Well Dressed Sports Fan - Brilliant Baseball Mind?

Not so much.

So yeah, allow me to take a moment to assess my preseason baseball predictions. Some of them turned out to be decent predictions, but most of them were only effective in showing why I'm trying to become a historian rather than Buster Olney's replacement.

ALCS: Detroit Tigers over Anaheim Angles - I'm going to stick with my pick of the Anaheim Angles here, but I was WAY off about the Detroit Tigers. Man, talk about a disappointing season for a team absolutely stacked with talent.

AL Champs: Detroit Tigers - Um, yeah, dump this pick for the Angles and I look may have looked like I know something about baseball. I fully expect Torii Hunter and co. to make it to the Fall Classic.

NLCS: New York Mets over Chicago Cubs - In retrospect, this wasn't a bad preseason pick. The Cubs won the NL Central and the Mets are poised to make the playoffs this season. With Johan Santana leading the rotation, it will be tough to count these guys out. The midseason acquisition of Rich Harden really helps the Cubs. And who could have predicted the season Ryan Dempster would have this year? Man, I LOVE Canadians.

NL Champs: New York Mets - Could still happen. This lineup is pretty explosive and they have a fantastic ace. The Dodgers and Phillies are pretty dangerous too. Obviously, I want to see the Cubs rotation gel in the last week of the season so they can make a deep run.

World Series: New York Mets over Detroit Tigers - Again, replace the Detroilet Tigers with the Angles and I kind of look intelligent.

Prince Fielder is huge.

NL MVP: Prince Fielder - How is this guy an athlete? Albert Pujols is the clear pick for the NL MVP this season. Of course. Fielder has 33 home runs and 98 RBIs so far - a good season, no doubt, but he fell of the planet when his team really needed him down the stretch.

AL MVP: Joe Mauer (why not?) - in retrospect, this wasn't a terrible choice. .330 batting average with nearly 80 RBIs and 10 jacks. Not bad. Justin Morneau will get some MVP love - but I think he will just miss out (23 home runs and 128 rbis). Both guys have been pretty clutch all year for the Twinkies.

Oh hai. I'm Tim. I look 12.

NL Cy Young: Johan Santana. 14-7 isn't bad. But then Brandon Webb had a coming out party. He was 21-7 this season. Tim Lincecum, despite having a baby face, pitched like a grown man all season. Emily and I saw him pitch in D.C. - damn - sick.

AL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia. This wasn't a bad pick. He was traded the the NL at mid-season so he won't be eligible for this award. He will get some consideration for the NL Cy Young despite having only pitched half the year there. BTW this guy is 6-7 and 290 lbs. Wowza.

Showing National Pride Without Looking Like a National Goofball

I've just gotta say it, the official Olympics logo usually looks a bit lame on clothing.  Further, the Olympic gear is highly time sensitive.  Sort of like that Super Bowl XL (2006) t-shirt, it won't be cool for another 15 years, when it finally becomes vintage.  The Olympics 2008 merchandise looks neat now, while the games are actually going, but once the craze dies down - the stuff instantly looks dated.

Back in 2002, during the Salt Lake City Olympics, everyone was wearing those god-awful roots stocking caps that looked like they belonged in a Charles Dickens novel.  People were running around looking like little matchstick girls.  Just terrible.  

A number of team sports such baseball (which will soon be discontinued from the Olympics), basketball, soccer, and hockey feature events for both the Olympics as well as a number of world tournaments.  In my opinion - unless you are a huge fan of a particular Olympics only sport - consider picking up something for one of these teams rather than that "USA Field Hockey" shirt that might look cool every four years.

A USA baseball hat, Canada hockey jersey, or washed Brazil soccer t-shirt, not only looks cooler, it will be useful for more occasions than a "Beijing 2008" hoodie.  

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about cheering on your country, but I would avoid wearing more than one piece of flare unless you are traveling to see your country play a match.  A cool Team USA baseball hat, however, can be worn with a solid t-shirt or polo should to make you look great at any ballpark.  

If you are traveling to an Olympic event, consider picking up a simple t-shirt that will look good when handed down to your kids.  I would kill for a vintage 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics t-shirt.

Final call: If you are traveling to the Olympics, pick up a fun piece of clothing with the year and location proudly front and center.  The gear will look cool around your friends when you get home and once it has runs its course and looks a bit out of date, you can save it and pass it along to your kids along with your stories from your trip to the games.  

Read a bit more about the tragedy that is Olympic fashion here.