SPORTS
Page 10 Friday, July 22, 1988 The Michigan Daily
THE SPORTING VIEWS
Ad reps predict fate
of World Series '88
BY PAUL BERKEY AND JEFF HALPERIN
After having witnessed our sparkling performance on the softball field for
the Daily Libels' softball team, sports editor Adam Schrager decided to enlist
the services of two members of the Daiy business staff to help bolster his
dwindling staff. We still can't decide if he is in awe of our perforniance that
anchored the team's infield or if he is simply too lazy to crank out an article
during Art Fair Week. We decided to make the temporary jump to the
editorial staff from our all too familiar position of advertising sales
representatives.
Leaving us high and dry without a topic, Adam said, "Come on guys,
just write a sports article." We racked our brains but couldn't come to an
agreement. We debated the international significance of The British Open and
' The Tour de France, but we decided that we'd rather watch the Democratic
National Convention on C-Span all day than write an article on any of those
events. On the lighter side, we discussed Arena Football, but the fact that
'i neither of us could name five players in the league scared us away. We
eventually agreed upon predicting the outcome of the 1988 Major League
" Baseball season - our last "agreement" f the evening.
*Aoitd Pes Since Paul just got up to grab a couple of cold ones, I'll take the
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bob Welch (above) and New York Met outfielder Darryl opportunity to begin in the National League East. Although my New York
Strawberry (below) are two reasons why both teams are currently playing so well. Both Mets are struggling to recapture their early'season glory, I don't foresee any
Welch and Strawberry will be keys if their respective teams are to make the playoffs. serious challenge from the inexperienced Pirates or Cubs when crunch time
arrives in September. I can't wait to flaunt my Mets cap around Ann Arbor
when the World Series rolls around. Paul's shaking his head in disagreement,
"Ya' gotta love the Pirates. They're young, talented, and hungry to
y reestablish the dominance over the N.L. East that they enjoyed in the
1970's. Besides, everyone hates the Mets!"
All right Crash, let's move to the West. Who's going to be playing the
Mets in October? "Well Wiz, although the Giants are stumbling now,
they'll get their act together and go on a winning strak comparable to that
of the Durham Bulls to set up a championship series with the Bucs." Paul,
you've been watching too many movies. The Dodgers have practically
wrapped up the division one week past the All-Star break. Apparently,
Gibby needed a change of addresss from Michigan & Trumbull to the
Hollywood Hills to perform up to his potential.
Let's switch over to the American League. I'm getting primed for a
subway series. The Yanks are on fire and I can't wait to buy my plane ticket
home to witness te first subway series ever. "Well Jeff, I was thiking a
little more along the lines of a tea party...a Boston Tea Party. Those guys
have a team batting average of .288; that's higher than justabout every ball
player on tie Mets. Look for Boston to take the A.L. East."
Last, and certainly not best, the AL West. Any comments Paul? "I'm
picking Oakland. The combination of Canseco's awesome power, with
trng pitching and Eckesley's timely relief will carry the Athletics to the
division title." Ae you nuts?! What about the defending World Champions.
The Twins are sronger this year than they were last year. Frank Viola is 15-
2s and Puckett, Gaeti, & Hbek are all having banner years. They should
elm{w; , ,,overtake Oakland in mid-Agust.
? U!V 71Let's wrap up our predictions. Paul, tell the world who's going to win
The Series.
Its going to be the Giants defeating the Athletics in the Golden Gate
Series. Baseball will be played above ground in October, not in the
subway." I beg to differ, The champions will be crowned in the Big Apple.
When it's over, the match-up that New Yorkers have dreamt about will
result in George Steinbrenner's worst nightmare. The Mets will roll over
the Yanks in this historic series.
That takes cre of the 1988 baseball season and completes the first
tA mitd ~, installment of our journalistic endeavour. Thanks Adam,