Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Farewell to '08

On this last day of '08, we reflect on what was an amazing year in baseball. Here are just a few facts up for discussion, in no particular order...

--The Tampa Bay Rays go from worst to first and win their first division title, their first playoff series, and make their first World Series appearance. (Despite what the masses may say, this is GOOD for baseball. Not monetarily, but morally.)

--Manny Ramirez is dealt west and carries the Dodgers to the NLCS. (He single-handedly changed the atmosphere at Chavez Ravine.)

--CC Sabathia is dealt west and carries the Brewers to the playoffs. (The Brewers return to the postseason for the first time since 1982 as Sabathia goes 11-2 for Milwaukee. A "feel good" story for baseball.)

--Barry Bonds does not see a single pitch in the majors. (It's amazing how karma works.)

--The Yankees and the Mets both play their last game at their respective ballparks. (Both teams fail to make the postseason as the Mets choke down the stretch once again, and the Yanks fail to catch the Rays...missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993.)

--Tim Lincecum emerges as the new class of NL pitching as he wins his 1st Cy Young by a landslide. (This kid is good...really good.)

--Francisco Rodriguez sets the single-season save record, but posts a 7.71 ERA in the playoffs. (It's fitting that he's headed to "save" the Mets.)

--Instant Replay is instituted for disputed home-run calls. (What took so long?)

--Despite the best record in the NL, the Cubs are swept by the Dodgers in the NLDS. (I don't believe in curses, but i do believe in sparks. See: Ramirez, Manuel.)

Happy New Year!!

2 comments:

Doc said...

Happy New Year!

Expect the unexpected in 2009.

Brandon said...

My favorite Dodger moment of the year was fireworks night on the field with the Cupcake. Either's walk-off in the tenth against the Brewers was nice, but it was over 100 degrees that day and i think i sweated off 5 pounds.

Drinking with Nat while watching Kuroda's almost perfect game was nice too.