If I may be allowed, Torn Slatterns and Nugget Ranchers

(Narrated to haunting sound of Ray Charles singing "America the Beautiful."

Sports fans, for me a playoff game in the friendly confines of beautiful bunting wrapped Wrigley Field on a deep-dish pizza, barbequed ribs, sausage and Old Style beer- fueled crisp Chicago fall night represents what is wonderful about, not only sports, but, indeed, our very nation itself. How else could so many people participate in, enjoy, share, laugh, curse, scream, cry and remember forever a true piece of actual American history? Oh sure, there are those who feel that a baseball game may be too trivial to be considered history, and they are entitled to that opinion, even though that opinion is, and always will be, horribly, horribly wrong.

God bless America, and go Cubs!

Oh, and one more thing: The New York Mets couldn't suck more if they had rubber lips.