World Series Notebook–October 30, 2008

This World Series will not go down as a classic–the Series really has to go six or seven games to achieve such status–but as five-game Series go, this was one of the best. Outside of Game Four, all of the games were competitive, close, and entertaining, even if the lateness of the games here on the East Coast continued to be a drag on World Series enthusiasm. Three of the Phillies’ four victories came by one run, which means that with a slight turn of fortune here and there, the Rays could have easily extended this to seven games, if not won it outright. But the Phillies pitched a little better, played much better defensively, and ran the bases far more wisely, giving themselves a much deserved world championship…

Chase Utley’s fake throw to first base, and follow-up throw to home to nail Jason Bartlett, will be remembered as one of the most cerebral plays in postseason history, right up there with Derek Jeter’s flip toss against the A’s in 2001. But let’s not blame Bartlett for the end result here. According to every analyst in attendance at the game, Bartlett never saw Utley’s pump fake to first. Rather, Bartlett was simply following the cue of his third base coach, who waved him on in an attempt to score. Already a great hitter to begin with, Utley has succeeded in enhancing his reputation as one of the headiest players in the game. Is there any second baseman that you’d rather have than Utley right now? I can’t think of one…

As well as Joe Maddon guided the Rays through their season of surpasses expectations, he did not manage one of his better games in the fifth game clincher. I thought he pulled Grant Balfour too quickly and then stayed with JP Howell too long, actually allowing him to come to bat in the top of the seventh inning. With a rested bullpen at his disposal and the season on the line, Maddon needed to pull out all the stops, including the use of pinch-hitters for his relief pitchers. Instead, Maddon managed like he was the one who was up three games to one, as the Rays fell just a bit short against Brad Lidge in the ninth inning…

Finally, a world championship for the Phillies brings to me my good friend, Don Casey, who died far too young a year and a half ago. A former Hall of Fame employee and the ultimate Phillies fan, one who stayed faithful to the cause during the many lean years that came after 1980, Don is probably smiling widely from above right now. For me, that’s what I’ll always think about most when I remember these championship Phillies of 2008.