On Wednesday night October 22, 2008 at 8:37 pm Fox Sports was finally done fumbling around with thirty minutes of pre-game, first pitch, national anthem and pageantry, and was finally ready for Major League Baseball’s 106th World Series.
Game one from Tampa / St Petersburg Florida featured the National League's Philadelphia Phillies versus the American League's Tampa Bay Rays.
At 8:38pm Eastern Standard Time, Tampa’s starting pitcher Scott Kazmir threw a 90 mph fastball at the knees to Philadelphia leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins. The pitch was a called strike and the World Series was officially under way.
After Rollins flew out to right field to start the game, the Phillies got down to business. The second batter, Jayson Werth walked and then second baseman Chase Utley launched a two run homer to right center. Three batters into the World Series and the Phillies led 2-0.
The 2-0 lead gave Philly starter Cole Hamels a lot to work with, as he held the Ray’s bats silent for the first three and two thirds innings. In the top of the fourth inning the Phillies added a critical insurance run when they went up 3-0 on a Carlos Ruiz RBI ground out.
The Rays began to chip away. First a Carl Crawford solo homer in the fourth inning, then an Akinori Iwamura double to the gap in the fifth inning scored shortstop Jason Bartlett. Cole Hamels had made only a handful of mistake pitches in the game, but now he and the Phillies were clinging to a 3-2 lead. To make matters worse the Phillies were stranding runners on base at an alarming rate. Eleven runners in all were left on base in game one.
But Cole Hamels continued to battle and did exactly what his team required of him. He pitched seven brilliant innings. On his 100 pitch of the game he caught a come backer to the mound to record his final out before turning things over to the very capable Phillies bullpen.
Ryan Madson worked a 1-2-3 8th inning. The ninth inning belonged to the perfect Brad Lidge. All season long Lidge had been flawless for the Phillies in save situations. The post season was no different. “Lights out Lidge” as Philly fans have begun calling him, answered the call in game one. With his devastating slider he successfully struck out two of the three batters he faced.
Phillies won game one 3-2. Phillies led World Series 1-0.
Game two’s first pitch came at 8:31 on Thursday October 23, 2008. It was a James Shields fastball low and inside for ball one. It was the only blemish on Shields record in game two. He worked five and two third innings of shout out ball.
When I saw that MLB umpire Kerwin Danley was working home plate for game 2 of the World Series I began to cringe. Danley has been one of baseball’s worst umpires in 2008. Kerwin had very recently blown several key calls in the American League Championships series in Boston. In the third inning with the Rays up with two outs, it appeared that Rocco Baldelli struck out on a check swing. Danley waved his hand as though to indicate that Baldelli had swung, and then immediately appealed to first base umpire Fieldin Culbreth. Culbreth awarded the batter first base to extend the inning. Two batters later B.J. Upton drove a single to right field. Baldelli scored and the Rays took a 3-0 lead.
Eleven more runners had been left on base in game two for Philadelphia. Now the offense, the umpires, and most important of all momentum were working against the Phils. Rays rookie sensation David Price pitched very well in relief of Shields and closed the door for Tampa.
Rays won game two 4-2. The World Series was Tied 1-1.
Game one from Tampa / St Petersburg Florida featured the National League's Philadelphia Phillies versus the American League's Tampa Bay Rays.
At 8:38pm Eastern Standard Time, Tampa’s starting pitcher Scott Kazmir threw a 90 mph fastball at the knees to Philadelphia leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins. The pitch was a called strike and the World Series was officially under way.
After Rollins flew out to right field to start the game, the Phillies got down to business. The second batter, Jayson Werth walked and then second baseman Chase Utley launched a two run homer to right center. Three batters into the World Series and the Phillies led 2-0.
The 2-0 lead gave Philly starter Cole Hamels a lot to work with, as he held the Ray’s bats silent for the first three and two thirds innings. In the top of the fourth inning the Phillies added a critical insurance run when they went up 3-0 on a Carlos Ruiz RBI ground out.
The Rays began to chip away. First a Carl Crawford solo homer in the fourth inning, then an Akinori Iwamura double to the gap in the fifth inning scored shortstop Jason Bartlett. Cole Hamels had made only a handful of mistake pitches in the game, but now he and the Phillies were clinging to a 3-2 lead. To make matters worse the Phillies were stranding runners on base at an alarming rate. Eleven runners in all were left on base in game one.
But Cole Hamels continued to battle and did exactly what his team required of him. He pitched seven brilliant innings. On his 100 pitch of the game he caught a come backer to the mound to record his final out before turning things over to the very capable Phillies bullpen.
Ryan Madson worked a 1-2-3 8th inning. The ninth inning belonged to the perfect Brad Lidge. All season long Lidge had been flawless for the Phillies in save situations. The post season was no different. “Lights out Lidge” as Philly fans have begun calling him, answered the call in game one. With his devastating slider he successfully struck out two of the three batters he faced.
Phillies won game one 3-2. Phillies led World Series 1-0.
Game two’s first pitch came at 8:31 on Thursday October 23, 2008. It was a James Shields fastball low and inside for ball one. It was the only blemish on Shields record in game two. He worked five and two third innings of shout out ball.
When I saw that MLB umpire Kerwin Danley was working home plate for game 2 of the World Series I began to cringe. Danley has been one of baseball’s worst umpires in 2008. Kerwin had very recently blown several key calls in the American League Championships series in Boston. In the third inning with the Rays up with two outs, it appeared that Rocco Baldelli struck out on a check swing. Danley waved his hand as though to indicate that Baldelli had swung, and then immediately appealed to first base umpire Fieldin Culbreth. Culbreth awarded the batter first base to extend the inning. Two batters later B.J. Upton drove a single to right field. Baldelli scored and the Rays took a 3-0 lead.
Eleven more runners had been left on base in game two for Philadelphia. Now the offense, the umpires, and most important of all momentum were working against the Phils. Rays rookie sensation David Price pitched very well in relief of Shields and closed the door for Tampa.
Rays won game two 4-2. The World Series was Tied 1-1.
On Saturday October 25, 2008 rain poured down throughout the Philadelphia area. After a ninety-minute rain delay the World Series was ready to resume with a change of setting. Citizens Bank Park was hosting its first ever World Series.
The first pitch from 45-year-old Philly Jamie Moyer was a letter high strike right across home plate. Moyer worked a scoreless first.
After a lead off hit by Rollins and a walk to the second batter Werth, Ray’s starter Matt Garza unleashed a wild pitch. With two runners in scoring position Chase Utley grounded out to second, driving in the first run of game. The Phillies took the early lead 1-0.
Tampa came right back with a run of their own in the second inning. Carl Crawford doubled, stole second base, and then trotted home on a deep sacrifice fly by Gabe Gross. Thru one and one half innings the game was tied at 1-1.
The back and forth continued as catcher Carlos Ruiz launched a solo homerun in the second giving the Phillies the lead back 2-1.
From the bottom of the second to the bottom of the sixth, the game saw nothing but dominate pitching from both Matt Garza and Jamie Moyer. Then in the bottom of the sixth two old teammates paired up to do what they do best. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard belted back-to-back homeruns to right field giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead.
The Rays were not done. The chipped away as the game progressed and in the top of the eighth the came all the way back to tie it. Carl Crawford proved to be trouble yet again on the bases. An errant throw to third base got away from Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz. Crawford had successfully stolen third yet again, but when the ball got away from Feliz, Carl took home and the game was tied 4-4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning Ray’s reliever Grant Balfour hit lead off batter Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett was awarded first base, and the next batter was center fielder Shane Victorino, who was showing bunt right away. Balfour’s pitch was wild and bounced of the backstop. The ricochet of the wild pitch came right back to catcher Dioner Navarro. He turned and threw to second. But the throw curved into right center field. Bruntlett ran to third and was 90 feet away from scoring the game-winning run.
Ray’s Manager Joe Maddon went to the mound with a very unorthodox plan of defense. The plan was to walk Victorino and the following batter, pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. So with the bases loaded Maddon took Ben Zobrist out of right field, and aligned his infield with five players. The strategy was to throw the runner out at home with anything hit on the infield. The drama and pressure was as intense as ever.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz came to the plate to face Grant Balfour. On the fifth pitch of the at bat, Ruiz squibbed a grounder down the third base line. Third baseman Evan Longoria charged the ball, fielded it, and attempted to lob the ball over the runner Bruntlett to get the out at home. The lob was over catcher Dioner Navarro’s head and Bruntlett slid in safely scoring the game-winning run.
Looking back, it was the end of the 2008 World Series. Although the series would still go two more games and three more nights, the Rays never mentally recovered. The home field advantage, starting pitching, and core of Champions on the Phillies were now in complete control.
Phillies won game three 5-4. Phillies led the World Series 2-1.
Game four was all Philadelphia.
The first pitch from Philly starter Joe Blanton was an 88 mph fastball inside for ball one.
In the bottom of the first, it was another blown call by the umpiring crew that led to the first run of the game. Jimmy Rollins was called safe at third base, loading them up for Pat Burrell. Pat drew a walk and the Phillies were up 1-0.
The bottom of the fourth was the break out inning for the Phillies. Up 2-1 Ryan Howard came to the plate and delivered a three run homerun to left field. The opposite field swing was a missing link for Howard this October. He had found the error in his ways, and the Phillies were up 5-1.
The Phillies would score five more runs before it was all said and done. Another home run by Howard, a two run shot, a Jayson Werth two run homer, and a solo home run by starting pitcher Joe Blanton.
The Phillies rocked the Rays 10-2. The Phillies led the World Series 3-1.
I blame THE OLD MAN for all of game five’s drama.
The first pitch from 45-year-old Philly Jamie Moyer was a letter high strike right across home plate. Moyer worked a scoreless first.
After a lead off hit by Rollins and a walk to the second batter Werth, Ray’s starter Matt Garza unleashed a wild pitch. With two runners in scoring position Chase Utley grounded out to second, driving in the first run of game. The Phillies took the early lead 1-0.
Tampa came right back with a run of their own in the second inning. Carl Crawford doubled, stole second base, and then trotted home on a deep sacrifice fly by Gabe Gross. Thru one and one half innings the game was tied at 1-1.
The back and forth continued as catcher Carlos Ruiz launched a solo homerun in the second giving the Phillies the lead back 2-1.
From the bottom of the second to the bottom of the sixth, the game saw nothing but dominate pitching from both Matt Garza and Jamie Moyer. Then in the bottom of the sixth two old teammates paired up to do what they do best. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard belted back-to-back homeruns to right field giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead.
The Rays were not done. The chipped away as the game progressed and in the top of the eighth the came all the way back to tie it. Carl Crawford proved to be trouble yet again on the bases. An errant throw to third base got away from Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz. Crawford had successfully stolen third yet again, but when the ball got away from Feliz, Carl took home and the game was tied 4-4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning Ray’s reliever Grant Balfour hit lead off batter Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett was awarded first base, and the next batter was center fielder Shane Victorino, who was showing bunt right away. Balfour’s pitch was wild and bounced of the backstop. The ricochet of the wild pitch came right back to catcher Dioner Navarro. He turned and threw to second. But the throw curved into right center field. Bruntlett ran to third and was 90 feet away from scoring the game-winning run.
Ray’s Manager Joe Maddon went to the mound with a very unorthodox plan of defense. The plan was to walk Victorino and the following batter, pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. So with the bases loaded Maddon took Ben Zobrist out of right field, and aligned his infield with five players. The strategy was to throw the runner out at home with anything hit on the infield. The drama and pressure was as intense as ever.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz came to the plate to face Grant Balfour. On the fifth pitch of the at bat, Ruiz squibbed a grounder down the third base line. Third baseman Evan Longoria charged the ball, fielded it, and attempted to lob the ball over the runner Bruntlett to get the out at home. The lob was over catcher Dioner Navarro’s head and Bruntlett slid in safely scoring the game-winning run.
Looking back, it was the end of the 2008 World Series. Although the series would still go two more games and three more nights, the Rays never mentally recovered. The home field advantage, starting pitching, and core of Champions on the Phillies were now in complete control.
Phillies won game three 5-4. Phillies led the World Series 2-1.
Game four was all Philadelphia.
The first pitch from Philly starter Joe Blanton was an 88 mph fastball inside for ball one.
In the bottom of the first, it was another blown call by the umpiring crew that led to the first run of the game. Jimmy Rollins was called safe at third base, loading them up for Pat Burrell. Pat drew a walk and the Phillies were up 1-0.
The bottom of the fourth was the break out inning for the Phillies. Up 2-1 Ryan Howard came to the plate and delivered a three run homerun to left field. The opposite field swing was a missing link for Howard this October. He had found the error in his ways, and the Phillies were up 5-1.
The Phillies would score five more runs before it was all said and done. Another home run by Howard, a two run shot, a Jayson Werth two run homer, and a solo home run by starting pitcher Joe Blanton.
The Phillies rocked the Rays 10-2. The Phillies led the World Series 3-1.
I blame THE OLD MAN for all of game five’s drama.
TOM decided he wanted to come down to my place in Voorhees to watch the Phillies win the World Series. He wanted to watch all the local coverage on my flat screen, and he wanted to take a possible trip into Philly to watch the locals celebrate.
We went out for dinner after I got home from work, and when leaving the Cherry Hill Red Lobster, we both noticed the steady down pour falling from above. TOM proceeded back to my place and passed out on the couch! So much for his trip to relish in the atmosphere!
The game began in the pouring rain, and Cole Hamels first pitch was a 90 mph fastball called strike. Hamels first inning was dominate. The same could not be said for Scott Kazmir. Scott who is notorious for always having a high pitch count threw almost 30 pitches in the first inning. He walked two and hit one. Shane Victorino came up with the bases loaded and lined a double to left scoring two. Phillies had the early lead 2-0.
In the top of the fourth inning Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, who had been held hitless in the series, finally came through. Pena doubled to lead off the inning and Longoria drove him in with a single. The score was 2-1 Phillies.
Kazmir left the game in the fifth inning with 103 pitches as the rain began to intensify.
In the bottom of the 6th inning the game became unmanageable. The pouring rain made it difficult to watch the action on TV let alone play baseball in it. The infield was covered in water. The water soaking each player uniform. B.J.Upton reached first in the top of the inning on a Jimmy Rollins error. Under normal conditions Rollins fields the ball easily. Upton then stole second base, and Tony Pena drove him in to tie the game at 2-2.
After the top of the 6th, the decision to suspend the game became easy. If the score had remained 2-1 then technically the Phillies would have been crowned World Series Champions. But with no creditability or authority Bud Selig and his boys stepped in and insisted on suspending the game and continuing it as soon as weather permitted.
Game five was suspended in the bottom of the sixth.
With TOM back in New York, it was some 46 hours later when game five of the World Series resumed. Grant Balfour remained in the game for Tampa. His first pitch was a ball, and his fifth pitch was a double to right center by Geoff Jenkins. Rollins moved Jenkins over with a sacrifice bunt, and then a shallow fly ball to center fell in for a base hit for Jayson Werth. Phillies retook the lead right away 3-2.
In the top of the seventh Tampa Bay’s Rocco Baldelli knocked a solo homer to left, re-tying the game 3-3.
In the bottom of the eighth Pat Burrell led off with a double off the wall in straight away center. On any normal summer night the same hit would be a homerun. Victorino moved the pinch runner to third. Pedro Feliz came up, and his base hit up the middle was the last RBI of 2008. The Phillies took the lead 4-3 and Brad Lidge immediately got up in the bullpen.
For the first time since game one, Brad Lidge entered the game in a save situation. Chase Utley gather up the first out on a pop up to second base. After a Dioner Navarro base hit, and a Perez pinch running stolen base, Jayson Werth caught a Ben Zobrist line drive for the second out. Eric Hinski came up representing the last hope for the Tampa Bay Rays. On an 1-2 pitch Hinski weakly swung over the top of a slider from Brad Lidge.
Lidge fell to his knees. Catcher Carlos Ruiz ran out to hug him. Ryan Howard and members for the Phillies dugout ran the battery over. 46,000 Phillies fans went insane!
The call from Joe Buck was “The Phillies are World Champions”.
I could hear other apartments in my complex going crazy. Shortly after, I heard fireworks going off in the distance. An hour later Broad Street looked like Times Square on New Years Eve. The World Series was over. Almost entirely dominated by the Phillies. The World Series MVP award was given to Cole Hamels.
Philadelphia Phillies win game five 4-3. Phillies win World Series 4-1.
