Tuesday, October 09, 2001
Maddux, Mariners and maybe McGwire begin playoff quest
Week delay didn't dull excitement
The Associated Press
Greg Maddux is ready to renew the quest and the Seattle Mariners are eager to start, too. Mark McGwire might even join this party.
A week later than scheduled, baseball begins its postseason today with a focus on strong pitching, a pair of 100-win teams and a few stars hoping to reverse past fortunes.
Oh, and this October constant — the New York Yankees trying to defend their World Series title.
“This is the time of year when you make a name for yourself in sports,” said Curt Schilling, who will start Game 1 tonight for Arizona against St. Louis.
The best-of-five first round starts this afternoon at Enron Field, where Maddux and the NL East champion Atlanta Braves will face the Central-winning Houston Astros.
Maddux will be making his 25th postseason start. The Braves have won 10 straight division titles but only one World Series championship.
With 88 wins, the Braves have the fewest wins among the eight playoff teams.
“I really don't think we've had an off year,” Maddux said. “I'd hope we can have five or six more off years like this one.”
Astros stars Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are hoping to overcome postseason failures. Despite winning division titles from 1997-99, Houston never made it past the first round and twice was chased by Atlanta.
Later, the AL playoffs begin when the Mariners take their record-tying season of 116 wins against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field.
“I don't think we're going to carry any burden into the postseason,” Seattle manager Lou Piniella said.
At night, the wild card Cardinals take on NL West winner Arizona at Bank One Ballpark.
It's still not certain how much the Diamondbacks will see McGwire. Bothered by bad knees, the former home run champion hit only .187 this season and manager Tony LaRussa was not sure whether Big Mac would start the opener.
On Wednesday night, the three-time World Series champion Yankees open at home against Oakland.
The Athletics went 58-17 after the All-Star break and finished with 102 victories.
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Maddux, Mariners and maybe McGwire begin playoff quest
