You may think I’m losing my mind by trying to make a connection between two of my favorites: politics and baseball. But, take this for what it’s worth. The same stats guy who shocked the sports world when he predicted that the AL’s worst baseball team, the Tampa Rays, would improve by at least 22 games this season is the same guy who is predicting an Obama victory. (Not a baseball fan? The Rays shocked baseball and are now in the second round of the baseball playoffs. Not bad for a worst-to-first story.) He’s making this up. He created this crazy-complicated statistical model that runs tons of scenarios. Based on those models, there’s a 90% chance that Obama will prevail on Election Day.

If you don’t believe me, check it out at www.fivethirtyeight.com. If you’re not reading this, you don’t know what you’re missing. For sure, add it to your daily reading list. It’s fascinating stuff.

The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins played Major League Baseball’s version of a “play-in” game tonight. There is nothing like October baseball — even if my beloved Yankees aren’t in the hunt for the championship. But, the rule that resulted in the end of the Twins’ season is ridiculous.

After 162 games, the two teams were tied for the AL Central Division lead. So, they had a playoff. You would think the team that won the head-to-head regular season series would get homefield advantage. That would have been Minnesota. Instead, baseball rules leave this critical point to a coin flip. Yes, that’s right. A coin flip. And Chicago had luck on their side.

So, this crucial game was played in Chicago with tens of thousands of White Sox fans pulling for their home team. And, the White Sox pulled out a squeaker — winning 1-0, on the shoulders of magnificent pitching and a homerun by Jim Thome. That just seems unfair.

On the positive side, we now know all eight slots for the baseball playoffs. Not surprisingly, there are lots of interesting storylines — Griffey’s last chance at a championship, the Cubs and that curse, the worst-to-first Rays, plus Torre and the Manny’s Dodgers.

I’ll miss watching my favorite team in pinstripes take the field — and I feel bad for Twins fans — but it’s time for October. As the commercial says, there’s only one October.

Clearly, the sports media — specifically those voting in the AP college football poll — have lost all sense of what is right and wrong. They’re so blinded by their love and obsession with SEC that they’ve lost the ability to rank teams according to their actual play on the field.

That’s the only explanation for Georgia (11)and USC (9) being ranked  so far ahead of Ohio State (14). Ohio State’s one loss came against USC — at USC. And the Buckeyes’ best player was sidelined. Georgia lost to Alabama. Georgia was at home — in their “blackout.” They were blown out!! At home, USC lost to Oregon State — who just got killed by Penn State. I understand if voters want to keep USC ahead of Ohio State because of head-to-head competition.But, there is no way they should be ranked five places  ahead of Ohio State.

I happen to live in SEC territory — and work with a Georgia graduate, a Tennessee fan and a whole bunch of Gator Nation. It’s nauseating. And, now the media is drinking the same Kool Aid. Uggh.

I am sitting at my kitchen table, watching the festivities at Yankee Stadium and it’s hard to believe that my favorite baseball team is switching homes. The “House that Ruth Built” will provide that home-field advantage tonight for the last time.

Whether you love or hate the Yankees, there’s no denying the stadium’s place in sports lore. For me, spending large chucks of my childhood in New Jersey, I remember going to lots of games. I don’t really recall the details of many of them — I think I was in awe of the experience as a whole. But, there is nothing more amazing that walking in the stadium and looking at the white fence. There’s just something about that fence … it’s hard to even put into words.

I remember being a little kid and sitting just a few rows away from first base. (My uncle had the hook-up and got us really incredible seats.) I will also always remember sitting as far away as possible from the field — in the nose bleed section — to witness a Yankee/Red Sox game. My best friend and I surprised our boyfriends with tickets for Valentine’s Day. (Thank goodness our significant others can appreciate the greatest rivalry in professional sports!) Plus, there are countless memories on television. Homeruns. Perfect games. No hitters. Mr. November. Randy Velarde. Heartbreaking losses. I could go on and on. Who wasn’t glued to the television in the days after September 11, 2001 when the Yankees took the field for the first time — symbolizing the strength and resiliency of a city and a country?

I’m sure the new Yankee Stadium will be great. But, it will be difficult to top this kind of history and mystic. But, I can’t wait to go to my first game! Maybe next year, we’ll have to make a trip up north …

Now that Tropical Storm Fay is moving on it’s time to go back to watching the Olympics. The second week is never as compelling as the first — I assume that’s why they’re dragging out the gymnastics event finals. Even so this has been the best Olympics that I can remember. Some observations:

• We knew there were serious problems in China, and try as they might, the Chinese weren’t able to hide their control-freak-like behavior behind a glitzy opening ceremony and remarkable competition. What is wrong with the Chinese leaders? First, they issue fake passports and “correct” old media reports to sneak underage girls into the competition. Then, they tell a remarkable singer that she’s not cute enough for television. What lessons are these girls learning about sportsmanship, self-esteem, fairness, compassion and honesty? I guess this glimpse into the Chinese way of life should shed light on why the country is the way is is.
• How great is Nastia? I think that’s my new favorite name. All the hype about Shawn Johnson, and Nastia’s the one who really put on a show.
• There aren’t words to describe Michael Phelps. Somehow, I’m going to work in “Phelpsian feat” into my vernacular. And, maybe I’ll even be inspired to take advantage of the pool at the gym. Are those thing clean??
• Commentators should get off their high horses and leave Bolt alone. Who cares that he was so excited as he officially became the fastest man in the world that he got a little expressive with his excitement? In a world of overguarded athletes afraid to say or do anything, we should appreciate Bolt’s pure joy.
• Love the Visa gold commercials.
• The woman who won the marathon was beyond impressive.
• The American athletes seem more humble this year. It’s a refreshing break from stories we normally hear on SportsCenter about ego-centric athletes. Heck, even Kobe and LeBron are into the swimming. It’s nice to hear Kobe say that it’s cool to be excited about wearing the red, white and blue. Go “Redeem” Team!
• It’s kind of weird that McCain is using the Olympics to attack Obama. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to air a  positive piece — taking advantage of the captivated audience to shape his own image? Seemed odd to me, but most of what McCain does seems a little off to me.

Woo-hoo! Time for diving … gotta love the Olympics.