Herb Score, Cleveland Indians legend as both player and broadcaster passed away at this home in Rocky River, Ohio this morning after a lengthy illness. He was 75. Some say -- a host of notables -- that in his day he was a better pitcher than Sandy Koufax before a serious eye injury from a line drive in 1957 eventually led to his early retirement from the game in 1962.. Known and loved by Indians fans as "Herbie", he retired his homespun voice from broadcasting after the 1997 World Series.

Herb is survived by his wife. No funeral arrangements have been made yet. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Score and Herb's many friends and fans.

Your can read more about this story and the man here.

Have you ever wondered why so many of the Red Sox players wear those hippie looking rope necklaces?

If the answer is no then don't click on this link.

If the answer is yes than check out this story.  It's mildly interesting.

National League Champion Series

Dodgers VS Phillies

The Dodgers have been on FIRE since acquiring former Red Sox malcontent Manny Ramirez. Manny has single handedly carried them to the post season while batting .400(!) and hammering the ball in nearly every at bat. The Dodgers also saw short stop and early season MVP candidate Rafael Furcal return from back surgery, thus improving an already formidable lineup to the point where they have no easy outs.

First basemen James Loney has looked like the top prospect he was predicted to be, OF Andre Ethier has hit like a Hall of Famer with Manny batting behind him and Casey Blake, acquired from the Indians, has added a veteran presence and solid bat. The Dodgers appear to be rolling the dice and going with a three man starting rotation of Derick Lowe, Chad Billingsly and Hideki Kuroda, with Lowe set to pitch games 1, 4, and 7. A ballsy move on manager Joe Torre's part yet a necessary one as the Dodgers lack a solid 4th starter.

The Phillies are seemingly just as potent offensively as the Dodgers. They have speed at the top with reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins and OF Shane Victorino and plenty of pop in Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. The starting rotation is anchored by ace lefty Cole Hamels, wife abuser Brett Myers and dinosaur Jamie Moyer. The Phillies definately have the edge in the bullpen with an assortment of flame throwers and closer Brad Lidge, who has yet to blow a single save in a Phillie uniform.

Players to watch: Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell and Chase Utley. For the Phillies to have a shot at winning this series they will need contributions from all three. Unlike the Dodger lineup, which is amazingly solid from top to bottom, the Phillies rely heavily on the middle of their order to produce. If they can't, it'll be a short and painful October in the City of Brotherly Love.

Prediction: Dodgers defeat Phillies, 4 games to 2

American League Championship Series

Red Sox VS Rays

The Rays are the greatest story in baseball since the 1969 "Miracle Mets." They've gone from perennial doormat to arguably the best all around team in baseball in the span of one year. They have an MVP in the making in third baseman Evan Longoria, power hitting first baseman and castoff Carlos Pena and electrifying athletes in Carl Crawford and BJ Upton.

Their starting rotation and bullpen is second to none in all of the Majors. Scott Shields, Andy Sonnenstine, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza are all remarkably consistent for young pitchers and the bullpen is simply lights out. The Rays are a tough team to score on and an even tougher team to come back on. They are also incredibly tough to beat at home in the disgusting catwalk laden Tropicana Dome.

The Red Sox are back to defend their World Series title. They have battled injuries (team leader Mike Lowell and team cheerleader JD Drew, David Ortiz and his clicking wrist) and turmoil (longtime slugger Manny Ramirez's forcing of a trade is the most "unfeel good" moment in Boston sports). Yet they never wavered. Newcomer Jason Bay has been brilliant at the plate, on the bases and in the field. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis put up MVP seasons. Jed Lowrie filled in admirably for a short stop (Julio Lugo) that might be the worst in history of the position.

Jacoby Ellsbury was streaky but seemed to put it all together over the final month of the season and the overall depth of the team allowed them to hang with the Rays right down to the final weekend of the season. Starting pitcher John Lester did a great Cole Hammels impression all season, finding the strike zone with regularity and W's on his resume. Dice-K Matsuzaka played with fire all year yet seemingly escaped every blazing inferno that he lit. The bullpen came around toward the end of the year as Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson showed they were ready to take the leap.

Player to watch: Josh Beckett. Is he healthy? Is he sane? Can he regain his form as one of the best postseason pitchers in history? If so, the Sox will be celebrating a return to the Fall Classic to defend their title. If not, they will fall victim to a team that even die hard Sox fans have a tough time rooting against.

Prediction: Rays defeat Red Sox, 4 games to 3. The home field advantage and the Rays performance in one run games gives them the edge over the Red Sox in perhaps the most closely matched series I have ever seen.

The Sox battle injuries and the Angels, the upstart Rays take on the White Sox, the Cubs look to defeat history and the Dodgers and the Phillies take on the Brewers. Who will prevail? I'll tell you.