'86

This being the 20th anniversary of the Mets '86 season, here's something I occasionally like to ponder: what would have happened if Bill Buckner had fielded Mookie Wilson's grounder in Game 6?

I have always held that, even if Buckner had come up with the ball, he would not have beaten Mookie to the bag. I couldn't see Buckner stopping his sideways movement and starting forward again, especially with his bad ankles. I also don't think Bob Stanley would have gotten to first in time to beat Mookie either, the way Mookie busted out of the box.

However, if Buckner has the ball, then Ray Knight has to stop at third. So, it would have been 1st and 3rd, still two outs, and Howard Johnson at the plate. I'm sure that Boston had no one up in the bullpen, so they would have had to stick with Stanley.

I can see Mookie stealing second. I know that it didn't matter if he was in scoring position, since Knight was the winning run. But the Sox were reeling... just one out away from a championshp and all of a sudden, single by Carter, single by Mitchell, RBI single by Knight, Mitchell scores on a passed ball/wild pitch. So, why not increase the pressure on the Sox? Maybe Rich Gedman makes a bad throw? Maybe Stanley balks or tosses another pitch that Gedman can't reach? There's certainly no worry about a double steal, but Mookie's presence on the bases is another reminder that they just needed one more strike.

What would HoJo have done? He was not yet known as a power hitter, and he did strike out a lot (although so did Mookie).

Supposing Mookie does steal. Do the Sox then walk HoJo to face Lee Mazzilli?

Or Stanley gets them out of the inning. I don't remember who the Sox would have had coming up, but they're definitely feeling "what happened?"

television

I'm beginning to firmly believe that the vast majority of ideas for current television shows originated in the pot-smoking circle from "That '70s Show". Just a few examples:

"Bridezillas". What is so interesting about watching brides-to-be bitch, moan, threaten, cajole, whine, and become complete assholes to family, friends, and the public? And then, when it's all over, they take PRIDE in having been a bridezilla. Is this how low television has gone when that kind of behavior is glorified?

"There and Back". Is there anyone out there who actually remembers O-Town? Better yet, is there anyone who cares about O-Town? I have to feel sorry for the guy, though... growing up with the name Ashley must have guaranteed a daily ass-kicking on the playground. Having been part of O-Town should be grounds for a daily ass-kicking.

"Wife Swap". If it wasn't TV, it would be illegal.

"American Idol". Anne Robinson could make Simon cry.

Baseball and the WBC

Daily we're reading that this player or that player is withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic. Reasons range from working through injuries to the need to learn a new position in training camp to "I'm not starting, so I'm not going".

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a certified non-Yankee fan. I'm the proud owner of an orange-and-blue Yankee Hater cap. My membership card in that honored group was punched during the first Billy Martin managerial era. Yet, when it comes to the WBC, I have to agree with George Steinbrenner. It's a waste of time that could result in drastic consequences for a team. I don't want to be on pins and needles worrying that Jose Reyes will pull a hamstring, or that Billy Wagner will blow his arm out.

Any real reason why this tournament couldn't be held after the season, where it'll give any injuries more time to heal. Or, any real reason why this tournament HAD to happen in the first place? I don't ever remember sitting around with my friends going, "I've always wondered if Cuba can really beat the Japanese in baseball." Or, "Could the Italian team beat the United States?"

And, look at the rosters for each team. Is this really each country's BEST?

I don't know if this is supposed to be an annual event, but I certainly hope not.