World Series

ATLANTA -- If this keeps up, Lonnie Smith is going to give a whole new meaning to the term "Mr. October."And a slew of teams will be lining up for his services in the twilight of a World Series career.Smith, who homered in his third straight game as the Atlanta Braves took a 3-2 lead over the Minnesota Twins with a 14-5 win last night, is one victory away from a unique ring collection. If the Braves can win one more game, Smith will get his fourth World Series championship ring -- all with different teams.

An Open Letter to Canada:Everything that's good about baseball and the passion it provokes was exemplified in the World Series. For the first time, the prideful winner is a team from Canada and not the United States. Do we Americans take umbrage? Of course not. The new champion more than paid the price.And is there a better way, or more democratic, than to highlight again the exemplary relationship that exists between our two countries than to share success in something as basic as baseball?

After a one-year absence caused by last year's strike, the World Series returns to October TV -- although with a late calendar start. Do you remember when the classic was sometimes completed by Oct. 21?* "The World Series" (7 p.m.-10 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- And what are the odds that two teams with politically incorrect names and logos -- both borrowed from Native Americans -- would make the fall classic? Yep, the Atlanta Braves meet the Cleveland Indians in Atlanta in tonight's first game.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins manager Tom Kelly probably didn't mean anything by it, but he inadvertently insulted Atlanta Braves left-hander Steve Avery during yesterday's World Series news conference.He insinuated that Avery is a thrower rather than a pitcher, which didn't go over very well with tonight's Game 6 starting pitcher."I really think he wings it," Kelly said. "When you throw 89-91, you can just let it go. I think [Greg] Olson just sits in the middle of the plate and reacts to where the ball goes.

Playing in the Cal Ripken 12-and-under World Series is "a chance to be a pro for a few days," said Calvert County manager Mark Chandlee, referring to the first-class treatment the teams receive. "I reminded my parents what a great opportunity this is, no matter how many games we win," he said. Calvert County is in Aberdeen for the second time in three years as the Maryland state champion in the Cal Ripken division of Babe Ruth League Baseball. The Southern Maryland team defeated six opponents - four by lopsided scores - in the state tournament to earn a return trip to Cal Sr.'s Yard.

ATLANTA -- Credit Greg (single g, please) Olson with a save in the Atlanta Braves' spellbinding 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins in 12 innings here last night.It won't show up in the box score of World Series Game 3, but Olson saved the night for the National Leaguers four innings before Mark Lemke got the game-winning hit. After the dust had settled and the tomahawks were put away for the night, Olson's play was overshadowed but not overlooked.One pitch before Kirby Puckett struck out with runners on first and third, Atlanta reliever Alejandro Pena uncorked a nasty slider that broke into the dirt, two feet wide of home plate.

GOLDEN GIRL Jane Rogers returned to her home from a West Coast adventure this week -- a victor.The Mount Airy resident and other members of the Golden Girls softball team traveled to Palm Springs, Calif., to participate in the Senior World Series on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 2 and 3. The 50 and above team played 11 games and won the Women's Division Series.Mrs. Rogers, a lefty who plays first base, said her team first played four games in the World Series bracket play, winning three games.Seven games played in double elimination format followed, with the Golden Girls triumphant in six."

CINCINNATI -- Somewhere, somebody will be storing this World Series in his memory bank. The World Series always presents something to remember -- sublime or ridiculous. To each his own.There was the vendor in the upper deck at Dodger Stadium who made an art form of tossing peanuts and catching the change without missing a beat of banter. "It's over," he pronounced to the dismay of Los Angeles Dodger fans when the 1978 New York Yankees took the lead. "The team that comes from behind is ahead."

The TV repairman:IT REALLY doesn't matter if CBS lose big dough because of the short American League Championship Series, lousy scheduling and scrawny ratings. The nets have a way of making up big losses and showing a hefty profit at the end of the year. What does matter is how baseball is marketed in this marriage of convenience ($$$) with the network.At one time, the playoff system proved a worthy warmup act for the star, the World Series. Five games or less played quickly, then right into the best-of-seven showdown two days later.

More than bragging rights are at stake as the Orioles return home today in their quest for a world championship. There's money.Lots of it.The team, which says it will post its first profit in five years this season, could generate an additional $9 million in net income if it gets to the World Series and plays the maximum 10 postseason home games, said Orioles vice chairman of finance Joe Foss.But the Orioles will have to beat Seattle, grab the American League pennant and be competitive in the World Series for that kind of payoff.