Once again, I don’t want to talk about the football game. All I can say is it should have been closer. Congratulations to the football team on a hard-fought battle. Congrats to Troy on a superb performance, and the Colorado players have no class whatsoever.

Now, let’s talk about the greatest sport of all time. I know I’m going to take a lot of crap for this one, but baseball still rules.

I can understand all of the negative hype baseball receives. Fans are tired of strikes and witnessing greed taking over the purity of the game.

But the Series is here and all seems to be forgiven. Think about this: baseball is America’s sport for more than one reason. What other sport, besides golf (if you want to classify golf as an athletic event), can a fat, ugly, hairy freak like John Kruk make a living? Cecil Fielder is a tub of blubber, but his homeruns make up for it all. It is the true armchair sport.

We can all sit back in our chairs drinking the nectar of the gods while munching on twinkies and criticize those players because we aren’t much different than them, or so it seems. In fact, they are much different than us. While many of us may physically match up, they have a heavenly talent that many of us can never dream of having. Only a few select athletes can play baseball. Michael Jordan would back me up on this one.

Another reason is the power of the homerun. A slam dunk is pretty freakin’ cool, Troy Davis’ touchdown runs are more than impressive, but neither can equal up the game like a homerun. A homerun can come at anytime, from anyone.

Any little half-pint punk can have the sun shine on his butt on any given pitch. So the big dog struck out, so what? It could be the harmless pup that bites you in the rear.

The drama of the series is amazing. Who could forget Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair: who could forget Francisco Cabrera’s game winning single? OK, maybe a few forgot Cabrera, but I didn’t!

Baseball captures the essence of competition. Watch Randy Johnson bringin’ the stinky heat, and tell me he isn’t as intense as they come. Tell me that Albert Bell isn’t a nutcase in the batter’s box. Then there is the subtle approach. Greg Maddux is as calm and collective as any player to ever throw a pitch. But the intense fire is in his eyes, much like it was in our eyes as we beat all hell out of the opinion page on Friday — had to get that in.

Another reason to really love the game: it’s OK to be a whiny little child. Baseball captures what it really means to win a game. Forget this “it’s how you play the game” crap. It’s whether or not you win. Just watch Lou Pinnella toss first base into the outfield. Who could ever forget Billy Martin kicking dirt on the umpires? And you know what? It’s OK. It’s baseball.

The game is a mixture of power and beauty. Look at a Ken Griffey Jr.’s swing and tell me it isn’t as pretty as Cindy Crawford on a date with me. Then watch Jose Canseco juice one to the moon and tell me it isn’t as ugly as Jim Walden in Cyclone cardinal and gold. But either way, it is exciting.

So invite those prospective lovers over for the Series. Rally behind your team and your partner. Enjoy baseball because you might not be here tomorrow.

Cyclones 33, Okie State 20. That’s all I have to say. Have fun and breed. Check ya later!

Chad Calek is a sophomore in journalism from Persia, Iowa. He is assistant sports editor of the Daily.