ADAM WAINWRIGHT IS A STUD.

There are 2 active major league baseball players I enjoy following above all others. The first is Manny Ramirez, the most exciting thing to happen to me in terms of LA sports since I moved here. He's obviously had a powerful effect on the Dodgers and Dodgers' fans...the only guy I truly make an effort to see or hear every time he steps in the box. Dude is GOOD. And hilarious.

The other, and even more than ManRam, is St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright. You may recall the image of him striking out the Brandon Inge to win the 2006 World Series - he was the Cards' closer at the time and dominated the Padres, Mets, and Tigers in the postseason. Since, he's moved to the starting rotation and has had an impressive year (11-3, 3.20 ERA) on a fourth-place team despite some injuries this season.

Mr. Wainwright, much like myself, is from Brunswick, GA and though I didn't know him very well, I definitely knew OF him (and have mutual beaus). I also definitely was struck out by him on more than one occasion during my short career in the Glynn County Rec Baseball League (to my credit, I think I drew a walk in there somewhere, though it was most likely due to being afraid of the velocity of the pitches that kid was throwing). Though I will always be anti-Terror, I'll root for Adam "Curve Ain't Right" Wainwright every time he takes the mound.

Anyway, both of the guys above came through last night - Manny being part of a 12-4 victory over the Padres and Adam handling the D-Backs in St. Louis to reduce the Dodgers' Magic Number to 1.

Which means tonight is Clinch Night. And since I'm holding tickets to tonight's game, I could very possibly be on hand for a very meaningful baseball game. One more Dodgers win (hopefully tonight) or Diamondbacks loss (this afternoon - not the preferred method, but I'll take it) and the Doyers are headed to the playoffs.

So, a big thank you to these dudes for all highlights this season and setting up tonight to be a special one.