Jim Rice, the fourth player from the Boston Red Sox to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame to have played only for the Sox his entire career, made it into the Hall on the last ballot he'd be listed on. Fifteen years to get one of the Gold Dust Twins into the Hall. Fred Lynn, the other Twin, hasn't made it in yet. He has two ballots to go, though I'd be surprised if he gets in despite being annoyed if he doesn't. He had a great career overall, but injuries had their way with him.

However, the star players most beset with steroid accusations is the current source of many of the new names on the ballot. I'd call it a good time for the sports writers to look back and get some of the better players from the 70s and 80s who got skipped the first few times in where they belong.

Roger Clemens says his trainer was injecting him with B-12 and lidocaine, not steroids or HGH. I tried to figure out why he'd get injections of either in his butt cheek from a trainer instead of a doctor or nurse. B-12 deficiency is the usual reason for such injections in the former case, though oral doses tend to be preferred. I know it's sometimes used to ease fatigue, so I'll let that one slide. Lidocaine, however, is either for heart arrythmia, seizures or anaesthesia. And since I trust that Clemens wasn't so stupid as to let his trainer treat him for either of the first two conditions, I had to wonder why he needed his butt anesthetized. And while I'm sure the man's lying in an attempt to salvage his ticket to Cooperstown, I could only think, "Dude, you should've asked the trainer to use lube."

*grins like a goofball*

My gratitude goes out to the Detroit Tigers, who have made sure I no longer have to give a rat's ass about post-season baseball by knocking out the one team I always root against. And will people please stop thinking the Yankees are all that, please? They didn't win their division so much as Boston handed it to them on a platter decorated with four players' hospital bracelets.

On to football and hockey, and basketball when it kicks in.

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Go Angels.

And y'know, I have to be honest. It feels a lot nicer, comparatively speaking, to see my favorite team fall out of the playoffs after winning the Series than before.

I still don't have to like it.

I Must Be Dreamin' - Cheap Trick - Heavy Metal

I rarely root for the Angels, but it looks like I'm about to start. The ChiSox could take Boston out, I know. But I'm not sure my heart could handle another Boston/New York pennant series this soon. I'd prefer to see Boston/Anaheim. Hell's bells, I wanted Cleveland to get the wild card and see New York cool its heels. But Mick Jagger was right.

wordweaverlynn, my sympathies on the Phillies. It would've been sweet to see them get in after all these years.

And would someone please see what's in the Atlanta water? The Braves' post-season streak is getting preposterous. Let me be honest. I am not fond of the Braves for irrational reasons. Mainly Ted Turner. Baseball fandom isn't exactly rational, though, is it?

What You Wish For - Guster - Lost And Gone Forever