I’m ashamed to live in a country that lets this happen.

I’m playing on my co-workers softball team tonight. In a tribute to the Astros, I’m going to NOT get the runner home from third with less than two outs.

Is it bad and/or sad that I know the name and face of more professional (and some amateur) poker players than I do political leaders? Does that mean I’m apathetic towards politics? Is it bad that I voted for Schwarzenegger for governor? Hey, just kidding about that one. Not sure where this line of thinking/questioning is going, so I’ll stop.

I know most people don’t care, or don’t care until the playoffs, but I’m excited that the NBA starts next Tuesday. I’ve got high hopes for the Cavs. Hopefully we can at least make the playoffs.

Everyone have a fun Halloween. I was supposed to hang out with a certain friend, but pumpkins and apples got in the way.

I think it’s safe to start accusing the mafia of being involved with the World Series. These types of conspiracy theories are usually left for college point shaving or NBA refs making bad calls or no-calls in playoff games. Some co-workers of mine and I are convinced that some type of Chicago mafia organization is fixing the World Series and has most of the umpires on the take. Here’s the circumstantial evidence:

• Black Sox vs Angels-Doug Eddings makes a bad call on an easy strike 3 call in the dirt and lets Pierzynski go to first. Next guy comes up and gets the game winning hit.
• In Sunday’s game, the ump said Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch, which he was not.
• And now the mafia has gotten to the commissioner, since he has ordered the Astros open their roof. This is a small advantage for the Astros, and needed at this point. Why does MLB show up now and say they have to open the roof when they let them close it for the first two playoff series? Lame.
• Black Sox, they have been involved in illegal/immoral stuff before, and they are doing it again.

Listen, I realize the Black Sox still have to come up with big hits to win, and I credit them with this. But these small advantages are giving them extra outs to make things happen. Am I being a sore loser? Sure. But I’ve gotta have a bit of fun with this since things are not going my way with the series. And, well, it’s not over yet. The Stros could win 4 straight, or 4 out of 5. Anyway, mostly in jest, but you have to admit, the mafia thing is not out of the realm of possibility?