2008 World Series: Quick Thoughts

Now that the World Series is over, here are some of my quick thoughts about the series.

To start out, I should admit that I truly didn’t pick a winner.  I did predict six games for the series, however. Five and six aren’t that far off after all.

Back when the season started, I predicted the Rays would have a breakout season, falling just short of the playoffs. The Phillies I had up there as well, but I didn't have them making the playoffs either.

Deep down I was really pulling for the Rays to win because Florida needs to have a baseball team worth following on a yearly basis. Not to take anything away from the Marlins' two championships, but fans can’t get behind a team that does a fire-sale every time a championship is won.    

Florida is a huge potential market for baseball, but there hasn’t been a reason to cheer for any team there—until now. The Rays should be able to keep their players together for at least a few years because of youth and low-paying contracts. When those contracts are up, I hope Tampa will still be able to afford their players because they have potential to be something big.

The word "dynasty" should not be out of the question when it comes to the Rays. The youth was able to overcome inexperience and make it to the World Series—a rare feat in any sport.

I was the one constantly saying the youth would falter in the end, but I give them credit for proving me, and history, wrong.

Time will tell if the Rays can bounce back, but this team is still going to get better.

There is one reason why I wanted the Phillies to win. Philadelphia needed another championship. The city is far too great of a sports city not to have won a championship since the '80s.

That doesn’t include the fans, though. Most Philadelphia sports fans could not be farther from the city motto of “brotherly love.”  At least the fans do have something to cheer for. 

On an ending note, baseball could not be any healthier as a sport, regardless of what the ratings say.

Only the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals have made it to the World Series more than once during this decade. In other words, 15 different teams have made it to the World Series this decade.

If that’s not healthy, I don’t know what is.