Interesting stuff from around the sports world that nearly made us pee our pants … and spit it up on this guy. Read on, enjoy, and please, pal, get some freakin jeans: 

WOW POW: The Indians are one win from Cleveland’s third World Series in 12 years. Two people are behind it: The ageless Paul Byrd, who hurled another great game and, thanks to our friends MC Bias, we know the lord himself played a role. Who knew the big guy likes the lake? Meanwhile, The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo has more on the decision to pitch Tim Wakefield and not Josh Beckett. [MC, BG]

JUST SHUT UP, REDS FANS: You haven’t won in years, so give Dusty Baker a chance. Paul Daugherty of The Cincinnati Enquirer writes about all those Queen City fans bitching and complaining. Did you really think you were going to get Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre? [CE]

BOEHEIM IS GONE! BOEHEIM IS GONE: Well, not quite yet, but soon. The Sporting News reports Syracuse has named assistant Mike Hopkins as coach Jim Boeheim … whenever Boeheim retires. Hopkins has been an SU assistant for 13 years, and played for Boeheim. [SN]

ASU VOTED #1 … SO WHAT?: Pitchforknation.com interviewed the guy who voted Arizona State number one in last week’s AP Poll. Why is everyone getting on this guy’s case? How is it all these yahoos vote Ohio State number one, no one complains, but when one guy votes ASU, a team with nearly the same resume, you go crazy? [PN]

THE LORD MADE UK HOOPS, NOT RUPP: Theangryt.com found an interesting article on Kentucky recruit Alex Legion, who says he found out about the Wildcats’ hoops history through … well, the big guy. [TA]