Still Keeping Score

So one of the coolest moments in my existence was also the most awkward. I met one of my childhood sports heroes.  And I met him in the underwear sales section of a department store. Wait. We’re going to need some context. And maybe a robe or something. First, the who. The best pitcher in the history of baseball is Jim Palmer.  He had 268 career wins, a lifetime ERA 0f 2.86, first ballot Hall-of-Famer with 92.6 percent of the vote, 6-time American League All-Star, four Gold Gloves, eight 20-game winning seasons,  THREE time CY Young Award winner (finished second in the voting twice and third once as well), and THREE times a World Champion with the Baltimore Orioles. The other who in this is me, of course. Born in Maryland wearing an Orioles T-Shirt.  It is a medical miracle to jump out of the womb wearing clothes.  Superman had that famous red blanket he turned into his cape.  My superpower was fandom.  A gift of Orioles fandom handed d...

As one of craziest nights of baseball wrapped up last night, ESPN baseball guru Tim Kurkjian said he essentially witnessed the "greatest regular season night in the history of the game."  A bold statement indeed, but it only took me a few moments to completely agree with him. I know, a blog is supposed to kick up some dust, throw a little controversy on an otherwise glorious occasion.  However, I am choosing to enjoy the afterglow. A lot of tight races down the stretch, and yet nothing like four teams staying alive for two wild card playoff spots on the last day, deadlocked in the standings.  Both the American and National Leagues had slated not one, but two extra games today if needed. As if that wasn't drama enough, most of the games lived well beyond expectation in the thriller department.  The relentless run of the St. Louis Cardinals provided the only timely result by putting away the Houston Astros 8-0 on the road.  The only person who believed the Card...