A place to follow the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Midwest League, Minor League baseball, Major League Baseball, and everything in between in that order.
10/30/2008
It's Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Phillies won Game Five 4-3 to win the 2008 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays.
That picture above is Brad Lidge striking out Menasha, Wisconsin native Eric Hinske for the final out.
Ex-Rattler Greg Dobbs did not play in the game last night, but he gets a World Series ring. Not sure about Tom Gordon, a former Appleton Fox from the days of being a Kansas City Royal affiliate, since he was on the DL, but I'm guessing that he'll get one, too.
Let's start getting ready for '09 right now.
10/29/2008
Meet Roudha

No. Do not bow. Camel God Roudha does not need such praise. I have heard your cries and I have done what I can to give dry weather to the city of Philadelphia tonight so that Game Five of the 2008 World Series may be concluded. Enjoy.
In the name of me, Bud Selig has caught a lot of dung over the last few days...Well, more than usual. Before you jump on that bandwagon, why not check out these two posts.
First, here is Winks over at The Bucky Channel: A Passionate Plea in Support of Bud Selig
Look, this is a circumstance that has never happened before in baseball's history. No World Series game has ever been suspended for a day, much less for two days. But that's what happened this season, and instead of going back to Tampa tonight for a Game Six, we're going to play 2 1/2 innings (at least) of baseball in Philly.Camel God Roudha's only quibble would be that there are 3-1/2 innings remaining instead of 2-1/2, but Roudha is forgiving of other errors. Not everyone can be an omnisc...omnicen...all-seeing and all-knowing Camel God.
It's the decision that was made, but it's still unacceptable to many. And why is that, exactly?
Because Bud Selig made the call.
No matter what the decision, people always find a way to criticize the moves Bud Selig is making. The guy just never seems to get a break. I say that he could very well be the best commissioner of a major American sport. Maybe not, but it certainly is up for debate. Yet, everyone just loves to come down on the guy.
Next, the oddly named radio silence at The Junkball blues with Second-Guessing Selig
I'm watching national analysts tear apart Selig -- it seems like one supports Selig for every five that second guess him -- and it's occurred to me: why is this such a huge issue?First off, more baseball is never a bad thing, and that's a fact -- the weather was bad in Philadelphia, and that forces the first suspended game in the history of the World Series (due to rain). That's way cool. Now we have an historical opportunity to watch the final 3 innings on a separate night, and the game will be finished.
Secondly, for all the trouble Selig is getting for allowing the game to go into the sixth inning, why isn't he getting more credit for an absolutely correct judgment: that no World Series game will end this way, that he would not have officially called the game after 4.5, even with the Phillies leading, and that "this is no way to end a World Series."
Say what you will about other Selig blunders, even the decision to let the game go later, but I think Selig actually upheld the integrity of the game by "skirting" the rules -- that is, I believe he got the spirit of the game correct, even if he didn't completely go by the letter.
Camel God Roudha could not have said this any better.
Roudha out.
10/28/2008
This World Series is cursed

Hey. I'm Brick, the Bad Weather Hating Bactrian. Mehring imagined....er, asked me to blog a few times early this season when is snowed in April.
I hate everything. Puppies, laughter of children, balloons, that person who takes 11 items through the 10 items or less checkout line. Yep, contempt and dislike for them all. But, I mostly hate bad weather. Like the stuff that is going on in Philadelphia right now.
Game Four was suspended after 5-1/2 innings with the Phillies and Rays tied 2-2. If the Phillies win the final 3-1/2 innings they are World Series Champions. If the Rays win the last 3-1/2 innings, there is a Game Six in Tampa tomorrow. Good thing they started that game at "8:00"pm in the East last night. Incorrect start times? Yep, I hate those, too.
Why would they suspend a World Series game?
Yeah. Seemed like the thing to do. Credit? Whatever. Photo swiped from Philly.com and Steven M. Falk.So, what does the forecast look like for tonight in Philly?
8pm Showers / Wind 40°F 29°F 50% 32°F 73% From WNW 25 mphOh, that seems promising. If the weather doesn't break, maybe they should move the last 3-1/2 innings to Miller Park.
9pm Showers / Wind 40°F 30°F 40% 32°F 73% From W 24 mph
10pm Few Showers / Wind 40°F 30°F 30% 31°F 70% From W 23 mph
11pm Few Showers / Wind 40°F 30°F 30% 31°F 70% From W 22 mph
10/27/2008
2008 World Series Game Four
PHI 10
Box score
Phillies lead the series 3-1. Game Five tonight at "7:00"pm CDT.
Highlighted Fox Cities Player:
Eric Hinske: The graduate of Menasha High School hit a home run for the Rays as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning. At the time, that made the score 5-2.

Photo Credit: James Borchuck/St. Petersburg Times
10/26/2008
Ex-Rattlers in the World Series
Box scoreEx-Rattler for the Phillies:
Greg Dobbs ('02): 0-for-0; Walked intentionally as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth.
Photo Credit: Philly.com/Dave Maialetti
Game Four is tonight with a pair of ex-Midwest League pitchers facing each other.
TB: Andy Sonnanstine (Southwest Michigan, '05)
PHI: Joe Blanton (Kane County, '03)
"7:00pm" CDT
10/24/2008
2008 World Series Game Two
Box score
Ex-Rattler for the Phillies:
Greg Dobbs ('02): 1-for-3, 2K
Highlighted Midwest League Alum:
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel played for the Wisconsin Rapids Twins in 1967. He hit .313 in 111 games with 15 homers and 70 RBI.
Also, Manuel was the manager of the WR Twins in 1983, the final year there was a Midwest League team at Witter Field. That year's team went 71-67.
Game Three is Saturday night in Philadelphia.
10/23/2008
Meanwhile, in Tampa
Philadelphia 3 @ Tampa Bay 2
Box score
Highlighted ex-Midwest Leaguer:
Phillie closer Brad Lidge (Quad Cities, '98): IP, 0H, 0R, 2K, Save
Game Two is tonight:
PHI: Brett Meyers
TB: James Shields
"7:00pm" CDT
