Just about exactly two years ago, both the Giants and the A's were in the playoffs. On my way to work, I noticed that one of the big office buildings in downtown SF, one off Sansome Street, had suddenly unfurled two huge Giants and A's banners that flew on the roof of the building. As the wind blew down the streets and the flags flapped in the breeze, everyone downtown could, at some point, see them flapping away. As a card-carrying member of the Church of Baseball, there was almost no better place to be on the face of the earth at that time. The two local teams were in, the area was pumped, and my beloved Giants were not only in the playoffs, but had the best record in the National League.

Two years later, it's déjà vu all over again. Go Giants!

PS- I have a feeling Barry's gonna do some major ghostbusting and get rid of demon's past. Of course, he could bat .750 and have a hand in almost every run the Giants score but if the Giants lose, he'll still get the blame. Which, is, I guess how it's gonna be if you're someone like him. Tricky thing about baseball-come playoff time, it's not the big-time non-pitchers who make a difference, it's the 7 & 8 hitters & it's the bench-guys who step up and win it. It's Mark Lemke and Scott Brosius and Craig Counsell and Tony Womack who win the games. If the Giants will, it'll be guys like J.T. and Reggie Sanders and Bell who get them there, not Barry and Jeff Kent. There's just too many other people who a team depends on to win to hang it one or two guys.

And if I get a job this week, I am sooo buying scalper tix and going to the games.