What Am I Talking About?

Author: Daniel Prepas Sports Editor

"Now I'm not a bettin' man, but thanks to this season, I never will be." If you remember that these were the words from my assistant editor's column last week, I must apologize. It must have been somewhat nostalgic though, like back in the days of 3rd grade newspapers. Am I being unfair? Of Course. But I had to say something Let's explore a little more. "If the favorite always loses, doesn't it become an underdog?" Ah, now those are sharp and insightful comments. Now, I know I'm coming off harshly. After all, my stuff isn't exactly Pulitzer Prize material, and Dave does write well. Nonetheless, I have the privilege of giving him a hard time because that's the beauty of my job. Before the three of you reading this get offended, I'll stop and begin addressing a more useless subject in the world of sports.

The World Series. The NBA Championship. Two pinnacles of professional sports that players long for their entire careers. They would trade it all for a chance to win the big one. After all, it's never about the money. Earning $150 million doesn't inspire athletes. It's just there to keep them warm at night. Anyway, let me get right to the point. As great players such as Charles Barkley found out, winning a championship would've been fantastic. That was the only regret in two brilliant careers.

That's why you gotta love, or hate, the Craig Counsells, John Salleys and Steve Kerrs of the world. These guys sure have it figured out. Just get traded to the best team and sit on the bench ninety percent of the time. Remember the year Kerr got traded from the Bulls to the Spurs? San Antonio won the NBA Championship. And no, it was not because of him.

Before you try to explain that Steve Kerr was vital to the Bulls' chanpionships and say I'm ludicrous to insult NLCS MVP Craig Counsell, let me already tell you that you are more wrong than a lowly sports editor chastizing an unpaid and loyal editor to fill space in a column. Counsell is the most unworthy MVP of anything. One day someone will have to explain to me how he won it over Randy Johnson and his masterful 17 innings and two victories in the NLCS. I'll admit that he hit a clutch home run in that series and off Mike Mussina in Game One of the World Series. A few clutch hits does not make a career or lasting glory. Just ask Jim Leyritz and how much he enjoys playin' ball in the armpit of New Jersey.

At this point in writing my column I learned of the Yankees 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. I predict Schilling and Johnson will pitch complete game shutouts and the Yankees dynasty will come to a glorious end. I guarentee if I'm wrong about that prediction (which I'm not), I'll give my away my beloved Peter Gammons bobble head doll to the first Red Sox fan who wants it. Damn I need better material.