Card of the Moment #87: So Begins Another World Series Edition
October 24th, 2012 by slangon

Today’s Card of the Moment is brought to us by the number 0, as in how much interest I have in the World Series this year.

1958 Topps #289 Series Hurling Rivals, Lou Burdette & Bobby Shantz

Actually, I take that back. Maybe today’s Card of the Moment should be brought to us by the number 3 on a scale of 100, because it’s probably not 100% accurate to say that I have zero interest in the World Series this year. Since the postseason has started, though, I’ve really had very little interest, which is a little out of the ordinary for me. Normally, I really enjoy the playoffs, regardless of whether or not the Mets made it in or not.

I’m not sure what the deal is with the sudden lack of interest this year. Maybe it’s just as simple as being busy with the job and the kids and the house and life in general. Maybe it’s just so many disappointing Mets seasons in a row finally taking their toll. Maybe it’s because I’ve taken a shine to that foosball game and the Giants are actually doing pretty well. Maybe it’s a combination of all of it.

I think it more has to do with the way the postseason has shaken out so far. Usually every year (since the Mets are never in the playoffs, curse them) I’ll pick one or two teams that I like for whatever reasons and glom onto them for the remainder. Although I like to watch the playoffs and the Series just because I like baseball, I always find it a bit more fun to watch when you’re rooting for someone. This year started off really promising. Before they started the Wild Card playoffs, there was a ton of teams that I had interest in. I’d rooted for the Rangers the last few years so I’ve kind of grown a little attached to them. I liked both the Orioles and the A’s because they weren’t really expected to be there and I always enjoy a good underdog story. I liked the Nationals because it was kind of cool to see a team go from being so crappy for so long to being really good. Plus I always have a soft spot for Davey Johnson.

You don’t need me to tell you how many of those teams are still standing.

I think another thing that’s happened in the playoffs that’s really thrown a bucket of cold water on my interest is how the games began to play out as the postseason progressed. It seems like earlier in the postseason, there were a lot of 2-0, 1-2, 4-3 scores. Even though I didn’t necessarily like whoever was playing, at least the games were interesting. There was always a chance of the lead reversing. It was exciting to watch. Then all of the sudden, it seemed like the Yankees just gave up and sent all of their bats to the Giants. Now it seemed like every score was 7-1, 5-0, 8-1, 8-3. I’ve watched enough blow outs during the regular season with the Mets, I don’t need to be watching more of them in the playoffs. To me nothing is more boring than watching a 9-2 game in the late innings. Hell, even when the Mets are winning by a blow out late in the game, I immediately start wandering around the channels. Obviously, I realize that it’s not the Tigers job or the Giants job to keep the score close just because I don’t enjoy watching blow outs, but to me it’s just not fun baseball. Who knows, maybe once they face each other, there’ll be a little more parity and the games will be closer affairs. We can only hope.

I guess the one thing that gives me hope for the World Series is that I do actually kind of half-assed like the Tigers and I really do hate the Giants. Maybe the fact that I legitimately like one team better than the other will spark some kind of interest in the Series. Of course I’m sure that tiny spark of interest will be snuffed out within the first 15 minutes of the broadcast considering all of the games will be on FOX.

(By the way, in the midst of all this rambling, I just want to point out that I really love this Lou Burdette / Bobby Shantz card. I had long coveted it because I thought it was so funny. Whoever the anonymous Topps emplyee was who decided to put the 6’2″ Burdette next to the 5’6″ Shantz on a card and call them “Rivals” was pretty brilliant. Luckily for me, I was able to track down a copy for a cool 50¢.)

(Also by the way, how come they don’t put up American flag bunting all over the stadium during the World Series any more? Sadly, I’m 99.9% sure the answer is because they don’t want to cover up any advertising. Sigh.)

One Response to “Card of the Moment #87: So Begins Another World Series Edition”

  1. Met Mr. Burdette briefly at a card show; shaking that pitching hand felt like grappling with farm equipment. And speaking of pitching, vintage collectors know 1959 Topps #440 for his successful lark of pretending to be left-handed.

    1959 Topps #440, Lou Burdette

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