Congratulations Phillies

The Phillies are World Champions.  Cory Matthews would be proud! 

In all seriousness, congratulations Laura.  Enjoy the title.

This is now the third year in a row one of our teams won the World Series.  You know what that means?  

Pittsburgh Pirates: 2009 World Series Champions.  

You heard it here first.

Pitching Strategy

So what do you do tonight?  Do you go with a brand new starter to pitch 3 or 4 innings?  Or do you use your bullpen like you would  in any other World Series game in the late innings.

I think Tampa Bay's gotta start with Balfour, cause otherwise they lose him for the night.  After that, I guess it depends on situation.  Philly on the other hand has more options.  For all intensive purposes, Hamels is on 2 days rest, and he's also leading off the inning.  I haven't seen him play too often, but looking at his stats it doesn't seem like he's a great hitter.  I might just go with a starter for the whole game...however long that lasts.  Moyer pitched well in game four.  You think he could give you three or four shut out innings tonight Laura?

!!!!!!

I have SO many things to say... but no time to write. Here's a reminder for myself:

Mad River
horrible officiating
Bud Selig
rain delay and game suspension
Joe Buck
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
cow bells
RISP
home wins vs away wins
home field advantage
instant replay
the lack of Manny
my baseball
late nights
the real deal

I can't wait to write about this stuff... soon...

2008 World Series: Game One

PHILS!!!!!!!!!!!

The pitching was absolutely outstanding... with Hamels, Madson, and Lidge performing brilliantly.

Utley... what can I say... the offensive man of the game.

Sexy Werth... dreamy as ever with his run scored and two doubles. [Sorry... that's just what I call him.]

The Flying Hawaiian... the new Mr. October?

Pedro and Ruiz... filling in for Rollins and Howard who're doing squat.

My concern: something needs to be done about these stranded runners. Guys are getting on base only to get left there. With Cole pitching it was okay cuz he's gonna keep the other team from scoring... but what about the rest of the week...

Overall... GREAT start Phillies!!!!!!!!

The Tampa Bay Rays are American League Champions

I just wrote the title of this post.  There are a lot of thoughts running through my mind.  Francona shoulda pinched hit for Varitek in the seventh with two runners on and in the ninth when he was the tying run.  Coco Crisp should have slid right at the bag instead of trying to take out Bartlett.  The umpire shouldn't have called J.D. Drew out on the worst check swing call I've ever seen.  But it doesn't matter what should have happened.  It matters what did.

There are lots of people in Tampa Bay right now.  I've seen hundreds of games there on television, and in the games I see, it's usually 50% of capacity and 95% of those people are wearing Red Sox gear.  Now the place is packed with people wearing Rays gear crying and hugging each other like they've waited 95 years to see this.  Congratulations to the four or five hundred diehards.  You deserve something like this and I hope you got to see it along with the tens of thousands of people there who couldn't name a Devil Ray to save their life.  Though to their credit they've been pretty supportive the past 2 months or so when they finally figured out they had a baseball team.  Maybe they've been confused the past 10 years.  I've never been down there, but I hear the stadium is in St. Petersburg, not Tampa Bay.  Maybe they've been searching and just found the place.  Hopefully this will be the start of something there.  That would be good for baseball.  And who knows... maybe next year these people will come back and they'll actually sell out a regular season game or two.

Last year I posted that the Cleveland Indians became irrelevant the night they lost game 7.  I stand by that.  The 2008 Boston Red Sox are now irrelevant.  If I've counted right, the Red Sox have been in playoff series deciding games 8 times in my life.  They're 5-3.  All three loses were on the road, and in all three loses the Red Sox scored first.  Nothing's sweeter than winning those games.  Nothing hurt more then losing the first 2.  This one stings a lot less.  I guess two World Series titles lessens the blow. 

 

I really thought the Sox were gonna win as Pedroia's homer cleared the wall.  He had a great post season.  A lot like Todd Walker in 2003.  No one remembers that though, cause the Red Sox lost in the ALCS.  No one will remember Pedroia's heroics this year either.  Oh well.  You can't win them all.

So that means it's Tampa Bay vs Philadelphia in the World Series.  I haven't decided who I'm rooting for yet.  I probably won't decide till it actually starts and I see it.  I can't watch a game without rooting for someone.  Teams I wanted to win in the LCS went 0-2, so I don't expect either team to start lobbying for my support any time soon.  

I don't know anymore

I watched game 5 at Jose's house. Funny story. He has cable but no TV. I have a TV but no cable, so for the entire month of October my television's been at his house. We both thought the Rays were American League Champions last night. I was complaining about Manny not being there, couting down the defensive outs Tampa needed. Jose was complaining about Varitek being worthless and about Ortiz not bunting down the third base line even though he was 1 for the series and Tampa's third baseman was playing within an arm's reach of secondbase the entire time. He also began wondering about offseason moves, getting rid of Varitek, Timlin and Byrd. We disagreed about Wakefield. I said he's done, Jose said he's too valuable as a fifth starter. I guess when you put the 5th starter label on him he still has value, but that's besides the point. Around this time Tampa score two runs off Papelbon to make it 7-0. They were inherited runners so they don't count against his ERA. But that doesn't matter. They still got to Papelbon. I was debating going home, cause I have lots of work I could be doing. But I stuck it out, figuring it'd be the last I saw the Sox till 2009.

In the home half of the 7th seventh Lowrie hit a fly ball we thought was gone but instead hit off the wall in right. We agreed it was irrelevant, though it would have been nice to get rid of the shut out. Down 7-0 in the seventh inning to a team that has beaten you badly in your own ball park 2 nights in a row, when your entire offense is more or less in a slump, you don't usually come back. Then they came back to tie it. And J.D. Drew, who had a monster game 6 against Cleveland last year, won the game in the 9th on a single. He also hit a two run homer in the comeback.

Beckett's going in game 6. I'm against this. I'd have Lester pitch 6 and then the entire team in 7. Beckett's been mediocre to put it nicely, so I have a feeling he's gonna need all the help he can get. But then what do I know? I thought this series was over when Tampa Bay took a 2 run lead before a defensive out had been recorded.

It's been 15 years...

... and my favorite team is finally going back to the World Series.

The last several years have been particularly difficult for Philadelphia fans. For YEARS... the team would come up just a few games short of getting into the playoffs. Last year they finally broke it open and got in... only to get swept in the NLDS.

They'd been building a team... but just couldn't pull it together. It looks like they finally did it. [At least to be called the best in the NL... which... as we all know, is perpetually not quite as good as the AL... so we'll see what happens next week. More on that later.]

I was two the last time the Phillies won the World Series in 1980... so I obviously don't remember that. I was five in 1983 when the Phils lost to the Orioles... so I don't remember that, either.

But I remember 1993 like it was yesterday. I loved that group of guys... long hair and all: Darren [the hottie] "Dutch" Daulton, John Kurk, Dave Hollins, Mickey Morandini, Kevin Stocker, Milt Thompson, Jim Eisenreich, Mariano Duncan, Wes Chamberlin, Pete "Inky" Incaviglia, Curt Schilling, Terry Mulholland, Tommy Greene, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, and of course... my all-time favorite baseball player... #4... centerfielder Lenny "Nails" Dykstra.

I remember the Hollins home run and the last out of the game where we finally beat the loatheable Atlanta Braves for the NL pennant. I remember the champagne spraying and watching all the interviews. I remember the elation.

And I remember the game 6 9th inning 3-run home run by Joe Carter off of the Wild Thing that broke my heart and crushed my dreams.

The Phils had a chance to come back the following year... except for the dumb strike that halted the season. Oh- and then Dykstra and Daulton got into a car wreck that for all intents and purposes ended their careers. For the next decade, Philadelphia fans became accustomed to singing the Eagles fight song at the end of Phillies games... showing their displeasure with the Phils and that they might as well move on to football.

Since the days of Jim Fregosi, the Phillies suffered through the leadership of Terry Francona and Larry "Anger Management" Bowa before acquiring Charlie Manual in 2005. Uncle Chollie, as he's known affectionately. Whoever would've thought that HE would be the guy to pull the players together and take them to a championship series? I giggle every time he "runs" out to mound. It makes me happy. : )

So that brings us to today. The losing-est team in sports... the Philadelphia Phillies... back in the World Series.

I cried.

Like I said... I don't have great expectations for the series... regardless of who we're playing. [At this point, Dice-K just gave up a 2-run home run in the top of the 1st.] Of course, I didn't think we'd beat the Dodgers, either since they entered the NLCS so hot. But they found ways to win... and when the top of the order wasn't doing it... Brett Myers got three hits... Matt Stairs came in and blasted a monster homer. There were heroes like Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino... but everyone contributed in some way on some day. It was a team-effort.

Can they do it again? Can they take the next five days off and come back and be up to par to compete for the title? I guess we'll see.

For the time being... I'm just gonna soak up being a Philadelphia Phillies fan.

Phillies in the Series

I'm for it.

(Congrats Laura.)

Cheering for Bay

The Rays are one of the best baseball stories I've ever seen; it's very exciting that they're winning, especially for a small-market fan like me.

However, I am cheering very hard for the Red Sox. The reason is not just because I said I would, but because I have found myself really, REALLY wanting Jason Bay to win a world series. No other outcome would make me happier.

I think I underestimated how much I like Jason Bay, because I have been cheering for him and his team like crazy since the trade.

As for Manny? In my opinion, apart from the personalities, it was a good baseball trade for Boston. Bay has played about the same for Boston (.293/.370/.527) as Manny played for them this year (.299/.398/.529). There is no evidence that Manny's outrageous numbers in L.A. were going to show up in Boston, especially with the problems he was causing, whether they were planned by himself or Boras.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox gave up two very ordinary prospects and got a guy who's under a super cheap contract for next year and who could be re-signed and playing at his current level for 4-6 more years. Manny would be gone at the end of this year.

Besides all that, I like Bay because he's a smart guy who knows the game. He approaches the game in a way that will give him the maximum possible success.

Go Sox!

ALDS Game 4

Francona's the luckiest man in America right now.  Lester was cruising through the game and had a 2 run lead.  For some reason, even though the bullpen was strained from game 3, Francona pulled Lester for Okajima and Masterson in the 8th, allowing the Angels to tie the ball game.  What was he thinking?  This is October.  Pitch counts don't matter anymore, and Lester was throwing 97 mph in the 7th.  That was poor management.  But the Red Sox found a way to win, so it doesn't matter.  

What do you guys think of the failed suicide squeeze by the Angels where slid and V-tek tagged out Willitz then hit the ground and dropped the ball.  Is that the old "the ground can't cause a fumble" rule?  If Willitz was charging Varitek and knocked him over and he hit the ground then dropped the ball at home, Willitz would have been safe, right?  What's the rule about that?  A lot of the calls went the Red Sox way today, that one and pretty much every pitch called by the home plate umpire.  You know if I'm admitting that, it had to have been bad.  Is this MLB's way of  making up for all those horrible calls that went the Yankees way the mid and late 90s?  Anaheim must be pissed.

LA doesn't care cause Manny and the Dodgers are still alive.  

I would have believed you if you told me there would be an all AL East ALCS in the beginning of the season.  I wouldn't have believed you if you told me Tampa Bay was involved in it, never mind hosting it.  

Wahoo!!

The Phillies did it!! They made it past the first round of the playoffs by beating the Brewers this afternoon.

First, I must say that I'm incredibly proud of them. The pitching was light's out... even if the offense didn't make a huge stand.

Second, I didn't think they'd get knocked out in the first round this year. Course, I didn't think that against the Rockies last year, either... but the Rocks at the time were hot, so I figured it'd be tough. The Brewers, however, got into the playoffs cuz they were lucky.

Third, luck or not, I'm SO GLAD the Mets were eliminated... giving them another winter to miserably think about yet another collapse. To be fair, though, their bullpen is a disaster. You can't win games regardless of your starting pitchers and offense if your pen is more likely than anywhere else to blow leads. Either way... they're at home. Sulking. And the Phillies are still playing... for now.

Fourth, I'm not sure how I feel going into a new series with the Dodgers. Are they really as good as they looked this week against the Cubs? Or did the Cubs just fall flat on their faces yet again, making the Dodgers look unbeatable? It'll be a challenge either way.

Fifth, if the Phillies are to keep advancing... they need their bats to heat up. Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Burrell need to wake up. Thank goodness for sexy Werth and the Flying Hawaiian!!

I obviously hope they end up in the world series and put to rest talking about the Game 6 walk-off 3-run homer by Joe Carter vs. Mitch Williams. I'm pretty sure I see a replay of that home run at least once a season... and I'd like to replace it with something new. Like a trophy and scenes of Brad Lidge getting the last out of the game. That sort of thing.

Here are my predictions:

Phils over Dodgers

Red Sox over Angels

Rays over White Sox

Rays over Red Sox

Phillies over Rays

Now... who knows what will really happen. I don't think the Angels or the White Sox can come back to win their respective series. I'd like to see the Rays advance because I'm tired of the Red Sox winning [sorry, John]. And I can't pick against the Phillies... so there you have it.

If I weren't a Phillies fan, I'd pick the American League, no matter who got the bid. Let's just hope it doesn't turn out that way!

Manny being Manipulated

Here's an article by Bill Simmons about Manny.  

I'm debating buying a Manny Rameriz 99 Dodger Jersey.  I've only been a traitor once in my life, buying a Toronto Blue Jay hat and wearing it everyday for Clemens tenure there.  I still rooted for the Red Sox, it was more of a statement I made as an 11 year old.  The Red Sox screwed up by letting Roger go.  I'll still root for them now, but the Jersey will be a statement.  The Red Sox screwed up by letting Manny go.  

ALDS Game 1 Boston vs LA-ANA

11:29 PM- So, maybe I'll try to live blog during this game to make up for my silence..  I'm watching it at my friend Jose's house.  Jed Lowrie made an error in the bottom of the 3rd with two outs and a runner on first.  The very next hitter was Tori Hunter, who got a base hit to drive in the inaugural run of the series.  I said it about Graffino and I'll say it about Lowrie.  He's so lucky the Red Sox have won a World Series in recent memory, otherwise he'd be hated by an entire region forever because of that.

11:46-  Jason Bay just hit a two run homer.  I've been badmouthing him a bit, saying I wasn't too impressed with him in the field.  I thought he could have caught a few line drives if he tried instead of playing it safe.  I was getting ready to tell Jose (who hates Manny) that Manny would have hit a two run homer here the take the lead.  Before  I could get it out, Bay hit his own jack and Jose said to me "What have you got to say about Manny now?"  My response?  "Manny would have hit it 10 rows further."  Jose was right when he shot back "Doesn't matter how far it went."  

Way to go Jason.  Lowrie still owes me.

12:50AM-  Vladimir Guerrero just made the second worst base running mistake I've seen in a Major League Playoff game.  He was on first with one out.  A popup was hit between Youkilis and J.D. Drew.  As Youk ran out and made an excellent sliding attempt at it, Guerrero was 3/4 of the way to second.  If Youkilis catches it, he's doubled off as Masterson's covering first.  Fortunately for Guerrero, the ball drops in.  Unfortunately for Guerrero, he decides to take off for third.  Youkilis stood up and threw to Lowell and gunned Guerrero by 15 ft.  Still 2-1 Sox in the top of the 9th.

12:58-  Ellsbury hits a single to drive in Lowrie (who still owes me).  3-1 Sox.  I'd take Bay out after this half inning, have Crisp play center and Ellsbury play left.  As I type this, Ellsbury just stole second (for the second time tonight) to get himself into scoring position.

1:05-  Ortiz singles to score Ellsbury.  The announcers, whoever they are, state Ortiz now has a 12 game ALDS hit streak.  Let's see...1 in 2008, 3 in'07, 3 in '05, 3 in '04 and 2 in '03.  I guess that means Game 3 in the 2003 ALDS against Oakland (the Trot Nixon Game), was the last time Ortiz was hitless.

1:21- Game over.  Lester the win, Papelbon the save, Lackey the loss.  

Boston leads the series 1-0.