October 3, 2006

All my buddies who know me well back in New Jersey realize I am a baseball fanatic. Ever since I was a little kid, attending my first game at age 6 when my uncle Tom and uncle Frank took me to see Joe DiMaggio, I was enamored with the sport. Nothing like seeing the green grass, watching the players hit that baseball! It was always special to me.

I will never forget that moment, going to my first game.

I was disappointed at first when the playoff format was changed, but let me tell you, I was wrong. These playoffs really have created interest. Five of the eight spots were finalized on the last day of the season, determining where teams were playing in the first round. It came down to the wire and opponents had to be happy to see the Astros out -- with a pitching staff of Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte and a slugger like Lance Berkman, that could have been a dangerous club, dynamite in a short series.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would like the wild card. Now there are eight teams battling, starting 0-0.

So it is time to pick the World Series.

It is going to be Francis Albert Sinatra time, New York, New York. Willie Randolph vs. Joe Torre, Tom Glavine vs. Randy Johnson, Billy Wagner vs. Mariano Rivera, Jose Reyes vs. Derek Jeter. Wow, the Subway Series should be something special.

My prediction is Yankees to find a way to win in six games. Alex Rodriguez will come through and silence some of the critics. Brian Cashman will be smiling as the Yankees celebrate again. The playoffs should be thrilling, but in the final analysis, that Bronx Bomber lineup is too explosive.

I am not Peter Gammons, Karl Ravech, John Kruk … but I am a big baseball fan. This is a great time of the year as we find out which team can come through in the clutch and hold up that World Series Trophy.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.