World Series

The Cleveland Indians' best chance at a World Series ring in recent times was when they were leading 3-1 in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox in 2007. Given the Red Sox's 4-0 slaughter of the redoubtable, but overmatched, Colorado Rockies, does anyone doubt that the Indians would have won in at most seven, if they had advanced?

After what has seemed like an eternity since the end of the ALCS, the World Series is finally ready to get underway later tonight.

On paper, I can't say that a Yankees-Phillies matchup is one that will go down in history as one of the greatest playoff rivalries, but I'm sure some people probably thought the very same thing about the 2001 World Series between the Diamondbacks and the Yankees.

We sit at the precipice of the 2009 Fall Classic, otherwise known as the World Series, brought to you by Major League Baseball (MLB). Historically, it will be the latest start ever for a World Series, commencing Oct. 28, 2009, and will possibly conclude as late as Nov. 5, 2009, should a Game Seven be necessary.

Major Advantage: Everything with the Yankees is like a movie, and this year you have Kate Hudson playing the Susan Sarandon character in Bull Durham. Whoever she “dates” at the time does well including Chris Robinson back in the '90s and now A-Rod in the postseason.  He’s hitting .438 with five HR and 12 RBI. She’s like the anti-Kardashian.  Can she “date” Obama next? 

Mr. Lidge & His Unstable Bridge

                If one was creating a children’s book with this title, perhaps the best cover picture would be the following:

Shane Victorino in a cheerleader skirt graced the front page of Tuesday's New York Post with the headline, "Gotham Trembles."

The paper called the Phillies "The Frillies."

The town's other publication (save the New York Times), even picked on the Philly Phanatic, shown above.

New York Daily News writer Joanna Malloy called the Phillies top mascot a “green, pig-nosed monster” in a column today that trashed all things Philadelphia.

Asked last April who were the last two teams I would like to see in the World Series, anybody and everybody who knows me well enough would have said the Yankees vs. the Phillies.

As a lifetime New York Mets fan and college student Red Sox, fan nothing in baseball could be worse than to have these two rivals competing for a world title. For close to 15 years, I hated the Atlanta Braves. They gave me so many ugly nights and subsequent nightmares it’s no wonder I still can’t get enough sleep.

The Philadelphia Phillies have added Brett Myers to the World Series roster while dropping Miguel Cairo to make room reports the Philadelphia Daily News .

Myers, an addition to the bullpen that adds a bit of depth, is likely to lead the way in a set up role affording the Phillies a veteran arm that is capable of shutting down opposing bats.

The New York Yankees are back in the World Series again. With American League pennant No. 40 under their belt, as well as the groanings of Red Sox and Angels fans alike as background noise. The Yankees will play host to the Philadelphia Phillies for Games One and Two in the new Yankee Stadium, trying to win World Championship No. 27.