Torn Between Two Lovers

I was watching the Red Sox lose huge to the Rays in game 4 of the ALCS and I had a Mary McGregor moment. Since my childhood I’ve been a closet Red Sox fan. Something about the long-time suffering, historic ballpark rang true with me as a Cubs fan.

So here’s my favorite American League team getting knocked around (and as of tonight) knocked out of the playoffs by the Tampa Rays of all teams. As a Cub fan I’m looking at the Rays in the World Series with surprisingly mixed emotions. The Red Sox should have won. They have a history. They’ve been around. Granted they are no longer “long suffering”, but Red Sox vs. Phillies has a lot more cache than Rays vs. Phillies. Not to mention the Rays have possibly the worst ballpark this side of the Metrodome. A stadium like this shouldn’t be part of World Series history. But then again, neither should Minute Maid Park.

A strong part of me says “They shouldn’t be there.” They only have been in existence for 11 years. They don’t have enough history.

However that song has been played – by the Marlins, by the Diamondbacks, and as far as getting to the World Series, by the Rockies. So there is a precedent already set.

On the other side of my shoulder is a healthy dose of respect for the Rays. Unlike the Marlins and Diamondbacks, they did not buy their way into the World Series. The biggest name they brought in was Troy Percival, ten years after Percival was really valuable. They did it with home grown talent. Young guys, no team superstar. They did it with a manager who wasn’t afraid to call out his best player (BJ Upton) for not giving his all. Not once, but twice. Hmm. Dusty – you think Sammy would have gotten it through his ‘roided head that he needed to apply himself if he had been benched or dropped down in the order?

This Rays team was up 3 games to 1, came back home up 3-2 needing to win only one of two at home and did it.

And most importantly, this Rays team was able to overcome a crucial 8th inning error by their shortstop.