The biggest story so far, however, is the fabulous award this World Series has, in fact, ALREADY received.  That would be the Pre-Emptive Asshat Fan Award.

Yes folks, this prestigious award is usually given to groups like Douchebags Who Root for USC and People Who Like Tim Tebow. Never before has it been given–in advance no less–to an entire series of sporting events….when they’ve barely begun.

Congrats, Yanks and Phills fans.  You…um..win? (Now come with an awesomely stupid derogatory chant, and get really drunk, and yell it at us even if it makes zero sense in context!)

A-Rod Channels Reggie Is he the new “Mr. October”?  ARod is historically known, and mocked, for his lack of hitting in October.  Except, this year, he’s hitting .407 in the playoffs.  Suddenly, he’s actually a guy you want to have at the plate in a crunch.  Not that the Yankees ever have a crunch, which leads us to…

They’re Just That Damn Good Sure, we were rooting for a freeway series, but the Yankees can’t be denied.  They’ve finally come together–the ridiculous quantities of money have managed to buy a team with some chemistry, even if it kind of happened by accident.

Starting Pitching C.C. Sabathia started last night on three days rest, and it was a non-story.  Unlike his playoff run with the Brewers, this run is almost relaxing for him, probably: the Yankees were far enough ahead toward the end of the regular season that they didn’t have to push him, and the schedule has meant that he got some rest.  Now, he’s 3-0 in the playoffs and clearly enjoying himself.

But, We Still Hate Them Yesterday, the Yanks kicked ass.  So much ass that we sort of forgot it was game 4 and not game 5.  Then, they did one of those line up and high five each other maneuvers.  It looked like taking care of business, and it was…but it was so freakin’ BORING.  (Johnny Damon seemed to agree.  He looked entirely confused at the lack of jumping, hugging, and complex high fives.  Come back to Boston, Johnny! We feel you!) There’s just not a lot of fun looking like it’s being had here. And they’ll beat hell out of the Phillies, and we’ll watch. But…we’re bored, and we’re slightly annoyed.

For now, a bit of updated playoff analysis.

Clinched

The Yankees have clinched the division title, but playoff questions remain.  Specifically, after you start C.C. Sabathia, then what happens? A.J. Burnett has been good at times, but terribly inconsistent.  Pettite–despite the sore shoulder–is probably your best bet for a number two, because he at least eats some innings, even when he’s off.  Because of the extra days off in the first series, this won’t be an issue right away.

The Angels have also clinched. But they always get swept in the first round.  Will this year be different?  Well, last year they needed a bat, and got swept despite the addition of Mark Texeira.  This year they didn’t add that bat. So….you be the judge.  (They have, however, added Scott Kazmir, late of Tampa Bay, so their pitching is solider than in past years.)

St. Louis….looks like St. Louis. They clinched their division behind Pujols, and they’ll play in the playoffs behind Pujols.  They’re not especially exciting, but they’re getting the job done. Again.

Playoff Bound

The Dodgers have clinched their second playoff berth in a row under manager Joe Torre, and they look good going into the playoffs.  With Manny Ramirez’s famously torrid postseason play on their side, they could go far.

Questionmarks

The Red Sox had a magic number of 1 to clinch a playoff berth …three days ago.  They still have that 1.  They’re imploding, and if Texas weren’t quite so far back…well, actually this might still be a race.  The Sox just got swept by the Yankees and lost one to Toronto last night. Why? Who knows.

Texas is less than likely to make the playoffs–their collapse in the month of August was nothing short of spectacular.  They control their own destiny only minimally, but hey, miracles happen.

The Rockies, the little team that could, could also still make the playoffs.  We’ll see…

Detroit and Minnesota: playing a doubleheader today with the Twins two games back.  Update on that one later.

There have been rumors to this effect for ages, mostly fueled by the fact that LeBron James and CC Sabathia,Yankees hurler, are close friends dating back to CC’s days in Cleveland.  Since Sabathia signed in the off-season with New York, there has been a lot of speculation that his tight friendship with Sabathia, who he’s been quoted as saying helped him remain grounded during all the craziness of his first couple of years in the NBA after becoming the bestest-ever draftpick ever ever EVAR (He got a 90 million dollar shoe contract.  Before he played a minute of pro ball.)

Earlier this week, James said he’s unlikely to accept a contract extension from the Cavs beyond this coming season.  Now, this could mean he’s holding out for more money, and wants to test the free agent market, but UPH finds that hard to believe.

Call us naive, but we think that this kid has more money than he could ever use.  In fact, he has, since before his career even began.  We can’t imagine a 24 year old kid whose life seems to be engaged in doing exactly what he enjoys, and doing it fantastically well, really cares about the exact number of millions.  Even with the economy as it is, he’s never functionally going to be able to tell the difference, moneywise.

And we don’t have any evidence–crazy clubbing habit, drug arrests, extreme bling–that he’s burning through those millions.   So we think LeBron’s leaving because he wants to. He’s 24 and he wants to live in the big city, hang out with his friends, and win.

He wants, in fact, “to be a part of it.”

New York, New York.