The Playoffs For A Real Sport Start Today...

[Long Run]

They seem to enjoy putting their fans through the wringer.

[wesw]

well I didn t watch. still lost. gotta cry now. bye

[Lord Jim]

Looks like there's a good chance there could be an "All Wildcard Series"...

In the 20 years since MLB went to 3 divisions per league and instituted the wildcard, that's only happened one other time...

The Giants were on the losing end of it to the Angels. It was in 2002, and the Angels won in a series that went the full seven...

[Big RR]

Some interesting wild card stats (from wickipedia so I can't vouch for accuracy):

The following teams have won the World Series as a wild-card team: Marlins (1997 and 2003), Angels (2002), Red Sox (2004), and Cardinals (2011), meaning that three consecutive titles were won by a wild card (2002–2004).

A wild-card team appeared in the World Series each year from 2002–2007.

The Angels beat the Giants in the 2002 World Series, the only time when both teams were wild cards.

The Baltimore Orioles, in 1996, were the first wild-card team to win a Division Series.

The Florida Marlins, in 1997, were the first wild-card team to reach the World Series, the first to win a World Series (1997), and, by winning in 2003, the first to win the World Series twice as a wild card. Also, the Marlins are the only team to win a World Series without winning a division title.

The Red Sox have been a wild-card team seven times, with the Yankees appearing four times, and the Rockies three times.

The following teams have qualified as a wild card in consecutive years: Red Sox (1998–1999, 2003–2005, 2008–2009), Astros (2004, 2005), Mets (1999, 2000), Cardinals (2011, 2012), and Pirates (2013, 2014).

[MajGenl.Meade]

...but did anything interesting happen yet?

[Lord Jim]

Gen'l you better get that alien registration card renewed before somebody reports you to ICE...

[MajGenl.Meade]

Can't. Cancelled by the government of my new country - the US of A. I have the passport...bwaaaahaaaahaaa. Internal Combustion Engine? Interesting Cricket Exhibition?

[Sue U]

Interesting Cricket Exhibition?

A phrase said by no one, ever.

[MajGenl.Meade]

"Well well Mr. Bond! Looks like you've run into my little trap!"

This was extremely interesting...

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/ ... atch-video

... as you can see by the millions sitting in rapt attention in the stands. Erm, standing in the seats. Erm, something.

[BoSoxGal]

Sincere condolences to Guin, but I'm happy to see the Royals go to the Series!

[Lord Jim]

The Giants could wrap up the NL Pennant today...

Looking at it from a Machiavellian stand point, if I could be sure that the Giants would prevail in the end, I'd prefer that the series be strung out a few more days so the Royals would have more downtime before The Series starts...

Recent history suggests that the teams who've had to wait for playoff competition fair more poorly then the ones that have to play practically every day before moving to the next level...

That's certainly been true in this year's round of playoffs, and I'm sure it played a role 2 years ago when the Tigers spanked the Yankees in four straight and then had sit around for a week waiting for The Series to start while the Giants were playing their hearts out every day in a seven game league championship round...

[BoSoxGal]

Fare, not fair.

[MajGenl.Meade]

That's the ticket!

[Lord Jim]

Speaking of "get a room"...

It occurs to me that if you two Grammar Nazis got a room, you could spend a fun-filled evening pouring over the hotel facilities booklet and room service menu looking for grammar, spelling, and usage mistakes...

A night to remember...

[MajGenl.Meade]

poring

[Lord Jim]

[BoSoxGal]

Meade!


LJ




As it happens, I do correct all the mistakes I see on the hotel's various publications left out for my enjoyment. Everyone should be encouraged to use the language properly, especially when it's for public consumption.

eta: I don't beat up on friends or family when they make grammar/usage/spelling errors in private texts or emails. I make some concessions!

[MajGenl.Meade]

[BoSoxGal]

Merriam Webster recognizes argh, aargh, and aaargh as all proper spellings.

[BoSoxGal]

Speaking of proper language usage:

While I was just visiting the Merriam Webster online dictionary, I decided to take their 10 question vocabulary quiz.

I take issue with my result, because MW utilized the primary meaning of the word 'sanction', whereas I answered utilizing the secondary and still proper meaning, but got that question 'wrong' according to them - however, clearly they are wrong!

However, I found the breakdown of the average scores by age very enlightening; it appears that we really are losing our language skills in this modern digital-content-driven age.

Your score: 2880

Average Scores
Teens: 1860
20-somethings: 2270
30-somethings: 2480
40-somethings: 2650
50-somethings: 2780
60-somethings: 2900
70 and above: 2790

eta: For those who'd like to test their own vocabulary knowledge: http://www.merriam-webster.com/quiz/index.htm

eta: I took it again - different words - and got 3460. I'm much happier with that score.