Fall Changes

As the leaves change(well except in Miami of course), the crisp weather brings new sports stories. College Football, the NHL returning, the World Series, basketball training camp and the NFL in full swing.

The biggest of course is the World Series, the Fall Classic, the place where curses go to die or in some cases perpetuate. This year with the Red Sox gone the mantle of curse buster falls to the White Sox or as most people know them the other Sox team. That's right led by Ozzie Guillen, everyone's favorite Venezuelan, the Sox are on the verge of winning their first World Series since 1917, and putting to rest stories of curses and Black Sox. Their last World Series appeareance was in 1959 with the Go-Go Sox of Nellie Fox and Venezuelan Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio. Venezuealan's in the World Series? Catch the Fever!

While game one has passed it's still not too late for a prediction. On the verge of Game 2 I say the Sox win in 5. Andy Pettite has a history of Game 2 wins after a loss but Ozzie's Gang will be too much in the Series overall. It's a large source of pride as a Venezuelan knowing that we will have a Venezuelan manager lead a team to a World Series title. He's had help from great players and a little luck. Freddy Garcia another Venezuelan pitched a complete game gem in Game 4 of the Angels Series which allowed Cuban Jose Contreras to avenge his ALCS game 1 loss with another Sox complete game and launched them into the World Series.

Houston is equally deserving of a title and would surpass the Marlins comeback from 10 gamesunder .500 deficit in the regular season overcome to win a title. Marlins skipper Trader Jack McKeon turned them around and made them the best team in baseball.

That team like Houston (and the Sox for that matter) was led by strong pitching and defense, although Houston probably has the best offense in the Series they haven't faced pitcing like the Sox. Houston's team is the Series for the first time in its 44 year franchise history and they have a strong team that has come back from 15-30 but Phil Garner's team won't be strong enough to overcome the Sox. Vamos Medias Blancas! Vamos Venezuela!

I have more to say but in order to publish before game 2 I will leave my other thoughts including two returns and a retirement, Ricky Williams, the NHL and the retirement of Miami Heat killer nemesis, persona non grata, the New York Knick's Allan Houston, for another time.

Before I log off I just want to wish good luck and a prayer to all as Hurricane Wilma approaches. Here in Miami we've had our share of hurricanes, hurricane warnings, and other catastrophes. It's serious business and I'm hopeful nothing will happen. In the end it's usually more warning than destruction and I hope that trend continues here in Miami and elsewhere. When it does hit I pray people are protected. That's all for now and God Bless.