Bring on the Fall Classic
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.
If there’s one team in the National League that’s built to take down the New York Yankees, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. With their combination of stellar starting pitching and unsurmountable lineup, the Yanks will have their hands full with Ryan Howard and company.
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As a side note, other bloggers and media outlets have picked up this story, but did you know that this is the third straight World Series appearance for Eric Hinske? Ever since being dumped by the Blue Jays, whether or not he was actually on the playoff roster, Hinske has made trips to the past three World Series. Just in case you were curious, he’s made a grand total of three plate appearances and is 1 for 3 in those appearances with one home run.
Although Eric Hinske might not have any World Series rings, at least he has three different “American League Champions” sweatshirts to keep him warm through the cold, long off-season.
Maybe the best way to get to a World Series is to be a part-timer who can plug a hole here and there, rather than a regular with a long-term contract. Good for Hinske for building on his ROY by becoming a hole-filler. Good on him!
And … finally … let the games begin!
The weird thing is that the Sox, Rays, (Pirates .. but they don't count) and Yankees all thought Hinske had something to offer to their team. Had he not come up with the Blue Jays organization, Hinske is a player that the Jays would sign cheap in hopes that he would strike big.
Last year he had two at bats in the World Series – a pinch hit homerun against Joe Blanton, and he struck out against Brad Lidge to end the World Series. Talk about experiencing both ends of the spectrum.