No exciting storyline leading up to this years Rangers, Cardinals World Series
By SAM MAXWELL
Staff Writer
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 25, 2011
The World Series is upon us. Notice how I used a period, instead of an exclamation point. This year the World Series just doesn’t carry the same intrigue that it normally does.
Possibly, it could be because there are no storylines between the two teams. The two teams have not played since 2004, and there is no rivalry between the teams what so ever. Think about all the storylines there could be if the Yankees played the Phillies, for example. It would be a rematch of the 2009 World Series. It would pin the two biggest payrolls in baseball against each other. It would be Cliff Lee versus the team he decided not to sign with. It would be the evil empire versus the fighthin’ phils- it would be great.
Another great matchup would have been the Rays versus the Diamondbacks. Both teams would be true underdogs making it to the World Series. Neither of those teams were projected to even make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, and now they are at baseball’s pinnacle. Another storyline would have been the Rays having the second lowest payroll in baseball, making it to the World Series.
Instead, we have the Cardinals against the Rangers. The two teams have middle of the pack salaries, and are solid franchises. America is not rooting for either of them to win. However, America is not rooting against the teams either. There is no common enemy or hero.
Neither team has any large personalities to add drama. There are no Manny Ramirezs’, David Ortizs’, or even Nyjer Morgans’ in this series. Instead you have Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Chris Carpenter, and CJ Wilson who just know what they have to do to win, and go out and do it.
As strange as it may seem, the Rangers are the first team in the American League to reach the World Series in back-to-back seasons since the Yankees of the late 90’s (perhaps the greatest dynasty in baseball history). This could be the start of the next great baseball dynasty, and yet it is just not that exciting.
So, while the World Series always is exciting to watch, the time leading up to the Fall Classic is just not carrying the same intrigue and drama as it usually does. However, I’m sure once the games get underway, it will be as dramatic, and as fun to watch as ever.
