I'm happy for Shane Victorino. Anything else I could say would sound bitter. Let's just say I'll never get over that damn DH rule and can't be for any AL team ever. That said, an amazing one year turnaround - gotta hand it to them...
-Ray
Yeah, I'm happy for Boston, particularly in the aftermath of the Marathon bombing. But they've won three in a decade now - they're no longer the adorable losers that everyone could pull for and be thrilled when they won the first one. Now they're a dominant franchise (shown clearly by how quickly and thoroughly they rebuilt for this year). And I tend to root against teams like that unless they're the Phillies during their short run. Hell, I was hating the Yankees in the 2001 Series immediately after 9/11, so I can't possibly give the Sox a break this year... Ironically, the Cardinals are another franchise like that but I've always liked them, even after they beat the Phils in that heartbreaker in 2011 I still wanted to see them go all the way.I'm with you on Shane and the DH rule, but it's hard not to be happy for Boston.
Do you know the history of the DH and the role the Phillies played in keeping it out of the National League? (sorry to go OT...) In 1980 there was a meeting to determine if the NL would adopt the DH. Then GM Bill Giles was told by owner Ruly Carpenter to vote in favor of the DH, as the Phillies had guys like Greg Luzinski and Keith Moreland and felt they would benefit from the rule. But at the meeting Giles was surprised to learn that the rule would not be implemented for two years. He wasn't sure how to vote, and could not contact Carpenter, who was out on a fishing trip. Giles eventually abstained from the vote, as did the Pirates (who had committed to vote with the Phils) and the Astros. It is believed that had Giles voted for the DH as planned it would have passed.
Boston has 8 banners across the 4 "major" pro sports in 11 years, so it's been a good ride for sure.
Bill - see you at the parade?
I am not a large crowd person, but this one is oh-so-tempting!
I think it's Saturday??
I should say. Philly is breathing down your neck with exactly ONE in the last 30 years. It tends to make one a sore loser...
-Ray
I include Villanova winning the NCAA b-ball title in '85, but it still doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference...
On the positive side Ray it just means that we savor those rare victories all the more. And I'm afraid 2008 is going to have to keep us happy for quite a while longer. Though the Sixers did beat the Heat last night.