I'm on record in many different mediums proclaiming that the Colorado Rockies will never, ever lose again, and I'm going to stand by that. But if the Red Sox win the World Series in six games I won't be too surprised by that, either.
Be that as it is, I figured I'd send out an annoying mass e-mail to solicit predictions from some of the top baseball writers in the business.
Here's the e-mail:
Dear Sirs: I'm soliciting predictions for the World Series. If you want to send me which team will win and in how many games for publication on my little dog-and-pony show, I would be most appreciative. For your trouble you will get a link on a web site that was rated by Word Press as the sixth up-and-coming site on its platform.
Yeah, pretty cool, huh.
If you want to add some trenchant and interesting analysis, I'll accept that, too. But just remember the audience I have cultivated -- we like our BS full of bluster.
Thank you in advance.
truly, jrf
So what did these "experts" predict? Take a look:
John Finger - Comcast SportsNet/Raconteur Rockies in 4 pithy analysis: Using logic and baseball acumen, it's tough not to believe the Red Sox will win the World Series. After all, the Red Sox are Goliath having smote (smited?) that mantle from the Yankees. So yes, logic dictates that the Red Sox should win. But someone explain the logic behind the Rockies’ streak in which they have lost just one game since Sept. 15? Or the logic in making a team wait eight days in the middle of a playoff run? Go ahead, someone find the logic there… you can’t can you? Yeah, well, while you work with your logic and conventional thought, I’m going out on the ledge…
Mike Radano - Camden Courier Post Red Sox in 6 pithy analysis: Colorado can't beat Beckett and he could start three times in the series.
Ken Mandel - Phillies.com Red Sox in 6 pithy analysis: What?
Jayson Stark - ESPN.com Rockies in 6 pithy analysis: I explain it all in my column tomorrow.
Scott Lauber - Wilmington News Journal Rockies in 6 pithy analysis: Will the layoff affect the Rockies? Sure. They may actually lose a game. But Destiny's Children won't be slowed by a layoff, Josh Beckett, Manny or Papi. The Sox can roll out the Dropkick Murphys, Kevin Millar and any other good-luck charms. It's just the Rockies' year.
Marcus Hayes - Philadelphia Daily News Rockies in 6 pithy analysis: Surely the Red Sox, with Inquirer-dubbed genius Terry Francona at their helm and Bloody Curt on the mound, will have no problem with a young, energized, under-the-radar team coming off 9 days of rest and playing an aging Red Sox club that faced elimination three times in its last three games.
Rich Hofmann - Philadelphia Daily News Rockies in 5 pithy analysis: McNabb throws for two touchdowns and, oh, wait...
Todd Zolecki - Philadelphia Inquirer Red Sox in 5 pithy analysis: Why? Because I think the layoff for the Rockies will cool them down, much like last season with the Tigers. And I just think the Red Sox are a better team.
Jim Salisbury - Philadelphia Inquirer Red Sox in 6 pithy analysis: Eight-day wait cools off Rox...
Ellen Finger - wife/teacher Rockies in 7 pithy analysis: Why do I always have to explain everything to you?
Mike Wann - neighborhood gadfly/sports illiterate Al Qaeda pithy analysis: Apparently no one can stop those bitches.
Matt Yallof - SportsNet New York Rockies in 6 pithy analysis: Colorado's lineup is deep and balanced and Josh Beckett can't pitch every night. After losing one game in the last month, I cant imagine they'll lose 4 in week and a half.
Marcus Grimm - future Boston qualifier Red Sox in 5 pithy analysis: What the Rockies did was impressive, but 8 days will have cooled them off, and Boston's just a better team.
Stephen Miller - Allentown Morning Call Rockies in 7 pithy analysis: Logic tells me to pick the Red Sox. Of course, logic also helped me pick the entire NL playoff field incorrectly before the season. I'm done with logic.
Andy Schwartz - Comcast SportsNet football maven Rockies in 7 pithy analysis: Boulder is so much cooler than Boston.
Dennis Deitch - Delaware County Daily Times Rockies in 5