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About Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs graduated from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) with a degree in Philosophy and currently works as a copy editor at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.


Note: This page displays up to 200 articles at a time. To view a subset of a writer's work, click on one of the following years:
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Ben Jacobs's Articles

Click here to view an RSS feed of this writer's articles.

THT Live: Scouting Strasburg

May 19, 2010

Why the Red Sox will beat the Rays

October 10, 2008
In a matchup of two good pitching staffs, the Red Sox have the better offense.

Why the Red Sox beat the Angels

October 08, 2008
Jon Lester and a couple big outs on the basepaths helped the Red Sox win their fourth consecutive postseason series against the Angels.

Why the Red Sox will beat the Angels

October 01, 2008
The Red Sox have won nine consecutive postseason games over the Angels, but that's not why the Red Sox will be making another trip to the ALCS.

The remains of the season: Boston Red Sox

August 06, 2008
After a quiet offseason, the Red Sox made a huge splash at the deadline. Will they be able to defend their World Series title?

Five Questions: Boston Red Sox

March 28, 2008
Can the Red Sox repeat as World Series champions and win their third title in five seasons?

Why the Red Sox beat the Rockies

October 30, 2007
We said, because Boston was better

Why the Red Sox will beat the Rockies

October 24, 2007
Boston's advantage in the World Series is simple. The AL was a better league than the NL in 2007, and the Red Sox were more talented compared to their league than the Rockies were.

Why the Red Sox beat the Indians

October 23, 2007
Boston's ALCS victory came down to the three Ps: pitching, power and patience.

Why the Red Sox will beat the Indians

October 12, 2007
The advantages the Indians had over the Yankees are all gone. It's not always a big margin, but the Red Sox have better hitting, better pitching and better fielding. The series may end up coming down to ... Joe Borowski, which has Ben feeling good about the Red Sox's chances.

Why the Red Sox beat the Angels

October 08, 2007
There were two major reasons for Boston's convincing sweep of the Angels: power and health.

Why the Red Sox will beat the Angels

October 03, 2007
The Red Sox tied for the best record in baseball and had easily the best run differential, but those aren't the only reasons Boston is going to beat the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the playoffs.

Five Questions: Boston Red Sox

March 19, 2007
Will Boston's offseason spending spree translate into a playoff spot in 2007?

ALDS: Twins vs. A’s: Twins dive into big hole

October 05, 2006
After surprisingly winning the AL Central and getting to stay home and face the A's, the Twins were nearly everybody's favorite to win their opening-round series. As they say, that's why they play the games.

ALDS: A’s vs. Twins: Zito hurts Twins

October 04, 2006
While everybody was expecting Johan Santana to pitch the Twins right past the A's, Barry Zito showed that he knows a thing or two about pitching.

ALDS Preview: Twins vs. A’s

October 03, 2006
Rather than traveling to take on the mighty Yankees, the Twins are happy to be staying at home and playing the A's in a series that starts today.

Resplendent Rookies

June 02, 2006
Ben takes a look at what this year's top rookies have done during the first third of the season.

What’s up with the NL Central?

April 28, 2006
While the St. Louis Cardinals are doing predictably well, Ben takes a look at the two teams that are surprisingly ahead of them in the NL Central standings.

Crazy 13s

April 14, 2006
If you have triskaidekaphobia, Thursday was probably a tough day for you to follow baseball. For Ben, it was a sign that he should write something about the Mets, White Sox and Dodgers.

Five Questions: Boston Red Sox

March 29, 2006
The Red Sox made the playoffs for the third consecutive season last year, the first time in team history they've done so. Can they make it four in a row this year?

Offseason Rankings: Top Third

March 17, 2006
Ben completes his offseason rankings by looking at the 10 teams who did the best work this winter. Well, sort of anyway.

It Really is a Classic

March 09, 2006
You're not alone if you were skeptical of the World Baseball Classic, but you missed a great time if you let that keep you from watching Venezuela take on the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.

Offseason Rankings: Middle Third

March 03, 2006
Ben continues his look at each team's offseason moves by ranking teams No. 11-20.

Offseason Rankings: Bottom Third

February 24, 2006
Ben begins his three-part look at each team's moves during the offseason.

Wacky Wild Card: NL

September 01, 2005
Ben continues his breakdown of the wild card races by taking a look at the National League.

Wacky Wild Card: AL

August 24, 2005
Ben takes a look at the American League wild card race to see which team has the advantage.

Buyer Beware

July 28, 2005
Ben looks through the big free agent signings of the offseason and finds a lot of contracts that look like big mistakes thus far.

Enjoy It While It Lasts

June 14, 2005
Ben takes a look at some of the statistical feats being performed right now, even though most of them will fall apart before the end of the season.

Finding Flaws: NL East

June 07, 2005
Ben looks at each of the teams in the tightly-bunched NL East to see where each club's problems lie.

Finding Flaws: American League

May 18, 2005
Ben looks at the top AL teams and finds something wrong with all of them.

Fantasy Report: 5/13/05

May 13, 2005
Ben discusses a few first basemen who are on a roll in his first fantasy report of the season.

Hardball Questions: Kevin Youkilis

May 02, 2005
Ben enjoys a morning conversation with the Greek God of Walks.

Hardball Questions: Richard Pound

April 22, 2005
Ben discusses drugs with World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Richard Pound.

Things We Haven’t Learned

April 08, 2005
Ben takes a look at five things we haven't learned after only three games this season.

Fantasy Mailbag: 4/7/05

April 07, 2005
Ben opens the mailbag for the first time this season and answers a couple questions.

Five Questions: Boston Red Sox

April 04, 2005
Ben looks at the questions facing the Red Sox as they defend their first World Series title in 86 years.

Fantasy: Starting Pitchers, Part Two

March 28, 2005
Ben finishes his series of fantasy rankings with the bottom half of his top 60 starting pitchers.

Fantasy: Starting Pitchers, Part One

March 26, 2005
Ben takes a look at the top 30 fantasy starters in his two-part rankings of the top 60 starting pitchers.

Fantasy: Closer Rankings, Part Two

March 25, 2005
Ben finishes his fantasy rankings of all 30 closers with the bottom half of the barrel.

Fantasy: Closer Rankings, Part One

March 24, 2005
Ben ranks the top half of the 30 major-league closers for fantasy purposes, and also points out who could get some saves if the top guy falters.

Fantasy: Outfield Rankings

March 23, 2005
Ben sorts through all the outfielders and ranks his top 40.

Fantasy: Shortstop Rankings

March 22, 2005
Ben takes a look at the shortstop position and ranks a group that doesn't have Alex Rodriguez at the top for the first time in a long time.

Fantasy: Third Base Rankings

March 21, 2005
Ben takes a look at the top 20 fantasy third baseman, starting with a former shortstop and ending with a former Little League World Series hero.

Fantasy: Second Base Rankings

March 20, 2005
Ben takes a look at the uninspiring group of second basemen and tries to find 20 worth ranking.

Fantasy: First Base Rankings

March 19, 2005
Ben ranks the top 20 first baseman from somebody who hits like Ted Williams to somebody with the eyesight of Ted Williams.

Fantasy: Catcher Rankings

March 16, 2005
Ben ranks the top 20 catchers in baseball for fantasy purposes and sees a lot of old guys who aren't that inspiring.

Offseason Rankings: Part Three

March 15, 2005
Ben finishes his series on each team's offseason moves by ranking the teams that had the five best winters in baseball.

Offseason Rankings: Part Two

March 09, 2005
Ben continues his look at each team's offseason by ranking teams No. 6 through No. 15.

Offseason Rankings: Part One

March 03, 2005
Ben looks back at the off-season and ranks the 30 teams based on what they did.

Fantasy Keepers: Starting Pitchers

February 25, 2005
Ben finishes his series of ranking the best keepers at each position by looking at the top 25 starting pitchers to hold on to.

Fantasy Mailbag: More Keeper Questions

February 10, 2005
Now that the football season is over, people are turning all their attention to the upcoming baseball season. Ben looks into the fantasy e-mailbag again to help them out.

Fantasy Mailbag Returns

January 28, 2005
Ben looks into his fantasy e-mailbag for the first time this year and finds some questions that need answering.

Fantasy Keepers: Closers

January 06, 2005
Ben takes a look at the closers in baseball and ranks the top 10 keepers for fantasy purposes.

Fantasy Keepers: Outfielders

December 22, 2004
Ben takes a look at the outfielders and ranks the top 20 fantasy keepers at the position.

Fantasy Keepers: Shortstops

December 02, 2004
Alex Rodriguez no longer qualifies, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to choose from at the shortstop position. Ben ranks his top 10 shortstop keepers.

Fantasy Keepers: Third Basemen

November 24, 2004
Ben takes a look at the strong pool of third basemen and ranks his top 10 keepers at the position. (Updated Dec. 22, 2004.)

Fantasy Keepers: Second Basemen

November 17, 2004
Ben picks through the uninspiring group of fantasy second basemen to find the top 10 players to keep at the position.

Fantasy Keepers: First Basemen

November 12, 2004
Ben looks at the power-packed list of the top 10 first basemen worth keeping in fantasy leagues for next season.

Offseason Trading Block

November 03, 2004
Ben takes a look at some of the players who could be changing uniforms via trade this offseason.

The Numbers That Matter

October 28, 2004
With 1918 and 86 rendered meaningless, it's time to talk about some really important numbers.

Finally

October 28, 2004
Finally, for the first time since 1918, the Red Sox are the champions of baseball.

A Fond Farewell?

October 27, 2004
If Tuesday night was the final start of Pedro Martinez's career with the Red Sox, at least it was a start to remember.

Return From Exile

October 25, 2004
Ben escapes from his exile in New York for a day to watch Game 1 of the World Series in Massachusetts, where things just feel different.

THT Live: Home Field

October 22, 2004

Bliss

October 20, 2004
It's been an emotional four days for Ben watching something unfold that he thought couldn't happen.

Postseason Performers

October 18, 2004
As both League Championship Series head toward classic status, it's time to take a look at the players who have made these 10 games so amazing with their awe-inspiring performances.

A Harder Comeback?

October 14, 2004
Is it possible that coming back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series is harder than coming back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five? Of course it isn't. Is it?

Running Diary: October 7, 2004

October 08, 2004
Ben keeps track of his long day in front of the TV watching baseball (commentary), baseball and more baseball.

Only Mostly Dead

October 07, 2004
When you put yourself in a 3-0 hole in a seven-game playoff series, you're dead. When you put yourself in a 2-0 hole in a five-game series, you're only mostly dead. That means there's hope for a miracle.

Misunderstood Angels

October 06, 2004
The Angels didn't look like a great team in Game 1, so why does most of the media seem to think they are?

Fantasy Keepers: Catchers

September 30, 2004
Ben takes a look at the top 10 catchers to keep in fantasy baseball for next season.

Three Thoughts: 9/29/04

September 28, 2004
Ben discusses the Cardinals, Ichiro Suzuki, and the Yankees-Twins series.

Opposite Directions

September 23, 2004
Ben looks at the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers, as well as five other pairs of teams that saw a big reversal in their spots in the standings from one year to the next.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 24

September 16, 2004
Four infielders highlight Ben's list of the hottest fantasy hitters of the week, and three others appear on the list of those who are not so hot.

Timing is Everything

September 15, 2004
Ben takes a look at a pitcher with a chance to become the first to lose 20 games since, well, since just last season. Apparently losing 20 games isn't that bad if it's only been one year since the last person did it.

Three Thoughts: 9/15/04

September 15, 2004
Ben talks about Oakland's Big Three, Nomar Garciaparra's season and some impressive relievers.

Fantasy: Healthy and Happy

September 08, 2004
Ben takes a look at 10 players who have come back from earlier injuries and are playing very well right now.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 22

September 02, 2004
Ben takes a look at a dozen players who have been red hot during the last week.

Fantasy Notes: 9/1/04

August 31, 2004
Ben talks about the increasingly impressive group of major-league catchers, this year's two sure-thing batting champs, and some players with a lot of homers despite not a lot of at-bats.

Fantasy Mailbag: Rankings

August 25, 2004
Ben looks into his fantasy mailbag and finds a couple questions asking him to rank groups of players, and he obliges.

Fantasy: Closer Report

August 24, 2004
Ben takes a look at a dozen closers from around the majors.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 20

August 20, 2004
Five batters who hit at least .500 this week highlight Ben's list of the hottest fantasy players.

Fantasy: Batting Average Busts

August 18, 2004
Ben discusses some players who have not been up to their usual standards at the plate.

Fantasy Mailbag: Just Say No

August 13, 2004
Ben looks into his fantasy e-mailbag and advises three people not to make trades they're considering

Fantasy: Batting Average Bonanza

August 09, 2004
Ben takes a look at 20 players whose batting averages are greatly surpassing their career marks.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 18

August 05, 2004
A former MVP who seems to have changed his usual trend tops this week's hitters, while a "fifth starter" is among the top pitchers.

Fantasy Mailbag: Three Questions

August 04, 2004
Ben digs into the fantasy e-mailbag and answers three questions this week.

Fantasy Specialists: Pitchers

August 03, 2004
Ben takes a look at some pitchers who could give you a one-category boost.

Fantasy Mailbag: 10-player trade

July 28, 2004
A question about a nifty 10-player trade highlights this week's foray into the e-mailbag.

Fantasy Specialists: Hitters

July 27, 2004
Ben takes a look at some position players who could give you a one-category boost if you need it.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 16

July 23, 2004
Some impressive hitting achievements dominate this week's lists, plus a Hall-of-Fame pitcher who might not be quite done yet.

Fantasy Mailbag: Will Morneau Get His Shot?

July 22, 2004
It's getting to the point of the season where people are starting to look towards next year and think about who they might like to keep. Ben tries to help out a few such people.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Closer

July 20, 2004
With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Starting Pitcher

July 16, 2004
With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Outfield

July 15, 2004
With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Shortstop

July 13, 2004
With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Third Base

July 12, 2004
With the baseball season about halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Second Base

July 08, 2004
With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: First Base

July 07, 2004
With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Midseason Rankings: Catcher

July 06, 2004
With the baseball season halfway over, Ben looks back at his preseason rankings and updates them based on what's happened so far this year.

Fantasy Mailbag: Two Big Trade Questions

June 24, 2004
Ben takes a quick look into his e-mailbag and answers a couple questions about big fantasy trades.

Fantasy: Overachieving or Underutilized?

June 21, 2004
Ben takes a look at several players who may be suffering from preset expectations that they are exceeding.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week 11

June 17, 2004
Some players fresh off the disabled list highlight Ben's list of who's hot and who's not this week.

Fantasy: Closer Report

June 09, 2004
Ben takes a look at the closer situation for all 30 teams.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Nine

June 04, 2004
While everybody talks about how impressive the old guys have been playing, Ben looks at a dozen younger guys who have had a very good week.

Fantasy Mailbag: International E-Mails

June 03, 2004
Ben digs into his e-mailbag again and finds questions from people on the other side of each ocean.

Seeing Stars in Rochester

June 02, 2004
Ben talks about getting the chance to cover the first two games of Joe Mauer's rehab assignment in Rochester.

Fantasy Mailbag: Blockbuster Trade Advice

May 26, 2004
Ben digs into his fantasy mailbag and finds an interesting blockbuster trade to discuss, as well as an e-mail from a fantasy owner who needs some cheering up and some healthy players.

Fantasy: Disappointing Pitchers

May 26, 2004
Ben looks at some of the pitchers who have turned in the most disappointing performances so far this season.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Seven

May 20, 2004
Due to the number of amazing pitching performances last week, Ben switches things up and lists the pitchers first in this week's stock watch.

Fantasy Mailbag: Too Much Hype

May 19, 2004
Ben looks through his mailbag and finds that all the hype surrounding Carlos Beltran is making people go a little bit overboard.

THT Live: Randy in the Newsroom

May 19, 2004

Five Games in Six Days

May 18, 2004
From AAA to Pedro vs. Halladay, Ben talks about the five baseball games he attended in the last week.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Six

May 13, 2004
Ben's list of hot hitters includes an infielder at every position and his list of cold hitters is headlined by an unexpected name.

Fantasy Mailbag: Two for One

May 12, 2004
Ben looks into his mailbag yet again to answer questions, and finds a couple regarding some interesting 2-for-1 trades.

Fantasy: Surprise Pitchers

May 11, 2004
Ben takes a look around the league and finds several pitchers who have been big surprises so far this season, including one pitcher who's had to work a mile above sea level.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Five

May 06, 2004
Ben takes a look at some of the players who have helped (Carlos Silva) or hurt (Bartolo Colon) their fantasy value this week.

Fantasy Mailbag: Mussina’s Value

May 05, 2004
Ben digs into his e-mailbag and finds questions about a number of top pitchers, including Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay and Curt Schilling.

Fantasy: Surprise Hitters

May 03, 2004
Ben takes a look around the league and finds several players who have been big surprises, both of the good and bad variety.

Fantasy Mailbag: Beltran or Vlad?

April 28, 2004
Ben sorts through his mailbag and answers some fantasy questions, including whether or not Vladimir Guerrero is good enough to fetch Carlos Beltran in a trade.

Fantasy: Closer Look

April 27, 2004
Ben looks around the league and discusses some of the more interesting closer situations.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Three

April 22, 2004
Ben takes a look at who's been hot or cold the last week and marvels at yet another unbelievable accomplishment from an unbelievable player.

Fantasy: Catching Fire

April 19, 2004
Ben takes a look at some catchers who are hitting very well early in the season and what it could mean for your fantasy team.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week Two

April 16, 2004
Ben looks at certain changing fantasy values, including a keystone combo in Texas and some old starting pitchers going in different directions.

Fantasy Stock Watch: Week One

April 08, 2004
Ben takes a look at some of the players who have helped (Jermaine Dye) or hurt (Brian Roberts) their fantasy value this week.

Fantasy: Painful Beginnings

April 06, 2004
No team has played more than three games yet this season, but there have already been a plethora of injuries to teams in the AL Central.

Five Questions: Boston Red Sox

April 06, 2004
The Red Sox were unable to complete their trade for Alex Rodriguez, but they did improve the starting rotation, sign a top-notch closer and keep a great offense largely intact. Will that be enough to break the six-year cycle of the AL East and finally get past the New York Yankees?

THT Live: ESPN Expert Picks

April 04, 2004

Five Questions: Baltimore Orioles

April 04, 2004
After winning the AL East in 1997, the Orioles have finished fourth in each of the last six seasons. They're in the wrong division to make a surprise run at the playoffs, but do they at least have a shot at escaping fourth place? Ben examines five key questions facing the team.

Fantasy: Preseason Roundup

April 03, 2004
Ben takes one final look at every team to find anything that could impact your fantasy team before the season really gets underway.

Fantasy: Personality Problems

April 02, 2004
The nice thing about fantasy baseball is that you don't need to worry about a player's personality. Unless, of course, that personality prevents him from reaching his full potential.

Fantasy: Leadoff Surprises

March 31, 2004
Ben examines the surprising lineup shuffling that could make Tony Womack more valuable than Kenny Lofton.

THT Live: Devil Rays in First

March 30, 2004

THT Live: Moose Still Waiting

March 30, 2004

THT Live: Season Firsts

March 30, 2004

THT Live: Play Ball

March 30, 2004

Fantasy Rankings: On the Bubble

March 26, 2004
Ben discusses the guys who just missed the cut in his pre-season position rankings.

Fantasy Rankings: Starting Pitcher (Part Two)

March 24, 2004
Ben provides the rest of his list of the top 75 fantasy starting pitchers for 2004.

Fantasy Rankings: Starting Pitcher (Part One)

March 22, 2004
Ben provides the top 40 of his list of the top 75 fantasy starting pitchers for 2004.

Fantasy Rankings: Closer

March 19, 2004
Ben ranks the 30 projected closers and also offers some contingency plans.

Fantasy Rankings: Outfield

March 18, 2004
Ben wades through the deep pool of fantasy outfielders and ranks his top 50 for 2004.

Fantasy Rankings: Shortstop

March 17, 2004
What starts with an Alex and ends with an Alex? Ben's top 20 fantasy shortstops for 2004.

Fantasy Rankings: Third Base

March 17, 2004
Ben helps you sort out the logjam at the top of the third base fantasy rankings, and ranks the rest of the top 20 as well.

Fantasy Rankings: First Base

March 16, 2004
Ben takes a look at the top 20 fantasy first baseman for this season and puts them in order for you.

Fantasy Rankings: Second Base

March 16, 2004
Ben ranks the top 20 second basemen in fantasy baseball this season, from Alfonso Soriano to Mark Ellis.

Fantasy Rankings: Catcher

March 15, 2004
Ben ranks the top 20 catchers in fantasy baseball this season, from Mike Piazza to Miguel Olivo.

Rivals in Exile: Great Expectations

June 19, 2006
With the Red Sox and Yankees separated by just a game in their battle for first place, Ben and Larry discuss whether or not they're living up to expectations.

Rivals in Exile: Last Place

April 25, 2005
The Yankees are in last place, but Larry's not too concerned because they're no worse off than they were last year.

Rivals in Exile: Slow Starts

April 18, 2005
Ben is pleased to see the Red Sox begin to snap out of their slow start, while Larry is upset that the Yankees have fallen into even more of a slump.

Rivals in Exile: Way Too Early

April 11, 2005
Neither Ben nor Larry is thrilled about the way his favorite team has looked in the first week of the season, but both realize that it's way too early to worry.

Rivals in Exile: Start Your Engines

April 01, 2005
A lot's happened to the Red Sox and Yankees since Ben and Larry started chatting about their favorite teams a little over a year ago. Now, they're both ready for a new season of the rivalry to begin.

Rivals in Exile: Everybody Was Wrong

January 12, 2005
For about a full year (if not longer), everybody's been saying that Carlos Beltran would be going to New York this winter. Everybody was right, but for the wrong reason. Ben's very happy about that, and Larry's certainly not.

Rivals in Exile: Happy Holidays?

December 29, 2004
Did the Red Sox and Yankees give Ben and Larry a Merry Christmas, or not?

Rivals in Exile: Feeding Frenzy

December 20, 2004
Ben and Larry try to make sense of what their favorite teams have done in the last week.

Rivals in Exile: Strange Arrivals and Sad Departures

December 15, 2004
As the arbitration deadline passed, the free agent season kicked into gear, with the Yankees and Red Sox making some major signings. Ben and Larry put their spin on things.

Rivals in Exile: Heating Up

December 06, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss the interesting revelations surrounding Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, the Red Sox and the Yankees that came out this past week.

Rivals in Exile: The Hot Stove

November 15, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss what they think the Red Sox and Yankees will do, hope the Red Sox and Yankees will do, and fear the Red Sox and Yankees might do this off-season.

Rivals in Exile: Looking Back

November 10, 2004
Ben and Larry take some time to look back on an amazing 2004 season for the Red Sox and Yankees.

Rivals in Exile: The Comeback

October 21, 2004
Ben and Larry talk about what happened this week to make one of them ecstatic and the other anguished.

Rivals in Exile: ALCS­­­­—Part One

October 18, 2004
There's only one thing Larry and Ben could be talking about this week -- the first four games of the American League Championship Series.

Rivals in Exile: ALDS

October 12, 2004
Ben and Larry talk about their teams' opening playoff series and the impending ALCS rematch.

Rivals in Exile: Playoff Time

October 04, 2004
The marathon's officially over, and Ben and Larry are both more than ready to see how the Red Sox and the Yankees do in the sprint.

Rivals in Exile: Until We Meet Again

September 27, 2004
After five important series between the Red Sox and Yankees, No. 6 just wasn't all that interesting or important to Larry or Ben. With Boston winning on Monday, both teams are officially in the playoffs, which means the real fun begins in a week.

Rivals in Exile: Clash of the Titans

September 20, 2004
A great series opener between the rivals that had Ben ecstatic gave way to two weekend duds that left Larry full of confidence.

Rivals in Exile: Down the Stretch

September 14, 2004
Ben and Larry talk about the strength of the Yankees and the importance of winning the AL East.

Rivals in Exile: The Other Shoe

September 05, 2004
Will the Red Sox win the AL East and is it OK to think it's funny that there's so much concern in the Bronx? Ben and Larry discuss, but don't find much common ground.

Rivals in Exile: Goodbye Dog Days, Hello Stretch Drive

August 29, 2004
September's just a few days away, and the Yankees and Red Sox have won 11 of their last 14. The East is still tight, the Wild Card even tighter, and the schedule is getting shorter. While looking forward to the crucial games in September, Ben and Larry look back at the last full week of August.

Rivals in Exile: Back From The Brink

August 23, 2004
The Red Sox had a spectacular week, the Yankees had an equally dreadful one. Boston's made up five games in seven days -- but they're still 5½ back. Is this just the beginning of something historic? One thing's for sure -- the AL East just became interesting again.

Rivals in Exile: Conflicts of Interest

August 15, 2004
Ben and Larry talk about whether or not it's okay to root for the other team in the rivalry if it helps your team win in the end.

Rivals in Exile: Errors, Wild Cards and Building for October

August 08, 2004
Ben had such high hopes for the 2004 season, but things have simply not gone as planned for the Red Sox. Still, with two months left, they have a chance to get into the postseason, and both Ben and Larry agree that's when they become dangerous.

Rivals in Exile: Deadline

August 02, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss the trade that ended Nomar Garciaparra's career in Boston.

Rivals in Exile: Stayin’ Alive

July 25, 2004
Comebacks, brawls and a vital Boston victory. Are the Red Sox back?

Rivals in Exile: Eying the Big Unit

July 19, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss the Randy Johnson rumors, and look forward to the trading deadline.

Rivals In Exile: Seven at the Break

July 12, 2004
Larry's satisfied with where the Yankees stand at the All-Star break, but Boston's mini-run didn't change Ben's mind on the chances of the Red Sox winning the AL East.

Rivals in Exile: Sweeps Week

July 05, 2004
The Yankees and Red Sox faced off again last week, and the result was decisive. Is the AL East race over? Ben and Larry don't agree on this issue -- and not in the way you'd think.

Rivals in Exile: Series #3

June 28, 2004
Larry and Ben discuss the importance of this week's Red Sox/Yankees series.

Rivals in Exile: East Meets West

June 20, 2004
Ben's back from vacation, and he and Larry go right back at it with their beloved teams battling the NL West on the left coast.

Rivals in Exile: Cry Me a River

June 07, 2004
Boston and New York have two of the best records in all of baseball, but both have problems galore. And the world's smallest violin plays on...

Rivals in Exile: Back and Forth

May 31, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss the seesawing nature of this season's race between the Red Sox and Yankees, and why it's probably not a good idea for fans of either team to get too high or too low just yet.

Rivals in Exile: Injuries and Slumps

May 23, 2004
Ben and Larry discuss Derek Jeter, Boston's hurting stars, and exactly why the back-and-forth atop the division doesn't mean much in May.

Rivals in Exile: May Ramblings

May 09, 2004
With the Red Sox and Yankees occupying the top two spots in the American League East, like usual, Ben and Larry are both happy with where their teams are through about 20% of the season.

Rivals in Exile: Reversal of Fortune

May 03, 2004
A week after "The Sweep", Ben and Larry check in with the Red Sox and Yankees.

Rivals in Exile: Time to Panic?

April 25, 2004
Larry says Yankees fans should get angry, but shouldn't panic, while Ben just revels in the glory of a Red Sox sweep in the Bronx.

Rivals in Exile: First Blood

April 18, 2004
Hmmm... what ever could Ben and Larry have talked about this weekend?

Rivals in Exile: No Worries

April 11, 2004
Despite the fact that the Red Sox and Yankees are a combined 8-7, Ben Jacobs and Alex Belth (who fills in for Larry Mahnken one more time) are not really worried about their favorite clubs.

Rivals in Exile: Early Concerns

April 05, 2004
Ben talks to Alex Beth, who is filling in for Larry, about whether or not there's any reason to be concerned about either the Yankees or the Red Sox this early in the season.

Rivals in Exile: Play Ball

March 29, 2004
Ben and Larry are ready for the season to start, even if it is starting unfathomably early in the morning.

Rivals in Exile: Wild Cards

March 22, 2004
Ben and Larry take a look at what, if anything, could stop the Yankees and Red Sox from making the post-season, and wonder if the Wild Card is worth it.

Rivals in Exile: Off-Season Review

March 15, 2004
Is it okay to like the Yankees? Will either the Yankees or Red Sox miss the playoffs? Ben and Larry face off on opposite ends of the most passionate rivalry in sports.

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