Only a strike can stop them

By Jeff Daniels Sports Central Columnist

How can anyone get excited about baseball in today's day and age? You see, I'm not saying that the game isn't fun and exciting, because, to me, it still is. The only sad thing about baseball is that the winner in October is normally a foregone conclusion. Yeah, those damn Yankees again.

It doesn't help matters with me being born and raised in Atlanta! I still have nightmares about Mark Wohlers throwing that off speed pitch to speed up Jim Leyritz's bat in the '96 World Series.

The Yankees have looked very vulnerable at times this season and they look most vulnerable now that "All-World" closer Mariano Rivera has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore shoulder.

With Rivera going down, it seems as if the Yankees finally have a chink in their armor. I've heard baseball expert after baseball expert explain how this means that the Red Sox, A's, Angels, Mariners, and Twins have a legitimate chance with Rivera hurting.

Exactly what planet have these experts been living on? It's definitely not the planet called Earth on which the Yankees have won four of the last six World Series and participated in five. On this planet, no one, I mean no one, should bet against those damn Yankees.

If the general public has learned nothing else about baseball, they should have learned that George Steinbrenner will pay any and everyone to win World Series. This year is no different. The Yankees have seven quality pitching starters, including two aces in Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina.

New York's starting pitching is deeper than a black hole and with Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Robin Ventura, and Jason Giambi, the offense isn't bad, either. The truth of the matter is that there is nothing seriously wrong with Rivera's shoulder. I know, I'm no doctor, but I'm a baseball fan and I've been living on Earth while the Yanks have won over the past six years.

The Yankees have not been mentioned in any trade rumors to acquire a closer. That in itself lets me know that Rivera is fine. Remember that Mr. Steinbrenner will pay whatever necessary to win titles. Unfortunately for this die-hard Braves fan and all baseball fans, the only thing that can stop the Yankees is a strike.

I'm not rooting for those "Damn Yankees," but at the same time, I'm not rooting for a strike. Unfortunately, that win by the Diamondbacks last season was a mirage and Mr. Steinbrenner will pay any and everything to prove that point!

Article courtesy of Sports Central.