12/21/24
October 22, 2008
Five Reasons to Watch the World Series: So it's not Manny being Manny and shots of Ben Affleck sitting in the stands. It is still going to be a great series for all the right reasons.
I think I'll probably root for the Rays, one reason being that the Phils have been hovering near the promised land for a little while now and if they don't come through this year, they should be back in '09.
If the Phils do win, will their fans realize what has happened and be able to enjoy it? There seems to be something different about the way that Phillie fans carry their badge of title destitution around with them, as compared to Cubs fans.
Maybe a sense that, if things did work out well just once, wouldn't that be weird rather than glorious? I don't get the sense that Phillie fans necessarily want to be delivered from their misery. Them Cubs fans, they want deliverance awful bad.
The thing I really like about the Phils is that their contending teams - 1980, 1993, 2008 - each has or had its own distinct personality. I was very fond of that cave-dwelling 1993 crew. Hardly a clean, tidy man among 'em.
posted by beaverboard at 10:15 AM on October 22, 2008
I can't even put into words how much we want this, beaverboard. Have a look on YouTube or Flickr for how happy this city was when we won the NL last week.
posted by cl at 11:50 AM on October 22, 2008
I thought the reasons listed in the FPP (Manny and Ben) were precisely why most people like me would watch.
posted by tahoemoj at 01:01 PM on October 22, 2008
Since I don't have a strong allegiance to either team and mainly just want to see some good baseball, I hope your guys are able to come through and do Philly proud for your sake and all your fellow fans, cl.
Another thing to like about the Phils: Pat Gillick. I have always admired the way he does his job and his approach to the game.
posted by beaverboard at 01:05 PM on October 22, 2008
A Jayson Stark column? Really?
posted by rocketman at 02:24 PM on October 22, 2008
From the article: The Bank is one of the most-talked-about parks in baseball, if only because of the widely exaggerated notion that it's such a hitters' paradise that it makes Coors Field look like Petco Park. Eh, not quite. In fact, the Bank ranked as only the 11th-easiest park to hit a home run in this season -- behind even (we kid you not) Comerica Park and Shea Stadium.
This is misleading, as most stats-minded folks agree that park factors can vary on a season-by-season basis such that you must take at least a three or so year sample to get meaningful trends. And Citizens Bank Park, in the years prior to this year, was 1st (2007), 6th (2006), 2nd (2005) and 5th (2004) in home runs. So it is probably more accurately a top 5 easiest park in which to hit a home run.
posted by holden at 03:16 PM on October 22, 2008
At the start of the postseason I made myself a list on who I would like to win the World Series. The Rays were at the top of that list and the Phillies second so I am really excited about this series. Both teams have a lot of young talent and it should be a high energy series. I will be pulling hard for the Rays, after watching the ALCS I've become a fan.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:40 PM on October 22, 2008
I personally am looking forward to watching this series... I can honestly say I haven't watch the past couple of years... Boring!!! Same teams in there... Watching the Rays win game 7 after letting Boston back in it in game 5 made me a fan... New blood, young talent and a payroll that doesn't blow off the top of the charts... Refreshing.. Thanks underdogs... You know we pull for you...
posted by bruce2ww at 04:09 PM on October 22, 2008
Go Rays. Maddon's pitching moves late won game 7 against the Red Sox (1 part good managing, 3 parts luck and 6 parts arrogance). Overall the Rays were the best team in baseball this year, limit the defensive errors and it'll be Rays in 6.
posted by cixelsyd at 05:27 PM on October 22, 2008
I normally pull for the American League team if the sox get beaten, unless it's the Yankees.
But at least the Phillies had a fan base that supported them, unlike the Rays whose attendance was at the bottom of the league until the playoffs started (I apologize for all 12 long time rays' fans).
Then there's the awful cow bells, the joke that is tropicana field, and it reminds me more of the WWE than baseball. Add to that Tampa had the freaking Back Street Boys open the game with the national anthem and I have no choice to pull for the Phillies.
I hate seeing the same guys there year after year that take it for granted and dont show the excitement.
All in your head. Please show me examples of the Red Sox not being excited during the ALCS. I'd love to know where you got that they take it for granted. From listening to actual players quotes it seems like most want to get back more after getting a taste of it.
You know we pull for you...
I'm betting that when the ratings come out you'll find a lot less of "we" than you think.
posted by justgary at 12:24 AM on October 23, 2008
I personally am looking forward to watching this series... I can honestly say I haven't watch the past couple of years... Boring!!! Same teams in there
Starting with the 2002 World Series, including this one, there's been a total of 12 different teams in those 7 years. Two teams went twice.
In the past 4 years there's been 8 different teams in the World Series, No team has made it twice.
Again, 4 years, all different teams. So I guess I have to believe you when you say you haven't watched.
posted by justgary at 12:41 AM on October 23, 2008
Tropicana Field is supposed to be one of the five reasons why this will be a great series? With all those messed up rules about if it hits catwalk A and stays in play it's a this and if it hits catwalk B and stays up on the catwalk it's a that? Bosh.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:55 AM on October 23, 2008
After accidentally posting this in the locker room, I gave it a second try. This series makes me want to watch. If it were the Sox and the Dodgers, I would probably watch the series through Espn highlights. I like the chance to see teams that havent been there before. I like seeing the looks of awe on players faces their first time being announced in the SuperBowl, the Stanley cup finals, The World Series. I hate seeing the same guys there year after year that take it for granted and dont show the excitement.
Good Luck Coach Maddon. You look like one of the Hanson Brothers with those glasses and that does it for me. Go Rays!!!