Rays Crash World Series Party

THE RAYS' RISE to the World Series is not so much unprecedented as it is shocking.

Tampa Bay has been the worst franchise since it joined the league 10 years ago. Yet here the upstarts stand having done what the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians could not: withstand a furious Red Sox rally and live to tell about it.

Make no mistake about it: The Rays were the better team and may be the best in all of baseball.

Tampa versus Philadelphia may be the best World Series no one watches. But low ratings are of no importance to the Rays or the Phillies. That's Bud Selig's problem.

As much as the suits would like it, the Yankees and Sox can't be in the Fall Classic every year.

You almost wonder when they'll next appear. New York still needs to find a way to build from its own prospects. Boston's empire showed signs of cracking by trading Manny Ramirez and not overcoming the Rays in Game 7.

So, here we stand with two teams with good, young players who will only now get their full introduction to general audiences.

The unfortunate news for the Rays is that worst-to-first stories typically end in World Series losses. Philadelphia's experience — and stronger bullpen — should win out.

But don't count me among the dejected if Philadelphia fans are left waiting a little bit longer for their first sports championship since 1983.

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