Rays rewarded for staying the course MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 388 days 4 hrs 56 mins

Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton are among a core group of players Tampa Bay refused to trade. The payoff now is obvious.

Rays can't grasp losing the World Series MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 389 days 56 mins

A superb team that believed its way from worst to first place in the American League must wait until next year.

World Series postponed again MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 390 days 12 hrs 56 mins

Game 5 of the World Series won't resume until at least Wednesday night as bad weather grips Philadelphia.

Weather wreaks havoc on World Series MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 391 days 56 mins

Game 5 is suspended with the score tied in the sixth inning, enabling the Rays to survive for another day.

Slumping Rays must try to survive against Hamels MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 391 days 23 hrs 56 mins

Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria aren't hitting, and they next face a lefty who could be the first pitcher to win five starts in the same postseason.

Kazmir tries to eliminate telegraphing move MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 392 days 3 hrs 56 mins

In Game 5, Rays' left-hander will attempt to stop Phillies' baserunners, who took advantage of his pattern in Game 1.

World Series is turning on the tiniest events MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 392 days 10 hrs 56 mins

Think, don't blink, is the mantra for the closely matched Phillies and Rays heading into a bleary-eyed Game 4.

Phillies win on rolling thunder MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 392 days 20 hrs 56 mins

A dribbler by Carlos Ruiz scored Eric Bruntlett in the ninth inning, pushing the Phillies past the Rays 5-4 in Game 3 of the World Series.

Can ageless Moyer turn it around? MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 394 days 4 hrs 56 mins

It's hard not to root for Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, 45. But can he shake off his postseason rust?

Baldelli grinds through a ballgame to remember MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 394 days 23 hrs 56 mins

Rays outfielder doesn't let his rare neuromuscular disease keep him from playing a key role in Game 2 World Series victory.

Maddon brings "Thankmas" to Florida homeless MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 395 days 6 hrs 56 mins

Rays manager spends time during the holidays preparing and serving meals at several shelters, including one near Tropicana Field.

The Phillies are off and running MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 395 days 23 hrs 56 mins

They open the World Series with a win over the Rays by running the bases aggressively to complement exceptional pitching.

The lighter side of the World Series matchup MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 396 days 11 hrs 56 mins

From mottos and mascots to team history and heartbreaks, the Phillies and Rays are compared in the categories that matter most.

A hardball World Series worth following MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 397 days 5 hrs 56 mins

OK, so it's not the Cubs and Red Sox. But the Rays and Phillies are unapologetic, and offer plenty of reasons to tune in and log on.

Phillies venture into fowl territory MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 398 days 1 hrs 56 mins

National League champions visit Tropicana Field for the first time for a workout and are greeted by rubber ducks in their lockers.

The top prizes of '08 MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 399 days 6 hrs 56 mins

In a bottom-heavy free-agent class, Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira are the three biggest catches.

Bonds could cash in if collusion is proven MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 401 days 2 hrs 56 mins

Barry Bonds couldn't find a job even at the league minimum, and that could mean $100 million if an arbitrator finds owners colluded to end his career.

Hamels and Co. all business for Phillies MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 402 days 23 hrs 56 mins

The Phillies' offense was never in question, but it was pitching that propelled them to the World Series.

Dodgers' Billingsley must face two lineups MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 404 days 5 hrs 56 mins

Pitcher who failed to retaliate in Game 2 has to win back his teammates as well as beat the Phillies.

Torre's bad timing backfires on Dodgers MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 404 days 22 hrs 56 mins

Joe Torre went against his usual handling of Derek Lowe and pulled him in the fifth – and the Dodgers paid for it.

Dodgers fight back with brushback MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 405 days 23 hrs 56 mins

The Phillies knocked the Dodgers around the plate in the first two games of the NLCS. L.A. got revenge in Game 3.

Manuel dealing with success coupled with loss MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 406 days 6 hrs 56 mins

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel says he's right where his recently lost mother would want him: in the dugout.

Dodgers welcome change of scenery MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 407 days 4 hrs 56 mins

The Dodgers, full of potential but struggling in the NLCS, are still waiting for the series to begin for real.

Dodgers' hopes rest with Manny MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 408 days 3 hrs 52 mins

Two games – and two losses – in the NLCS indicate that the Dodgers aren't ready for prime time without Manny Ramirez.

Phillies' patience pays off MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 408 days 23 hrs 56 mins

The Phillies waited for Derek Lowe to slip, and when an opportunity finally arrived, they pounced.

Philadelphia has a lot riding on this MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 410 days 5 hrs 56 mins

A city that rarely celebrates a championship is solidly behind its Phillies – for now, anyway.

Furcal is Dodgers' return man MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 412 days 1 hrs 56 mins

Injury-plagued shortstop Rafael Furcal returned to the lineup just in time for the playoffs, and he's made a difference.

Dodgers had their own drought to end MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 413 days 22 hrs 56 mins

Twenty years might not compare to the Cubs' 100, but advancing to the NLCS is a big step for L.A.

Red Sox aim to be last men standing MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 414 days 21 hrs 56 mins

The Angels have the better record, but the Red Sox don't yield against their October rivals.

Lowell not in Red Sox Game 2 lineup MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 415 days 7 hrs 52 mins

Third baseman Mike Lowell's sore hip keeps him out of the starting lineup. Kevin Youkilis moves to third and Mark Kotsay will be at first.

Angels struggle to find postseason answers MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 416 days 56 mins

Though the Angels might have plenty of dawg, the Red Sox always manage to steal the show.

Same old story in Anaheim MLB

Source: Tim Brown. 416 days 22 hrs 52 mins

The Angels are a different team than the one that has struggled in recent postseasons, but they still are just not hitting.

Tim Brown Columns / 10-2008