Alrighty, we're trying this thing again folks. The game gets underway after the Barack Obama commercial and we're going strong for 3 and a half innings. Phils win, that's all she wrote.....Rays win, we're going back to Tampa for Game Six (presumably tomorrow). It's Game Five 2.0 on Fox.....NEXT!

The cheesy Oscar-like music is playing so that means just one thing, we're live from Philly! Joe Buck cues the intro with your highlights from the other night and we get to hear the word "hydroplaning" once again.

The fact that a POS infomercial delayed the start of a World Series game is a travesty. I could careless if it was Obama or McCain, but it's a shame a fricking political campaign commercial takes over America's pasttime. (Via Brett)

As someone mentioned in the pregame post, it didn't technically delay it. It really just got rid of the Fox Pregame show with Jeanne Zelasko. Ultimately that's not a bad thing. Chris Meyers is all decked out tonight with gloves and a gigantic coat. Nice look.

Let's get this thing (re)started. 25 years since Philly won a championship. Let's hope that drought ends now. (Via JFein)

Rain Delay: Forty Two Hours, Forty Six minutes. (Via James Craven)

Bottom of the Sixth:

Geoff Jenkins will be your pinch hitter and Ryan Madson will be coming into the game in the seventh for the Phils. David Price looks to be getting ready to warmup for the Rays. Annnnnnnd we're underway with ball one to Jenkins. Full count....JENKINS CRUSHES ONE OFF THE WALL! He's into second with a leadoff double. Rollins up....bunt....and a perfect one. Jenkins to third. Werth is your batter now and he gets up in the count 2 and 0.

"On a double, it will be louder." - Tim McCarver after Jenkins hit a double after McCarver said the place would be loud if Jenkins got walked. (Via J)

Pop up.......Iwamura can't get it! Phillies go up 1-0 3-2!!!!

As a prior poster in a prior live thread said best, "If we win, we riot. If we lose, we riot." (Via Jim)

That's all for Balfour as the Rays bring in Howell with Werth on first and Utley coming to the plate. Balfour is fuming in the dugout, as he should be. Chase takes two quick strikes and ends up striking out on a sweeping curve. Howard up and a pickoff attempt has Werth.....NO! He beats out the throw from Pena!!! Good hustle there. Doesn't matter though as Howard pops up to third.

One Hit, One Walk, One Run....3-2 Phillies.

For Fox dugout shots are the baseball equivalent of student bands. (Via Bazooka)

You think Ryan Howard loses "street cred" in Philly for endorsing the Subway cheesesteak instead of a local establishment? (Via Anon)

Yes....yes I do.

Top of the Seventh:

Navarro, Baldelli and Barlett coming up for the Rays. Nav goes down on an inside fastball and that's one out.

Baldelli up.....GONE! Rocco crushes and inside fastball and we're tied again just like that.

Can of spray paint: $5
Designer Sunglasses: $100
World Series directly behind home plate: $1000
Looking like an androgynous oompa-loompa on national television for over 2 hours: priceless
(Via Mr. Earth)

You can watch the game without announcers at MLB.com.
REPEAT: You can watch WITHOUT announcers at MLB.com.
(Via Matt)

That's amazing. Bartlett now lines a single off of Madson and here come those pesky Rays! A bunt moves him over to second and Madson is pulled from the game for JC Romero.

If Price comes in next inning, Joe Maddon should be fired for not knowing how to manage in a NL ballpark. (Via Brett)

Utley can't make the play at first....Bartlett heads for home! He's gunned out by the second baseman. Great play again from Utley and his fake throw might have caused Bartlett to go there.

Bottom of the Seventh:

It's high drama in Game 5 Version 2.0. Ratings be damned, this is the best thing on TV tonight. (Via Jim W.)

I'd argue that "Sons of Anarchy" is, but I'd be lying. It's close though. Burrell, Victorino and Ruiz are your batters. Howell is still on the mound.....Burrell kills one! Way back......off the wall!!! The wind kept in by an inch and slow ass Pat only ends up with a double. Bruntlett pinch runs for the Left Fielder.

I hope McCarver draws another gigantic arrow for us in the stands to show why Burrell's ball stayed in the park. (Mr. Earth)

OH MY GOD!!! BURRELL GOT A HIT!!! I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!!!!!! (Via JFein)

That's his first of the Series and Victorino will be batting against Bradford. Victorino misses on the bunt and he'll be swinging away now. He does and grounds out to the right side, moving the runner over. Great hitting there. Feliz up with a runner on third and one out....

SINGLE! Feliz delivers and it's 4-3 Phils!!!

Ruiz up....Sing....OH! Iwamura with a great dive and flip to Bartlett for the force out. Romero stays in the game to hit and grounds out to second. The Phils get the lead back though....4-3....6 outs to go!

McCarver: "The park is called Citizen's Bank Ballpark."
(CUT TO SHOT OF WHOLE PARK)
"If you hit the ball under the Citizen's Bank sign in left field..."(pause)
(NOTICE CITIZEN'S BANK SIGN CLEARLY IN RIGHT CENTER FIELD)
"...you'll hit it....away from the wind..."
(Via Adam)

He is just clueless.

Top of the Eighth:

Crawford up....single up the middle. Doesn't matter though....the King of Double Plays, BJ Upton, erases the hit.

This Game 5, with its roller coaster ride feel is eerily reminiscent of Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS. Ebbs and flows, ups and downs, highs and lows. (Via Jim)

Rocky is a great movie, but don't you think in general the theme is a little played out? C'mon fox, pick another song to play! (Via Anon)

Very much so. Pena up as both Price and Lidge warm up in the pen. Romero can't find the zone and the count is quickly 3 and 0. He follows up with a strike and then gets Pena to line out to left.....3 outs away!

Bottom of the Eight:

It could be just me, but the commercial breaks seem extra long tonight. I wouldn't put it past Fox to try and work some extra advertising in during the shortened night. Price in and the top of the order up for the Phillies. J-Roll tests the wind in left field and loses. One out.

Joe Buck gives us the official "Last Time Philly Won A Championship" jinx and Werth comes to the plate. He's down on strikes and Utley will be your batter. Chase gets on with a walk and Ryan Howard will hit with two outs.

Chris Myers with the William Penn swami angle. Comcast may have put Penn on top of their building, but they still can burn in hell in my eyes (and those of millions of others). (Via Jim)

Can a statue be 3 inches tall? (Via Mr. Earth)

I don't think it can, but whatever works right? Utley takes second after a nice jump it's 3-1 to Howard. Fouled off and it's a full count. Philly fans get loud, but Howard strikes out. Here we go Philly....Brad Lidge in....three outs away....

Top of the Ninth:

Enter Sandman....I'm just gonna leave now. News choppers are over Frankford and Cottman Avenues as I speak. (Via James Craven)

Godspeed James....Godspeed. Here it is. Longoria, Navarro and Baldelli to face Lidge.

Any guesses on how Joe Buck is going to ruin the moment if the Phillies finish it off here? (Via Jesse)

Longoria....pops out to Utley. One out. Navarro....singles to right field on a broken bat looper. One out and Perez pinch runs for Dioner. Zobrist is up and Perez steals second! Uh oh....

Zobrist smacks one! Right to Werth!!! Two outs and up strides Eric Hinske representing the go ahead run and he has a runner on second in Perez to drive in. One to go....

1st pitch....fouled down the first baseline. 0 and 1.
2nd pitch....check swing by Hinske....strike! O and 2.
3rd pitch....STRIKE THREE....

THE PHILLIES WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28 years after their last one they take it in one of the oddest ways possible, but it still counts. Joe Buck wisely lets them and the fans celebrate without his commentary, and it's going to be a long night in the City of Brotherly Love.

I'll have video and some more commentary in a few, but congrats Philadelphia....you certainly deserve it.

Final: Phillies 4 - Rays 3, Philadelphia wins the Series 4-1

Okay folks, let's try this again. It's Game Five Version 2.0 tonight and it's a 3 and a half inning showdown with the Phillies having a chance to end this crazy thing. Just a reminder that tonight is also the night that the 30-minute Barack Obama infomercial is airing. If you don't want Politics getting all in your Baseball, then I suggest you tune in around 8:35 or so (I know that's when I am). Your particulars are below. Be sure to leave your predictions on the game and each managers moves, and I'll see you later on tonight....

Who: Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies
What: 3.5 innings of fury!
When: Tonight, 8:37pm (FOX)
Where: Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Why: So Bud Selig can postpone the game again and solidify his spot as the worst Commish ever.
Weather: It's going to be cold, and windy as hell

MLB has just announced that Game Five will be played tonight promptly at 8:37pm and who cares if it's under 40 degrees and winds are upwards of 25mph?! We're getting this thing in! The Phillies will be batting in the Bottom of the Sixth and only do they have the advantage of getting twelve outs to the Rays nine in this thing, but Cole Hamels is the first scheduled batter of Game Five-Version 2.0. Charlie Manuel will obviously get a pitch hitter in the game but it gets interesting from there.

Joe Maddon will go probably "keep" righty Grant Balfour in the game, which will could bring Matt Stairs or another lefty out of the Phillies dugout. Maddon could essentially just walk right out there and bring in any left handed pitcher that he wanted to face Stairs. Manuel also has a big decision for the top of the seventh and that's whether to bring in Brad Lidge, who hasn't played much this Series, right away or save him until the eighth. It's unlikely he would go with him that early, but it's certainly possible. The possibilities for the start of this game are endless!

The more you think about the moves and decisions in this 3.5 inning contest, the more you realize how unprecedented this whole situation is. Bud Selig is a dumbass, but he really lucked out with his decision to delay the game. The ratings should be good, and if the game goes extras, FOX will be kissing his ass for the rest of his days "in office". The Live-Blog picks back up at 8:30pm tonight....BE THERE!

Game Five of the 2008 World Series to be resumed tonight (MLB)

I can't remember the last time I live-blogged a Baseball game, but we're going to give it a shot tonight. Hopefully I don't bore you too much and I can keep your attention for the better part of the game. I'll also be flipping over to Football when there's a break, so keep those updates coming if you're watching the game. It's the Rays, It's the Phils....and it's on Fox....NEXT (or around 8:35pm after Daryl Hall sings the National Anthem)!

Alright. Joe Buck is on camera giving his whole "no one thought the Rays would be here" speech for the 15th time this Series, so that means we're about ready to get going. McCarver just mentioned that Maddon has moved Crawford up into the two spot, which is seemingly where he should have been all postseason.

28 years Philly! Are you ready?

Stat of the night: The rays are 0-6 when the temprature is below 50 degrees. As posted on FOX, the game time temprature is 44 degrees. (James Craven)

This pregame music is definitely less than inspiring. (Anon)

It really is. It's like the Oscars music, only nowhere near as good and even more annoying. Rocco Baldelli is on lineup duty and has to deal with a damning "Rays in World Series: .187 Team Avg" graphic. That's not good at all.

"The Ford Keys To The Game" are for the Phils to not let up, and for the Rays to get big hits early and "rise from the ashes". Do people even read this stuff before they write it?

Top of the First:

Cole Hamels gets Iwamura on a flyout, Crawford on a groundout and Upton on a groundout. That was quick...one, two, three.

"Cole Hamels may never have this chance again."- Tim McCarver

Huh? It's not like he's Jamie Moyer. The kid is 24!

How many times are we going to hear the "Rocky" theme tonight? I say atleast 5 times. (Via Anon)

Am I having a stroke, or did Tim Macarver just start speaking a completely different, hitherto unknown or unheard of language? (Via Anon)

It's very possible.

Bottom of the First:

Donovan McNabb is on the Phillies lineup complete with some money glasses. Joe Buck correctly points out that Donovan was poked in the eye during yesterday's game. Kazmir falls behind to J-Roll but gets it back full with a close call on the inside. Rollins then flies out to left.

Tony Kornheiser just made a really bad joke where he said "The Titans haven't been in the spotlight in a long time for something that didn't involve Elvis impersonators." Kill me now. Buck/McCarver, or Kornheiser? Choices... very bad choices. (Via Anon)

Ugh....I'm almost glad I'm missing that thing. Werth draws a walk with one out and Utley is coming to the plate. Kazmir decides to hit the second baseman and that brings up Howard with 2 on and 1 out.

"They had the worst record in baseball last year, we've worn out that stat" - Joe Buck (Via JFein)

Howard falls behind and K's on a fastball on the inner half. Kazmir is working it in there at 94mph now. The hitless ladies man, Burrell is your batter now. Patty draws a walk and Shane-O-Mac is at the plate with the bases loaded and two outs.

Line drive and Victorino drives in two! 2-0 Phils.

Feliz up and he rips a pitch straight back. He was all over that fastball. Pedro follows that up with a line drive single to left, but he hit it too hard for Steve Smith the 3rd Base Coach to send Burrell. Bases Loaded again....

McCarver says the Rays should get someone up in the pen, but Ruiz flies out. Cue the Rocky Theme! 2 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Walk, 1 HBP....2-0 Phillies.

Why can't Fox find any other music besides the damn Rocky theme? (Via 49er16)

WHY DOES TONY KORNHIESER NEVER TAKE A SICK DAY!?! (Via Frank T. Tank)

He did earlier this year actually.

"In many ways, it is easier to hit a pitcher when he is wild." - Tim McCarver (Via JFein)

"Kerry Collins steps up in the pocket, and he can still stroke it." - Ron Jaworski (Via SS)

Top of the Second:

I don't think the Simpsons "Tree House of Horrors" commercial has been played as much as the Frank TV spot on TBS....but it's close. Pena tries to bunt his way on and hits it right to Ryan Howard and that's immediately followed up with a flyout by Longoria. Navarro draws a two-out walk and Baldelli will be your batter....He pops out to Utley and Cole Hamels is flying through the top of innings tonight.

At this point, "Eye of the Tiger" would be welcome relief. (Via Rob in WI)

Amen.

Bottom of the Second:

Hamels, Rollins and Werth due up, and that pitch count for Hamels sits at an amazing thirteen through two innings. Cole goes down on three pitches....one down. Victorino, who's mic'd up, talks to Werth about the wind and that can't be fun to deal with tonight. Rollins then flies out to right field on cue, but it's not a problem for Baldelli.

@ AA: I'm pretty sure the Family Guy commercial with Stewie high on soda has been played as much as the Frank TV ads. (Via JFein)

Touche.

To make things interesting, they should have switched out McCarver and Kornheiser for these 2 games. I mean, a Kornheiser/Buck Duo??? Could it get any better? And McCarver could say the same exact things he would be saying in the baseball game and still would make just as much sense! (Via Keith)

I think my head would explode if that actually went down. Werth is battling with Kazmir and has the starter up to eight pitches before singling to left. Great at-bat. That gets Utley to the plate with two outs. Pop up....no damage done. Still 2-0 Phillies after two.

"I think that 4:00 tomorrow would be a good time for you to stop by a Taco Bell." - Joe Buck admitting even he doesn't like Tim McCarver

Hahaha....that one actually made me laugh out loud. Indy just got a TD (Manning to Clark) and they're up 7-3 nearing the end of the first.

Top of the Third:

Hamels mows gets Bartlett to groundout and has Kazmir and Iwamura left to deal with this inning. Joe Buck is annoying with me his whole "check on ______" schtick, whenever someone grounds out. I'm also getting annoyed with the whole FOX sponsors thing in the middle of the inning. I haven't noticed them missing a pitch yet, but it's certainly distracting.

"He really does himself a favor by throwing strike one." - Joe Buck (Via J)

Thanks Captain Obvious. Iwamura gets a single up the middle and there goes your no-hitter. Crawford up and he ground the first pitch right to Utley. Howard, Burrell and Victorino are up next half inning.

Bottom of the Third:

Credit where due: I think that kind of "behind the scenes" thing, having the umps mic'd and talking about the first base line is one of the better things Fox Sports does...The other of course is scooping Chris Mortenson. (Via Rob in WI)

I certainly agree. Hamels up to a whopping 33 pitches through three innings. Howard strikes out on three straight pitches and he looks to be struggling with the lefty on lefty matchup tonight. Burrell pops it up to Baldelli for out number two and Victorino follows with a K of his own. Finally a quick inning for Kaz.

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors.

I submit the Holidy Inn Express commercial with Cal and the fake security guard who needs to be punched in the face as the beisbol Fox Caliendo. (Via Rob)

Yes, yes...that one too.

Top of the Fourth:

Upton, Pena, Longoria due up for the Rays. Buck tells us that rain is picking up and looking at the map, that should be the last of it for the night. Upton grounds to short.

"Honest, thoughtful and straight."- Tim McCarver on Joe Maddon

Now what does his sexuality have to do with anything, Tim? Pena crushes one of the wall and that's a double for the Ray. Longoria with a shot now with one down.

His leap was there but his windage was off."- Tim McCarver on Werth's attempt at catching the ball.

What the hell is "windage"?!?!?

Longoria singles past Rollins and Tampa is on the board....2-1 Phils.

A 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Navarro ends the inning. 1 run on two hits and no errors.

Bottom of the Fourth:

Bottom of the lineup coming up for the Phils and the rain has really started to pick up now. Feliz goes down and Kaz has five Ks now....

"I think the Titans need to win this game more because they're a small market and if you dont they stop talking about you." - Kornheiser

Why is that a bad thing? Ruiz laces one to left field and Hamels is coming up with a runner on first and one down. Hamels tries to bunt and oh no!!!!!!!! It hits his pitching hand! Doesn't appear to be bothering him on the next pitch though as he bunts it back to Kazmir who guns out Ruiz running to second. Hamels gets a coat and will be on first with one out.

"It appeared to hit the knuckle and not the tip, which would be better for Hamels. You would think."- Tim McCarver

Really, Tim? Really??? Rollins up....and good lord do those fans have to be miserable right about now with that cold, rain and wind. Ugh. Rollins walks and there's two on with two out and Werth coming to the plate.

Hamels hit in the pitching hand. Philly collapse in... 3....2.......1.... (Rob in WI)

If they stop this game because of the rain. Do you think Buck finally goes crazy? (Via 49er16)

I'm praying for it actually. McCarver tries to explain the difference a 4-seam and 2-seam fastball and I think I actually just became a little dumber trying to listen to that. 3-2 to Werth....fouls it off. 3-2 to Werth....fouls it off. 3-2 to Werth....walk. And the bases are loaded. Hickey comes out to visit with Kazmir and Utley will be your batter.

Damn, what an at bat by Werth. (Via JFein)

Seriously. A ten pitch at-bat in this weather, and with two outs, can only cause Kazmir more control problems. Scotty Kaz is all over the place now and it's 3-1 (the one strike being a ball that Utley swung at). Ooooh....Kazmir gets a close call on the inside which Fox Trak shows was actually a strike. 3-2....Utley hits into the shift and the Rays get out of the jam.

Top of the Fifth:

Rain, Rain and more Rain. Baldelli up and the outfielder pops up behind third.....WHOA! The wind picks it up and Rollins can't get it!!! That's an error for the shortstop. Bartlett comes to the plate now with Baldelli on first and no one out.

Damn Candlestick and Wrigley winds thinks that was brutal. (Via James)

The error doesn't matter though as Utley completes a great double play by tagging Baldelli and flipping to first. Amazing concentration there. Kazmir strikes out and that's your inning. The hand doesn't seem to be bothering Hamels much.

Twelve to go. (J Craven)

Jinnnx. Jinnnnnnnnnnnnx!

Bottom of the Fifth:

"All of a sudden, a domed stadium doesn't seem like a bad idea."- Tim McCarver

Ummmm....are they normally considered bad ideas? Tim is all over the place tonight. Howard walks on four straight pitches and Buck throws to Chris Meyers for a weather report.

"I have to sit down. I'm blocking someone's view I think."- Chris Meyers

7-6 Colts at halftime. (Via SS)

Phillies Fans don't care about your dumb update, Meyers! Burrell up and he takes a strike to start off the at-bat. If I were either of these teams, I'd start trying to hit fly balls because that wind ain't slowing down. Pat B takes a sure strike that isn't called and it's 3-2....foul ball. 3-2....foul. 3-2....foul. 3-2....Low! Another walk and that'll do it for Kazmir. That was another strike that Kellogg didn't call and the Phils are in business with a new pitcher coming in.

Never understand why they don't do this. But, I'm sure there is a Fox affiliate in Philly. Why not bring on the weather man to give an update on the situation so people watching the game know what is going on. (Via Alex)

Hmmm good idea.

I'm sure Jillian would do the weather update. (Via 49er16)

And I'm sure I'd let her. Balfour is in and so is the grounds crew to work on the infield. Maddon is also out there checking on his new pitcher and we got a shot of Joe and Tim in the booth, which is complete with a giant hippie tapestry of the World Series logo. Nice touch. Victorino comes up after what seemed like a 20-minute delay and to reset....Howard on 2nd....Burrell on 1st....nobody out.

Victorino tries a drag bunt and that goes foul. Shane then pops up to Crawford....should have stayed with the bunt. Feliz up now and he proceeds to crush a pitch foul and then another straight back....0-2 and Feliz pops up on the infield to Pena who has trouble....but makes the catch. Buck and McCarver start talking about some "Fair Catch" rule and I'm pretty sure it's actually called the "Infield Fly Rule" in this Sport.

A fair catch rule in baseball? Who knew? (Via James)

2 down and Ruiz with the last chance to drive the runners in. Carlos pops it up and Balfour is pumped....2-1 still and I'm guessing we're going to get a delay any second now.

"The weather has taken the routine part of the game out of the routine". - Tim McCarver (Via J)

Top of the Sixth:

We get our first look at Ken Rosenthal tonight and the kid has an umbrella, an overcoat and gloves on while standing right outside the dugout. Grow a pair, Kenny! He's talking about CBA's and Umpire agreements so I'm tuning him out now. The Phillies are now getting the extra special treatment from the ground crew and we're still waiting for the start of the sixth.

They do realize that if they just play the game instead of having 20-minute delays every 5 minutes, they would finish the game faster. (Via JFein)

If I could redo my Venn diagram from earlier today, I would give Joe Buck his own circle off in the middle of nowhere. But I felt my eyes would explode if I had to see that I'd taken the time to write both his and McCarver's names on the blackboard. (Via Dante)

I love me some Venns! Hamels is finally ready to go with Iwamura coming up. Every other pitch is a bad one for Hamels, but he has the count to 2 and 2...and the crowd tries to come alive. STRIKE THREE! That one was outside but Hamels gets the call and Buck points out the inconsistency at the plate. Crawford grounds out to Howard and there's two down. Upton up....and he gets an infield hit as Rollins juggles the ball on what would have been a tough play.

TOUCHDOWN COLTS!! Dallas Clark, 14-6. (Via SS)

Is MLB trying to become the NHL? They are really trying to destroy baseball. I'm waiting for them to call the game because of rain so the Phillies clinch in a game that goes less than 9 innings. (Via Captain Redbeard)

There's no way that Heir Selig would let that happen. They'd HAVE to play the whole thing. McCarver is saying that the weather is "robbing" the Rays of their talent, and I'm sorry....but those are the breaks. Mother Nature is a part of Baseball and if you can't run because of a wet field, then oh well. That's why teams water down infields all the time.

Hamels is throwing over to first on every play now, four in a row actually, but it doesn't matter....Upton walks into second base. A basehit will tie it, and Hamels is still worried about Upton.

Just heard a "fuck" from a titan o-lineman after a false start. Yay for ref's open mike. (Via JFreak)

"You would need a moat to get to second." - Joe Buck
"Hydroplaning has come to baseball." - Tim McCarver

"I don't know how a crowd this soaked can make this much noise."- Joe Buck

28 years, Joe....28 years.....

Pena singles to left....Burrell with the throw....NOT IN TIME! Upton scores and we're tied at two!!!

Longoria swings through a changeup but Ruiz misses it and Pena heads to second. He's in scoring position now but Longoria flies out. Well that was a crazy inning wasn't it? Onto the Bottom of the Sixth with Hamels, Rollins and Werth coming up.

Bottom of the Sixth:

Titans just scored on a LenDale White run and got a two point conversion to tie it. Not sure why they went for it in the third, but they still got it. 14-14.....

****AND WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL RAIN DELAY****

Meyers is talking with Bob DuPuy now and it's not looking good for us to finish this thing tonight. He does however say that the game would be picked up tomorrow in the same spot because Tampa Bay tied it up in the top of the inning. If they hadn't of scored that one....this thing might be have been over. Wild.

Well I'm going to try and wait this thing out, but it's looking like a wash at this point (pun intended). I'm going to get the DuPuy video up underneath here and then see if I can't pick up on the Football game for a short, 4th quarter live-blog.

Hahaha....just caught this on CBS' Live Scoring of the game and it made me laugh....

43°F - Light rain. Mostly cloudy. Nippy. Wind: 15mph/NW

Who: Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies
What: Beisbol
When: Tonight, 8:30pm (FOX)
Where: Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Why: So Joe Buck and Tim McCarver can explain the ground rules at Tropicana Field just one more time, even though the game is in Philadelphia....and/or....mean mug the camera while their seats are at awkward and completely different heights (seriously...what is that about?)
How: Ryan Howard in the Laboratory with a Subway Cheesesteak
Weather: All I know is that I'm freezing my ass off and Philly is about 2 hours north of here.

Alrighty people, you've spoken and you want to talk Baseball tonight and what baby wants....baby gets. I'll be starting the live-blog around 8ish, leave your predictions and thoughts in the comments, and I'll see you later on.

I was personally glad that MLB and FOX decided to play Game Three late Saturday night/early Sunday Morning. There's nothing better than going out for awhile and then coming back and watching the rest of a game late night. Well apparently not everyone stays up as late as I do, because FOX's ratings for Game Three were abysmal. So bad in fact, that it's the lowest rated World Series game ever with a 6.1. It was obviously a tough decision to air the game, but when pressed Bud Selig had this to say in support of the decision, "It was a terribly difficult situation. ... You know what, it was a great game and those that saw it enjoyed it."

You never want to completely postpone a Playoff game, but when your start time is 8:30pm, and the first pitch is moved to past 10pm, you might want to think about it. As far as Game Four last night, the numbers aren't nearly as bad. The overnight numbers say that it received a 10.7, which is down 25% from last year, but that game was a Series clincher for the Red Sox. If you're looking for more comparable numbers, the PSU-OSU game on ABC pulled a 7.2 and the Giants-Steelers game on FOX got a 15.6. You'd expect a World Series game to fall somewhere in between those and that's exactly where it wound up.

However, through the four games FOX is averaging an 8.5, which is a full one and a half points lower than the all-time low of 10.0 in 2006. All in all, the decision of airing Game Three pretty much assures this World Series of being the lowest set of Games, on average, ever. The potential of the Phillies clinching certainly helps, but to best that 10.0 from 2006, tonight's game would have to pull over a 16.0.

With Monday Night Football, Dancing With The Stars and a new episode of Heroes....that ain't happening. Unless Tampa Bay comes back and pushes it to seven, this will be your lowest rated World Series in history. Book it.

(Numbers via Sports Business Daily)

Another game, another collection of Phils homers. I don't have anything clever at this late hour, and S2N captured everything in the live-blog, so here's your Game Four highlights....

Random thought here, but where did you think the "Joe The Hitter"/"House Promo" combo by Chris Meyers, during his postgame interviews, rank on the cheesiness scale? God I can't stand that guy. Anyway, Game Five is tomorrow night and we'll see if the Phillies close this thing out. Just one more Philly.... onnnnnnnne morrrrre!

Well, what everyone speculated beforehand about the potential ratings disaster of a Rays-Phils Series, is starting to come true. While the numbers weren't quite as bad as the lowest all-time (2006 Cardinals-Tigers), the viewers for Game One were down 12.7% from last year's 13-1 Red Sox blowout win over the Rockies. Via Sports Business Daily....

Fox earned a 10.3/17 overnight Nielsen rating for Game One of the Phillies-Rays World Series last night from 8:30pm-12:00am ET, down 12.7% from an 11.8/19 overnight for Rockies-Red Sox Game One last year, which also aired on a Wednesday night. The 10.3 is up 19.8% from an 8.6/15 overnight for the Saturday night Cardinals-Tigers Game One in ’06. The game and pregame combined to average a 9.9/16 in primetime and gave Fox the win for the night among all nets. CBS earned a 7.9/12, followed by ABC (4.7/7) and NBC (4.1/6). Last night's 9.9/16 in primetime also gave Fox its best night of primetime on any night since the MLB All-Star Game on July 15. Philadelphia topped all markets with a 35.7/53 and Tampa-St. Petersburg was second, posting a 31.9/49.

Wow....that's a lot of numbers there. I think the overall sense is that the numbers, while bad, aren't all THAT bad. Plus it was a competitive/close game and I'm sure most people who watched it thought it to be enjoyable. Now if the Phillies blow out the Rays in Game Two tonight, the sentiment might be a little different tomorrow. We shall see though.

Fox Earns 10.3/17 Overnight Rating For Phillies-Rays Game One (Sports Business Daily - $)

We all know that the Red Sox bring ratings, and I honestly thought that FOX would be crying after their loss Sunday night, but the network is surprisingly upbeat given the uphill ratings climb in front of them. According to President of Fox Sports, Ed Goren, the secret to their success lies not in the actual teams playing, but rather the length of said series. From Globe and Mail via SBD....

"It's not just about the matchup," Goren said. "As important as anything else is the number of games, the volume of games. If we get six or seven games in this matchup, we will out-rate last year's Red Sox World Series."

The longer it goes, the larger the numbers get. If a network is fortunate enough to televise a seven-game series, the ratings for the latter games will pull up the overall average.

"These things build," Goren said. "It's water-cooler talk. It becomes must-see TV."

Still, if this Series is over in four games and the average rating dips to historic lows, Fox will be required to reimburse advertisers with additional ad spots on other shows.

Fox's advertising revenue won't be affected, because the commercial time was bought before the World Series teams were decided. A ratings decline this year, however, would affect 2009 prices.

The network is reportedly charging $475,000 (U.S.) for a 30-second spot.

While the talk of a longer series equaling better ratings isn't necessarily groundbreaking, it's still interesting to hear Fox flat out admit that's what they're hoping for. While I obviously want to see the most competitive World Series possible, there's a small part of me that wants to see Fox tank in the ratings. You know....just to see how bad it is.

Networks made their Red Sox-Yankees bed along time ago, and now they have to lie in it.

Mis-Matched? (Sports Business Daily - $)
Fox bullish despite weak matchup (Globe and Mail)

We all know that ratings for game sevens are always through the roof, but as it turns out, last night's Sox-Rays game is now the most watched MLB game on cable, of all times. Over 13 million people turned into TBS for the contest and the network pulled a 7.9 rating. Via Turner Sports....

TBS wrapped up its 2008 MLB Postseason coverage with a classic. The seventh and deciding game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays delivered a 7.9 US HH Rating, making it the most-watched MLB game on all of television for the 2008 regular season and postseason, according to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research. The series-clinching game, which propelled the Rays into their first World Series, garnered 13,357,000 total viewers, making it the most-watched game in the history of cable. The game eclipsed the 1998 ESPN Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals game that featured Mark McGwire hitting his 61st homerun (which tied what was then an MLB single-season home run record).

“Record-breaking performances, extraordinary viewership and tremendous growth across all key demos added up to a winning formula for our coverage of the ALCS,” said David Levy, president of Turner Sports. “The Red Sox and Rays treated baseball fans to a classic ALCS and viewers made it a point to tune in to watch this tremendous series. The sports television landscape continues to evolve and what we witnessed during our ALCS coverage is that on any given night cable programming outdelivers programming on broadcast networks."

Not a bad showing for a single Baseball game, but the totals definitely speak to shrunken ratings on a whole for the Sport over the past couple of years. Still though, TBS destroyed it's ratings from the NLCS last year, and in fact....they almost doubled it. For both the Division Series and ALCS, TBS averaged a 4.6 US Household Rating, and almost 7.5 million total viewers per game.

Other highlights from Game Seven on TBS include:

- Game 7 was the top-rated telecast in the history of TBS
- It Ranks among the top 10 sports most-watched cable telecasts all-time
- The game was the second most-watched telecast on cable this year.
- Game 7 was also the top-rated regular season and postseason MLB game on all of television this year (the MLB All-Star game was the top overall baseball telecast in 2008).

I know most of you were around for S2N's live-blog, but in case you missed it, here's how things went down last night. The Rays took charge in the middle innings, and after an amazing 8th from David Price, took the ALCS....

The World Series gets underway on Wednesday, and it should be a good one. Who cares if the ratings are bad, good Baseball is good Baseball....and we'll all be watching.

First off: I'd like to apologize again to you all for having to step out in the middle of last night's live blog. I've been fighting the office cold, and when it makes your head heavy and you fall asleep for the fifth and sixth innings, that's a sign that it's time to back away from the TV, read, and get some rest.

I listened to the rest of it on the radio, and I'm pissed because I missed blogging one heck of a Sox takeover of this series. When Jason Varitek, who hasn't hit for balls this season, is hitting the go-ahead homer in the sixth inning and Coco Crisp scores an insurance run that both Josh Beckett and the Boston bullpen hold up in hostile territory (Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson, and Jonathan Papelbon threw hitless relief), it's clear the ALCS has swung hard, and that I (and many others) are guilty of violating the Golden Rule of the Sawx in the Playoffs: Never say they're done until someone's taken four games from them.

Tonight brings us Game 7, with Jon Lester on the bump for the Sox and Matt Garza dealing for the Rays, and yes, this will be live-blogged rather than Seahawks-Bucs.

(There will be an open thread for the Sunday night NFL game, because Cris Collinsworth is filling in for Madden and there should be some good cracks from that.)

If you asked me before the Playoffs started, who I'd like to see in the World Series, I honestly would have said the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies. Not because of any affiliation or anything, but I genuinely like it when the same teams don't get in year after year. I've actually enjoyed the past few World Series because of that fact.

Well the same cannot be said about FOX, who is of course in the business of making money. The odd thing about the potential matchups for the W.S. is just the sheer difference of the best and worst result for the network could be. A Dogders, with Torre and Manny, Red Sox Series would put ratings through the roof. A Phillies-Rays Series, however, could possibly top the Cardinals-Tigers in 2006 as the lowest rated MLB championship ever.

Here's what some quotes collected by SBD about the dreaded Phils-Rays Series....

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian on PTI: “It would be a ratings disaster. Even though the Rays are the best story to me as a team since the ’69 Mets, that one doesn’t translate nearly as well as the Red Sox against the Dodgers with Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez coming back to Fenway Park. That was a story made for everybody. The other one isn’t going to nearly get the ratings as Boston-L.A. would”

ESPN's Mike Greenberg: “That sound you hear is the sound of executives at Fox crying right now over the possibility of a Rays-Phillies World Series."

SI's Tom Verducci: "But adding to the low profile problem of both teams is the playoff schedule with the extra off-days. We might be looking at as many as five straight days with no baseball by the time we get to World Series Game 1. By then, with any momentum killed, people will be out of the habit of tuning in to baseball and any of its storylines. In any case, what baseball really needs is an exciting seven-game series to develop a national narrative to draw in viewers."

LA Radio Host, Roger Lodge: “Television executives are about to jump off buildings in New York with that World Series”

While I wouldn't go that far, it actually might be time for say FOX to tell Joe Buck to stop going gah-gah over Manny, and actually give some background and storylines on the Phils. TBS has been trying to do that with the Rays all ALCS, and while it's occasionally been over-the-top, they've kept people interested in both teams. If you add in the fact that the Sox have a penchant for coming back from three games down, they're setting themselves up nicely.

I would personally be extremely interested, but the Rays magic just might not be enough to bring in the casual Baseball fan. Plus, FOX's ratings for the NLCS are already down 22.6% from the ALCS that they aired last year, isn't helping. We shall see though.

Ratings Disaster Waiting To Happen? (Sports Business Daily - $)

Joe Maddon seems pretty focused in the dugout, but there's only one force of nature that can distract him. That would a gust mismatched wind created by one Craig Sager when he walks by between innings. From HR Derby via Sox & Dawgs, comes this clip played on Inside MLB following the game. Watch closely on the replay as Joe Maddon seems to blow a kiss in the general direction of the sideline reporter....

How could you not like Maddon? I guess it helps that your team is up ten runs, but the guy just doesn't ever seem to not be enjoying the game.

Even Joe Maddon Doesn’t Like Craig Sager’s Outfits (Sox & Dawgs)
Joe Maddon has the hots for Craig Sager (Homerun Derby)

Another interesting schedule for this weekend. FOX has decided to spread the coverage of their three games almost evenly throughout the States on Saturday and we get a double dose of the AL East leading Rays versus the AL Central leading White Sox over the weekend. To get you properly hyped for the double dip of Tampa action, here is "Kevin K" via Big League Stew....

ROCK! Here's the schedule....

Saturday:

Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox - Josh Lewin & Eric Karros (FOX, 3:55pm, 39%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Portland, Providence, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies - Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 3:55pm, 37%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington

Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals - Dick Stockton & Leo Mazzone (FOX, 3:55pm, 23%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh, St. Louis, Tulsa

Sunday:

Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox - Chip Caray & Buck Martinez (TBS, 4pm)
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies - Jon Miller and Joe Morgan (ESPN, 8pm)

Who wants another Rays tribute song? Well, watch this anyway (Big League Stew)

Many thanks to reader Lee for finding the video below and the hilarity that lies within it. We all know by know that Dickie V loves the Rays but this video of him pleading for people to vote for Evan Longoria on MLB.com is a tad over-the-top. Oh and make sure you watch the whole thing because the background song gets awesome at the end....

FEEEEL....THE HEAT! FEEEEL....THE HEAT! FEEL THA POWAH!!!

Obviously the voting is over, and that song will be stuck in your head all day long, but enough with the Dickie V-Rays stuff. If it weren't for my hatred of the Red Sox and Yankees, I'd be rooting against them at this point.

I bet you didn't know that Dick Vitale is a Rays Fan did you? Neither did I, but it makes sense...he's in their demographic (65+ in Florida). Well Dick Vitale will be the first person to tell you that steroids are bad, but Bonds in Tampa? Sure!

I love how he just wants to completely change the way Tampa has done things for....well their entire existence....and start blowing money on over-the-hill power hitters. Hey, we're never going to beat the Sox or Yankees but let's throw about $20+ million (just a guess based on last year's salaries) out there for the hell of it! Good thinking Vitale.