Opinion : Reality TV at its best; why the World Series deserves more attention

     The only reality TV that I find worth watching has been on this week: The World Series. Even though this year's "Fall Classic" takes place hundreds of miles from at least two-thirds of Americans, it has begun to get the attention of viewers.

     That's because two very good (and evenly matched teams) are playing baseball at its best. A good sports columnist like ESPN's Jason Stark can give you lots of good reasons to watch this series, which resumes tonight (7 p.m., Fox).

       Stark offered many historical milestones that this World Series has already achieved after just two games. But he overlooked on very important point, something that was demonstratred in the early innings of Game 1.

     St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Chris Carpenter was covering first base on a grouind ball hit to first baseman Albert Pujols, who made a less then perfect throw to Carpenter. The pitcher dived for the throw, caught the ball and landed on first base to get the runner, Elvis Andrus, out.

        It was a great play; it was also a dangerous one. By the time Andrus approached first base, most of it was covered by Carpenter's hand,arm and upper body. In the split second that it took to decide what to do, Andrus turned just enough so that his foot -- with the metal spikes -- landed on the part of the base that was not covered by Carpenter.

     "He could have ruined my night," Carpenter said during an interview.       Indeed. And some players probably would have.

     But in addition to being great baseball players, the Rangers are good guys. The Cardiinals, too. The Elvis Andrus play was just one example (on the field and off) of two teams full of men like the ones who inspired the sports poets a century ago. I only hope the poets are paying attention.      

     Did you see the Rangers celebrating the win that put them in the World Series? Instead of spraying each other with champagne in the locker room, they held their party on the field, where the fans could join the celebration. And instead of booze, they used ginger ale, in respect to player Josh Hamilton, a recovering alcoholic. I hope that kind of celebration becomes a new tradition for all MLB teams

.      While it might better for ratings in some markets in this age of reality show nonsense if there were a bench-clearing brawl every night, the Cardinals and Rangers are playing the kind of game that's best for baseball. And for America.

      "Competition at its finest," Cardiinals first base coach Dave McKay said to Rangers first baseman Michael Young.

      "Yeah," replied Young. "Fun, isn't it?"    

     And while too many viewers in New York and California might prefer to watch reality show reruns tonight, the World Series participants are showing us why baseball still deserves to be America's Pastime.

     And with each pitch, each play, each word, they are showing us why for millions, baseball is still, as the first baseman said: Fun.