My 2015 MLB Playoff Predictions

The MLB playoffs are starting on October 6th. Here are my predictions:

1. The New York Yankees will be eliminated in the Wild Card game by the Houston Astros

The reason is because the 2015 Yankees do not play well as a team, which is the exact opposite of what the Yankees dynasty of the mid-90s to early 2000's were. The Astros, on the other hand, are a team who has a superstar shortstop who is under the legal drinking age of 21 in Carlos Correa, they have great pitchers like Dallas Keuchel, Scott Kazmir and did I mention their 5'5" 2nd baseman Jose Altuve, who reminds me of former Mariners 2nd baseman Joey Cora and that's not just because they are both tiny enough to be mistaken for a child!

2. The Los Angeles Dodgers will sweep the New York Mets in the Division Series

Not if Jerry Seinfeld gets his way...

3. The Chicago Cubs will go the World Series for the first time since 1945

A sure sign that the Nuclear Apocalypse isn't that far off ...

4. The Kansas City Royals will go to the World Series for the second year in a row

But will be swept in four games because...

5. The Chicago Cubs will win their 1st World Series since 1908

Then pigs will be able to fly, the Earth will spin off its axis and cats and dogs will mate.

History Lesson: The President & the Origins of Fantasy Baseball

In 1871, a 14 year old named Thomas Woodrow Wilson created a newspaper entitled "Professional Record". It consisted of box scores, game stats and play-by-play recaps. But there was just one problem: These games NEVER HAPPENED!!!! For example, one box score said that a no-hitter occurred on June 30th, 1871*. One problem: Major League Baseball wouldn't have it's first no-hitter until 1876! By the way, if you think I'm crazy about baseball wait until you read this: Young Woodrow Wilson's newspaper had SEVENTEEN more stat-filled pages about every team that existed at that point in history. This newspaper is now on display at the Library of Congress.

A box score out of Thomas Wilson's Professional Record Newspaper between the Haymakers of Troy & the Boston Red Stockings [who are now known as the Boston Red Sox]

Player Profile: Franklin "Death to Flying Things" Gutierrez

I dedicate this blog entry to my newborn niece Madeline Marie Winston, who was born on Wednesday, September 9th, 2015.

On December 10, 2008, the Seattle Mariners pulled off a surprising 3-team trade that sent star closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets & promising 3rd baseman Luis Valbuena to Cleveland in a trade for a then unknown outfielder named Franklin Gutierrez and first baseman Mike Carp. The Mariners fan-base was angry, as Putz had been a fan favorite and Valbuena was a good prospect with a bright future. Jack Zduriencik, who had been hired as the Mariners GM just two weeks before, said that the trade would not have gone through had Gutierrez not been a part of it. On June 5th, 2009, he made an incredible game saving catch against Minnesota, although the Mariners would lose that game 2-1 in extra innings. The late Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus gave Gutierrez the nickname "Death to Flying Things" from then on. (For those of you who don't know, "Death to Flying Things" was a nickname for 1890's outfielder Bob Ferguson, who was an incredible defensive outfielder and had the reputation of having the strongest and most accurate arm of his time). Here is an example of what Franklin Gutierrez can do when healthy...

https://youtu.be/7kBkn5SPsB8?t=5316

See what I mean? He battled injuries and illness from 2011-2014 and now, in 2015, he's back and better than ever, as shown in this video...

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/9781914/v298987283