The MLB Playoffs began today, and FindSportsNow is still beaming over the fact that neither New York team is involved. Why? Because we're now spared the following:

-Tributes to the horrendously ugly Yankee and Shea stadiums
-Mentions of a Subway Series
-Commentators singing the praises of the disgustingly overrated Derek Jeter
-Soundbytes from guys named Steinbrenner or Wilpon, who think that great wealth equates to great knowledge of the game.

-Pinstripes (Yes. We know the Cubs, Phils and White Sox wear pinstripes. We're talking about the ugly Babe Ruth-slimming kind.)
-The steroid-less corpse of Jason Giambi
-The Mets' bullpen
-Joba Chamberlain's pitch count
-Transplanted New Yorkers who dust off their hats once a year to cheer for the team they followed as 8 year-olds
-The "genius" of Omar Minaya
-David Wright and his obscenely attractive girlfriend (link)
-Mr. Met

-Endless Bill Buckner flashbacks in the event of a Red Sox-Mets World Series
-Amazin's and Bronx Bombers
-Yogi Berra

P.S. Why hasn't anyone mentioned the fact that the original Yankee Stadium was destroyed in 1973 and replaced with a concrete toilet?!?!?