A few thoughts as we hang on the sidelines watching the playoffs...

- One thing that sucks about having to work for a living is that you can't watch these all-day tripleheaders during the first round, with games at 1, 4 and 8.

- What do A's fans think about having the first two games of the series start at 10AM, Oakland time?

- The bizzaro play of the year (and maybe the decade) happened in game 1 of the Mets-Dodgers series, as both Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew got tagged out at home plate on the same play by Mets catcher Paul LoDuca. This is a throwback to the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who at one time had three men on third base at the same time. The poor baserunning cost the Dodgers a potential big inning and maybe the game, which the Mets won 6-5.

- It will be interesting to see if the A's can break their 9 game losing streak in series clinchers, having taken a surprising 2-0 lead over the Twins at the Metrodome. During the rain delay for the Yankees-Tigers game last night, one of the ESPN commentators mentioned that out of the 20 teams that had taken a 2-0 lead on the road, 19 had gone on to win the series. The one exception? The 2001 Oakland A's, who lost to the Yankees after taking the first two in the Bronx. That series was most notable for Jeter's amazing play to get Jeremy Giambi at home plate.

- A good transition into the topic of Derek Jeter, who was 5-for-5 last night. As much as I hate the Yanks, Jeter is a great leader and clutch player and I have a lot of respect for him.

- The king of not-clutch, A-Rod, struck out in the first inning of game 2 this afternoon with the bases loaded. A-Fraud was 0-for-4 with three K's in the Tigers 4-3 win. Gotta love that. If the Yankees win this year, it might be in spite of Rodriguez, not because of him.

- If you aren't watching Heroes yet, start. The first two episodes have really hooked me, introducing us to some regular folks who suddenly discover they have super powers like flight, teleportation, invulnerability and the ability to read minds. I haven't quite figured out exactly what the stripper's super power is, but it has me really curious.

- And get your mind out of the gutter on that last one.

- Speaking of must-see TV, season 3 of Battlestar Galactica starts on Friday. I can't wait.

- Farewell, Dave Wallace and Papa Jack. Whatever else happened, you will have our eternal gratitude for being part of the 2004 Sox.