THINKING OUT LOUD ABOUT A LOT OF STUFF by ST

I know people always harken back to the tainted home run race of 1998 when Juicer Sosa & Juicer McGwire supposedly saved baseball. To be honest, as a baseball nut I certainly paid attention, but prefer actually baseball to home run derby. It's why this season has been so spectacular and the playoffs in particular. In game 1 of the World Series the Phillies Cliff Lee devoured this high octane New York offense to grab home field edge. Last night it was AJ Burnett's performance that dazzled to square the deal heading to the City of Brotherly Hate. I've said all October that I'm amazed at some of the blatant errors by umpires, managers and players. In Game 2 with 2 on and nobody out in the top of the 8th, Philly skipper Charlie Manuel did not send the runners on a 3-2 count. This despite the fact a control pitcher like Mariano Rivera was on the hill facing a great contact hitter in Chase Utley. Utley hit a hard grounder right at NY second sacker Robinson Cano who turned a sweet DP with Jeter at short. Turns out Utley actually beat the throw to first, but got punched out anyway. Costly strategic error on the manager that killed an inning in a close game. Tomorrow we get the crafty lefties, Cole Hamels who was so brilliant in leading the Phils to last year's title and Andy Pettite. Advantage? I don't see it. Been calling this series dead even from the go and don't see a reason to change.
Interesting piece in the new Sports Illustrated by Austin Murphy about the Oregon Football turnaround. Finally someone has noticed something positive and sort of moved past the Boise State debacle. As for the game, I think it comes down to USC's defense trying to stall the Ducks on the hurry up attack. In the past two weeks that vaunted Trojan "D" has looked vulnerable. It's to be expected, they lost most of their Best in America defense from 2008 to the NFL. You know they're loaded with talent and depth, but it's a work in progress. Notre Dame moved pretty well, particularly in the 2nd half with the game in the balance. Last week Oregon State kind of tore them a new one. Get this! From the time the Beavs took posession with just over 2 minutes left in the first half....they had 5 sustained drives and nearly 300 yards in just over a half of action. Very un-USC like. Unheard of in recent years. I think their true freshman Matt Barkley is developing nicely at quarterback but he's also been prone in those past 2 games to a bad mistake in the 4th quarter. It looks like an even game, but if Oregon treasures the ball and doesn't get burned by a big return via punt or kicks, I truly think they have the edge. Here's hoping the weather holds up because Jeremiah Masoli has not been really good in the rain, think 4 of 16 in the elements against Utah. Should be a heck of a college football game with a lot on the line.