I'm in baseball heaven. The World Series match up I've wanted to see for over 30 years is going to finally happen: The New York Yankees vs The Philadelphia Phillies.
Every since the late 70's when the both the franchises started getting into the playoffs on a "regular" basis I've wanted to see the team that was my favorite when I first became a baseball fan, the Phillies, play my all time favorite team, The Yankees.
The Yankees made it to the Series in 76,77 & 78 but the Phillies were beaten in the league championship series or didn't make the playoffs (there was no wild card back then). In 1980 it was the Yankees who faltered in the LCS vs Kansas City, thanks to a devastating home run by George Brett in the last game of the series. The Phillies beat KC and won their first championship. Brett by the way missed a lot of that series due to hemorrhoids. LOL.
The decade of the 80's turned out to be a dark one for both teams as far as the playoffs were concerned. During the Yankees championship and pennant years of the late 90's and 2000's(96,98,99, 2000, 2001 & 2003 respectively)the Phillies were no where to be seen in October.
Then 2 years ago it changed for the Phillies. They made the playoffs in '07 and had become a consistent contender again with a core of young talent that promised a lot for the future. They culminated that potential when they won the championship last season. Now this season they breezed through he NL playoffs and are in the series again with a chance to repeat.
All though the Bronx Bombers were in the playoffs year of the new century under manager, Joe Torre, they lost in the world series in '01 & '03 and had that historical collapse in the 04 ALCS against the Red Sox. After that they lost in the division series each year. They didn't even make the playoffs last season. This year, the 2nd season under manager Joe Giardi, they put it all together and won the AL flag.
Now if you watch or listen to sports talk channels on TV or the radio you'll get plenty of analysis about the World Series which starts this Wednesday night. Each broadcaster has, by now, given their predictions on who they think will win based on strengths, weaknesses, stats and trends. I'm going to tell you my choice based on a couple of factors probably not considered in those "on air" decisions.
In their 3 our of their last 4 World Series appearances in an odd numbered years the Yankees have lost. They only prevailed against the Braves in 1999 but 1981, 2001 & 2003 they lost. This is an odd numbered year.
But let me also point out that in the past sports teams with the motivation for winning to honor the memory of someone close to the team or in the organization who died during the season haven't been very successful. The one example I can remember is the 78 Dodger who wanted to win to honor the memory of their 3rd coach Jim Gilliam. They lost to the Yankees in the series that made Reggie Jackson a superstar. There are other teams that fall into this "win one for..." category but I can't recall them right now. I don't remember the specifics but the general principal stands out in my mind.
The Phillies are wearing a black patch with the white initials "HK" inside them in memory of Harry Kalas. He was their long time broadcaster who died early in the season. I loved Harry Kalas and am sad that he passed away. But with that as part of the motivation the Phillies are on the shaky side of fate. But then again Harry Kalas hasn't really been mentioned much by any of the Phillies during the playoffs.
Weighing both of those factors as arguments for each team to lose the series I'm going to have to say the kind of cancel each other out.
The Phillies are awfully good and I don't think the Yankees pitchers can stop them. Then again The Yankees are very impressive in their home park. It's the first year in the new stadium. The last time they opened a new ballpark they won the series in their first year (1923). I believe history has a tendency to repeat itself.
Therefore I'm going to have to go with my gut and make a prediction. I'm going to say that the Yankees will win the series in 7 games. It will be a great ride and I'm hoping it will end on a walk off hit at Yankees Stadium.
Every since the late 70's when the both the franchises started getting into the playoffs on a "regular" basis I've wanted to see the team that was my favorite when I first became a baseball fan, the Phillies, play my all time favorite team, The Yankees.
The Yankees made it to the Series in 76,77 & 78 but the Phillies were beaten in the league championship series or didn't make the playoffs (there was no wild card back then). In 1980 it was the Yankees who faltered in the LCS vs Kansas City, thanks to a devastating home run by George Brett in the last game of the series. The Phillies beat KC and won their first championship. Brett by the way missed a lot of that series due to hemorrhoids. LOL.
The decade of the 80's turned out to be a dark one for both teams as far as the playoffs were concerned. During the Yankees championship and pennant years of the late 90's and 2000's(96,98,99, 2000, 2001 & 2003 respectively)the Phillies were no where to be seen in October.
Then 2 years ago it changed for the Phillies. They made the playoffs in '07 and had become a consistent contender again with a core of young talent that promised a lot for the future. They culminated that potential when they won the championship last season. Now this season they breezed through he NL playoffs and are in the series again with a chance to repeat.
All though the Bronx Bombers were in the playoffs year of the new century under manager, Joe Torre, they lost in the world series in '01 & '03 and had that historical collapse in the 04 ALCS against the Red Sox. After that they lost in the division series each year. They didn't even make the playoffs last season. This year, the 2nd season under manager Joe Giardi, they put it all together and won the AL flag.
Now if you watch or listen to sports talk channels on TV or the radio you'll get plenty of analysis about the World Series which starts this Wednesday night. Each broadcaster has, by now, given their predictions on who they think will win based on strengths, weaknesses, stats and trends. I'm going to tell you my choice based on a couple of factors probably not considered in those "on air" decisions.
In their 3 our of their last 4 World Series appearances in an odd numbered years the Yankees have lost. They only prevailed against the Braves in 1999 but 1981, 2001 & 2003 they lost. This is an odd numbered year.
But let me also point out that in the past sports teams with the motivation for winning to honor the memory of someone close to the team or in the organization who died during the season haven't been very successful. The one example I can remember is the 78 Dodger who wanted to win to honor the memory of their 3rd coach Jim Gilliam. They lost to the Yankees in the series that made Reggie Jackson a superstar. There are other teams that fall into this "win one for..." category but I can't recall them right now. I don't remember the specifics but the general principal stands out in my mind.
The Phillies are wearing a black patch with the white initials "HK" inside them in memory of Harry Kalas. He was their long time broadcaster who died early in the season. I loved Harry Kalas and am sad that he passed away. But with that as part of the motivation the Phillies are on the shaky side of fate. But then again Harry Kalas hasn't really been mentioned much by any of the Phillies during the playoffs.
Weighing both of those factors as arguments for each team to lose the series I'm going to have to say the kind of cancel each other out.
The Phillies are awfully good and I don't think the Yankees pitchers can stop them. Then again The Yankees are very impressive in their home park. It's the first year in the new stadium. The last time they opened a new ballpark they won the series in their first year (1923). I believe history has a tendency to repeat itself.
Therefore I'm going to have to go with my gut and make a prediction. I'm going to say that the Yankees will win the series in 7 games. It will be a great ride and I'm hoping it will end on a walk off hit at Yankees Stadium.
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