On their second World Championship since their inception in 1883 (essentially being a charter member of the National League).

They got the hits, they pitched better, Utley made a great play to throw out a runner at the plate. I don’t know what Maddon was doing with Balfour at the start of the game. But with Baldelli’s HR, he got a new lease on life and still stayed with Howell to bat with Price sitting in the bullpen. His best pitcher (at least in the pen) was basically a non-factor in this elimination game after proving his mettle in Game 7 of the ALCS against the defending World Champs. That made me scratch my head. I figure he was guarding against the extra inning scenario but the series is 3-1 not 2-2. It’s elimination time…..

But this is not about Tampa losing the series, the Phillies won it. And….. having Rollins being able to claim that he’s an MVP and a World Champ is bound to annoy those Mets’ fans that think Reyes is the best thing to happen to the game, since…. well, the Game! [to paraphrase Casey Stengal or was it Sparky Anderson... I forget which]

*Footnote: A moment of silence for Gene Mauch, who was a mentor to Maddon……