The Template

Now we're talking. Hank and Dan leading the charge. The Captain with a shut out. Let's hope the lads can right click this game and hit copy.

Pheel Good Finish

So the Phillies took'er.

Hey, I have no problem with that. Good on them. As Lidge struck out Hinske to get the save and win The Series (as well as going perfect in all save attempts this year) his team mates stormed across the field, and out of the dug out to dog pile on top of him.

Well I should hope so. In over a hundred years of existence the Phills have now won the whole thing a grand total of twice. With this feel good finish for Philly, let's spread the sunshine and reflect:

1. They deserve it. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell all definitely have put in their time with this squad. They have been awesome, year in year out. They have always just fallen short. These Phills are not some flash in the pan. They've hung around for a few seasons and finally got to prove that they're the best in The Bigs.

2. Speaking of Chase Utley. His veteran stab and subsequent fake to first only to then gun down Bartlett at the plate was one of the sickest pieces of clutch infielding I've ever seen. During the World Series, when nerves are high and many infielders put on their soccer boots to kick balls around the pitch like Ronaldo, Utley's heroics seemed even more inhuman.

3. MVP Cole Hamels. How about going undefeated in October? And putting up an infinitesimal 1.80 ERA? There's a reason why they say pitching wins Championships. Hamels' performance should be included in "How To Win The World Series For Dummies" on page 1.

4. Speaking of pitching. Alright I admit it, I didn't think the rest of the rotation could hold up. Especially 45 year old Jamie Moyer who proved me absolutely wrongo in Game 3. As did Joe Blanton, who literally drove the point home by hitting a bomb in Game 4. Ok...I get it. The rotation is solid.

5. How about Ryan Howard? Sure he looks like he could play for the '05 Tigers when he's at first, but at the plate? Let's put on that old Cypress Hill disk, "Temples Of Boom."

6. Even Bud got it right. You know it's really a feel good story, when I actually give the Commish a break for once. While Game 5 probably should not have went ahead to begin with, the suspended match was preserved as best as it possibly could have been. Even if the score hadn't been tied when the tarps went up, Selig's vow to have intervened if necessary to ensure nine innings was the right call. As was his pledge to wait as long as it took for a break in the weather to have the game finish in Philly and not be moved to Tropicana Field. Just think. With a mushy playing surface, a two day delay between the top and bottom of the sixth, and a winner crowned tonight, there will be no talk tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, of one team being robbed due to MLB's ineptness. Even I can't believe it.

7. How about those Rays? Just the fact that they finished the season with a winning record should be reason enough to spray mimosas in the Tropicana clubhouse. Never mind playing so insanely good that that they knocked off the defending World Series Champs and went on to the Grand Stage itself. The Rays not winning The World Series is actually better for them as an organization. We've all been introduced to the likes of Longoria, and Upton and Maddon and 9=8. If they had won the whole thing, would we really want to see a half empty Trop next April like we have with Marlins squads past? Of course not.

8. I almost forgot about Matt Stairs. 12 years in the league. Traded from the Jays to Philly late in the season in a routine deal, only to hit an incredibly clutch pinch hit bomb in the NLCS and become only the second Canadian player to win a World Series.

That's good for baseball. That's good for Canada. And with that, I'll officially pull the curtain on the 2008 season. Congrats to the Phills, and thanks to all of you out there in www land who have been reading our daily nonsense regarding this game of baseball.

All in all, it was a pretty good season.

All Leagues Are Go

Ok while the tarps still sit on the infield in Philly, let's see what's going on around the horn in those other major sporting leagues.

1. The NBA. Officially kicked off the new season tonight with a marquee match up. The Celtics raised their 07/08 Championship Banner and handed out the bling before the tip off against the Cavs. Celtic 4 Life, Paul Pierce, did his best Mark Messier impersonation as he shed a few tears during the ceremony. And no, he wasn't crying because David Stern has let the NBA sink to the inner circles of Hell. He was moved because amidst this climate of corrupt officiating, inane court stepping ejections and heartbreaking hijacking/relocations, his Celts (who he's played for exclusively for a decade) finally escaped the depths of the Atlantic Division and joined Larry and the lads in the Boston rafters.

2. The NFL. Always more ridiculous and entertaining than an episode of Night Court, this season we have a guy charged with assault a couple of whining coaches and a lunatic fan. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned Pac Man yet. Why even tune in on Sunday when all the best action happens during the week?

3. The CFL. Why even tune in at all? Well, ok, I can't be too harsh, it looks like the Riders have made the playoffs but won't win the conference. Wake me up for the West Final.

4. The NHL. #1 prospect and Team Maniwaki centre man, Steve Stamkos, finally got his first NHL point tonight. Thank fuck for that. It only took him eight games to do it, playing with the likes of Vinny Lecavalier, and Martin St. Louis. Put me on the power play with those cats blindfolded and drunk and I'd have at least five by now. Not that I'm bitter or anything. At least Stamkos got more points tonight than the entire Vancouver Canucks roster as they dropped a 1-0 contest to Boston. (But at least the goal was scored by Stamkos's Maniwaki roster mate, Michael Ryder,) Apparantly fantasy squads in the lower mainland will be where hockey fans take refuge this season.

The Maniwaki Dugout

So we're in rain delay in Philly, in a potential Series clincher. Whilst the baseball Gods decided to have some fun by throwing down a hurricane and with the Rays looking just about ready to build an ark to get the hell out of town, Upton managed to make it to first. With the Phills up 2-1, the Mauler put on the manager's cap and picked up the bullpen phone. The following is an excerpt from ESPN's game cast chat.

---

Steven (Syracuse): can upton run here?

Rob Neyer: (10:31 PM ET ) No way. Slow track. Unless Upton's a mudder.

Hope this ends in Iron Ranger (Go Twins): Hey Rob are they fixing or maintaining the field at all between half innings?

Rob Neyer: (10:33 PM ET ) Yeah. They've applied Diamond Dust to the mound, and around the infield dirt.

[Me ](Vancouver, Canada): Upton should steal.

Rob Neyer: (10:34 PM ET ) Wow, was I ever wrong. Upton stole second and the throw wasn't close. There's a modern infield for you, I guess. Even with puddles, you can still run.

---

...which of course resulted in him eventually spinning around third and scoring on a single by Pena to tie the game.

Then the tarps came out. Which is where we now sit, suspended in the bottom of the sixth. Current score:

Philladelphia: 2 Tampa Bay: 2

Maniwaki Mauler: 1 ESPN: 0

Until tomorrow...

Ghosts Of Jack Morris

Ok, my World Series barometer is waaayyyyyy off. I'm the first to admit it. Victorino and the Phillies did indeed walk off from yesterday's game grinning ear to ear, with monster sized sundaes in hand, one of the toppings even being cheese steak.

And yes, I am still dumbfounded that 45 year old Jamie Moyer not only held the line, but handcuffed the Rays, K'ing 5 through 6+ surrendering a mere 3. He pulled the stinger out of the lineup, leaving Longoria and Pena hitless and Upton with a single. 

Nope. Didn't see that one coming.

So surely the imminent drubbing would happen tonight. But not quite as the Phills were the ones who put on the bong clinic. Now I know why Ryan Howard's mug graces the cover of "MLB - The Show" video game. His three run jack in the fourth definitely constituted as "The Show." 

Hit at the exact second as I was announcing to my Lenny Dykstra loving compadre (whom I had earlier made a bet with) that Howard would whiff and Tampa would win.  Didn't see that one coming either. Or Howard's second jack in the eighth to put the Phillies up 10-2 and me minus my lunch money. 

It's my own fault really. I shouldn't be betting on the World Series. It never ends well. 1991 Game 7 being the show piece of gambling disaster, as I had made about three side bets with various lads in the varsity residence. I had bet on Atlanta taking the whole thing, the entire campus had Kirby and the Twins winning. Of course The Series went down to the wire with Minnesota hurler, Jack Morris ,pitching a ten inning gem in arguably the greatest World Series Game ever played. Not for me as I was out a truck load of beer and more than a couple of bucks to boot.

I mean normally I would soldier on, stick to my guns and proclaim that the Rays will still win the Series. But when Philly starter, Joe Blanton hits a bomb tonight, and Longoria can't even reach base, you know the prediction pressure in the barometer is dropping drastically, approaching ludicrous. With Moyer winning last night, and Blanton homering tonight, it would not surprise me if tomorrow Charlie Manuel announced he's coaxed 58 year old Jack Morris out of retirement and is starting him. In which of course the grizzled vet will pitch a complete game shut out and knock in 4 rbi's including the Series winner.

It might happen. Which course will put me out 25 grand and my right kidney.

Maniwaki Mobile - The Call

As there was a rain delay there appears to be an offensive delay as well. Currently Philly is up 4-2. However the inevitable Tampa
onslaught cannot be stopped. Expect Victorino to be going home with no ice cream after the 14-3 final. You heard it here first.

Play Off Punk

So Seattle pop punk vets released a version of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" to coincide with the World Series. Whilst the Mauler usually supports the synthesis of punk rock with the sporting spectacle, this version is oozing so much sucrose it's got me about as amped as a sold out Simple Plan gig at GM Place. Proceed with caution.

So since we're on the subject, how about a few more punk-o-rama crossovers?

Here's former Big League bullpen bro, Scott Radinsky, and his band Pulley rocking out in what must be Selig's laboratory of evil at MLB HQ:




Boston's hardcore scene in the '80s was as devastating as an open ice hit from Cam Neely. Don't believe me? Check out veteran scene blueliners, Slapshot, reminiscing about the old days. Yes, the blood is real. No, the lead singer definitely did not go to Harvard:



Now here's some Bostonians that know how to do it up. Here's the Dropkick Murphys on the Fenway playing field, belting out their version of the Red Sox traditional battle hymn, "Tessie." This number eventually became the official theme song of the '04 World Series Campaign and still plays at the park following games. Hell, it even served as the unofficial end song as the credits rolled at Fenway to conclude the Skip and I's epic swing through the North East this summer.



Flipping back home to the North West, here's local legend, punk rock poet, pioneer, and president of Sudden Death Records, Joe Keithley, doing his thing with a DOA lineup in its absolute prime. This was clip is from the early '80's and there is no do doubt that this version of the Murder Squad could've given the Oilers of the same era a run for their money.



Now that's a Hockey Night In Canada themes song I can get behind.

The Second Game Of The Contest

Ok, so it wasn't an absolute bash fest, but the Rays still won Game 2 as they were singing a tune from the old play off song book, "Pitchin' In The Post Season (Sittin' Batters For A Reason)".

Shields pitched shut out ball into the seventh, whilst the Son Of Mariano, David Price, faced eleven batters to sequester the final seven outs. Yes, he gave up a bomb to Eric Bruntlett in the process, but his sick seventh inning slider session face off against Ryan Howard was the at bat of the Fall Classic thus far.

Just watch. Howard sure did. Filth.

Same Ol' Cole...Lights Out Lidge?

Well what really can we say about Game 1? One aspect was really predictable. One was not.

The Expected. Cole Hamels hurling another polished tourmaline of game, this time going seven strong, striking out five and allowing only two earned runs. Doing it all at the Trop while holding Longoria, Upton, and Pena hitless. Philly fans should be revelling in this one because as mentioned yesterday, Hamels can't pitch 36 consecutive innings.

The Unbelievable. Brad Lidge with a lights out performance to get the save???!!! He went 1-2-3, punching out two??!! In a big game??!!! In a World Series Game???!!! Philly fans should be documenting this with every method of media at their disposal. Cameras both traditional and digital, journal entries, podcasts, facebook event invites, you name it. The guy was an absolute sheriff on the mound arresting everyone who stepped up to the plate. He should've been given him a shiny badge and a six shooter. But will he be able to keep law and order for the rest of The Series?

While the Phills pitching in Game 1 was solid, you don't handcuff the meat of the Rays order for more than a night. So start popping the pop corn now for tomorrow's feature presentation in which a giant devil ray, emerges from the depths of the bay to ravage and lay waste to the St. Petersburg city scape with a rage of monstrous proportion.




Prepare... The onslaught is ascending to sea level...

The Series Preview

Ok, so here we are. Manny is being Manny somewhere with Alyssa Milano somewhere off Hollywood Boulevard. Papi has put away the pine tar, and Chicago...well...let's just say the wind is blowing a few tumbleweeds through town.

Which leaves us with the final duel of October '08, the Phillies and Rays at ten paces in grandest showdown of them all, The World Series.

Who will emerge the victor and who will receive the brunt end of the other's musket fire? Polish your flintlock and let's consider:

1. Starting Pitching. Cue the Rocky theme music because Cole Hamels is the undefeated champion of October posting three wins and no losses. However, like Curt Schilling couldn't pitch every game in '93, neither can Hamels. The Rays have got more circling in the tank with the likes of Garza, Kazmir, Shields, and Sonnanstine. I can't believe I just wrote that last sentence. I, like other writers of baseball across the continant, are probably eating their respective team's New Era hat as who would've ever predicted this? Certainly not me.

2. Line Ups. Any lineup that has Chase Utlley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrel in it is a lineup that can immediately make anyone grow a beard like John Kruk, to watch the ensuing fire works in true Phillies fashion. Like the Kruksian one before them, these Phills definitely can bash the ball with the best of them. I fully expect Howard hit one through the Tropicana roof. Burrel will probably hit a ball so hard, that it will spit out pulp and oj.

That being said, Longoria and Upton are no strangers to the long ball either. In Longoria's case, when you hit two bombs in your first two post season at bats ever, face AL East pitching on a regular basis and you're in your rookie year, chances are that if you make it to the World Series, Jamie Moyer isn't going to scare you that much.

3. Managers. I like Joe Maddon. Look, I don't want the Rays to win the Series either, but you cannot deny this guy's accomplishments. He has taken a team that has never won in it's history to a Division Pennant, a Championship Title, and a place in the World Series. All while causing a ruckus throughout baseball with some highly unorthodox moves (walking in a run instead of pitching to Josh Hamilton in the regular season) and some fuzzy math (9=8 which has now be reduced to it's simplest liner form, 9=1)

Phills skip, Charlie Manuel is definitely an old school guy with guts (Managing a playoff game after hearing the news his mother just died. And winning it.) and has finally taken his team to The Grandest Of Series. While he has shown some flashes of post season brilliance (inserting Matt Stairs to pinch hit in LA, resulting the squad's biggest bomb of the year) as well as playing stealth (refusing to reveal who he will put in the DH spot in Tampa) I can't see him out maneuvering Maddon.

4. The Brawl Factor. I hope MLB has hired Don Koharski and a few other seasoned NHL refs because this series could get really ugly really fast. Both squads have dropped the gloves this post season, with the Phills clearing the benches with the Dodgers, and the Rays getting into it with the Chi Sox. Both of these squads play extremely hard so don't be surprised if you see the first World Series game to be suspended because both dugouts are busy kicking the shit out of each other in a scene reminiscent of Slap Shot. No joke.

5. Brad Lidge. Has everyone on the planet been visited by the Haitian from Heroes and forgotton that Brad Lidge is one of the most notorious and masterful big game choke artists in history? Yes, he has had a very good post season in '08 thus far. No he will not be able to keep it up. Just imagine him coming into a tight game to face Longoria or Upton or Pena. Am I the only one that finds the irony in him pitching in Tropicana Field as he will most likely be tossing up huge grapefruits to these guys?

6. History. Philly has the "long tortured one" while Tampa has essentially none other than posting a losing record consecutively for the first decade of their existence. So while the Rays truly are the miraculous feel good story for making it this far, the Phills have got all the pressure as they've won a grand total of one World Series in their entire 125 years. And their fans will probably kill them if they don't win.

The Rays could show up drunk and high for the next four games, booting the ball around the infield thinking their playing soccer and still come off having grossly exceeded all expectations whilst well... the Phills will be killed if they don't bring a parade to Broad St. Do the Rays deserve to win the whole thing? Of course not. Do the Phills? Of course they do.

Hence, there can only be one outcome:

9 Players =1 World Series Champion. The 2008 Rays. Now that's some bitter oj.

QUICK ALCS FOLLOWUP

I gotta tell you, I'm still pretty bitter. I can't quite bring myself to fully regail you with details on my most recent adventure. Don't worry... it's coming.... just not quite yet.

In the meantime, here are few lingering questions about the ALCS.

• Is it just me, or does Matt Garza strike you as a Grade A asshole?
• How nice would it have been to have a healthy Mike Lowell in the lineup?
• When did Buck Martinez's hair get so big?
• If you are a company and you spend several million dollars for a stadium's naming rights, would you not spend an extra hundred bucks so that all of the bulbs on your giant electrical sign inside the park actually work?
• Tropicana? Nope... How about Tr-picana.
• Though Fox would have you think differently, isn't the real travesty of not having a Boston-LA World Series that we can't see the results of what would have been an inevitable Kevin Youkilis vs. Casey Blake beard growing contest?
• How much do I love Jay Bay?
• That being said, you think Manny would have made the difference?
• Ummm.... you think?
• Did Terry Francona think that it's currently 1993?
• If not, why else would he have inserted Mike Timlin into the lineup at any point?
• What would it take to put an expression on JD Drew's face?
• What would it take to not have JD Drew strike out looking when it counts the most?
• What would it take to have JD Drew throw a ball like a man would?
• Could Josh Groban have pitched as well as Josh Beckett?
• Big Papi? Nope. Big Pee-Pee? Uh-huh.
  

That's all for now. More for later.

- the Skip

THE IMMEDIATE ALCS REACTION

Garbage.

- the Skip

Maniwaki Mobile - Live From The Stag

Game 7. Of course. But who will emerge victorious? If the bleached blonde dancer on stage is a sign, one can assume that she would reside in Tampa and not Boston.

Never Mind Sundin, How About Cujo?

Ok, maybe not Cujo, but we do have 10 million bucks in the bank. We need a new back up goalie toute suite if we're to have a hope of getting through the season. The Captain can't be expected to pull the entire lower mainland through 82 games. Let's take a look at the first shot on net in Sanford's first start of the season.

Maniwaki Mobile - The Correspondence

[In which the Skip relays a post via mobile from St. Pete's as he has only intermittent internet connectivity.]

Dear Skip,

I like you too.

Sincerely,

Baseball

more to follow...

The Vet

Ok, so it's '93 all over again as the Phills are off the the World Series to face a red hot AL East squad. Yes, the clinching Game 5 of the NLCS was a complete debacle as LA's utter implosion made the Rodney King riots look like high tea with the Duchess of Edinburgh. Yes, starting pitching was brutal. Yes, the three errors by Furcal made the '06 Tigers look like Gold Glovers. And yes, Manny's jack in the sixth was too little too late.

But the story of the night for me was The Veteran, Greg Maddux, rolling into the fourth, called upon to stop the Philladelphia surge.

Which he pitched like a true Jedi Master. He retired the Phills in order in the fourth, notching up two K's, giving the Dodgers and all in their stadium hope. Here's a guy that's 42 years old, has been in the league since '87 and is still striking guys out in key situations. All with out the heat he had in days of Turner Field past.

While getting touched up for a couple of singles (one to Ryan Howard which is pretty much an automatic) he would've got out of the fifth inning jam, had Furcal not put on his Tigers cap and fastened it with a padlock. After the short stop's first fielding error, which put the Phills up 4-0, Maddux appeared like Sitting Bull on the mound. Just stoic. He intentionally walked Victorino to load the bases and followed up with another huge strike out, spinning Pedro Feliz around like a top.

Furcal's inning of doom continued as he threw the ball away allowing another run. But The Vet got another ground ball out of the next batter, which was scooped up at first. You probably never caught it, but if you check the replay, you'll see Maddux waving his hands in Jedi fashion at the ball when it was put in play, motioning it away from the iron handed Furcal and over to Loney at first.

Although the fifth was complete disaster for LA, this was probably my favourite inning of October in '08.

As a clinic on big game pitching was put on a by a Major League Veteran.

Election Day

As Canadians head to their respective polling stations today to place an X for their candidate of choice, the Mauler must do it's journalistic duty and weigh in on the current northern political playing field. Some observations and opinions:

What's the strategy in strategic voting? And more importantly who decides what that strategy is? Don't waste your vote by voting against a certain party/leader/candidate. Be a leader in the dressing room and vote for your party/leader/candidate of choice no matter what the stupid polls say.

I know what your saying.

"But if I vote with my heart, I'll be letting [insert ridiculous choice for Prime Minister here] win and I can't let that happen so I'm going roll over and vote for [an equally ridiculous choice that everyone has been psychologically coerced into thinking is their only option] which will fuck us over again for another term, until the next election where we will repeat the same sorry, sorry cycle."

Let me ask you this.

Do you like high scoring games or low scoring games? Do you like high offence or strict, clamped down defence? I'm going out on a limb and guessing that you like an exciting offensive style of play rather than a reactive, defensive one. Do you think Jarome Iginla, Tom Brady, Sidney Crosby, Manny Ramirez, or Kevin Garnett got to where they are by voting strategically?

No? Then don't hold your nose when you go the voting booth. Grab your fucking sack and put a X by who think best choice for the country is. It's that easy.

Now. Let's continue on by taking a look at some other very interesting Canadian candidates who have been causing a huge ruckus during not only this election season, but during this post season. Who will you vote for for MVC (Most Valuable Canadian)? Will it be:

1. Russell Martin. Sure the corner stone of the Dodgers has dropped off during the NLCS by only hitting .154 so far, but let's remember a few things. He helped power the Dodgers to a first round sweep over the Cubs by going .308, driving in 5 RBI's and hitting a bomb in the process. Although he's been handcuffed thus far against the Phills, he's shown tremendous leadership on the ice by not refusing to take their high and inside guff. Would Russell Martin vote strategically? Of course he wouldn't. And neither would;

2.Matt Stairs. Never one to back down from an on field scrum, Stairs lets his voice echo through the halls of Parliament when given the opportunity. However, he has not had a lot of at bats in October thus far. The New Brunswick native made sure to make his presence known last night by cracking an epic, game winning, coast to coast bomb which put the Phills up 3-1 in the series. The 40 year old's pinch hit heroics off of lights out LA closer, Jonathan Broxton, will probably be the TSN turning point for the Philadelphia season. Now that's making your X count. Which;

3. Jason Bay. Does every time he steps up to the box or onto the field. For a guy that's had to come into one of the toughest baseball markets on the planet, and step into the shoes of one of greatest hitters ever to play the game, Bay's performance has been the stuff of both Canadian and New England lore. So far in his first post season ever he is hitting a stunning .429 with 9 RBI's and 3 jacks. Not to mention throwing sick strikes from left to gun runners down at the plate as well as getting on base in clutch moments resulting in game winning and series winning runs. Now that's a tight campaign.

Thanksgiving Score Card

Alright, Thanksgiving. The turkey's in the oven, the cranberry sauce is waiting in the fridge, and the pumpkin pie is cooling on the window sill. While we wait for the feed, how about a running ticker of Game 3 of the ALCS?

Bottom 1st.

• Dusty's at it again with a shot that looked like it was going to sail over the monster, only to ricochet off the top and back into left. Two bagger. 0-0.

• I'm sure I've seen Youkilis on stage with Bay Area bashers, Neurosis, cranking out some of the most punishing, heaviest songs on the planet.

Top 2.

• Lester looking a little yikes with a walk, a single and a passed ball resulting in the Rays stinging first. 1-0.

Bottom 2.

• Jay Bay up to bat. Another stellar post season performance as he legs out an infield grounder. He definitely wins the American League MVC (Most Valuable Canadian). 1-0.
  

• Garza with a huge punch out on the Captain, Varitek. Then a fly out from Cora to end the inning and stranding two. Since when did the Red Sox turn into the Blue Jays by leaving a billion runners on base?
  

Top 3.

• Lester in another jam. A lead off single and another double off the Monster has runners on third and second with Upton up to bat. Now, I am afraid. After the huge win at the Trop on Saturday, these Rays have woken up are in no way, shape, or form intimidated by the Red Sox of Fenway Park.
  

• Which is punctuated by the fact that as I was finishing typing that last sentence, Upton uploaded one over the Monster. 4-0.
  

• Longoria goes long off Lester. Shades of two minutes ago! 5-0.
  

Bottom 3.

• Dusty again with another rebound off the Monster. One bag.
  

• Pop out from Papi. This definitely ain't '04.

Top 4.

• Deja Vu. Another lead off single allowed by Lester.

• But no bleeding this inning. 5-0.
  

Bottom 4.

• Boston slugger and MVP candidate, Mark Kotsay finally gets Beantown on base. Ok, maybe MVP for this inning.

• The Captain pops out to end the inning whilst boos start creeping out from under the deck at Fenway. Hey Boston! Just because your squad is the new New York Yankees, doesn't mean that you have to be New York Yankees fans.
  

Top 5.

• Surprise. Upton leads off with an infield single.
  

• Oops. A base running blooper by BJ, over running second and getting tagged out by Yoooouuuuuuk. Still 5-0.
  

Bottom 5.

• Garza gets the first two batters then walks Pedroia. Then gets Papi to pop out again. Is it too late to insert Zdeno Chara into the line up? 5-0.

Top 6.

• Good bye Jon Lester. Hello Paul Byrd. Good bye Red Sox chances of coming back.

Bottom 6.

• Compare and contrast. Garza has retired every lead off man in the game thus far. Lester has not.

• Apparently there was some kind of dust up in Los Angeles last night where the benches emptied. I've been alerted to this about....oh...9000 times in the last 18 hours.

• Jay Bay walks and becomes a very rare and endangered species in the North East. The "Red Sox Baserunner."

• Is it me or does Dennis Eckersley's accent sound like Lars from Metallica? I feel like I'm watching, "Behind The Music - The Black Album Meets The Green Monster." At least he's still keeping it real by rocking the also rare, moustache and mullet tandem. All he needs is an empty bottle of Jack and it's '88 all over again. 5-0. Still.
  

Top 7.

• Yeah good music! Throw that Bon Jovi crap out the car window. Here's some Dropkicks to start off the seventh!

• Is Bill Murray in the stands? Iwmura doubles off the Monster to kick things off.

• Longoria lines out stranding Iwamura. 5-0.

Stretch time.

• That was a really nice version of "God Bless America." Really. The Fenway back up vocals echoing throughout the park was a nice touch.
  

Bottom 7.

• Garza's lead off streak is done as he walks Varitek.
  

• Action! As Alex Cora singles sending the Capain to third. None out.
  

• Looks like Garza's done. The line on him for the night: 6 innings. 6 hits. 0 earned runs. 3 walks. 5 K's. 25 Red Sox and 1 Nation really pissed off.
  

• JP Howell comes out of the bullpen to give up a sac fly to Jacoby, scoring El Capitan. 5-1 Rays.

• But the air's let out of the Fenway Monster tires again as Longoria turns a huge double play to end the inning.
  

Top 8.

• More hit singles than Thriller era Jacko. Crawford and then Aybar. None out.

• A huuuge open ice hit as Crawford tries to bowl over Varitek to score. No dice though as Varitek hangs on to get the out. Who says baseball isn't physical? Brian Urlacher couldn't have hit any harder.
  

• Rocco just rocked one over the Monster. 8-1.

Bottom 8.

• The meat is up. Papi, I don't care what you do in this at bat, just don't pop out.
  

• Ok, I'll take a ground out.
  

• Youk and Bay both whiff on 3rd strikes. 3 outs left.
  

Top 9.

• Never mind the benches clearing in LA last night. The stands are clearing in Fenway tonight.
  

• Pena sends yet another one over the Monster. 9-1. I guess the Fenway faithful have got precognitive powers.
  

Bottom of the 9th.

• Score not tied. Nobody on. Mark Kotsay lines out.
  

• Varitek grounds out.

• And Cora flies out. 9-1 final for the Rays.
  

Now let's see Eck break everything down in the post game. Pass the bourbon.

There's A Lot Of Character In That Dressing Room...

Why the Phills would want to throw behind Manny and plunk Russel Martin repeatedly through out the NLCS is beyond me. Tonight, however the Dodgers figured enough shit already and responded by sailing one over Shane Victorino. A few words from the plate, a quick trot over to first, and a few words over to the mound and the next thing you know the benches have cleared and Manny is being restrained by Martin, a couple coaches and an ump.

I love October baseball.

Here's Martin's post game, where he weighs in on the whole thing as if he was being interviewed by Ron Maclean on Hockey Night In Canada.

THE DESCENT

Ahoy;

The fatigues have been pressed, the artillery has been cased, and the rations have been prepared. As the First Mate and I await our winged beast to carry us south, we know but a few simple things.

We have a mission.

We have a gameplan.

We have the desire.

Should you not hear from us for a week, please keep heart. That we will be so far behind enemy lines, the coms systems may be jammed.

Fear not.

Know, as we do, that you've sent your best to perform the task. And that task will be accomplished. Watch this very eve, for it is certain that at one point that Monsieur Beckett will need to dig deep for one more strike. He may step off the rubber momentarily, take a deep breath, and give one quick look to the crowd.

Be confident, for he will be looking at us. And we will give him that strike.

Godspeed. I shall anounce our return triumphantly.

- the Skip

No Sun In The Dome

Never mind the stellar pitching (Dice K's no no through six innings), situational hitting (Jed Lowrie singling in Jason Bay again, the eventual winning run. Again.) and veteran managing (Francona's controversial decision to start Dice over Beckett in Game 1) what's with all the long faces at Tropicana Field?

Christ, as Papelbon was on the hill in the ninth and on his way to seal the 2-0 victory, the Fox cameras were darting around the crowd and it looked like a funeral. You'd think the Rays had given up a ninth inning slam in Game 9 or something. I guess this was to be expected though as the Trop hasn't seen such numbers...well...ever. Someone should tell these guys to cheer up and explain that this isn't footbal. It's only Game 1. You do get a few more kicks at the can.

But fans who aren't quite fanatical are one thing. We all understand what's going on. It's another post season in Florida and even if the Rays win the World Series, there's no guarantee that the squad won't get sold off in the post season, driving away the new fan base who will be more than content to jump to the next big thing. Most likely following the new Tiger Woods of the mini golf pro tour who, of course, will hail from Tampa. And then come back to the Trop, right on cue as the Rays win the 2013 World Series.

In this regard, we know what we're dealing with.

Then would someone please tell the players that the series has just started? The Fox camera panning across the dugout showed a squad completely demoralized. It was totally "going home with no ice cream" looks everywhere. Sure, Longoria went about 0 for 23 tonight, but the sun will still come up an shine on the Dome roof tomorrow.

If Rays fans have anything to feel uneasy about, it will be that tomorrow they will have deal with Skip and First Mate in their midst.

Better take ice cream off the concession menu...

A Big Two Points

Someone get the name of that team that was playing in GM place tonight. Wow, weren't they something? They hit, they scored, they stood up for each other and didn't get pushed around, they had production from across the board.

...What's that you say?...The who?

...The Canucks??!!!!

...From Vancouver???!!!!

WHAT??!!!

And apparently they're here to play. Got a message from the Skip on the way home from school.

"End of the second, and Kesler is on pace for 246 points this year."

Ho, ho. I had bemoaned the state of the organization all the way from Greenwich, Connecticut to Plymouth, Massachusetts during our epic Nor Eastern Pilgrimage this summer, Kesler lined up in the cross hairs as usual. Imagine my surprise to find that he had notched two points in the first two periods of the season.

Which grew when I fwalked through the door, flicked on the game, and the first image of the the Canucks 08/09 season I was greeted with was our team up 5-0 whilst Steve Bernier tilted with Dion Phaneuf. And then after the penalties were doled up, a short handed goal by Rick Rypien for good measure. 6-0. The final. A very spirited win, and a shut out for the Captain to boot.

Who are these guys?

I admit that before preseason play, I was among the legions that lost faith. Especially during Mats-gate and time after. Looking at our roster just about brought me to tears as it did many of my compadres. Morale in the city was low and I feared that it wouldn't be long until we were all walking backwards and hurling ourselves off buildings like that eerie scene in "The Happening."

On paper the squad looked completely and utterly hopeless.

So when we actually started winning preseason games, it was a nice surprise. And when we kept winning it was shocking. And although it was the preseason, that dark, dark cloud that's been hanging over the North West for so long seemed to break up just a tad. And now, wouldn't you know it, I, like many are sitting here dumbfounded going, "How the fuck did this happen? How did they get me back on board?"

It's like Brother Carn (who knows absolutely nothing about pro sports) always chimes ala Don Cherry;

'You need to start with a good goalie. If you start with a good goalie then you'll be fine."

And wouldn't you know the sarcastic little sass mouth is right. The Canucks move to put the "C" on Luongo could be the sleeper move of the season. There is no question in the dressing room as to who the leader is and the whole squad will contribute to get behind their Olympic level Captain. And to protect him as Jannik Hansen did after Langkow took a swipe at him. Opposing players aren't just crashing the crease now. They're crashing the Captain. And finally we have some grit to do something about it.

So yes, I realize that it's only game one, and it's a very long, grinding season and I'm not officially planning the parade down Robson St. just yet. But by the way the lads have been playing lately, I'd be lying if I said I didn't entertain the thought.

Yet Another Reason For Southeastern Contraction

So keeping in form with my last post, the NHL has trotted out their latest in jersey atrocities just in time for the 08/09 season. Last year it was our own Canucks who committed the unforgivable and definitely unforgettable "Crimes Against Unis." This year's culprits? The Atlanta Thrashers.

If I was Kovalchuk, I'd be looking to opt out of my contract and over to the Russian League back home immediately.

" The Mighty Ducks Part XI: Rollerball" In Theatres Everywhere.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Children;

Indeed there has been silence from the Maple War Room of late, but fear not. Silence does not imply inaction.

In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Having watched the leadup to Armageddon (i.e. another filthy Florida team inching their way towards greeting filthy Bud Selig on the mound to accept a trophy with a lot of flags on it), a gameplan has been hatched as to how to avoid such a terrible scenario.

Ultimately, after conferring with my staff in a cigar smoke filled room and standing over a number of maps with thumbtacks and post-it flags, a decision has been made.

There is only one man who can stop it.

One man who can reach the battle front and throw down the gauntlet.

One man who can save us all.

That man is the Skip, himself.

The way that this sports-watching year has gone, I decided that there is no other choice. I must descend into enemy territory and launch several expletive-ridden verbal grenades upon the likes of Mr. Wisteria Lane (Evan Longoria) and his cohorts. Given my recent track record seeing the Sox live (read: two blowouts at the hands of Jay Bay et al.) it is only right and proper that I stop simply looking at the intelligence printouts and get back into the field.

The Red Sox need me.

Baseball needs me.

You need me.

So come Saturday night, know that there will be at least two battle-worn veterans (yes... two. The First Mate has bravely volunteered to don the camoflauge and trench boots) in attendance doing everything in their power to ensure that the baseball world is not again subjected to putridity.

To echo the sentiment spouted many-a-time on these pages, I feel there is only one word that can satisfactorily convey the current situation.

Yup.

- the Skip

The Fall Line

Ok, I've heard the punditions describe Rays skip, Joe Maddon, as many things, but it wasn't until today that the word "fashionable" entered the picture, in reference to his choice of eye wear. Having sported a similar pair of dark horn rims myself for many a season (only recently switching up to a more risqué clear framed set of lunettes) I wouldn't necessarily consider Joe's choice in specs to be setting the Paris runways on fire, but I guess however when you're a sports journalist routinely covering the Mike Holmgrens and Paul Maurices of the world, I can see whay Joe might seem "fashion forward."

So with the Rays clinching their first post season series win tonight as well as a trip to the haute couture show that is the ALCS, lets sum up the fall season thus far with a Joan Rivers approved Maniwaki in/out list.

In. The Rays. More youthful and full of swagger than Naomi Campbell strutting down the runway in her prime. Even meaner too. Naomi can attack all the personal assistants she wants. As Scott Kazmir plunked Orlando Cabrera just for the fuck of it, after the near dust up with Balfour was supposedly put to rest on both sides.

Out. Reggie Willits and the Angels. Gotta give Scioscia and the Halos credit though for trying a very risky squeeze play that backfired, looked like it didn't for a second, then did indeed backfire. Varitek chased Willits back towards third, tagged him, fell and then dropped the ball. Looked for a moment that Willits might have made it but the big league umpire in the big league game correctly called him out. All without instant replay. That's good for baseball. What else is good for baseball is Scioscia pulling this small ball tactic with the series on the line. That's Big League managing. But since it came up short, it means that the Red Sox are:

In. The ALCS.

Out. The World Series. As it hasn't been exciting for a while and is pretty much going to be decided again this year in the ALCS. The Red Sox are the only team that can stop this Tampa uprising. And make no mistake. The uprising must end. Another Florida upstart team (no matter how likable) has no business winning the World Series a decade into their existence. Especially when they've had question marks surrounding their ability to fill the stadium for their first playoff series ever. After coming off not only winning their first division title but posting their first winning season record. The Red Sox must end party here. And the guy who's going to help do that is the same guy that has had a stellar October so far. Tonight scoring the series winning run tonight touching home by sliding headfirst:

In. Jason Bay. Clutch hits. Big bombs. Sick gun downs at the plate. Not bad for the first time playing post season. This Canadian success story rivals the fucking Canadarm on the space shuttle. He's done light years better than anyone could've expected especially stepping into the other guy's shoes when the other guy kicked up a fuss and got:

Out. Manny Ramirez. Not missed in Boston tonight, I can tell you, partly due to Bay's post season heroics. Partly due to his uncharacteristic nastiness in his departure from Beantown this year. The whole thing did get pretty ugly, but not all are convinced that the slugger was solely to blame. Things did eventually settle down and Manny being Manny even commented on Bay, lauding his replacement as a "six tool player." Ha, ha.. yes in LA he is most certainly:

In. Manny Ramirez. How could they not? All he does is crack bombs and crack wise in the clubhouse keeping everyone loose. I knew he'd be the difference when he arrived in Dodgertown. And yes I was unimpressed with how he exited Boston as well. But who knows, when the Dodgers eventually squeak past the Phills, and if the Red Sox can out hustle the Rays, maybe we will get a worth while World Series as we see Manny have to step back up to the batter's box:

In. Fenway Park.

Who will Tyra vote off "America's Next Top Coach"?

Parlour Antics

Holy fuck this is getting ridiculous. Two potential clinching playoff games on the slate and this time I'm upstaged by professional nine ball. And then darts.

Any investors out there want to put some money into the upstart, fledgling cable channel, ManiwakiTV? Apparently it's the only channel not to pre empt playoff baseball for basic cable subscribers. If we get big enough we're going to bid on naming rights for BC Place after the Olympics. How does the Maulerdome sound?

Maniwaki Mobile - Bleeding Blue With You

A Canadian showdown in LA. Harden vs Martin. Although Martin was a Team Maniwaki fantasy squad all star I must do my part for baseball and try pick up Harden. All of north Chicago I'm sure is doing the same. The result? Par for the Cubs as Martin cracked an rbi double putting the Dodgers up 3-zip. Cubs fans I feel your pain. I don't know how you do this year in year out. At this point it's going to take a
miracle.

First Round Formalities

Ok so it took three days and a whole whack of games but we finally got a truly tense inning of October ball.

Cue the 8th of tonight's BoSox/Angels match where Chone Figgins leads off with a triple and eventually gets sac flied home to tie the game at 5. Rally monkey jumping. Thunder stix clapping. Fans of the Angels of Anaheim of Los Angeles of California jumping up and down like the aforementioned rally simian.

Until, Papi, came up, right on cue in the ninth and smacked a first pitch pinch hit double and then immediately sat down to let Coco Crisp run. Which of course proved to be a moot move as JD Drew mashed yet another clutch October jack to take the thunder out of the sticks. And all off of the game's best closer in 08, K-Rod.

So maybe Figgy's triple in the bottom 8th, wasn't a full inning of drama, but it was the closest inning to get me actually questioning the inevitable. And what is the inevitable you ask? Plenty. Let's break it down:

1. Angels/Sox are a dead issue. Look it's the first week of playoffs and I'm on cruise control here. Nothing surprises me. The Angels have lost something like 35 straight post season games to the New New York Yankees, the Red Sox. I wonder if Theo could petition the league to just create a by week for the Red Sox if they meet the Angels in the DS next year.

2. Pitchers pitching on short rest consecutively for a month will eventually burn out. For all intents and purposes CC Sabithia should not pitch another ball until next spring. He did more than he was asked. He brought the Brewers to the post season for the first time in 26 years, but that's it. There's nothing left in the tank. You can put a fake moustache on him and call him Rollie Fingers if you want, but he ain't giving you another inning. Phills make the NLCS by default.

3. The Cubs.

4. New Kids At The Trop. I want everyone who has ever watched a single MLB game either live or on the telly to pray to whatever baseball deities they frequent by campaigning HARD for the end of the 08 Rays. After today's routine dispatching of the White Sox, it is beyond apparent that this where the true power lies this post season. I have already had to suffer two upstart Florida squads swoop into the World Series, and earning rings before anyone knew what happened and I can NOT suffer a third.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like the Rays are the Marlins and have Darth Loria at the helm. They're actually a likable squad, and yes they've pulled off their glass slipper season and have finally shaken up the AL East making everyone feel all Forest Gump. But let's not push it.

And that's what they're doing. They're pushing it. And making a very solid case. If I have to see them swarm the field after winning the Series, knowing that as a lifetime ball fan, I was robbed of an all Chicago WS in the centennial of the Cubs last Series win, my head will spin faster than a Tony Hawk 1080. Bad, bad, bad for baseball.

Chicago Blues

[ This post was written before the Cubs took the field tonight at Wrigley to E it up and drop Game 2, 10-3. Continue...]

What we want to see:

Game 7 of the World Series, bottom of the ninth, Cubs up 4-3, with bases juiced. Kerry Wood stands on the hill and delivers to AJ Pierzynski. Who fouls off pitch. After pitch. After pitch. Until finally

Whiffffff...

Strike 3! Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Jedi Knight, Kerry Wood, immediately disappears into the Force joining the awaiting ghosts of Harry Caray and Mordical 'Three Finger' Brown. Southsiders, although disappointed, join Northsiders in celebration as all spill onto the streets kicking off the best party Chicago has seen in 100 years.

You want to see it. I want to see it. And for a while it looked as if it were sure to happen as the stock market imploded, Sarah Palin was selected as Republican VP candidate, and the Brewers made the post season while the Rays won the American League East, signalling that the end of the world was indeed upon us, and thus the Cubs were to win The Series.

But I hate to break it to you kids. It ain't happening. Not this year.

And believe me it is not the fault of Ryan Dempster, Lou Pinella, or even Steve Bartman. Or even Ozzy Guillen, Javier Vasquez and even AJ (for once). No curse or billy goat is responsible for the all Chicago World Series not taking place this year. If you need somewhere to direct your scorn you can only look in one direction.

South.

Because the Tampa Bay Rays have hit October and they mean business.

And believe me, this is the last thing I want as well. When they won the East last week, I kept my trepidation to myself about another upstart Florida squad floundering their way into a World Series win, secretly wishing and praying that they'd be overwhelmed by October and get bounced in three games.

But after today's game forget it. All denial was painfully ripped away leaving the only ugly, ugly truth. And that truth is that:

1. Evan Longoria, in his first two post season at bats, homered both times.

2. The Rays bullpen came up big, pitching out of a huge jam whilst showing intensity doing so. Grant Balfour and Orlando Cabrera just about got in a dust up with the bases loaded in the seventh. Plenty of jawing between the two, and even dirt being kicked towards the mound by Cabrera resulted Balfour blowing one past him and pumping his fist at OC ending the inning. High drama at the Trop in October. (Did I just really write that?)

3. Rays skip, Joe Maddon is possibly the best manager in this post season mix as he's been able to harness the Rays nova bright, youthful energy focusing it into like a laser beam. He has matched baseball brains with the best in the Bigs this season and has come out on top. Especially at key poinst when the Rays really needed him to. October would probably count as one of those times.

So make your piece with yet another Cubby-less World Series this year. And even one without the White Sox. Because these Rays are here to make sure that we are shocked by the state of Florida one more time.

And On The First Day, They Intervened

I don't know how much more of this I can take. I really don't.

Here we are on October 1, with one game in the bag already (Phillies over Brewers 3-1) and the Cubs/Dodgers scorecard being filled at Wrigley. And of course the Cubbies faithful are out in force, rooting one more time for their beloved losers. Hoping that finally, this 100th anniversary of their last World Series, the tides of eternal misery have finally, finally changed.

The media has been hyping it up. Even the experts have even given the Cubs favourable odds to win the whole thing. Cubs fans everywhere are convinced that they've served their time and in no possible way could the baseball gods be vengeful this year. Hell, even I'm on board. I backed the squad in '03 and felt the ethereal kick in the gut from the aforementioned deities when I was made aware of the score after the Bartman inning. Although they are not my squad, if you are a baseball fan, you have to have hold at least a small piece of aortic real estate for them.

Especially this year.

And so there I am standing in solidarity with Billy Corigan and the rest of the Legion of Loveable Losers as BC boys, Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden are on the even on the staff and what happens?

Do I even have to say?

Dempster takes the hill in Game 1 of the NLDS, and although he's a tad shaky, he manages to cruise through four innings as the Cubs sit on 2-0 lead courtesy of a Mark DeRosa bomb. The crowd is screaming, the beer is flowing, everywhere you look it's one big happy sea of blue.

And then Dempster walks Furcal.

And then Manny.

And then Ethier to load the bases.

(This is all with two outs mind you.)

And then of course, right on cue, James Loney walks up to the plate and winds up as hard as he can and proceeds to kick everyone at Wrigley square in the gut by unloading the ultimate bear killing bomb. A very un-grandest of slams. 4-2. I mean, even the ivy wilted.

As you could imagine, the place went dead silent and at this point I won't be surprised if Torre inserts Steve Bartman in a double switch in the eighth.

Oh look, Manny's just woken up and sent one over the wall. 5-2. See you in a hundred years...