When the World Series was moved back a week following the events of Sept. 11, and Michael Jordan announced his comeback in early October, many people looked to Oct. 30 as decision day. What would it be - Game 3 at the Stadium or MJ's return at the Garden? Three weeks later, that question is still as pressing as ever. What are you going to watch tonight?
Naysayers will point to the Yanks' 2-0 deficit and say that the decision is an easy one. Obviously, the Yankees are done, and even more certainly, this is a final opportunity to see the premier of a Michael Jordan comeback. It's safe to say that even His Airness won't be able to launch another comeback at 48.
But the decision to watch the Yankees or Michael Jordan at MSG is far from clear cut. Sure the Yankees are at a bit of a disadvantage, but this is nothing they haven't experienced before. If you'll remember less then two weeks ago, the Bombers were in a similar position - perhaps, even a bit more daunting. Down 0-2, the Yankees, a team seemingly in disarray, flew to Oakland on the brink of elimination. Three days later, the Yankees returned to the Bronx and clinched the ALDS.
In 1996, at the beginning of the magical run, the Yankees dropped the first two games of the World Series to the Atlanta Braves. In fact, they lost the first game of that series 12-1. Then Jim Leyritz came along in Game 3 and hit a homerun off Mark Wohlers that jump-started the dynasty that nearly never was.
In the 2001 ALDS, future All-Star Barry Zito was on the mound. In 1996, potential Hall of Famer Tom Glavine was on the hill for the Braves. After beating the likes of Zito and Glavine in huge games, knocking Diamondbacks' journeyman left hander Brian Anderson out of a game does not really seem like too much to expect. Actually, the matchup between Anderson and Roger Clemens really doesn't seem fair.
Let's say the Yankees win Game 3. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and guarantee a win in Game Three. So let's look ahead to Game 4. Once again, it just doesn't seem fair. Yes, Orlando Hernandez has struggled this season and even during the postseason for that matter, but El Duque is one of the greatest big game pitchers in history. Hernandez versus Miguel Batista in Game 4. Please. Without a doubt there will be a Game 5 at Yankee Stadium - Schilling/ Mussina II - and the victor will head back to Arizona up 3-2.
But before we get all caught up in the World Series hoopla, we can't forget Michael Jordan versus the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Earlier in the year, I wrote a column about how I didn't think Michael Jordan should come back. Well, he's back, and even I can't help but be happy.
Sure he is not exactly what he once was, but he is still damn good. He dropped 41 points - a preseason record - against the New Jersey Nets on Oct. 20. For the preseason, Jordan averaged 22.3 points per contest. Michael Jordan has just begun to scratch the surface of what is to come over the course of the next six months. If he does not regain his throne as the best player in the game, he will surely rank among the top ten.
The last time Jordan came into MSG after announcing a return to the NBA - six and a half years ago - #23/45 torched the Knicks for 55 points. Yes, it's more than half a decade later, and Jordan is now a middle-aged man. He is about twenty pounds heavier than he was during his prime, he has lost some of his speed, and his vertical is nothing compared to Vince Carter's.
But tonight, all that won't matter. You just know that Jordan is going to go into MSG and light it up. He always does. He probably won't score 55, but 45 is not inconceivable. It will be like old times, only Jordan won't be wearing the familiar red and black.
So what if the Washington Wizards went 2-6 during the preseason. Since when does the preseason matter anyway? If you think the Knicks are going to blowout the Wizards on opening night, you don't know anything about the Knicks and more importantly, you don't know anything about Michael Jordan. We should know by now not to question the capabilities of Michael Jordan.
This season Jordan will play with a chip on his shoulder. It has been documented before that Jordan likes nothing more than silencing his critics and rising to the occasion; the challenge begins tonight.
At least in my mind, the question of which game to watch tonight cannot be answered. However, you don't need to chose, especially if you are of age. If you are 21, the solution is very simple, take yourself down to the local bar, buy yourself a pitcher of your favorite beer, and plant your rear-end on a stool in one of those rooms with 30 television sets.
If you are not 21, the situation becomes slightly more complex, yet still manageable. Join forces with somebody in your house or your dorm and put two televisions in one room so you can watch both the World Series and Michael Jordan simultaneously.
If you are not legal, have no friends, and/or are lazy I guess you will just have to flip back and forth, because both Jordan/Knicks and Yankees/Diamondbacks are must see TV.
