Detroit Free Press

So now we know. The rain in New York contains kryptonite.How else do you explain the early mortality of the best pitcher in baseball this year, Justin Verlander, and arguably the next best in the league, CC Sabathia, who were both all-everything during the regular season, then got doused by Bronx showers in Game 1 last Friday, and starting throwing like human beings in Game 3 Monday night?No capes. No x-ray vision. No glowering, overpowering giants.

ARLINGTON, Texas - I know. I know.Your best offense isn't supposed to be the other team's quarterback. Your wake-up call is not supposed to be "Twenty-four points down! Let's rock!" Your star player isn't supposed to sit on the sideline for 35 minutes, long enough to watch a sitcom, which is what the Lions' offense had been to that point.

We were sitting in a famous New York deli once. It was 2 a.m., place was empty, someone ordered a big sandwich, and several of us had a bite. When the bill came, we were charged $17 apiece for sharing."Why?" we asked."Customers wait for tables," the waitress said. "We can't have one eater and others taking up space.""But there's no one else here," we protested."Listen," she griped, a hand on her hip, "this is New York. It's the big leagues."