In a way, it hurts.

Another baseball season is finished and it is another five game World Series. Admittedly, the teams did get to play a thrilling three inning show down, but really, it didn't make up for the fact that now I have to settle for the NFL until the World Baseball Classic gets underway in the Spring.

In all honesty, I feel the same way about baseball season ending as I do about Boxing Day. It leaves a weird taste in my mouth and honestly, I'm inpatient. Thank God for beer league softball.

And my apologies go out to everyone I told Tampa Bay would win Game 5... What can you do?

-Marcus Out-

John Miller: "A lot of the groundskeepers are unloading that water absorbent, SAND-like material."

Make it 14 references to sand.

Apparently meteorology is not the strong suit of John Miller and Joe Morgan. It is entertaining to listen to them try and find filler on radio, but really what are you gonna do. 

Well, now Crawford is up in the sixth with one out. The rain is coming down harder. Now there are two outs... For some reason it seems like the Rays are almost lack the capacity to take pitches.

I will admit, it would have been pretty awesome to see Tim Wakefield work his knuckleball in weather like this. Charlie Hough used to have the rainy knuckler mastered during his twilight with the Marlins.

Upton reaches on a slow roller. "Rain falls with gusto," according to John Miller.

Now there is something brewing. An Upton stolen base... So a basehit up the middle by Pena could/should score the speedy BJ Upton.

CARLOS PENA HAS 2 HITS!! ZOMG! I mean, it is obvious the Rays are having trouble finding offense, but anything goes.

This muck-covered infield now has enabled Pena to move to second on a passed ball. 

It doesn't matter... It is now 2-2 going into the middle of the sixth..

Oh, reference No. 15... "Water absorbent SAND-like material."

BOTTOM 6:
RAIN DELAY!! WOOOO!!

Top 5:
Chase Utley made a good heads up play to lead to another twin killing. The clock is ticking for the Rays. Once Madson comes on in the eighth, the Rays will need to get creative. In Tampa's defense, the top of the lineup will be coming up in the top of the sixth.

Bottom 5:
Kazmir walks another one, luckily Pat Burrell is still hitless. Fingers crossed I didn't jinx it. Meanwhile, I can only imagine how the weather feels right now for those in the stands. Another walk... This is upsetting. I mean, some can be blamed on the Jeff Kellogg using a constricting strike zone, but I don't think Kazmir had it going tonight. Here comes another Joe Maddon chess match.

Two men on, nobody out, and the book is closed on Scott Kazmir. 6 Walks, 4+ Innings, and 2 Earned Runs. I just checked the weather for Philly. 46 degrees, 12 mph winds and it feels like it's 39 degrees and it's drizzling. Awesome.

One of the funniest things about baseball play-by-play is listening to radio personalities describe weather and Diamond Dry. I think John Miller just said the word "Sand" a dozen times... and he just used the words subterannean piping.

Oh, look at the Phillies playing smallball, oh nevermind, Victorino flies out. 

UH OH another "Sand" reference from John Miller. I think that's 13.

And now the side is retired and Grant Balfour came through in the clutch.

Phillies 2... Rays 1

END OF 5

Top 4:
Carlos Pena got a hit? An extra-base hit? I'm confused... That's rough that Jason Werth couldn't reel that ball in, but at the same time, somebody needs to get offense going against the untouchable Cole Hamels.

Now, it's Evan Longoria.
P1: Changeup
P2: BASEHIT?!?! RBI?!?! Is this the Rays that we thought were supposed to be watching... 2 hits by the guys that were slumping badly through the World Series are now getting into a groove.

Hamels now has thrown three straight balls? What is this mess...
And now a rally killer. That hurts...

Phillies 2... Rays 1
Bottom 4:
Heavier rain is on the way... That would be a strange thing... a 5-inning cancellation of a World Series game... That would be totally lame.

Well, lets see if Kazmir can get a double play... I'd like to see him at least get six innings in, but right now, he seems to be hurting and not in a rhythm.
Jason Werth continues to be the thorn in Scott Kazmir's side. I haven't been keeping up with the pitchcount of this at-bat, but this is nuts...
And a walk... Not cool.
If Kazmir gets out of this inning unscathed (3-1 count on Utley), that in and of itself would be a miracle.And another full count.

Iwamura saves the day.

Phillies 2... Rays 1...

END OF 4

It's nuts thinking of it this way, but Jason Werth's 14 pitches he saw in two plate appearances were almost equal to Cole Hamels total pitchcount after two innings. This game is moving quickly... Not good, since quick pacing works well for a pitcher in control.

Bartlett grounder... OUT
Kazmir whiffs... OUT
Iwamura uses fundamentals and breaks up the no-no and now there is a chance for the Rays to start a little two-out... nevermind.
Now we know why not to swing at the first pitch unless it is perfect.

Phillies 2... Rays 0
Kazmir sits 'em down with 9 pitches. Gets a big K on Victorino with a high fastball. THATS MY HOUSTON BOY!
End of Three..

Phillies 2, Rays 0

Sorry I missed out on that laborsome first inning for Scott Kazmir, but as of now it's 2-0 Phillies. My pick tonight is Tampa Bay, even though Cole Hamels is pitching. Stick with me, OK?

Meanwhile: Bottom of 2.

Jason Werth gets another basehit. His homer last night I think got him out his funk. Just think, tonight he has worked a 6 pitch walk and an 8 pitch basehit. 14 pitches in two at-bats. He has done his job at being a pesky guy in the two-hole.

End of 2

Tennis fans, it is time to show off your tennis IQ to win a fabulous prize!

neighborsgo has 16 (count ‘em…16!) tickets to this weekend’s Stanford Championships at SMU’s TurpinTennisCenter, and we want to give them to you!

Here’s the deal: I’m going to give you five clues about a tennis player. As soon as you figure out who I’m talking about, send an e-mail with the correct answer to our wonderful Community Relations Coordinator Laura Besse, which you can do by clicking here. Include your name, phone number and e-mail address.

The first four people to send the correct answer to that e-mail address will win a set of four tickets to the Stanford Championships this weekend!

Ready? Here are your clues:

1)     I will not be playing in this year’s Stanford Championships, but I have played the event in past years.

2)     I’m the oldest player to win an ATP title of any kind in the last 30 years.

3)     I was once married to an actress that starred in Paper Moon and The Bad News Bears.

4)     In 1984, I slammed my racquet into a juice cart beside the court after questioning a call made by the chair umpire.

5)     Four words: “You cannot be serious!”

Ready? Set? EMAIL!

1. Tony Romo's pinky finger: In particular, the "i'm-gonna-plan, i'm-not-gonna-play" business we're getting these days from the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. I get it: You're from Wisconsin, you want to play and be all big 'n' burly like Brett Favre ... but you're torn cause this is the last weekend you can take Jessica to Horror in the Dark at Olin Park. Decisions, decisions. ... Wanna know who's pinky finger I do care about? New Jersey Devils center Bobby Holik. Since when was it OK for a hockey player to sit out because of an injured finger?

I've got a few heroes in the realms of sports, music, philanthropy, life, etc (belated R.I.P. to one of the greatest).

Mike Vallely, skater, thrash/punk singer and host of a hit-or-miss (sorry Mike V.) TV show called Drive (Fuel TV), is another one of my hereos. Not only is he awesome on the ol' wheelboard and a decent/relatable/generous human being, he's also a big time hockey head. His team? The Ducks! I recommend you not dog him for his loyalty to the Quack Pack, lest you're interested in beat downs. If you're not offended by language and violence, do a YouTube search for Mike Vallely + fight.

Anyway, the Mighty Mike V always has an opinion, and that makes for a fairly good blog. Check out his official Anaheim Ducks blog.

For those who didn't hear, the Rays won 3-1 last night in Game 7 of the ALCS. That is a low scoring ball game keyed by some clutch hits and strong pitching. That doesn't sound like an American League game to me.
Sorry, Robert, but this one was how a baseball game should be won.

-Marcus Out-