October 2008
Philadelphia Phillies Win 2008 World Series
The Philadelphia Phillies entered Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, leading the Tampa Bay Rays, three games to one. This game started on Monday night, October 27th; and, finally ended about 50 hours later, Wednesday night, October 29, 2008, with the Phillies beating the Rays, 4-3, to become baseball’s 2008 World Champions.
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies !!!
Of course, the rain also played a big part in this World Series, causing the series to be suspended for 48 hours, the first time a World Series has been interrupted by a suspended game.
It was worth the wait, though, as the final three innings of this game were full of baseball action, and only took 1 hour, and 21 minutes to play. Imagine that, a World Series game that actually finished before 10:00 p.m. in the eastern part of our Country. I made a point of looking at the clock right after the final out was recorded, and there it was 9:58 p.m.
On Fox, CH 5, in New York, at 10:00 p.m., they usually make an announcement, “It’s 10:00 p.m. Do you know where your children are”? Well, hopefully, there were many children, the young baseball fans of the future, in front of their T.V. screens watching the final out of a World Series, and the celebration that followed by the Phillies.
Under regular circumstances, this game would have ended about 12:30 a.m., or later, in the early morning of the next day. So, a very ”rare” basball event, indeed. Even, rarer than a shutout, or complete game — a World Series game that ended before midnight, and on the same day it started. Well, this game started on Monday, and ended on Wedneday. But, I think you get the picture.
When Game 5 was suspended, the score was tied, 2-2, going into the bottom of the 6th inning. Then, the rain took center stage for two days.
The Phillies quickly broke the tie in the bottom of the 6th off Rays reliever, Grant Balfour, on a lead off double by pinch-hitter, Geoff Jenkins, who advanced to second base on a sac-bunt by Jimmy Rollins, and scored on a RBI single by Jayson Werth, to move the Phillies into the 3-2 lead.
Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, then brought J.P. Howell into pitch, who got out of the jam, retiring the next two batters without any further damage.
The Rays came right back in the top of the 7th, when after Dioner Navarro struck out leading off the inning against Phillies reliever, Ryan Madson; Rocco Baldelli blasted a solo homerun to leftfield, to tie the score again, 3-3.
Tampa Bay continued the rally with a single by next batter, Jason Bartlett, who advanced to second on a sac-bunt by pitcher J.P. Howell. Then, Akinori Iwamura hit a ball up the middle that looked like it would roll into the outfield and drive home the go-ahead run.
But, second baseman, Chase Utley, made a great play to field the ball, then faked a throw to first base, instead turning towards home, firing the ball to catcher, Carlos Ruiz, who placed the tag on Bartlett for the final out of the inning. Bartlett may have ran through the stop sign by the third base coach, trying to score the run, on what was scored a single by Iwamura.
Philadelphia completed the scoring in this game in the bottom of the 7th inning, starting with a lead off double off the left-centerfield wall by Pat Burrell, on which he really didn’t hustle [on] out of the box; and, as Fox TV, Baseball Analyst, Tim McCarver said, “Burrell could have been on third with a triple if he hustled”. McCarver continued by saying, “Burrell ‘could have’, not ‘should have’ been on third”, taking into consideration the old baseball adage, “never make the first or last out of an inning at third”.
Burrell advanced to third base anyway, though, on a grounder to second, after a couple of failed sac-bunt attempts, by Shane Victorino.
Pedro Feliz then stroked a RBI single, driving home Burrell with the Phillies 4th run, that turned out to be the winning run in this historic World Series game.
The Rays tried once again to comeback in this game, as Carl Crawford led off the top of the 8th inning with a single. But, B.J. Upton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play; and, Carlos Pena flied out to left, keeping the score in favor of the Phillies, 4-3.
David Price pitched a scoreless 8th inning for the Rays, to send the game into the top of the 9th, with the Phillies needing three outs for victory.
Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel, brought in Brad Lidge to close out this game.
And, Lidge delivered.
He got Evan Longoria to pop-out to second base for out number one; then, after Navarro singled, and pinch-runner, Fernando Perez, stole second, Lidge retired pinch-hitter, Ben Zobrist, on a hard line drive to rightfield, for the second out of the 9th. And, finally, Brad Lidge, struck out, pinch-hitter, Hinske, to record the last out of the game, saving the Phillies 4-3 victory, to win the World Series, crowning the Philadelphia Phillies the 2008 Baseball World Champions.
It was a fun World Series, and the Phillies deserved to win their well-earned victory.
Congratulations to the World Series MVP, the Phillies ace starter, Cole Hamels.
Congratulations to Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, and the whole Tampa Bay Rays organization for an awesome 2008 Baseball Season.
And, Congratulations, once again, to Phillies Manager, Charlie Manuel, and all in the Philadelphia Phillies organization for their great season; and, their victory in this World Series, winning the 2008 Baseball World Championship.
Yanks Sweep Phillies To Win 1950 World Series
Saturday, October 7, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — In “Game 4″ of the 1950 World Series, the Yankees scored two runs in the first inning, and three runs in the sixth inning; and, that’s all the runs they would need, to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2, sweeping the first four games of this best of seven series, to win the 1950 World Championship.
The Yankees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off Phillies starting pitcher, Bob Miller (11-6; 3.57 ERA), in the bottom of the first, when Gene Woodling led off the inning by reaching first on an error; advanced to second on a Phil Rizzuto ground out; and, scored the first run on a RBI single by Yogi Berra. Berra then scored the Bombers second run on a RBI double by Joe DiMaggio.
After the second run scored, Phillies manager, Eddie Sawyer, replaced Miller with the National League’s MVP, Jim Konstanty, who retired the next two batters, Johnny Mize and Bobby Brown, to close out the first inning without any further damage.
The Phillies had a couple of chances to score off Yankees starting pitcher, Whitey Ford (9-1; 2.81 ERA), in the first and fourth innings, when they had two runners on base in each inning, but did not score; with the 4th inning ending in a 3-3-2 double play.
In the bottom of the 6th, Yogi Berra hit a lead off homeun; then, DiMaggio reached first on a hit by pitch, and scored on a triple by Bobby Brown. Hank Bauer was up next, and drove home Brown on a sac-fly to leftfield, increasing the Yankees lead to 5-0.
In the meantime, Whitey Ford was cruising along with a shutout going into the top of the 9th inning when he pitched himself into a little trouble.
Ford walked lead off batter Willie Jones; hit the next batter, Del Ennis; and, then, got Dick Sisler to hit into a force play at second, setting up a first and third situation, with one out. Ford then struck out Granny Hamner for the second out of the inning.
So, with two outs, Andy Seminick was the last chance up at the plate to keep the game going for the Phillies. Seminick hit a fly ball to leftfield that looked like it was going to be the final out of the game, but Gene Woodling made an error that allowed two unearned runs to score, cutting the Yanks lead to 5-2.
The next batter, Mike Goliat, singled, bringing Casey Stengel out of the dugout to replace Ford with Allie Reynolds to get the final out of the game.
The Yankee fans booed this move by Stengel; but, Reynolds struck out pinch-hitter, Stan Lopata, for the final out of the Bronx Bombers 5-2 World Series victory, giving the Yanks the crown of “1950 World Champions”, the New York Yankees 13th World Championship at the time.
This was a great World Series that was dominated by awesome pitching by both teams.
The Yankee pitchers allowed only three earned runs over 37 innings in the series, for a 0.73 ERA.
And, the Phillies also delivered solid pitching efforts, with a 2.27 ERA throughout the series.
Finally, The “Babe Ruth Award”, MVP of the 1950 World Series was awarded to the Yankees second baseman, Jerry Coleman.
To read more about this final Game; and, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010070.shtml
1950 World Series, Game Three … Yankees 3, Phillies 2
Friday, October 6, 1950 — Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York — With the Yankees leading this Series, 2-0, Game Three moved to Yankee Stadium in New York.
The pitching matchup featured, Ken Heintzelman (3-9; 4.09 ERA) for the Philadelphia Phillies; vs. Ed Lopat (18-8; 3.47 ERA) starting for the Yankees.
The Yankees scored first in this game in the bottom of the third inning, when after two outs, Phil Rizzuto walked; stole second; advanced to third on a bad throw by catcher, Andy Seminick; and, was driven home on a RBI single by Jerry Coleman, for the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 6th, the Phillies tied the score, 1-1, on a double to leftfield by Del Ennis, who scored on a RBI single by Dick Sisler.
The Phillies then went ahead in the game in the top of the 7th inning, on a lead off single by Granny Hamner, who advanced to second on a sac-bunt by Seminick; and, scored on a RBI single by Mike Goliat that gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead.
This back-and-forth game became tied again in the bottom of the 8th. After two outs, the Yankees loaded the bases on three straight walks, that knocked Heintzelman out of the game. Jim Konstanty was brought in from the Phillies bullpen, by manager, Eddie Sawyer, to try to get out of this jam without any runs scoring.
Konstanty did his job, getting Bobby Brown [pinch-hitting for Hank Bauer] to hit a groundball to short. But, the ball was misplayed by shortstop Hamner for an error that allowed Coleman to score the tying run.
Johnny Mize was the next batter up, and Konstanty got him to pop out to third, leaving the bases loaded, and the game in a 2-2 deadlock.
Ed Lopat was pinch hit for in the bottom of the 8th, so his work was finished in this game, after pitching a solid eight innings, allowing two runs, on nine hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.
Yankees manager, Casey Stengel, called in reliever, Tom Ferrick, to pitch the 9th inning; and, even though Ferrick allowed two runners to get on base, the Phillies did not score a run, sending this game into the bottom of the 9th still tied, 2-2.
Russ Meyers was now pitching for the Phillies, and quickly retired the first two Yankee batters, making it look like the game might go into extra innings.
But, then, the Yankees stroked three straight singles — a single to centerfield by Gene Woodling; a Phil Rizzuto (1-for-3; 1 Run), single, also to centerfield, that advanced Woodling to second base; and, then, finally, a game-winning, RBI single by Jerry Coleman (3-for-4; 1 Run; 2 RBI’s), driving home Woodling with the winning run in the Yankees 3-2 victory.
This win gave the New York Yankees a “three games to none” lead against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series.
For more about Game Three in this series, and, also, the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195010060.shtml
In the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies took a 3-1 lead in this series against the Tampa Bay Rays, over the weekend.
Game 3 — Saturday, October 25, 2008 – Phillies 5, Rays 4
Game 4 — Sunday, October 26, 2008 – Phillies 10, Rays 2
Game 5 — is scheduled to be played, Monday, October 27th, in Philadelphia.
1950 World Series, Game Two … Yankees 2, Phillies 1
Thursday, October 5, 1950 — Shibe Park, Philadelphia — In Game 2 of the 1950 World Series, the New York Yankees won another classic game against the Philadelphia Phillies, as the game went into extra innings tied 1-1, when Joe DiMaggio hit a dramatic lead-off homerun in the top of the 10th inning that gave the Yankees the 2-1 lead.
The Bronx Bombers held onto that lead, closing out the game in the bottom of the 10th, to take a 2-0 lead in this Series.
Just like in Game One, when Vic Raschi of the Yankees, out-dueled, Jim Konstanty of the Phillies, in the Yanks 1-0 win; Game Two delivered two more great pitching performances, by Allie Reynolds, the Yankees starter; and, Robin Roberts, who started for the Phillies. Both pitchers completed the full 10 innings each team played, with Reynolds ending up the victor.
The Yankees scored the first run of the game in the top of the second, when after two outs, Jerry Coleman walked; advanced on a single by Allie Raynolds; and, then scored on a RBI infield single to short by Gene Woodling. Yankees 1, Phillies 0.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Phillies tied the score. Mike Goliat led off the inning with a single, and after Roberts failed to move him over on a sac-bunt, Eddie Waitkus singled to set-up a first and third situation. Then, Goliat was driven home on a RBI sac-fly to leftfield by Richie Ashburn that evened the score, 1-1.
The Yankees had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 8th, when Bobby Brown and Hank Bauer singled with one out. But, Coleman grounded out; and, then, Reynolds [hitting in this key late-game situation] struck out, ending the rally.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, with one out, Philadelphia had a chance to win this game by getting two runners on base, a double by Granny Hammer, and an intentional walk to Dick Whitman. But, Mike Goliat hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play, sending this game into extra innings.
Joe DiMaggio was the lead-off batter for the Yankees in the top of the 10th inning. He was (0-for-4) up to this point in the game, but Joe D. was about to be the hero once again, as he hit a homerun that moved the Bombers into the 2-1 lead.
Robin Roberts shut down the Yankees the rest of the inning without any other runs scoring, which finished his great performance of 10 innings pitched, allowing two runs, on ten hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
The Phillies started the bottom of the 10th inning with a lead-off walk. But, Reynolds retired the next three batters to complete the Yankees 2-1 victory.
Allie Reynolds pitched a brilliant 10 inning complete game win, giving up one run, on seven hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
With this 2-1 victory, the Yankees took a 2-0 lead in this series. To read more about this Game Two, and the 1950 World Series, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195010050.shtml
In “Game Two” of the 2008 World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2, to even this series, one game apiece.
The Rays got on the scoreboard first, when Akinori Iwamura led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk; and, advanced to third on B.J. Upton’s single to right. On the play, Jayson Werth misplayed the ball, allowing Upton to go to second. Then, Iwamura scored on a ground out by Carlos Pena; and, Upton scored on a ground out by Evan Longoria, that gave the Rays the early 2-0 lead.
“Small-Ball”, “Small-Ball”, “Small-Ball” … I wonder if Joe Girardi and the Yankee players were watching?
After the game, Rays Manager, Joe Maddon, made a point to discuss how important small-ball is; and, he said, it is very important to “score runs with outs”.
That was always the philosophy of the great Yankees Manager, Billy Martin, who said, “it’s important to score the first run of a game anyway you can, so the other team would have to score at least two runs to win the game.” Well, in the case of this World Series Game, the Phillies would need at least three runs to win.
The Rays scored another run in the bottom of the second, when they loaded the bases, and B.J. Upton drove home Dioner Navarro on a RBI single. But, on the play, Rocco Baldelli was out at the plate when he tried to score on a nice throw from the outfield to catcher Carlos Ruiz, who held onto the ball for the out, even though Baldelli made a hard slide into Ruiz.
The score was now 3-0, as the game moved into the bottom of the 4th, when Tampa Bay increased their lead to 4-0 on a beautiful safety squeeze by Jason Bartlett that scored Cliff Floyd. [More small-ball by the Rays]
The Phillies had chances to score some runs in the early innings, but Rays starter, James Shields pitched good enough to not allow any runs over his 5.2 innings of work, in which he gave up seven hits, and two walks, while striking out four.
Joe Maddon finally had to go to the bullpen in the 6th inning, when the Phillies had runners on first and third with two outs.
Dan Wheeler was called into the game, and got Pedro Feliz to hit into a fielders choice that ended the rally, holding the Rays 4-0 advantage in the game.
Wheeler walked the lead-off batter, Ruiz, (2-for-2; 1 run; 2 walks), in the top of the 7th inning, before striking out the next two batters, Rollins and Werth, which completed his very effective performance.
Maddon decided to bring in David Price at this point; Price walked Chase Utley, then struck out Ryan Howard to end the Phillies rally, keeping the 4-0 score in favor of the Rays.
Phillies starter, Brett Myers, completed his work in this game after retiring the side in the 7th inning. Myers allowed four runs [three earned], on seven hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Price remained in the game in the top of the 8th, and quickly got two outs. But, then, pinch-hitter, Eric Bruntlett, blasted a solo homer off Price, that broke up the shutout, decresing the Rays lead to 4-1. Price then retired the final batter without any further damage.
The Rays didn’t score in the bottom of the 8th, when Phillies reliever, J.C. Romero, pitched a scoreless inning. The game now moved into the top of the 9th inning.
In the 9th, the Phillies scored their second and final run on an error by Evan Longoria; but, David Price then closed out the inning, preserving the Rays 4-1 victory, tying this Series at one game apiece.
Game Three moves to Philadelphia on Saturday, October 25, 2008.
1950 World Series, Game One … Yankees 1, Phillies 0
On Wednesday, October 4, 1950, at Shibe Park, in Philadelphia, the New York Yankees (98-56) played the Philadelphia Phillies (91-63) in Game One of the 1950 World Series.
If the Yankees were the American League representative in the 2008 World Series against the Phillies, there would be many stories about the 1950 Series because it was the only time that the Yankees and Phillies met in Baseball’s Fall Classic.
Game 1 of the 1950 Series was a classic pitching matchup, as Yankees righthander starter, Vic Raschi, (21-8; 4.00 ERA; 1 SV), out-pitched the National League MVP, Phillies righthander, Jim Konstanty, (16-7; 2.66 ERA; 22 SV), leading the Yankees to victory.
Vic Raschi pitched one of the greatest games in World Series history, tossing a complete game, two-hit, 1-0 shutout, allowing only one walk while striking out five, in a game that took 2 hours and 17 minutes to play.
Raschi retired the first 13 batters he faced, before allowing a one-out, 5th inning hit to Willie Jones. Andy Seminick also singled in this inning, setting up a first and second situaton with two outs. But, Raschi struck out Mike Goliat to end the only threat the Phillies made, to score in the game.
The Phillies drew a one out walk in the top of the 6th, but that was it, as far as the Phillies getting any more runners on base. Raschi finished the game as strong as he started by retiring the final 11 batters he faced, to earn the 1-0 shutout that gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in this series.
The Yankees scored their only run in this game in the top of the 4th, when Bobby Brown led off the inning with a double; advanced to third on a long fly ball to centerfield by Hank Bauer; and, scored on a RBI sac-fly to leftfield by Jerry Coleman [a little small-ball by the 1950 Yankees].
Phillies starter, Jim Konstanty, also had a great game, pitching 8 solid innings, allowing the one run, on four hits, four walks, and no strikeouts. Russ Meyer came in from the bullpen to pitch a scoreless 9th inning for the Phillies, giving up only one hit.
It is also interesting to note: 1950 was the year the great Yankees shortstop, Phil Rizzuto, (.324 BA), won the American League MVP award. And, it was also the first year the great Whitey Ford pitched for the Yankees. Ford had a record of 9-1, with a 2.81 ERA.
Check out more about this game, and the 1950 World Series by clicking on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI195010040.shtml
In the last 87 years, since 1921, the New York Yankees have appeared in 47 Post-Seasons; winning 39 American League Championships; and, 26 World Championships !!!
Check out the “Yankees Post-Season Results” by clicking on:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/history/postseason_results.jsp
And, yes, there was a World Series “Game One”, on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in Tampa Bay.
In the first game of the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies, led by a solid pitching performance by their starter, Cole Hamels, beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2.
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, off Rays starter Scott Kazmir, in the top of the first inning, when Jayson Werth walked, and scored on a two-run homerun by Chase Utley, (2-for-4; 1 run; 2 RBI).
In the top of the second, the Phillies had a chance to open up an even bigger lead, by loading the bases with one out. But, on a fly out to centerfield, Shane Victorino, trying to score from third, was thrown out at the plate by B.J. Upton, ending the inning without any runs scoring.
The Phillies did score their final run in the top of the 4th, when Victorino, (2-for-4), who led off the inning with a single, scored on a ground out to short that increased the Phillies lead to 3-0 at the time.
Tampa Bay got on the board in the bottom of the 4th, on a Carl Crawford homerun, desreasing the Phillies lead to 3-1.
Then, in the bottom of the 5th, the Rays scored what turned out to be the final run of the game when Jason Bartlett was driven home on a RBI double by Akinori Iwamura, who was (3-for-4) on the night, cutting the score to 3-2.
Scott Kazmir lasted only six innings in this game, allowing three runs, on six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. But, four relievers out of the Rays bullpen shut down the Phillies the rest of the way, throwing three scoreless innings, that held Philadelphia to the three runs they scored off Kazmir, giving Tampa Bay a chance to comeback in this game.
The Phillies pitching was just a little better on this night, as Cole Hamels delivered an awesome effort, throwing seven strong innings, allowing two runs, on five hits, and two walks, while striking out five.
And, the Phillies bullpen was just as good as the Rays pen, closing the deal in this game.
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 8th; and, Brad Lidge, closed it out by striking out two, while throwing a scoreless 9th inning, to save the Phillies 3-2 victory.
So, the Phillies have the advantage leading this Series 1-0, as “Game 2″ will be played on Thursday night, October 23th.
My prediction before this World Series began, was: the Tampa Bay Rays over the Philadelphia Phillies in 7 Games. There is a long way to go in this series, and I still think, when the final out of this World Series is recorded, the Tampa Bay Rays will be the 2008 World Champions.
Rays Out-Duel Red Sox In Game 7; Win AL Crown
The Tampa Bay Rays finished last in the AL East in 2007 with a record of 66-96. In 2008, the Rays reversed their record, riding to the top of the East, winning the division by two games over the second place Red Sox, with a record of 97-65. Then, they went on to beat the Chicago White Sox, three games to one, in the ALDS, to advance into the American League Championship Series, to play the defending 2007 World Champion, Boston Red Sox.
Now, this unlikely journey continues into the final lap of the 2008 Baseball Season, as the Tampa Bay Rays are going to the World Series, to play the NL Champion, Philadelphia Phillies, after a classic 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox, in Game 7 of this year’s American League Championship Series.
After the Red Sox kept this series going with their dramatic 8-7 comeback victory in Game 5, which injected new life into the post-season, the Sox tied the series with a 4-2 victory in Game 6, setting up the final showdown in Game 7.
This matchup lived up to all that is expected in a deciding game of any series, as both teams played a brilliant game, led by their starting pitchers who engaged in an old-fashioned pitching duel.
Rays starter, Matt Garza, threw 118 pitches over seven outstanding innings, allowing only one run, on two hits, and three walks, while striking out nine.
Jon Lester, who started for the Red Sox, was slightly out-battled by Garza, but also pitched a solid seven innings, throwing 107 pitches, while giving up three runs, on six hits, no walks, and eight strikeouts.
Dustin Pedroia hit a first inning homerun to give the Red Sox a quick 1-0 lead; but, Garza did not allow another Red Sox hit until Jason Bay singled with one out in the top of the 7th.
Lester was perfect throughout the first three innings, retiring the first nine batters he faced.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, Akinori Iwamura got the Rays first hit, a leadoff single.Then, after B.J. Upton struckout, Carlos Pena hit a grounder that forced Iwamura at second base, for the second out in the inning. This brought Evan Longoria up to the plate, and he stroked a beautiful opposite field RBI double into the rightfield corner, driving home Pena to even the score, 1-1.
This run scored because of nice hustle by Pena, who slid home with the run just ahead of a great relay throw from rightfielder, J.D. Drew, to Pedroia, to catcher, Jason Veritek, who caught the ball on the third base side of the plate, a split second after Pena slid across the plate.
The Rays took the lead in the 5th, on a lead off double by Willy Aybar; a single by Dioner Navarro; and, a RBI single by Rocco Baldelli, that scored Aybar, to move Tampa Bay ahead 2-1 in this game.
After allowing the first inning homer, Matt Garza’s awesome pitching performance shut-down the Red Sox over the next six innings, as this great pitching duel entered the bottom of the 7th.
Leading off the 7th, Willy Aybar hit a big homerun, increasing the Rays lead to, 3-1.
Lester then retired the next three batters, to complete his great work in this deciding Championship game.
Matt Garza came out of the dugout to start the the top of the 8th.
Alex Cora was the lead off batter, and Garza got him to hit a grounder to short that looked like it would be the first out of the inning, but the ball skipped past Jason Barlett for an error, bringing the tying run up to the plate. Everyone watching was probably thinking, “here we go again, another Red Sox comeback”. When the next batter, Coco Crisp, singled, I’m sure most viewers were thinking, “Game 1 of the World Series, would be in Boston”.
At this point, Joe Maddon decided it was time to go to the bullpen, and as Matt Garza walked to the dugout, he received a very warm standing ovation from the appreciative Tampa Bay fans.
Dan Wheeler was brought in to face Dustin Pedroia, who flied out to leftfield for the first out. Maddon then called J.P. Howell into the game to pitch to David Ortiz, who was the go-ahead run at the plate.
Ortiz hit a grounder to Iwamura, who made a great throw to Bartlett for the force at second base. Reviewing replays on TBS, the runner, Coco Crisp, actually beat the throw to second, but as Crisp slid, he tried to take-out Barlett by sliding into the shortstop, and touched second base after the out was called by the umpire. So, there were now two outs, with runners on first and third.
Maddon continued the merry-go-round of relief pitchers from the bullpen, by bringing Chad Bradford into the game to face Kevin Youkilis. Bradford walked Youkilis, loading the bases.
J.D. Drew was the next batter, and once again Maddon paraded to the mound to bring in the fourth reliever of the inning, rookie, David Price.
I first remember seeing the young, hard-throwing, David Price, in an exhibition game this past spring training against the Yankees. And, in his brief appearance, he blew away the Yankee batters he faced. Very impressive.
With the bases loaded, and two outs, Price struckout Drew, ending the Red Sox best chance to tie, or take the lead in this game.
Okajima pitched a scoreless bottom of the 8th for the Sox, sending this Championship game into the 9th inning, with the Rays in the lead, 3-1.
David Price was back on the mound in the top of the 9th, to close out this historic game for the Rays.
Jason Bay led off the inning with a walk; then, Price struckout the next two batters, Mark Kotsay, and Jason Veritek, as the cheering of the crowd continued to fill the Dome.
Jed Lowrie was sent up to pinch hit for Alex Cora.
Lowrie hit a ground ball to second baseman, Akinori Iwamura, who didn’t want to take any chances tossing the ball to second, so he quickly sprinted to second base to record the force, for the final out of the inning, and the game.
Ball Game Over … Rays 3, Red Sox 1 …
The Tampa Bay Rays win the 2008 American League Championship.
Congratulations to both the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays, for having a great 2008 Baseball Season.
And, Best Wishes to the Rays for a successful World Series, and victory against the Phillies.
A Tip Of The Hat To The Red Sox
Down 7-0, with seven outs to go, the Boston Red Sox made the greatest comeback in playoff history, stunning the Tampa Bay Rays with a dramatic 8-7 victory in Game 5 of the 2008 American League Championship Series.
As a baseball fan, all you can do is just praise the Red Sox for not giving up in this game, as they delivered one of the most exciting finishes you will ever see in a baseball game.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Red Sox victory was the greatest comeback in the post-season since Game 4 of the 1929 World Series, when the Philadelphia A’s, down by a score of 8-0 against the Chicago Cubs, came back to win the game.
Check the box score of Game 4 of the 1929 World Series on the baseball-reference.com web site, click on:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA192910120.shtml
The box score reveals that the A’s scored 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning in that World Series Game, and held onto the 10-8 victory. It is also interesting to note that the game only took 2 hours, and 12 minutes to complete, as compared to the Rays – Red Sox, 4 hours, and 8 minutes playoff game.
The Philadelphia A’s took a three games to one lead after their 10-8 comeback victory; and, then won the next game, 3-2, in 1 hour, and 42 minutes, to win the 1929 World Series.
As a Yankees fan, though, the Red Sox comeback did bring back bad memories of the 2004 American League Championship Series, when the Yankees won Game 3 of that series,19-8, to take a 3-0 lead, only to lose the final four games that allowed the Red Sox to advance into the World Series, and win the 2004 World Championship.
In 2007, the Red Sox also came back from being down three games to one to the Cleveland Indians, and went onto win the World Series against the Colorado Rockies.
So, is the Red Sox 8-7 win against the Rays a precursor to another Americian League Championship for Boston? Things and events usually happen in “three’s”, but I certainly will not be rooting for any more comebacks by the Boston Red Sox.
My rooting interest from the beginning of this series has been directed towards Don Zimmer, Senior Baseball Advisor of the Tampa Bay Rays, receiving a 2008 World Series “ring” with the Rays.
The Rays looked unbeatable at the start of this game when Akinori Iwamura led off the top of the first inning with a single, and scored on a two-run homerun by B.J. Upton, off Boston starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka, giving the Rays an early 2-0 lead.
Then, in the top of the third, after Iwamura grounded out leading off the inning, Upton singled, and was driven home when Carlos Pena blasted a two-run homer. Evan Longoria went back-to-back with Pena, hitting a solo homerun, the third homer allowed by Dice-K, to move the Rays into a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Rays starter, Scott Kazmir, was coasting along, throwing 111 pitches over six solid shutout innings, allowing only two hits, and three walks, while striking out seven.
After two strong innings of relief by Okajima in the 5th and 6th innings, Boston manager, Terry Francona, brought Manny Delcarmen in to pitch the top of the 7th. Delcarmen was totally ineffective, walking the only two batters he faced, forcing Francona to bring in his closer, Jonathan Papelbon, at this key point in the game, to try to end the two on, no outs, rally, and the hold the score at 5-0, as the Sox faced eliminate in his Championship series.
The Rays successfully completed a double-steal, before Papelbon gave up a two-RBI double to B.J. Upton off the Green Monster, that increased the Rays lead to, 7-0.
Tampa Bay could have opened up the lead even more, as the next batter, Carlos Pena, was intentionally walked, setting up a first and second, no out situation. But, Papelbon got Evan Longoria to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, and also retired Carl Crawford on a grounder, to get out of the inning without any further damage.
On the one hand, the 7th was a very successful inning for the Rays, as they now had a 7-0 lead; and, had “champagne wishes and caviar dreams”, as Robin Leach would say, on their minds.
But, the top of the 7th inning lasted 31 minutes, and this length of time probably factored into Joe Maddon’s decison to remove Scott Kazmir from the game, as well as, the fact that Kazmir had already thrown 111 pitches. This very important game was now in the hands of the bullpen.
In my view, this “100-pitch count” philosophy is nonsense. There has been an ongoing debate throughout baseball, among baseball fans, sports writers, and on sports talk radio, regarding this issue over the past few years; and, once again, a great pitching performance by a starting pitcher was ruined by the ineffectiveness of the bullpen.
The reliance on the 100-pitch count, and inning limitations on pitchers, has annoyed many baseball fans, including myself, for many years. It has been an ongoing cause of debate throughout the whole Yankees Organization the last few years, but it also is an annoyance when I see the same thing happen on other teams.
As a matter of fact, I remember watching an afternoon game earlier this year when Justin Masterson was pitching a brilliant game when he first came up as a starter for the Red Sox. As I recall, he threw six or seven shutout innings, and his great performance was handed over to the Boston bullpen at the start of the following inning. Five Red Sox relievers were paraded to the pitching mound on that beautiful sunny afternoon day at Fenway Park, and they turned a beautiful pitching performance by Masterson, into a Boston loss. At least Justin Masterson didn’t get the loss that day. But, he should have been allowed to go for the complete game shutout.
My point is, if a starting pitcher is throwing a great game, and the other team is having trouble hitting him on that particular day — why take the pitcher out of the game?
Anyway, Rays manager, Joe Maddon, decided to go to the bullpen.
Grant Belfour was brought into the game in the bottom of the 7th, and gave up a lead off double to Jed Lowrie. Belfour retired the next two batters, Varitek and Mark Kotsay, on fly balls to centerfield, and at this point it looked like the Rays would cruise through the rest of the game for the victory.
But, when Coco Crisp singled to keep the inning going; and Dustin Pedroia hit a RBI single that drove home Lowrie, to break up the shutout; and, then, David Ortiz crushed a long three-run homer into the rightfield seats at Fenway, to cut the Rays lead to 7-4, anyone watching could see the whole dynamics of the game was shifting in favor of the Red Sox; and, with the energy of the crowd, the momentum clearly was a driving force that would “will” the Red Sox to victory on this fall night in Boston, keeping the Sox hopes alive in this American League Championship series.
Dan Wheeler entered the game, and got Kevin Youkilis to fly out to right for the final out of the 7th inning. But, the damage was done. Even though the Red Sox were still behind 7-4 in this game, the dramatic turn of events in the 7th made me believe Boston would “somehow” find a way to win on this night.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched an easy 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 8th inning, including, striking out two batters. Onto the bottom of the 8th we go.
Wheeler was still pitching for the Rays, and quickly gave up a lead off walk to Jason Bay, and a two-run homerun to J.D. Drew, cutting Tampa Bay’s lead to 7-6.
Lowrie was up next, and flied out to left for the first out of the inning. Wheeler then struckout pinch-hitter, Casey, for out number two in the 8th. Mark Kotsay was now the batter.
Kotsay doubled and was singled home by Coco Crisp to tie the score, 7-7. On the throw from rightfield, Crisp was out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double. Kotsay crossed the plate before the final out was recorded, so there was no doubt that the Sox had tied the score. If anyone did have a doubt, all they had to do was listen to the Red Sox faithful that electrified Fenway Park.
Justin Masterson was brought in to pitch the top of the 9th inning for Boston.
The Rays had a chance to take the lead when Jason Bartlett greeted Masterson by hitting a lead off single; and, after Iwamura flied out to left, B.J. Upton walked, setting up a first and second situation with one out.
Carlos Pena was the next batter up, and Masterson got out of the jam by getting Pena to ground into a 4-6-3 double play, holding the score at 7-7.
The Boston crowd was standing, and cheering, as the game entered the bottom of the 9th inning, with J.P. Howell on the mound for the Rays.
Dustin Pedroia led off the inning by hitting a ground ball that deflected off the glove of the diving Evan Longoria at third base which was fielded by shortshop Jason Bartlett, who threw Pedroia out at first. Then, Howell struck out David Ortiz for the second out of the inning.
So, with two outs in the 9th, it looked like the game might go into extra innings.
Kevin Youkilis was up next, and hit a slow grounder to third that Longoria made a nice play on as he fielded the ball on a short hop. He had plenty of time to get the out at first, but rushed an off-balance throw that took a huge bounce in front of first baseman Carlos Pena, and went into the stands allowing Youkilis to advance to second on the play.
Maddon decided to give an intentional walk to Jason Bay, and pitch to J.D. Drew, who homered in the 8th inning.
And, as the flow of the game was going, J.D. Drew stroked a line drive over the head of rightfielder, Gabe Gross, that drove home Kevin Youkilis for the game winning run in the Red Sox 8-7 victory.
A great game, and baseball continues in the American League this October.
Game 6 of this series is scheduled to take place in Tampa Bay on Saturday night, October 18th.
Scheduled Starting Pitchers:
Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox vs. James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays
Update: Saturday, October 18, 2008 – Game 6: Red Sox 4, Rays 2
American League Championship Series is now tied, 3-3
Game 7 — Sunday night, October 19, 2008
Waiting For The Baseball Off-Season
Well, there really isn’t an “off-season” in baseball any more. It’s just the next part of the year-long business of baseball that happens to follow the post-season playoff games and World Series.
But, this year, the baseball off-season takes on a greater meaning for all us Yankee fans because for the first time in 13 years it will be our “post-season”, after we struggle through the month of October which for much of baseball history has belonged to the New York Yankees.
As the Yankees move their 39 American League pennants and 26 World Series Championship trophies across the street into the new Yankee Stadium, preparations are being made by the Yankees braintrust on how best to improve the team that finished the 2008 Baseball Season in third place in the AL East with a very disappointing 89-73 record.
Many moves need to be made for the Yankees to play baseball in the 2009 post-season, and in future October’s, as they look forward to creating many more memories at the new Yankee Stadium. The great Yankees tradition demands it; the players and Yankees Organization will strive to make it happen; and, the fans expect it.
Winning the World Series is always the goal for the Yankees each year; and, the road to their 27th World Championship starts this off-season, after all the games of the 2008 post-season are finished.
I must admit, this post-season has been a lot more difficult for me than I thought it would be.
But, it also has allowed me to take a step back from writing new posts on my mlblog, as I used the last couple of weeks to “unwind” from the long, disappointing, 2008 Yankees Baseball Season; and, shift my full attention to the 2008 Presidential Campaign, following the new rising star on the political scene, Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, who has energized the conservative base of the Republican Party, and hopefully will help lead the John McCain – Sarah Palin ticket into the White House, as Ronald Reagan would say, in that “shining city upon a hill”, this November 4th.
So, maybe my 2008 victory celebration will be in November this year, not October.
Even though the Yankees are not in this year’s post-season, as a baseball fan, I still enjoy watching the games. It’s just that, this year I really don’t have any interest in rooting for any particular team. It would be nice, though, to see Joe Torre, Don Mattingly, and Larry Bowa guide the Dodgers into the World Series. But, down three games to one to the Phillies, it doesn’t look good for Mr. Torre and the L.A. team.
Now, I would always root for the American League team in the World Series, except, of course, if the Boston Red Sox make it back to the “Fall Classic”.
As a New York Yankees fan, that’s part of the deal. As much as we root for the Yankees to win, we have to root just as hard for the Red Sox to lose. And, for that matter, it’s part of the package that we must also root against the New York Mets. That’s just the way it has always been growing up a Yankees fan all my life. And, I respect the fans of the Red Sox and Mets feeling the same way about the Yankees. These rivalries are all part of the fun of being a fan, rooting for our team, and following our great game of baseball.
As for some of the decisions already made after the 2008 season ended, it is interesting that both New York teams kind of took the same approach regarding their General Manager and Manager.
The Yankees felt is was time for a change, and really gave Joe Torre no choice but to turn down the one-year deal they offered him at the end of the 2007 season. Joe Girardi was brought in to be the new Yankees Manager, and under the circumstances did an “okay” job in his first year as manager. Girardi deserves a pass for the disappointing 2008 Yankees season, but will be under enormous pressure to win the World Series in 2009.
The Mets also felt it was time to change managers, and fired Willie Randolph in the middle of the 2008 season. Randolph was replaced by bench coach, Jerry Manuel.
In 2007, the Mets blew a 7 game lead with 17 games to go; and, repeated a similar collapse in 2008, leading the NL East this year by 3.5 games with 17 to go, and, again, ”blew the lead” to allow the Phillies to win the division for the second year in a row.
Jerry Manuel was part of both Met collapses, and a case could be made that if Willie Randolph was fired for the early Met failures, then, Manuel also should have been held responsible for the Mets late season 2008 collapse. But, with Joe Girardi getting a pass from the Yankees, I guess it’s fair that Manuel also received a pass from the Mets.
It’s interesting that the Mets finished with the same record, 89-73, as the Yankees in 2008; and, it goes without saying, both Joe Girardi and Jerry Manuel will have to lead their teams into the playoffs in 2009. If not, I don’t think there will be another ”free pass” for either manager, heading into the 2010 season.
This all leads to New York Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman; and, New York Mets General Manager, Omar Minaya.
If the Yankees thought it was time for Joe Torre to be replaced, and the Mets thought Willie Randolph was the reason for the Mets failures; and, in the upcoming 2009 season, both Joe Girardi and Jerry Manuel will be under a microscope on just about every pitch, in every inning, why were the General Managers of both New York teams rewarded with extentions of their contracts?
Based on newspaper reports, Brian Cashman was given a new three-year contract; and, Omar Minaya was given a new four-year deal, with a two-year option.
Ultimately, it’s the players performance on the field that determines winning and losing games throughout the baseball season. And, it’s the General Manager who is most responsible for the makeup of the big league roster.
So, why were Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya ”rewarded” with major multi-year deals, when their Managers are basically going into the 2009 season, “one long losing streak away from the firing line”?
Since, Joe Girardi and Jerry Manuel are working on “one-year” passes in 2009, with a post-season appearance being the only way each will remain Manager of their respective teams in 2010; then, shouldn’t this “one-year” pass also apply to Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya?
I don’t know what the goal is for the Mets Organization each year; and, quite frankly, as a Yankees fan, I’m really not concerned about what decisions they make.
But, the New York Yankees goal each year is to win the World Series; and, they haven’t won a World Championship since the year 2000.
The 2008 baseball off-season is the Yankees most important one in many year’s, as it will set the tone of the Yankees roster for at least the next five seasons. Many moves need to be made to improve this Yankees team, and the only acceptable finish to the 2009 season, is the Yankees winning their 27th World Championship.
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