PAINFUL RELIEF

Friggin' Arizona Diamondbacks...were they bribed by Georgie Peorgie at the closing moments of Games 4 and 5?

On three days rest, Curt Schilling had pitched a masterful Game 4, only to be relieved by the D'Backs answer to Dan Quisenberry (look him up, if you're not a baseball fan). The move by manager Bob Brenly seemed brilliant in the eighth inning, as the D'Backs closer struck out the side. With two outs and a two-run lead in the ninth, the D-Backs were on their way to a 3-Games-to-1 World Series lead against the hated Yankees. Of course, Tino Martinez blasted one over the fence, squaring the contest and sending it into extra innings. Bottom of the 10th, Derek Jeter carried a ball into the crowd in right (also off the same D'Backs hurler). Game over. Series tied 2-2.

Last night (11/01/01), a similar situation -- D'Backs starter pitched wonderfully, their reliever came in, bottom of the 9th, two runs ahead, two outs...BOOM!!! Scott Brosius sent a monster over the wall in left. Tie game. In the 12th, the Yanks won on an errant throw to home plate. Bronx Bombers lead the Series 3-2.

This word gets thrown around a lot and I don't necessarily believe it, but can you say CONSPIRACY? Why are teams afraid to go all-out against the Yanks? Because of Babe Ruth? Because of Lou Gehrig? Because of Thurman Munson? Because of Mayor Rudy? If it had been me in Bob Brenly's dugout, I would've sent Randy Johnson to the mound right after Schilling in Game 4. The D'Backs could've had a 3-1 Series lead, which in turn would've boosted confidence for the next day. Not to mention healthy arms for Games 5 and 6, if necessary. But no, Brenly acted as if the D'Backs were matched up with the goddamned Montreal (soon to be Washington D.C.?) Expos in April. As one writer pointed out on TV, hating the Yankees is as much of an American tradition as loving them. What's there to feel sorry for? They've won 26 World Series titles (soon to be 27?), got the GNP of Madagascar, and sport the most widely known ball cap ever. Why shed tears over someone who's slept with Mariah Carey? Why empathize with a Benedict Arnold strikeout-artist? If the D'Backs wanna taste a little success, they've gotta play their two trump cards on the blackjack table.

Next up: Johnson in Game 6, Schilling in Game 7. Will Brenly hit "21" with his starters, or will he fold with the bullpen? Place your bets.