The Oakland Athletics clinched the AL West title with a 12-3 victory over the Mariners last night. The American League playoff teams are now set, with the Tigers and Twins still dueling it out for the AL Central title.

I haven't paid attention to the A's since I read Moneyball. Good book. It's pretty cool that the A's can manage to lose in the playoffs every year with their small payroll. Say what you will about Billy Beane's methods, Dude, at least it's an ethos. Unlike, say, the Mariners, who have no farm system to speak of and throw too much money at one or two mediocre free agents every year. The M's probably couldn't have won the NL Central this year — not with shit-for-brains Mike Hargrove at the helm of the sinking ship.

Sometimes I kind of hate my parents for letting me be born in Washington. Not to mention keeping me in the basement all those years.