Every GM in Major League Baseball tries to put together a roster of players that he thinks will win a World Series or at least make the playoffs and have a chance. For some teams its easier than others. Teams like the Yankees can cover up mistakes by signing big name players regardless of cost. Now obviously this doesnt always work...just ask the Angels who are on the outside looking in at the playoffs this season...or the Red Sox who just completed one of the worst seasons in their long history with a mess of a roster and a manager who was the center of controversy for most of the season.

Then you have a team like the Oakland A's...a team that has been fighting for a new stadium and was setting up their roster for a playoff run a few years from now. A small budget team that really had no hope of competing with the big boys this season. Oakland trailed Texas by 13 games on June 30th. Since then they are a major league best 57-26 and yesterday completed a three game sweep of the Rangers to win the AL West Division crown for the first time since 2006. I challenge you to name 2 of their starting pitchers...hell....name three of their everyday starting players...this is one of those teams that has caught lightning in a bottle and they believe. You are going to enjoy getting to know this team in the playoffs including their closer...former Brewer Grant Balfour who is really a piece of work. The A's will take on the high price Tigers in the ALDS...a contrast that will be played up as a battle of the have's and the have-nots...and the A's wouldnt have it any other way.

The Wild Card teams have played 162 games and now face a one game playoff to advance St. Louis is at Atlanta...and Baltimore travels to Texas.

The Brewers finish the season at 83-79. It's with mixed feelings that I say goodbye to the Crew until March. You expected them to be a playoff team at the beginning of the season...but then in August you expected nothing...but they came back and played extremely well down the stretch. The regular lineup is basically set for next season and they will have a bunch of young pitchers who auditioned well this season to choose from. Get the bullpen and the rotation figured out and they should be back in the hunt next season.

Kudos to Miguel Cabrera who takes home the Triple Crown...leading the American League in Batting avg, RBI's and Home Runs. Hasnt been done since 1967 when Yaz put together his magical season. 

Songs of the Day  (from my I-pod)

King Of The World-Steely Dan (1973) Another apocalyptic look at the future from messrs Fagen & Becker

Kings-Steely Dan (1972) Another great tune from the first album...love the guitar solo...Denny Dias and Skunk Baxter were great