Bloggin' Through the Playoffs - VICTORY !!!

Congrats to the Rays Organization, Fans, the Tampa area, etc., etc., on the Rays progressing to the American League Championship Series.

I was just trying to explain to my son Cade the history he was watching tonight. Some people go 10, 20, 30 years, or even more, in a lifetime without having their favorite team get to the Division Championship Series.

Many times, a team will catch fire at the right time and get lightning in a bottle and go all the way. Simply put, it may not happen again next year, or for many years after. Look at Colorado last year. They won 21 games in a row at the end of the season to get in the playoffs. Then, they made their way to the World Series, but ended up losing to the Red Sox. How did the Rockies do this year? They finished 74-88, 10 games out of 1st in the somewhat weak NL West.

I could sit here and say that this Rays team is different, they were flirting for, or in 1st all season. They are built for the long haul. They have the youngsters in the minors ready to continue the tradition. But, the reality is that we just don't know.

What I am trying to say is this... Let's not take this for granted. If your kid says he wants to stay up late to finish watching the game with you, let them! If you have a chance to score tickets to a home playoff, or if all goes well, a world series game, then go. Even if you are sitting on the last row in the nose bleed section... GO !!! If you can't go to the game, get the family on the couch and watch the playoff games in your Rays gear. Support this team and what they have done.

As a brief review of tonight's clinching game, I love Balfour. The guy just wants to throw as hard as he can. Stomping around on the mound, pounding his fist, throwing nothing but heat. BJ was big tonight with 2 homers and his typical great defense. Carlos was on base regularly, Crawford stole 3 bases. Sonnanstine threw great, only giving up 3 hits, 2 of which were solo homers.

Now... on to watch the other ALDS series. Who are you hoping we play? The Red Sox or the Angels? If it's the Red Sox, we get home field advantage. If it's the Angels, they have home field. What do you think, let us know in the comments.

Go Rays!
- Steve