"The Hunt in October"

I don't know how many hardcore baseball fans are out there, but I absolutely love the month of October!! Hockey season is beginning, basketball's around the corner, and best of all baseball playoff season is upon us!! 162 games is a long season only to determine who gets a shot at the grand prize, "The World Series" ring. I love the excitement hanging on every pitch and the fact that baseball is a thinking mans game as one of my little league coaches once told me. Some people may think baseball is boring and slower pace than other professional sports such as basketball and football; but you can't ignore the fact that there's always something to think about during a game. Since I would love to become a coach someday and the sport I did play was baseball, then I enjoy getting inside of the mind of a big-league manager and seeing how he makes his strategic moves during the coarse of the contest. I've really become a big Colorado Rockies fan since their amazing playoff run two years ago when they won a one-game playoff vs. SanDiego against the alltime saves leader Trevor Hoffman with a 2-run triple by Matt Holliday in extra innings!! They swept their way into the WorldSeries before being swept by the great RedSox. I bring up the Rockin' Rockies because they always seem to come up with a late inning homer by some young kid who the average fan has never heard of. Jim Tracy took over as manager midseason when Clint Hurdle was canned, who was the one that took them ohh so close 2 yrs. previous. Tracy says that he manages the game from the 6th inn. forward. Thats when he makes the crucial moves that he's paid to make. Those are the moments that decide if you're one of the greats or just an average joe. We all know that you must have 3 quality ace-type pitchers to win in the postseason in baseball, along with a good bullpen including a shutdown closer for 1-2 innings. The rest is debatable cause with a little timely hitting a team doesn't need 9 MarkMcgwire's or A-Rod's to win a championship, just nine guys who are committed to the big picture and will give their all with a "will to win" on the inside. Every team needs a David Eckstein, Robby Alomar, or Dave Roberts. Well if this posteason is anything like last nights Tigers/Twins matchup, then we are in for a treat. The SuperBowl is great, but to me there's nothing quite like the road to the WorldSeries, probably cause it's the game I grew up loving most. America's Pasttime is how I would like it to be remembered. The intensity, exhilaration, and pure love for the game from players, coaches, announcers, and fans everywhere is what makes it truly one of a kind. I'd love to hear your feedback and comments and hope everyone from average fan to "Baseball Nut" will enjoy what will be an amazing baseball October!!!