa, who also possesses a law
degree, has plenty of job security.
Besides, if the Oakland front office
should somehow fire him, LaRussa
could become Canseco's full time
attorney. That would keep him
more than busy.
On the other hand, the 1989
Blue Jays are led by George Bell,
who carries a big stick but whines
more than Bill Laimbeer..Mookie
Wilson has provided a spark, but
the rest of the offense has been
lackluster for most of the season.
Slugger Fred McGriff gave a typical
Blue Jay performance. He led the
league in home runs, but failed to
homer in the final three weeks of
the season.
Besides, does anyone want to see
the World Series played in a domed
stadium? Even worse, a domed
stadium in Canada?
Fortunately, we won't have to
worry about it.
Will the A's or the Jays take a fall? Associated Press
4llK L4 Q
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 824 p.m.
Torontoat Oakland
Wednesday, Oct.4, 3:06p.m.
Toronto at Oakland
Friday, Oct. 6. 820 p.m.
Oakland at Toronto
Saturday, Oct. 7, 1 .06 p.m.
Oakland at Toronto
Sunday, Oct. 8, 4:36 p.m.'
Oakland at Toronto
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 820 p.m.
Toronto at Oakland
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 820 pm.
Toronto at Oakland
Instant replay
gives Griddes
title-to Balza
In a hotly contested battle for
the Griddes title- this week, eight
entrants responded with an
astounding 19 victories.
All of the entries incorrectly
chose Clemson over Duke. Come
on, people, the Blue Devils only
choke in the Final Four.
However, two contestants went
neck and neck down the
homestretch. After checking with
the replay official in the upstairs
booth for the tie-breaking scores, a
victor emerged by a one point
margin. And, yes, there was
conclusive evidence.
Dave Balza, who predicted a 42-
9 Wolverine romp, defeated Jim
Sadler, whose 34-14 score was just
one point shy of a breakfast for two
at O'Sullivans Eatery and Pub on
South University.
Congratulations to Balza, who
can claim his prize at the Daily
offices, located at 420 Maynard in
the Student Publications Building.
And don't forget to drop off your
entries for next week's Griddes at
the same address. The newest prize
will be lunch or dinner for two (up
to $12) at O'Sullivans.
Ww
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