First of all, I want to say congrats to the Phillies for winning the World Series. The city of Philadelphia has been dying for a championship since 1983. They apparently don't count last year's Arena Bowl Championship because it's not a major sport according to the fans in Philly. The Phillies won the series 4-1. Cole Hamels was the MVP with a 4-0 record and a 1.80 ERA in the postseason. Brad Lidge made history by becoming the first Phillies closer to go perfect in save oportunities for a whole season! Way for him to resurrect his career that almost went into a downward spiral. 48 out 48 including the postseason with a ERA of barely under 2. Game 5 had to be finished another night due to inclement weather on Monday and Tuesday, but there could have been some controversy over this championship. The main reason is the umpires. Here's why:
This had to be one of the worst called World Series in MLB History. These umps were blowing calls left and right, mainly the strike zone calls! In Game 1, when Cole Hamels was trying to catch Carlos Pena stealing on a pickoff throw, he balked! When he threw the ball to first base, his foot and his body position was facing home plate. In order to throw the ball to first base legally, you have to be facing first base with your body squared to the spot. Evan Longoria should have been able to automatically go to first base. That's where MLB should have had the replay on in the World Series. This play cost the Rays at least a shot at a run and in the end they did not win Game 1. Before the Hamels non-balk ruling, Shane Victorino was picked off by Scott Kazmir in the second inning when he was on second base, but the umps said he was safe. When the replay popped up, Victorino was clearly out. I mean come on ump? You are right there looking at the play! How can you miss such a call? The umps had the worst strike zones I've seen too especially in Game 5 when Kazmir and Hamels went at it again. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kazmir was robbed out of a couple of calls that were balls but should have been strikes. When Pat Burrell was at the plate, he should have struck out looking. On three of Kazmir's pitches, they were a little low, but still in the strike zone. Well, the umpire, has a different mindset of the strike zone, so he calls all balls. After Kaz walked Burrell, he was immediately pulled from the game. The inning before and after Hamels got away with some strikeouts on completely bad calls. When Akinori Iwamura got caught looking in the fourth inning, the pitch was clearly out of the strike zone, but Hamels gets the call. I don't know why, but Umpire Tim Kellogg apparently forgot his contacts or forgot to pick up some prescription glasses before the game. In the sixth inning, Hamels got away with another one. He got the same outside call. The Phillies got robbed a bit too with B.J. Upton being called safe at first base in Game 3, but overall, the Tampa Bay Rays were hurting more and it could have played a factor in this series. Not to take away anything from the Phillies, they deserved to win this series. They were clearly the better team, but MLB Commissioner Bud Selig needs to do a better job of finding the best umpires that can call the World Series because what I seen was pathetic.
MLB Extras:
Will the Tampa Bay Rays turn into this year's Colorado Rockies next season?
It could happen, but I like the young talent on this squad. If they can keep the chemistry rolling, this team will be fine. It will be interesting to see if David Price can blossom into one of the best starters in the league. Here is one problem though, they don't have the money like Boston and New York to grab some more pieces and continue to compete in the A.L. East. Next year will be even tougher for this small-market ball club. As for Joe Maddon, he needs to make better decisions in the postseason. His decision making was questionable the whole playoff run. He definitely got lucky for the most part.
Is Ken Griffey Jr. done?
He will not be back with the Chicago White Sox because he costs too much for his age and production lately. I hope this guy doesn't retire just yet. I think he still has some game left. it would be really sad to see him go at age 38 because he sure doesn't look old. He's in a 28-year old's body, he can still hit home runs, the question is, will he be a liability in the outfield now? His outfielding has declined since the multiple injuries suffered in Cincinnati. I think the Royals could use him, but we have a bad history of signing players that are at the peak of their career. EX: Reggie Sanders, Kevin Appier, Juan Gonzalez, etc.
Speaking of the Kansas City Royals, they acquired Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins in exchange for Leo Nunez, who was one of our best relievers last season. Mike Jacobs brings power to lineup, but will he be a one-hit wonder arriving in KC? Jacobs batted .247, 32 HRs, and 93 RBIs. Not bad numbers for guy who just quietly burst on the scene playing with Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla in Florida. This move can either make or break the Royals. I hope this guy can repeat those numbers next season, but I have the scary feeling that he could be a flop. Dayton Moore this is all on you man. I hope you were taking notes on how Tampa went from worst to almost first. Let's see if you can help this ballclub improve on 4th place in the A.L. Central. At least, 3rd place next season would be nice.
