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Pennant race 2000
I'm spending a lot of time following the American League wild-card race as we hit the final two weeks of August and then take the big September turn to the finish. It's pretty good, this wild-card race. Take away the leaders in the three divisions -- the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners - and you have a nice little dogfight for the remaining playoff spot. The surprising Oakland A's, with those big swinging Giambi brothers, are in first with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels and Toronto Blue Jays in pursuit. The tension in the next six weeks is only going to grow and grow. There are going to be big games everywhere, contenders against contenders, contenders against teams that are playing out the schedule. Every game is going to be important as the days grow colder. Eyes will focus on the scoreboard for out-of-town results. Nerves will be strung out on each ground ball. One contender will move along to the big October show. Three will go home with nothing. It all reminds me of something.... What is it? Oh, I know. This is like a pennant race. This is the way baseball used to be before there were playoffs and then another round of playoffs before the World Series. Check it out, kids, this is the baseball your dad used to follow...except back then the three other teams, the good teams, also were involved. Sports Illustrated senior writer Leigh Montville appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
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