The BASEBALL Rap....

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds heads to first after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tom Martin in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Denver, Wednesday, Sept. 20. 2006. Bonds' legs have improved as the long seaon wears on, virtually ensuring his return to baseball in 2007, steroid witch hunts notwithstanding. George Mitchell's ill advised investigation is real only in his and Bud Selig's mind, apparently another mindless attempt at media publicity, and nothing more.

The truth of the classic Yogi-ism, “It ain’t over till its over” is recalled whenever it applies in those exceptional cases, but it’s been over for the Giants for some time now. The Cain dominance for more than one month, the improbable surge to overtake the Padres in the Wild Card race, Bonds’ revival with musings on the home run record next year in SF, all of this has been grist for the entertainment mill of the standard press and the casual but energetic fans who hold out hope against all odds. Truth be told, this team was going nowhere all season and only now has it become so evident that even the beat reporters are forced to renege on the hopeful headlines of merely a week ago.

One game under .500 at this late juncture of the season tells it all. This is a team not without hope for next year, as that is what it is all about – hope. Bonds will probably return, with few if any other teams interested in an aging superstar facing adversity, both on and off the field. Young pitchers abound with Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Correia, Noah Lowry (2006 woes notwithstanding) anchoring what will be one of the youngest pitching staffs in the major leagues. After that, it is difficult to predict what will happen to this team, other than on Oct. 3, the first day of the playoffs, the Giants will be sitting at home watching it all on ESPN, rather than from the visitors dugout in the opening round.

Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter watches the ball as he follows through on a three-run home run off Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Hansen during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Wednesday night, Sept. 20, 2006.(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) Torii Hunter, back from injury, is carrying the Twins, along with Mauer, Morneau and Santana to yet another playoff appearance, a small market success from which other teams should learn and stop complaining.

Clearly, Minnesota never believed it was “over”, as they have the best record in baseball since June 8. Poised tantalizingly close at a half game behind the division leading Detroit Tigers (14-28 in their last 42 games), the Twins have made a run at the lead

that is one for the storybooks, one of enduring legend in this game which is as fascinating to follow today as it is to read of heroic exploits of the past. Few teams have come back from such deficits to compete at this late stage of the season, with the 1951 Giants coming to mind.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra rounds the bases after hitting a walk off two run home run to defeat the San Diego Padres 11-10 in the 10th inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis) Garciaparra exults after his 18th home run of the season. Though his stature as one of the game's greats is diminished, he is still a class act and his signing by the Dodgers was an extremely astute move.

The White Sox cannot ever believe it is over now, as they scratch, claw and slug their way through the final days of the season. Only their pitching has betrayed them, their supposed strength as they feature a starting five that would be attractive, on paper, to most teams. As they look up at both the Twins and the Tigers, they have to understand that they never put together a

streak as each of these teams have over the season. Still in the mix at 6 games behind the Tigers (with 10 to play) and 5 behind the Twins, they have to believe in themselves as true champions will. They are the champions of all of baseball until dethroned, and that has not happened. Yet. But with the loss last night to Detroit, their pennant hopes are running on fumes.

Philadelphia Phillies' Brett Myers pitches against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy) Myers is 12-6, but is loaded with talent which he has yet to properly tap having never won more than 14 games in a season.

Clearly the Dodgers did not think it was “over” two nights ago in LA, hitting four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning, the final three on THREE pitches! To see Nomar Garciaparra celebrating his game winning, walk off home run one inning later is welcome redemption for a once heralded player, considered

the cornerstone of the Red Sox franchise and traded away in the midst of their most successful season in 88 years. Once regarded as the heir apparent to the Red Sox legacy of heroes (by Ted Williams, no less), Nomar has had a checkered career since leaving Boston but seems to have found his niche in tinseltown.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez catches a foul fly by Toronto Blue Jays starting designated hitter Adam Lind during first inning AL action in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 19, 2006. (AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn) A-Rod is under the gun, having been denounced by teammate, Jason Giambi. His value to any team is great and he must be the only 34 home run/116 rbi player who is being berated for non production. A good October will erase those memories for most.

But if the Phillies have anything to say about it, the Dodgers season will be over on Oct. 1. Currently tied for Wild Card spot, a team that was given up for dead, unloading valuable (and expensive) players at the deadline, only to pick up more during the waiver month of August, led by an unbelievably powerful, young first baseman who threatens Maris’s single season record (yes, 61 is still a “record”, a magic number, just as Babe Ruth’s

714 is, notwithstanding contrary statements by custodian of the game, Bud Selig) and a scrappy hit machine at 2b, Chase Utley. The 43 yr old Jamie Moyer has provided an improbable lift to an unremarkable Phillies pitching staff with Brett Myers ably performing in spite of earlier personal issues, and the Phillies remain in the ‘hunt’, and may yet pass the Dodgers if they relent and fail to ride the wave of emotion they created out of nowhere on Monday night.

Detroit Tigers Ivan Rodriguez watches his solo homer during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. The Tigers won 6-2. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey) Ivan Rodriguez is the stabilizing factor on the Detroit Tigers, the only member of the team who knows what the crunch time of post season baseball is all about. He homered, had a sacrifice bunt and carried his young pitcher through an important, late season game against the defending champions.

Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the sixth inning of their Major League Baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006 in Houston. Clemens, who made his final regular season scheduled home start Wednesday, left the game at the start of the seventh inning. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Clemens has allowed two runs or less in 14 of his 17 starts this season, carrying a 2.37 era, the best era for a 44 year old pitcher, ever. It is unclear where or if Clemens will play next year, but rumor has it the Red Sox will make a pitch to get him on board for what might be his last season. Astos fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the field, knowing they may never see him ptich again for a team that is sadly in need of hitting to support their pitchers.