2008 NLCS Game 1: LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies
Posted by SBG on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
As a kid, the Phillies and Dodgers were two of the best teams in baseball year after year. The Phillies won the NL East in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1983. They won the NL Pennant in 1980 and 1983 and the World Championship in 1980. Meanwhile, the Dodgers won the NL West in 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1983, the National League in 1974, 1977, 1978 and 1981 and the World Series in 1977, 1978 and 1981. So, the Phillies and Dodgers faced each other in the NLCS four times in seven years and at least one of those two teams was in the playoffs seven times in ten years.
As far as I knew, these teams were winners. Little did I know that they were not always considered winners. In fact, both of the teams had reputations as losers.
The Phillies were formed and joined the National League in 1883. Prior to their 1980 NL Pennant, they had won the pennant just twice, in 1915 and 1950. They were 3-17 in the post season games prior to their World Championship season. From 1918 through 1948, the Phillies had just one, one! winning season. In 31 seasons, they had one winning season! Of course, the Phillies were the first (and still only) team to reach 10,000 losses. Plus, they had a huge collapse in 1964, blowing a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play with a 10 game losing streak. Throw in a 1993 World Series heartbreak and it's clear that on balance, being a Phillies fan has been tough. This year is the first time in 15 years that the Phillies have won a playoff game, much less a series.
The Dodgers have never been that bad but for more than a half century, they were the third most successful team in New York. From 1901 through 1940, the Brooklyn Dodgers won a grand total of two pennants and no championships. From 1941-1953, the Dodgers won five more pennants, but each time lost the World Series to their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. However, in 1955, the Dodgers finally beat the Yankees (they lost again the next year). After moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers have won 5 more World Titles, but since their last, improbable World Series win ("I do not believe what I just saw!"), the post season has been not so kind to the Dodgers. This year is the first time that they've won a playoff series in 20 years.
So, we have a fifth ALCS between these two clubs and the first in a generation. I think the Phillies are the better team. I don't have any sort of rooting interest here. I am just hoping for a good series.
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I agree with ya.
Also, these games are on FOX, while the ALCS is on TBS
As a kid, the Phillies and Dodgers were two of the best teams in baseball year after year.
As if I didn't feel old enough. I was in college and law school in those years!
Back when I was a kid, they used to have one of the home team broadcasters join the national crew to broadcast the World Series. The FOX intro just reminded me that if they teamed the local broadcasters for this game, we'd get Harry Calas and Vin Scully. Instead, we get Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Sigh.
McCarver sounded a little hoarse. Could we possibly be lucky enough to have him lose his voice tonight? A person can dream.
I don't have time to pay attention as much as I'd like, but I hadn't realized that Larry Bowa was a coach for the Dodgers. Have they been playing up the Bowa returns to Philadelphia angle?
I havent heard too much about this on ESPN
There is no way I would have intentionally walked Ramirez in the top of the first inning.
Manny being Manny. That was a looong double.
Dodgers score one on doubles by Ethier and Ramirez, but also miss a chance to get a bunch by leaving the bases loaded. 1-0 after 0.5 innings.
Harry Calas announced the Phils line-up for FOX. Now that is an announcer's voice.
See above.
Oops. I meant to put it under your comment.
Only a two-out single for the Phils in the first. 1-0 after 1.
Perfect second for Hamels. 1-0 after 1.5.
Gosh, Manny Rameriz is carring the Dodgers. Why even pitch to him.
How long has Harvey Keitel been the Dodger catcher?
I assume I didn't miss much. Still 1-0 after three.
Buck: Batting in the pitcher's spot will be Derek Lowe.
Kemp hits a ground-rule double and scores on two productive outs. 2-0 Dodgers after 3.5.
DeWitt with a sac fly.
Doing the little things (tm)
Dodgers Baseball?
Still 2-0 at the half-way point.
I have to say that, so far, Buck and McCarver have not been as annoying as they might have been. That's not to say I've enjoyed them, but they could be and have been worse than tonight.
Phils threaten, but don't score in the 5th. Still 2-0.
the pitcher get a hit, but Jimmy Rollins could not get them in
man, just think how awesome it would be to have Jimmy Rollins play in a Twins uniform. There is probably no way that happens, but cant a man dream?
I think I would vote for any politician of any party who made it part of his platform not to advertise during televised sports events.
uggg. I hate that!
Utley's two-run homer ties the game.
Pat the Bat puts the Phillies in front 3-2.
Chase Utley is good at baseball
the wind has switched from 'blowing in' to 'blowing out'
Chan Ho Park is still in baseball? whoa
I was surprised at that, too.
8k's for Cole Hammels
Rollins looked safe at 1st on that DP.
Last chance for the Dodgers. Still 3-2 after 8.
I wonder how many times Fox will meantion brad lidge and his playoff moments (mostly giving up 896 foot home runs)
The totals on the board are correct. Philadelphia 3, Los Angeles 2. Philadelphia leads the series 1-0.