The Baseball Playoffs... and the OjedaBergs

Last time on the Underdogs, while I was filling everybody in on my trip to the Rose Bowl and waxing on the sports notions of this town, Los Angeles, I was a little bit premature in my dismissal of the Dodgers and the Angels from the post-season.  The Angels are just out of the running recently, but the Dodgers, even though they are ten games worse than their down-the-interstate compadres, still have a slim chance at sneaking in to the playoffs, if they win out.  So there is still is some hope for more October baseball in LA, my mistake.  I had completely forgotten about the Major League's brand new playoff format.  I know what you’re thinking  “What?... Change in baseball?”  Yes.  History is happening  

It’s a whole new world for the Major Leagues. The Wild Card teams from each league actually have to earn their playoff spot now because of this new format.  Two non-division winners will get in this year and they will play a single game to… um… I guess, decide who the actual wild-card team is.  A one-game playoff in baseball!  Crazy.

The Rangers have been miraculous the last two years.

So they basically just added a play-in game, while the division winners get a night off.  I’m not sure if I love it or hate it.  Where would purists come down on this?  Ah, whatever.  I love it.  More drama!  And it seems to have worked for the Major Leagues as more games were relevant down the stretch.  So here we are in the thick of it, and the question at this point isn't, "who's getting in", but rather "who will have to play in that pesky one-game-win-or-go-home matchup."  Which we all know is an absolutely terrifying proposition for a baseball team.    

And as you would expect, the consequences of how these situations play out will undoubtedly affect many things.  Ticket sales, franchise worth, historical significance, player salary leverage, manager and front office clout, and of course, the all-important fan bragging rights.

But could we be adding to this list, an outstanding marriage as well?

A brilliant couple.  And two huge baseball fans.

Previously mentioned here at the Underdogs, have been the exploits of my friends Catia Ojeda and Alex Goldberg (affectionately known as the Ojedabergs) who are both huge baseball fans.  We have lived vicariously through Catia these past two years while her Rangers have made amazing runs to the World Series, last year losing in a devistating seventh game.  Alex has been pulling for them too during this time (naturally, because that’s what you do in a marriage… when your team is out of it, that is.)  But this year is shaping up much differently, because for the first time in fifteen years the Baltimore Orioles are going to be in the playoffs as well!

And as you might have guessed, Alex is a die-hard Orioles fan.  So for the first time ever, Alex and Catia’s relationship is going to be tested, in a rather unique way. 

It has been well documented that this wonderful couple's first (and by some accounts only) real fight was baseball related.  We all know the tale.  It was a magical night in Boston at baseball’s greatest park.  It’s the Red Sox against the Rangers; they have amazing seats just above the dugout, and Catia is obviously decked out in blue.  She is obstinate against the Red Sox faithful.  She’s serious.  Alex is a Ranger fan for the evening as well of course, but then late in the game something changes.  It’s the top of the seventh and the Boston pitcher has a perfect game going.

Figuring that this is only a regular-season game, one of 162, and that there have only been 23 perfect games in baseball’s immense history, Alex, perhaps swayed by the crowd or his deep love for baseball, starts to root for the perfect game.  You know, like a baseball purist would.  A fan of the game.  The notion of history right there to be witnessed.  She’d understand that right?  Well.  As it turns out… no. 

She considered it the deepest form of betrayal, and still does to this day.  It’s amazing that in the three years that I’ve known her, whenever this story comes up, she truly becomes angry once again.  That’s passion.  That’s a true, real fan.  No matter what happens, you don’t abandon your team.  So when a Ranger batter at Fenway that night, finally broke up the perfect game with a single up the middle, in an otherwise silent stadium, she bolted up out of her seat and yelled joyously “YESSSSS!”  She was defiant.  Uncompromising.  Elated.    

Baltimore has won 92 games, with an 9 run differential.
That is simply unbelievable.    

Simultaneously of course, Alex's priority was no longer their argument, but instead it immediately switched to the task of making sure they made it back to their hotel safely that night.  That's baseball baby! 

So anyway, here it is, 2012.  And if the Oakland A’s win their last two games, there could be a one-game playoff between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles.

Would the baseball gods do this?  Would they be willing to potentially sacrifice such a beautiful union of souls?

Of course, if this doesn’t happen, it is possible that their two teams could meet later in the AL playoffs in a seven game series, but if it came down to just one game.  For all the marbles.  That intense pressure.  That extraordinary die-hard fan adrenalin.  Do we have any idea what might happen? 

As always, we must just accept what is.  If it is meant to be it will be.  But if it happens... don’t think I won’t be a little nervous that night.   

Thanks for Reading,

Underdogs out.