Okay, so I missed visiting all the stadiums this year. I decided to do Spring Training instead. While I’ve decided that Spring Training is now going to become a yearly tradition, I want to hit up some ballparks next season. Anyone got any suggestions?

Here is a list of ballparks and I’ve bolded the once I’ve been to already.

• Oriole Park at Camden Yards–Baltimore

• Fenway Park–Boston

• U.S. Cellular Field–Chicago White Sox

• Jacobs Field (now Progressive Park)–Cleveland

• Comerica Park–Detroit

• Kauffman Stadium–Kansas City

• Angel Stadium of Anaheim

• Metrodome–Minneapolis

• Yankee Stadium–New York

• McAfee Coliseum–Oakland

• Safeco Field–Seattle

• Tropicana Field–Tampa Bay

• Rangers Ballpark in Arlington–Texas Rangers

• Rogers Centre–Toronto

National League Stadiums:

• Chase Field–Arizona (been here, but not seen a game)

• Atlanta Braves–Atlanta (saw game at fulton county stadium)

• Wrigley Field–Chicago Cubs

• Great American Ball Park–Cincy (was at riverfront)

• Coors Field–Colorado Rockies

• Dolphin Stadium–Florida Marlins

• Minute Maid Park-Houston

• Dodger Stadium–LA

• Miller Park–Milwakee Brewers

• Shea Stadium–Mets

• Citizens Bank Park–Philly

• PNC Park–Pittsburgh

• PETCO Park–San Diego
  

• AT&T Park–San Fran

• Busch Stadium–St Louis

• RFK Stadium–DC

Basesball. I’m forcing myself to do this. I’m not really in the mood since the SF Giants crushed my hopes again last night. Oh well, here goes anyway.

At this point in the season, these won’t be all that radical predictions. While no team has officially clinched a playoff berth yet, it’ll only be a matter of days probably.

Let’s start with the American League.

East: Um, can we say Yankees? I could be wrong, but I don’t see the Red Sox making up 6.5 games by the first week of Oct. It’s okay though, they’ll likely be the Wild Card. However, with a 7 game winning streak…anything is possible.

Central: Probably Detroit, but Minn has a 4 game streak going. That just sounds weird…AL Central Champs-Detroit Tigers. Well, this isn’t football I guess.

West: Texas fought hard for a while, but the Angels will pull it out.

Wildcard: Boston. No Doubt.

Now the best league, National League.

East: Well the Phillies lead it by 7 games and they are hot right now. Atlanta is hot too, but still 7.5 games back may be pushing it. The Phillies won the W.S. last year. They should get another shot.

Central: Unfortunately St. Louis will likely win this. Sorry Cubs fans, but you’ve had a really unspectacular season.

West: Yeah, the Dodgers will win. I think if we had another month though, the Rockies just may catch them.

Wildcard: Well, every ounce of me wants to say the Giants will pull it out. Logic and this season’s consistency tells me otherwise. But, they are fighting hard, even that 9th inning last night was a fight. So I will say this: If the Giants can sweep the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium this week, yes, they will be the Wilcard. If not, they just haven’t wanted it bad enough this season, and the Rockies will go.

I reason this out to say that the Giants weren’t expected to do this well this season. Next season, maybe, but not this season. This season was a pleasant surprise that caused me a lot of grief and anguish, but moments of pure joy. If they can just get more consistent with their hitting (and they can hit), and get a bullpen to help out Affedlt and Wilson, and back of their amazing starting pitchers, next season will be good.

As for the World Series, well, as much as I hate both the Yankees and the Dodgers, wouldn’t that be a little cool? Joe Torre’s new team versus his old team? It would be my worst nightmare has I’d have to choose a team to root for (or in this case, against).

Do I think that will actually happen? Normally I shy away from those cool/interesting match-ups, but I’m going to say, Yes, it will happen.

If not, it’ll be the Yanks and Philly.

What I’d like to see would be the Giants and the Tigers. We’d just take them down.