Year of the Underdog

In June, a Bulldog started off as an underdog and over the course of 3 weeks became a Wonderdog.  Is it any surprise that a former Bulldog led the Rays to their first World Series appearance, in Bob Gibson like performance.
 
In June we celebrated the longest long shot of all as they worked their way through a gauntlet of nationally ranked teams on their way to their first National Championship, the Fresno State Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs were only allowed in the tournament because they won the WAC season ending tournament.   Then had to overcome early series deficits in what seemed like every series.  To finally reach the Mecca of college baseball, Omaha, Nebraska.  A team that captivated a country with their character, determination, and grit.  Will we ever forget Steve Detweiler and his dislocated thumb?  Of course this was the most personally satisfying underdog story for me, I had waited 23 years for a Bulldog Championship. 
 
As the College World Series was winding down, the Major League season was just getting it’s feet under them.  One of the early surprising stories was the Tampa Bay Rays, taking command of the American League East. That would be the American League East with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.  The best two teams money can buy, well at least most of the time.  The year before, the Rays lost 97 games with a team of young, inexperienced players.  Giant fans please pay attention.  Behind the leadership of Joe Madden, the Rays seemed to have reached the Promised Land.  Then Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett were acquired midseason from the Twins.  The Rays held on and won the American League East Title. Next they beat the Chicago White Sox in Round One of the American League Playoffs.  Up next was the mighty Red Sox, who after falling behind 3 games to 1 and on the brink of extinction pulled off an improbably and precedent setting comeback.  Momentum seemed to have switched in favor of Beantown.  On Saturday night, Josh Beckett led the Red Sox to a win to even the series.  It set up a match of young flamethrowers, Garza vs Jon Lester.  Both pitchers threw well, but in the year of the Wonderdogs, is it any surprise that for seven innings, Garza, the former Fresno State Bulldog, would be almost perfect as the Rays took a 3-1 decision and earned a trip to the World Series.
 

Next stop for the wonder kids from Tampa will be the Philadelphia Phillies.

We hear the term "throwback", "old school" and "gamer" thrown around a lot today in baseball at all levels.  And every once in a while a Dustin Pedroia comes along and we find out exactly what that means.  Pedroia from tiny Woodland in the Sacramento Valley kept the Red Sox hopes alive throughout the series, whether it was with a clutch 2 out, 2 strike RBI single or a home run to get the Sox on the board.  He hasn't forgotten why he plays the game and how to play the game.  Often times our major league megastars seem to forget why they are really out there.  

The San Francisco Giants flame-throwing and Cy Young hopeful was voted the best pitcher in the National League. a fitting award for Lincicum. Is he the favorite for the Cy Young,  we'll discuss that another time.

The 49ers made their first positive move in quite some time, they fired Coach Nolan and put Mike Singletary in his place.  Not much he can really get going different this week for the Seattle game.  But with the bye week following the Seattle game, we ought to see a little better what Singletary has planned for the 49ers.

The Raiders tried to give the game to New York, but despite having Mr. Favre behind center, they were unable to take advantage of it and the Raiders returned to the win column.  No.1 draft pick Janikowski drilled a franchise recored 57 yd field goal for the an overtime win.  

Wednesday night, baseball hits the final stretch on a long season.  Philadelphia travels to Tampa Bay for game one of the 2008 World Series.