The selection of Cal Ripken's consecutive games streak is a major folly by fans and MasterCard as the greatest moment in the history of baseball.

First off, the streak can hardly be considered a moment, seeing that it lasted for over 2,100 games. Maybe, if the fans had voted for Ripken's record-breaking game, or a big moment in the streak, it would have been different. But the fans did not, and instead they voted for one of the most overrated records in any sport. Consecutive game streaks are meaningless in baseball for a number of reasons. For starters, the day in and day out grind of a baseball season wears on a player. Ripken selfishly kept his streak alive while hurting the prospects of his team to win.

Another reason for my dislike of Ripken's "moment" being chosen as the greatest moment in baseball history regards Ripken himself. Yes, Ripken was a very good player, but he is not the legend that he has always been lionized as. Ripken's greatness rests in his longevity, not his brilliance. In his 21-year career, Ripken only hit over .300 five times, and in that time he led the league in doubles once, hits once and at-bats twice. For a great player, who supposedly redefined how a position was played, he had surprisingly weak statistical performances. He hit over 30 home runs in a year once, had four seasons of over 100 runs batted in, and only had three seasons of over 100 runs scored. These numbers are impressive only when viewed in the context of the weak crop of shortstops in the 1980s.

If Ripken had played against the shortstops of today, he would pale in comparison, even though his numbers would be inflated by the current offensive era.

In almost six seasons in the major leagues, Miguel Tejada has three times as many seasons with 30 or more home runs, as many seasons with over 100 runs scored, and one fewer season with 100 RBIs. Nomar Garciaparra, in about the same time as Tejada, has just as many .300 seasons, one more 30 home run season, just as many 100 run seasons and one fewer 100 RBI seasons. Even Derek Jeter, who is unbelievably overrated, has scored over 100 runs seven times, and has driven in over 100 once, can compare himself favorably to Ripken. And let's not even compare Alex Rodriguez to Ripken, it just isn't fair to the old man.

Cal Ripken did have a great career, but his consecutive games streak was more a media construct than a great achievement. For it to be considered the greatest baseball moment ever is a slap in the face to the numerous actual moments that changed the face of baseball forever, or at least fit the definition of a moment.

Kent fails to deliver in Series

Although this World Series went seven games, I don't think that it will be remembered as one of the greatest ever. In fact, it pales in comparison to two of the game sevens played in the last decade alone.

Last year's game seven was unbelievably dramatic, with Alfonso Soriano putting the Yankees ahead in the eighth inning, and then Mariano Rivera losing the game while Randy Johnson came back on zero days rest to win it for the Diamondbacks. In 1997 it was the extra-inning thriller between the Indians and the Marlins that ended the series.

This year, the final score of the game was close, but in the late innings there was never a chance for the Giants to come back into the game. When it mattered most, the Angels pitchers were able to neutralize the batters around Barry Bonds and thus win the game. There was no way that they were going to stop Bonds, he is just too good and too determined. It is a testament to his success this postseason that he garnered support for the World Series MVP award, even though he was on the losing team. He absolutely dominated the way that the series was played in a way that no player has done before.

But the Angels' pitching staff minimized the damage done by the rest of the Giants' lineup. Jeff Kent, other than one game, had a horrible postseason, and he is where the blame lies in the Giants clubhouse.

And Kent will likely be gone from that clubhouse next year, as he is a free agent and it is unlikely that the team will bring him back. Maybe then we will be able to get a good view of Bonds as a person, because it is Kent that has done the most to spread the word of Bonds' surliness. The fact is, Kent is just as hated in the Giants clubhouse-he is just unaware of it. He is no angel, as his motorcycle accident in violation of his contract proved earlier this season, and it is likely that he will be the center of controversy every place that he goes.

In this postseason one player redeemed himself-Bonds-and another failed in his first extended chance in the spotlight-Kent. At this late stage of his career, Kent is attempting to make a surge into the Hall of Fame, which is possible if he produces at his current level for a few more years, but right now he is open to the same criticism that Bonds had to face earlier this year. He doesn't get it done when it counts the most.