Every opinion I’ve read on the subject of the 2009 World Series says it should be one for the ages. Most have said that the Yankees have the edge, if for no other reason than the home field advantage (thanks to Bud Selig’s hair-brained idea of using the All-Star game to determine it–if he’d left well enough alone, the Phillies would have it this year) and the supposed invincibility of Mariano Rivera. But not only were the Phils the best road team in baseball this year, but I’ve long thought that Rivera’s dominance was at least partially explained by batters letting themselves be convinced of it. These Phillies, however, are not intimidated by any pitcher. So just to be contrarian (along with Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated, the only one of their panel of experts to pick the National League champs), I’m going to go with Philadelphia in seven. However, given my track record this year (Mets as wild card? Cubs winning World Series??), I wouldn’t bet on that.
October 28, 2009
October 29, 2009 at 8:15 am
one down…. as St. Paul says, “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy….” I don’t think Paul would have liked the Yankee’s either…
October 29, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I’m a long-time lurker here, but had to de-lurk just to say that my favorite part about last night’s game was the resounding silence in Yankee Stadium after the last out was recorded (says she whose beloved Angels had their WS hopes dashed by the Yankees)
October 29, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Rev. Kim: Thanks for de-lurking! I’m glad you’ve been here. I agree with you about the silence at the end–deafening! I am sorry about your Angels. I was rooting for them, as well.
By the way, I went by your blog, and I have to tell you that I was delighted to see you’re in Wyoming. My wife and I have talked about the possibility of retiring to Wyoming one of these days, and when we’re in Denver for next summer’s EPC GA we’re going to slip up over the border to have a look around. (The whole idea started because of a dream I had several years ago in which the Lord told us that we were supposed to move to Laramie. Really.) Any suggestions?
October 29, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Have you checked the weather in Laramie this week?
October 29, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Yep–it sounds great to me!
October 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm
David: Wyoming is a great place to retire! I’ve only been here four years, but I’m hooked. I don’t want to live anywhere else. We (I’m Rev Dave’s other half) live in the southwest corner of the state, about 120 miles from Salt Lake. We’re at 7,000 ft. elev at the foot of the Uinta Mountains, and there’s also lots of ranch land and sagebrush. Deer & moose wander through occasionally.
Laramie is a great town. In case you didn’t know, it’s the home of the Univ. of Wyoming, our only state university. Great Mexican food is to be found there, as well as cajun! Other cities I’d encourage you to investigate – Sheridan – it’s at the foot of the Big Horn mountains), and Cody – about an hour from the east gate of Yellowstone, and also the home of the Buffalo Bill Cody museum (which is very well done). Great towns both, with a Western atmosphere to them. There’s also Jackson, but the adage is that in Jackson, the billionaires are driving out the millionaires. We love to visit because of its proximity to Grand Teton & Yellowstone, but we could never live there! Over the Teton pass, just over the Idaho border are a few smaller towns that seem nice. There’s also an area near Jackson called Star Valley – several small towns are clustered together through the valley – that’s nice, and a couple of my parishioners have built a cabin and are retiring there. Casper is our largest city at about 50,000, but centrally located in the state.
As you can tell, I love talking about Wyoming, so if you have any questions please ask us. If you come to visit and you’d like us to connect you with locals to show you around, just let us know!
November 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Yankees in 5. ;-p
November 3, 2009 at 3:38 pm
So the series is at 3-2 Yankees-Phils, our ongoing prophecy score is John E, 0, Reformed Pastor, undecided. John , please report yourself to the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities for your punishment.
November 3, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Booga, booga, John. There was no way that the Yankees were going to win last night, with Burnett on short rest (for the first time in his career, I think) and prone to wildness anyway. Lee, meanwhile, was on regular rest. Wednesday should be interesting–Pedro will be on regular rest, but hasn’t actually pitched on that little time off since September, while Andy P. will be on short rest for the first time in several years. I’m sticking with my original prediction, though I haven’t a clue who the Phils can throw at this point on Thursday. Maybe they’ll go with John Smoltz’ idea, and use their whole staff, with no one going more than two innings, so as to keep the Yankees from getting more than one look at anyone.
November 4, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Hope springs eternal.
November 5, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Yankees in six! Whoooo!
November 5, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Oh, blow it out yer ear!
October 27, 2010 at 5:30 pm
[...] in four over the Rockies). In 2008, I picked the Rays in 6 (they lost in five to the Phillies). In 2009, I picked the Phillies in 7 (they lost in six to the Yankees). That means if you’re a betting [...]