On The Sly

For a baseball fan there is nothing greater than the fun and pageantry of the World Series. Last night's Game One in Detroit was interesting on several levels. First, it was great to see Michigan's musical hero, rock and roll Hall of Famer Bob Segar, at the game and singing "America." For all his career Segar avoided television and now, late in his career, with a new CD on the market, he's been on Leno, Letterman, and even Game One of the World Series. I hope he hasn't stooped to The View or Martha Stewart Show, though.

"America" is a fitting song since baseball is America's game with players of all shapes and sizes taking to the field. But did you notice those lineups? Nearly half the starters were born outside of the United States! The Cardinals have Albert Pujols and Juan Encarnacion from the Dominican Republic, Yadier Molina from Puerto Rico and So Taguchi from Japan. The Tigers have Placido Polanco and Ramon Santiago from the Dominican Republic, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen from Venezuela and Ivan Rodriquez from Puerto Rico.

As I watched the game I couldn't help but feel good that players such as Verlander, Granderson, Monroe, Inge and Thames were getting national exposure while the Fat Cats like Sheffield, Giambi and Bonds were sitting in their living rooms, just like me, watching the game. We also get a chance to watch the future Hall of Famer, Ivan Rodriguez, play in a World Series one more time.

Both teams have guys who are hungry to win and there will be some exciting plays and exciting games. Even though I'm a National League fan I really don't care who wins this year's World Series. After all, the Tigers are the team that won my heart by overwhelming the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

One last thought: the Foxy Gagnon Bad Hair Day Award goes to -- a tie -- the Tigers' Magglio Ordonez and the Cardinals' Ronnie Belliard, who looks like a reincarnation of Oscar Gamble.