Alright, this is how I decide who I cheer for in the baseball playoffs…when one of my teams are not involved. First, I always go for the Midwest teams. That mean’s St. Louis, Kansas City (just go with me on this one) Minnesota, Milwaukee, both Chicago teams, maybe Detroit. I then automatically eliminate the Mets or Yankees…certainly the Yankees. Then, no California teams whatsoever. There are freaks that live on the West Coast, I’m not giving into them. I’m partial for the Midwest. Yes, it’s crazy, but fan is short for fanatical. So, what do I do when there are three CA. teams, the Yankees, and no Midwest clubs? Cheer for the Phillies.

You should too.  There is a local tie to the Phillies. Ryan Howard. A native of the St. Louis area and former Missouri State Bear. Howard’s got both sides of the state covered and so I’m asking you to join me in becoming a Phillie Phanatic for the rest of the baseball season.

How can you not be impressed with Howard’s numbers? Through eight playoff games, Howard is 11 of 29 and has 14 RBIs. He and the rest of the Phillies have pushed the Dodgers to the brink of elimination for the second year in a row.  Whoever you are cheering for, there is nothing better than playoff baseball. The agonizing and gut wrenching that goes with watching each pitch, every ball, every strike. It’s great.  If you’re a fan of baseball, you have to appreciate what you have seen so far.

Now if we could just get the games to start a little earlier.