October has often been called the best month on the sports calendar. For hockey fans, that's because the long off-season is finally over and the games that matter have started. But for other sports fans, October is special because of the baseball playoffs and the World Series.
Most hockey fans wouldn't dream of switching over to a baseball game after waiting all summer for the NHL season to start, but others are no doubt tempted to tune in knowing that a championship is on the line. So if you're a hockey fan who's thinking about checking out some action on the diamond, here's a handy guide to some of the subtle differences between the two sports to help you follow the action:
MLB: By late October, twenty-eight teams have already been eliminated from championship contention.
NHL: By late October, no teams have been eliminated from championship contention, with the exception of Edmonton.
MLB: Commissioner Bud Selig has been accused of having a conflict of interest in the games, since his family holds an ownership stake in the Milwaukee Brewers.
NHL: Commissioner Gary Bettman has never been accused of having any interest in the games at all.
MLB: “Blocking the plate” can get you seriously injured if you are a catcher and there is a close play at home.
NHL: “Blocking the plate” can get you seriously injured if you are dining with Dustin Byfuglien.
MLB: If you see the defense standing around helplessly while a player circles the bases before scoring, you'll know that batter has hit a home run.
NHL: If you see the defense standing around helplessly while a player circles the rink before scoring, you'll know that Steven Stamkos is playing.
MLB: It took the sport a generation to recover from the cancellation of the 1994 World Series due to a players' strike led by hard-line union head Donald Fehr.
NHL: I'm sure whoever's heading up the NHLPA these days would never do something like that.
MLB: In both 2010 and 2011, the Texas Rangers won their first two playoff rounds under the leadership of popular manager Ron Washington.
NHL: Nobody with “Washington” on their jersey ever wins two playoff rounds in the same season.
MLB: Outdoor games are sometimes cancelled due to rain.
NHL: Outdoor games are played even if it's raining, because come on, it's not like anybody is going to get hurt out there.
MLB: Both hands with palms down waved across the front of the body is the signal that the umpire has called a runner safe.
NHL: Both hands with palms down waved across the front of the body is the signal that it was a bad idea to try to fight Arron Asham.
MLB: A player who manages four different types of hits in the same game is said to have “hit for the cycle.”
NHL: A player who manages four different hits in the same game is said to have “been scheduled for a hearing with Brendan Shanahan.”
MLB: They call it the “foul pole,” even though if the ball hits it, it's not actually foul. This is fascinating according to every single baseball fan ever.
NHL: They call it the “goal post,” even though if the puck hits it, it's not actually a goal. Nobody cares because we have other things to talk about.
MLB: You can tell who gets to host game seven of the World Series by checking which league won that season's all-star game.
NHL: You can tell who gets to host game seven of the Stanley Cup final by checking which city's local businesses are hurriedly boarding up all their windows.
MLB: “Defensive indifference” refers to a play in which a runner is not credited with a stolen base because the defense did not make an effort to throw him out.
NHL: “Defensive indifference” is the title of last season's Toronto Maple Leafs highlight DVD.
MLB: Fans look forward to a mid-game tradition called the “seventh-inning stretch,” in which everyone stands around and listens to a song from 1908.
NHL: Fans look forward to a mid-game tradition called Coach's Corner, in which everyone stands around and listens to opinions from 1908.