can you picture that?
April 9, 2008 by Elle
Who would have thunk it? Certainly not ESPN, which was too busy having a Phillies-Mets love fest tonight. The team that was predicted to be well-under .500 is tied with Arizona for the best record in MLB. (That’s 7-2 for you folks keeping score at home.) As of right now, the Tigers — who were supposed to beat up on every other team this season — just got their first win of the year… on their eighth attempt.
I’m not predicting these guys to keep it up all year, but I think there is something to be said for the limits that a team places on themselves; in effect, the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Last year Jimmy Rollins said the Phillies were going to be the guys to beat in the NL East, and wouldn’t you know it, they were. This year the team seems to believe in themselves - at least after Kyle Lohse showed up - and they’re playing like it.
So far, they’re confident in their ability and I would contend their ability is improved because of that confidence. Sometimes we talk about the psychological advantage of a corked bat, PEDs, lucky socks, or a batting helmet covered in gunk as an amulet. So far, no solid evidence actually indicates that the objects/substances in and of themselves quantifiably improve performance, but since the person believes they are gaining an advantage, they are. Essentially, it’s a placebo effect. But as long as it works, who the hell cares?
In other news, the Mets got Rickrolled. It’s a damn shame this didn’t happen all year long. Take that! It’s payback for stuffing the All-Star ballot for the Mets! Love, the rest of America.
