Hardball Heaven

Ah, the memorable words of one Admiral James Stockdale, the VP candidate on the ill-fated Ross Perot ticket back in 1992. Right up there with Lloyd Bentsen's "You're no Jack Kennedy, Senator" line to Dan Quayle in 1988. There were no memorable lines from last night's VP debate between MILF/GILF Sarah Palin and Joe Biden on a par with these, unless you count Sarah's "shout out" to her homegirls in Wasilla, Alaska, and her use of the phrases "Joe Six-Pack" and, again, "hockey moms." Even the most diehard Republicans have to be worried about their second fiddle in this election. I must admit, though, I do find her tantalizingly attractive, in a Tina Fey kind of way.

Okay, enough politics - I just wanted an opportunity to post a picture of Sarah. We've got more important stuff to tackle today than nukes, Iraq, and oil.

Of course, the big headline is Sox-Angels Game 2 tonight in Anaheim. The Sox have to be very confident going in with a one-game lead and Dice-K on the hill. The news on Josh Beckett is positive - he made it through a bullpen session nicely and is on track to start Game 3. The news on Mikey Lowell, however, isn't so good. Lowell was limping noticeably a couple of times Wednesday night, and it may be that Terry Francona gives him the night off tonight and brings him back in to face lefty Joe Saunders Sunday night at Fenway for Game 3. I hate that Lowell's not 100% for this, because he means so much - both in the field and in the batter's box.

As for the other series, it looks like the Dodgers and Phillies are heading for an NLCS clash, as both teams have jumped out to 2-zip leads on the Cubs and Brewers, respectively. It is downright depressing to watch the Cubs and their faithful cough it up after the year they had - almost reminds me of the dark days of pre-2004 when you just knew the Sox would be on the short end of big games. I can't even wrap my brain around the potential for a Dodgers-Red Sox World Series, with Derek Lowe starting game 1 and Manny Ramirez hitting third. That would be beyond surreal, and it would give us all a chance to get an answer on a question I'm curious about - what's the Fenway reaction to Manny the first time he's back in a visitors' uniform. Hard to cheer, hard to boo, in my opinion, so how about silence?

Anyway, happy Friday, enjoy the games, and let's hope Sarah remains in the public eye long after November 4th.