Phils-Rays Game 5

The excitement of being on the doorstep of a world championship season is in danger of being overshadowed by a comedy of errors by baseball's hierarchy:

Last night's game should not have been played. The conditions were appalling such that the quality of play was severely compromised and there was significantly heightened risk of player injuries. Early in the game, Joe Buck described a heavy mist while one could clearly see on the TV screen a driving rain. Obviously he has a different conception of "mist" than most.

Baseball is quite unique in that starting pitchers are very fragile. Once they warm up and start pitching, they are pretty much at a point of no return, particularly in cold weather. They cannot survive long delays or suspensions. Now the Phillies' ace and a top starter for the Rays are lost for the series, except for a possible relief role if the series is extended. This alone could taint the outcome of this World Series.

Although it is old news, it is worth mentioning that the use of the DH in some games and not others is absurd. Having two sets of rules in a championship series devalues the competition.

The regular starting time of the games is too late and the Saturday night start at 10 PM was worse. MLB seems to be making every effort to make its showcase event inaccessible to children.

The poor caliber of umpiring has been much discussed. There have been blown calls in virtually every game. However, last night's balls-and-strikes calls by home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg were off the charts. And truth be told, this time around, the Phillies were the prime beneficiaries. Kellogg's bizarre calls, more than Phils' bats, drove Matt Kazmir from the game.

Getting back to actual baseball for a moment. Carlos Pena's single drove in B.J. Upton from second base in the top of the 6th inning to tie last night's game. Upton is one of the few players in baseball who could have scored on the play. The base paths were muddy and slick but Upton runs with such an effortless, loping style, he was able to navigate his way around third without sacrificing much speed and thus was able to beat Pat Burrell's excellent throw.