Phillies Win World Series!
October 29, 2008 by Steve Quinto
Filed under Major League Baseball, Phillies
Wow.
The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in one of the strangest games in World Series history. Taking 2 days to complete, you will not find a fan in Philly without a smile on their face.
It looked like it was going to be easy, with the Phils manufacturing a run to lead off the game (which was the bottom of the 6th). Then Rocco Baldelli tied it up by crushing an inside pitch to left field.
In perhaps his last at bat on the team who drafted him first overall in 1998, Pat Burrell led off the bottom of the 7th with a double, which was his first hit of the World Series. With Shane Victorino failing to lay down a bunt, he was able to hit the ball on the right side to move pinch runner Eric Bruntlett to third base. An unlikely hero in Pedro Feliz emerged and knocked in the game winning run. The line drive up the middle would probably have been fielded if the Rays were not playing the infield in. It is very fitting that the Phils struggled mightily in getting runners over and manufacturing runs in the series, and they scored both of their runs doing just that.
Only getting 2 outs from Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero came up huge in getting through the 8th, including getting B.J. Upton to ground into his third double play in the series. Chase Utley also came up huge by throwing out a runner at the plate after faking a throw to first on a ground ball up the middle.Â
Brad Lidge, perfect all year, remained perfect in closing it out in the 9th. Knowing Eric Hinske drilled a HR off the brick wall in CF a few days ago, Lidge did not mess around and got ahead in the count and struck him out for a replay that I will never get tired of seeing.
Cole Hamels is the much deserving World Series MVP, and almost became the first pitcher to win 5 games in the playoffs. He ended up being a pretty good bargain at $500,000 this year.
As far as what comes next with this team, I will have a blog in a few days reflecting more on this victory and a look at possible off-season moves.
A great day for the city of Philadelphia….
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Last post (s) by Steve Quinto
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October 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Congrats Steve, hope you and the city are enjoying yourselves. There were some great shots of fan reaction in the stadium, cherish the moment.
Definitely the strangest World Series game ever. It like fit into my TV schedule. I wanted to watch the end of MNF and the Raptors/Sixers game, thanks to some weather and Bud Selig I got to watch all three.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Nice to see the city of Philly get a championship. Its been a while.
October 30th, 2008 at 4:01 am
I have no sleep, i was outside yelling with the rest of the people, i did not venture back into philly for that but I might be able to make the parade.
October 30th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Congrats! Good for the Philly fans who are always supportive (well, in terms of attendance…lol). You guys deserve it!
I hope that Buffalo is next in line for an overdue championship…haha!
October 30th, 2008 at 5:21 am
If it’s for the bills no problem, sabers not so much, haha
October 30th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I’m not sure you are next Buffalo, you may have to wait in line behind Cleveland.
Congrats to the Phillies. Rays may have been the better team coming in, but the Phillies got the best of them in this 7 game series and finally got the championship they deserved.
If the MVP trophy goes to the most valueable player in the PLAYOFFS, then it was indeed Hamels. However if it was just for the World Series (which is what I believed) then I don’t know if I agree with Hamels getting the trophy, perhaps Rollins or Utley. You could even make a case for Ruiz.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Valuable* Sorry had to correct that.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I think Hamels is easily the MVP. He was dominant in game 1 and was dominant in game 5. No other hitter stood out over the course of the series. I think a lot of HRs or RBIs would have been needed for a hitter (and some clutch ones).
I am surprised TB let Balfour pitch to Jenkins. Bringing in a lefty would have neutralized the Phils bench…
October 30th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Its debatable. I don’t think he was dominant in Game 5, but he still pitched very well. Your right that there was no other clear cut winner.
And I was very disappointed with how Maddon handled his pen. Should have started with and stayed with Price until he ran out of gas. Tough to see a team lose with their best pitcher sitting in the pen.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hamels said he couldnt get a good grip to throw his changeup in the top of the 6th, an inning which should not have been played. He threw about 75 pitches through 6. He could have easily thrown a complete game.
I think TB would have been better off throwing Shields out there. Its odd Price has been tabbed the savior and he just got to the majors. Let Shields finish Game 5 and just let Price start Game 6.
It will be an interesting offseason, seeing how Boston and NY load up in response to the Rays. And if the Mets will get F-Rod, who will get Manny, Teixera, etc…