Sports 101

"Who Let the Dogs Out?" Barking chorus: "Woof (pause), woof, woof, woof, woof!"

The popular song by the Baha Men was chosen this season as the Seattle Mariners' theme song. Other Major League Baseball playoff and NFL teams have also been pumping up the crowds with the memorable Top 10 hit.

It has certainly pumped up the Mariners, who beat the New York Yankees in New York in the first game of the American League Championship Series (best of seven). But on Wednesday, the Yankees barked back and tied the series at 1-1. Over in the National League, the New York Mets lead the St. Louis Cardinals, 1-0. The Mets played in St. Louis last night and will return to New York this weekend. If you're not a New York fan, there's still some hope for a Seattle-St. Louis World Series.

Q: Who are the premier players for the New York Yankees and Seattle?

A: Shortstops Derek Jeter (Yankees) and Alex Rodriguez (Mariners, aka "A-Rod"). This year, Rodriguez hit .316 with 41 homers and 132 runs batted in; equally productive is Jeter who hit .339 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs. Ironically, both players are good friends and have a brotherlike relationship. "They are very different player-wise," says Yankees manager Joe Torre. "But as far as the way they carry themselves and how hard they play, they are very, very much alike.... It's going to make for an exciting series."

Q: Why isn't Mark McGwire of St. Louis in the regular lineup?

A: Because he's been on the disabled list since early July with a knee injury. He returned Sept. 8 and has been limited to one at-bat per game. If the Cardinals make it to the World Series, McGwire says he'll be ready for designated-hitter duty.

"I'd love to get four or five at-bats," McGwire said earlier this week. "It would be great."

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