New Jersey Reacts to the Statue of Liberty Bell World Series

If you are anything like me, then the first thing that sprung to your mind upon seeing that this year's World Series would feature the Phillies and Yankees was this:

"How are New Jersey's Minor League teams going to capitalize on this match-up?"

Within 24 hours, that question was answered. And thank goodness, because I had been losing sleep over the matter. 

The Trenton Thunder and Lakewood BlueClaws are jointly staging a "Choose Your Champ" contest, in which they are asking fans to submit World Series predictions (including winner, the number of games, and series MVP). Whomever makes the most accurate prediction will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the 2010 home opener of this year's champion.

This is all explained in more detail HERE, so the only thing that I will add at this juncture is to submit your prediction to chooseyourchamp@trentonthunder.com

So now on to the most important matter at hand: MY prediction.

The Phillies will win in six games, thus becoming the first National League team since the 75-76 Cincinnati Reds to repeat. (Suggested headline: "November Reign")

The World Series MVP will be Cliff Lee, who will allow one run over 17 innings en route to two victories over CC Sabathia (suggested headlines: "Simp-Lee Magnificent", "Lee Stings", "MV-Lee", "Lee Sends Message to Yankee Hitters, CCs it to Sabbathia").

I am done prognosticating, because I am an unabashed Philadelphia fan and it is therefore very Clifficult for me to do this objective-Lee. But I will close with the three most pressing items on the comprehensive "World Series Wish List" that I drafted yesterday evening while in an insomniacal stupor:

1. That fans of BOTH teams dial it down in regards to the angry tone of the trash talk. There seems to be no distinction anymore between passion and boorishness, and I have become disgusted at the level of obscenity that is tolerated (and, for the most part, encouraged) in the stands. Won't somebody think of the children?

2.But speaking of trash talk, here's hoping that the New York Post continues to engage in nonsensical front-page Philly-bashing. Rumor has it that they are going to follow up yesterday's image of Victorino in a cheerleader's outfit with a picture of Ryan Howard in a tutu. 

3. Finally, and most importantly, I hope that this whole "World Series in November" thing never happens again. I often wake up sweating, out of breath and out of sorts, after dreaming that Game 7 of the World Series was played on November 5 in a 30-degree freezing rain. This is followed by the chilling realization that this disturbing vision could easily come true, and I spend the rest of the night pacing back and forth while singing the chorus of "Glory Glory Hallelujah" to calm myself down.

Here's to a memorable World Series, one that we will be telling our grandkids about due to the fact that they had to go to bed well before the games were over. And Go Phillies!

benjamin.hill@mlb.com
twitter.com/bensbiz