First of all, congratulations to the Chicago White Sox for winning the AL Central Division.
As the Sox headed to Cleveland for a season-ending series rendered somewhat meaningless, I heard many talking heads ruminate that it would somehow be inappropriate for the Sox to rest starters and set their rotation during these games, that it would be an affront to the "integrity of the game."
Bullshit.
The White Sox, or any team in a similar position, don't owe any duty to Boston, New York or the game of baseball that would be violated by giving the regulars a couple of days off. Any particular team's duty is to do what it can within the rules to win the World Series, and if the Cleveland Indians face a lineup largely made up of reserves, so be it (editor's note: the Sox swept Cleveland anyway.)
Want to see an affront to the integrity of the game? How about Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, Rafael Palmeiro and any other walking science project? Affronts? Ladies and gentlemen, meet Bud Selig. This grinning idiot happily held the tethers of the afore-mentioned Macy's parade balloons while they turned the game into a home run circus. There are legions of other offenders, from self-important umpires with made-up strike zones to batters wearing body armor that charge the mound on inside pitches to George Steinbrenner's wallet to absurd over-expansion.
But getting a team ready to have its best chance in the playoffs? Hardly.
2 comments:
What about Texas sitting their regulars in a game that determined home field?
A closer call, Khyle, given that the Rangers had no dog in the proverbial fight but it strikes me that a manager's lineup decisions are just that, the manager's. For all we know, Texas may have wanted to evaluate prospects in a real game situation for next year's team, and that is certainly valid. Besides, marginal players fighting for a roster spot would probably play harder the last day than the regulars already in tee time mode.
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