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.