THE WORLD SERIES: ATHLETICS vs DODGERS : A Helpful Handbook for Watching Series

With the World Series upon us, there are certain things you will want to know about the grand old game, the better to enjoy it. The difference between the hit-and-run and the run-and-hit, for example. The infield fly rule. How to score the bunt. What a slider is.

Equally important is how to read a baseball game. Like the game itself, stories about it are arcane in content. There’s more to it than meets the ear.

For instance, here is a handy glossary of terms writers use about games people play and the people who play them. On the right is what they really mean:

Intense-- Homicidal.

Moody-- Sociopathic.

Hard-bitten-- Hateful.

Scrappy-- Talentless.

Haughty-- Talented.

Unpredictable-- Crazy.

His own man-- Selfish.

Team leader-- Bully.

Charismatic-- Doesn’t talk. See Moody.

Underrated-- Boring.

Overrated-- Lazy.

Shrewd mentor-- Bunts a lot.

Genius-- Lineup of power hitters. Canseco and McGwire make geniuses.

Team player-- Can’t hit.

Clubhouse lawyer-- Won’t play for nothing.

Dissension-- Underpayment.

Harmony-- A 10-game lead.

Controversial-- Egomaniacal.

Comes to play-- See Team player. Probably can’t field, either.

Good power --Homer or nothing. Usually, nothing.

Stopper --Beats bad ballclubs for you. Gets out bad hitters.

Mainstay-- Might go 7 innings. Won’t walk too many.

Fiery-- Loud.

Hates to lose-- But does 60 times a year . You’d think he’d get used to it.

Contact hitter-- Makes sure he goes 2 for 4. The team is on its own.

Heads-up player-- Remembers how many are out.

Patient hitter-- Can’t hit the curve and knows it.

Gets along with his players-- Manipulative.

Power where you need it-- George Steinbrenner.

Dedicated-- Makes all the team buses, runs out double-play balls, which he hits a lot of. No one ever called Babe Ruth dedicated.

Potential-- What you go broke on. Or finish last with.

Arbitration-- Big decision as to whether superstar gets $2 million or $2.1 million a year.

Poise --Doesn’t mind losing.

Consistency --Failing only 7 out of 10 times at the plate instead of 8.

Hustle --Showing everyone else up. It doesn’t help, but the front office loves it.

He’s not afraid to get his uniform dirty --He doesn’t have to clean it.

Plays hurt --Stupid.

You’ll get a lot of “magic “ numbers thrown at you: “No team has ever come from three games down to win it . . . “ “No team has ever lost two games at home . . . “ etc. But, just remember, a lot of games are over before the final out. In fact, most of them.

And a lot of World Series have been over as soon as one team saw the other in batting practice--or got a look at the first Koufax fastball. That’s what makes it such a great game.