Ah, yes, it's the beginning of holiday season in San Jose. First the annual "Quakes Playoff Ray of Hope" festivities, which leads to Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. It's become of yearly tradition, complete with magical stories.

"OK, kids, gather around, and I'll tell you about the time the Earthquakes made the playoffs!

[kids, together]"Gasp!" Really!? Tell us about it, Uncle JazzyJ!"

"Well, once upon a time the Earthquakes were full of players with magical powers. There was a midfielder who was so fast that he was called the Son of the Wind. He'd fly in from nowhere and steal the ball off of player's feet.

And then there was the forward with the flowing blond locks, who could gallop and buck like a stallion, and wrestle with defenders until they acted out in a fit of rage.

And there was the English magician, Simon, who could dart through defenders with the ball as if attached to his feet.

[kids]You mean like Simon Dawkins?

Er, yeah, well, like that, only, uh...different.

And then slightly built central midfield and could dart in and out like hummingbird, pressuring the ball at one moment and then spinning and turning the next and delivering the ball on a dime.

[kids]What about Wondo, was he on the team?

Ah yes, but he had even more special powers that year. He had mastered Jedi mind tricks that allowed to make defenders think he had gone right when he had gone left!

[kids]Tell us what happened in the playoffs, Uncle JazzyJ, it must have been incredible!

Wait, not tonight, kids, it's bed time!!

[kids]Ahh.....