I still haven’t seen a single pitch of the playoffs this year. I’ve got nothing against them, mind you, it’s just that after suffering through my Padres’ 99-loss season (and to a much lesser extent, the Royals’ 87-loss season — although that at least represents their best showing since ‘03) I’m sick of watching actual games.

I probably shouldn’t admit this sort of thing, but I’m a lousy liar. I can’t just go around pretending to be excited about the prospect of a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series or whatever. It’s not like I’m getting a cut of the profits.

That said, the story about the 12-year-old Rays fan who got suspended for sporting a Mohawk in support of his team slays me. First off, how uptight are public schools these days? Granted, I grew up in a large metropolitan area where a Mohawk in junior high wouldn’t necessarily get you a second glance, but really? A Mohawk? If that’s the worst a kid can do, we should all be so lucky.

Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. Heh.

Anyway, more importantly, I love that the Rays supported this kid’s fandom and gave him the five-star treatment at Game 2 of the ALCS. The best part? From the article: “First baseman Carlos Pena offered to write the youngster’s former principal a note.”

Where do you even start with something like that? “Dear Principal Downer: Please excuse Zachary’s hairstyle. Signed, Epstein’s mother.”

Yeah, I’m pretty sure if the Rays reach the World Series, I’ll watch an inning in their honor. Any team whose players would rally around a kid trying to show his support for them is okay in my book.