Day of the D-Backs Relievers

Yesterday, the skies opened up and destiny streamed through like chiaroscuro in an old painting and it was the D-Backs' bullpen that reaped the benefits.

First off, what you probably don't know: Clay Zavada is the recipient of the Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year. That's right. A D-Back won something, something prestigious that is not decided by idiotic sportswriters! He beat out Sully, the only hero to pass through this illustrious river called the Hudson this year.

I am astounded. Amazed. Ecstatic.

So what if we bombed the season? There's still a bright spot.

Of course, then there are shadows, creepy shadows, that pull you up and in like a fastball, and that is the shadow of a man ruthlessly whipped around by the 2001 Yankees: Byung-Hyun Kim, current sushi proprietor. I'm sure he's wincing as he watches the WS and watches Brad Lidge get tossed around in the same manner. Or maybe he's sighing in relief, so to speak, that he isn't the only closer to get roughed up by the Yanks--and you don't need the initials of a fast-food joint to do so. But exactly eight years after BK blew the save at old Yankee Stadium, Lidge blew the save at Citizens' Bank Park. (Interestingly enough, Lidge in 2004 and Kim in 2001 are two out of the only three pitchers ever to record back-to-back postseason 2-inning saves.)

So the shadows came out and of course it would be the NL closer who choked, because that's how it always is. Is this destiny, this day of November 1st? These blown saves? Or is it just a coincidence that the only two NL closers to pitch on that day were not great under pressure and blew it?

We shall see.