COLUMN: Root, root, root for the Blue Jays

As the summer progresses and the professional baseball season heads into its stretch run, four of the six divisions feature legitimate pennant races and both wild card spots are up for grabs. For most baseball fans, this August will likely lead into one of the most exciting Septembers in years, as so many teams are in contention for so many spots in the playoffs. One solution is to keep tabs on your favorite team with the Internet, and its constant supply of information. Sometimes, however, as a baseball fan, you just have to see a game. In this case, it is nice to be able to follow a team that is not in direct competition with your favorite -- a team in the opposite league. Hillary Clinton, for example, found the Yankees convenient at the beginning of this summer as the First Lady, a Cubs fan, spent more time in and around New York. For American League fans, the obvious choice at Penn is the Phillies. The games are a quick enough ride away on SEPTA, and, who knows, that favorite American League team could wind up playing the Phils in the World Series such a short distance away. They are in contention for the first time since 1993, when they won the National League pennant. The Phillies have had very strong starting pitching this season. As expected, Curt Schilling has been dominant, but it is the rest of the Philadelphia staff that has propelled the Phils into contention. Journeyman Paul Byrd was a surprise member of the National League All-Star team, and rookie Randy Wolf has been particularly impressive since being called up from the minors. After closer Jeff Brantley went down for the season with shoulder problems, Wayne Gomes stepped into the role, and has been excellent. Former Rookie of the Year third baseman Scott Rolen and All-Star catcher Mike Lieberthal are perhaps the best known hitters for Philadelphia, providing power in the heart of the order. The best pure hitter for the Phillies, however, might just be center fielder Doug Glanville, whose 138 hits rank the Penn alumnus second in the National League. His .325 batting average ranks eighth in the senior circuit, and second on the club to Bobby Abreu. For National League fans who might not want to involve themselves with a down-the-stretch rival like the Phillies, there is a team to follow, but it's not the obvious geographical choice. As bad as they have been, and as odious as so many people find a team that features a monstrous payroll and Albert Belle, it is impossible to recommend the Baltimore Orioles. The American League team to follow does not even play in America. The Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia's 1993 World Series opponent and the current leader in the American League wild card race, are the easiest junior circuit team to follow while on campus. Since CBC (the Canadian broadcaster) is available on ResNet, Toronto's games are televised on campus. And the Blue Jays are a team that can relate to Penn's baseball rooting population on many levels. For a fan of a National League team, the odds are that there is a familiar face on the roster. Members of the Blue Jays have played for eleven of the National League's sixteen teams. Beyond that, Toronto has assembled a very likable bunch of players. The Blue Jays' best player, outfielder Shawn Green, is one of the most unassuming stars in baseball. He hits for both average and power, runs well, and plays much better defense than he gets credit for -- as he is finally starting to shake his reputation as a poor fielder. A characteristic that is not uncommon just west of the Schuylkill is being from New York City or Long Island. Two of Toronto's relief pitchers fit this bill: setup man John Frascatore is from Queens, while the closer, Billy Koch comes from Rockville Center, Long Island. Of course, the most universally identifiable Blue Jay is David Wells. Toronto's ace starting pitcher is very much like a college student himself -- Wells is well known for his love of beer, and can often be seen lightening the spirits of his teammates in the dugout. So, if the events of 1993 should happen to repeat themselves, these Toronto Blue Jays will be just a quick SEPTA ride away, a nice consolation if your favorite team disappears from both view and the top of the standings in September.