The A's are doomed. The Red Sox are gonna win this series. The Curse of the Buck strikes again.

Every time the A's have lost a postseason series since 1988, somebody named "Buck" has broadcast at least one game of the series. 1988 and 1990 World Series: Jack Buck. 1992 ALCS: Buck Martinez. 2000 and 2001 ALDS: Joe Buck. 2002 ALDS: Buck Martinez.

No Bucks broadcast the 1988 ALCS or the any of the 1989 playoffs, when the A's won the World Series.

The only exception is the 1990 ALCS, which the A's won, where I assume Buck Martinez was calling it for some Canadian outlet, but I haven't been able to confirm that information.

Anyway, I just found out that calling this series for ESPN Radio will be: Buck Martinez. Aaaaaagh!

I think it's a conspiracy. The networks dream of having the Red Sox and Yankees play each other. So to ensure they get it, they simply say "Buck you, Oakland!"

Perhaps we can buck this curse. Do not listen to the ESPN Radio broadcast, no matter what. If you're at the game, do not look at Buck Martinez for any reason. Avoid him like a vampire avoids the sun. Don't even look up towards the broadcast booth, for you might accidentally see him. If a Buck calls a game and nobody listens, does it make a sound?

Of course, the Red Sox have their own curses. Is Bucky Dent a curse? Are both teams therefore bucked? What happens when curses collide? Which curse is stronger, the Buck or the Bambino? Perhaps it will end up as Billy Beane said in the Chronicle this morning: "Like 'Rock'em Sock'em Robots,' where both heads pop off at the same time and no one can continue.''

Either that, or someone will somehow manage to buck their curse. Does the buck stop here? I would like nothing more than to wake the networks from their dreams and tell them and their curse to go buck themselves: "Buck, your time has come! It's the A's vs. the Twins! Buck off!"