Chapter 49.9: Not Your Grandfather's World Series

As a bit of a baseball historian, I appreciate that this is not the first time the Tigers and Cardinals have met in the World Series. In 1968, the Year of the Pitcher, Mickey Lolich won three games -- the last to do so in three starts (Randy Johnson relieved in game 7 of 2001) -- and if he hadn't, Bob Gibson probably would have. That was the final year before divisional playoffs. It was a watershed year in baseball history. Some even mark it as the end of an era.

Of course, that doesn't mean squat right now, as Major League Baseball relishes its mega-millions of ticket sales amid paltry television interest in the actual Fall Classic. Many accuse baseball of selling its soul to corporate interests -- indeed, it seems much of America has done so: politicians, sports, arts & culture. But I think that once we get to game six of this series, we will start to recognize that history is now. Kenny Rogers' tarry palm will be a footnote, much like Roger Clemens' inability to throw a bat barrel as well as he pitches a split-fingered fastball. This Series, which I expected Detroit to run away with, will go the full seven. Though I'm an NL fan rooting for the Tigers, I believe the Cardinals will squeak past them in the final game.