Yes, yes, the Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Series winners. Sure, there must be excitement in Philadelphia. But, I want to talk about that other team; the team that was the worst team in America last year. I want to talk about the fairytale team who defied all of the odds of baseball. The Tampa Bay (No Longer the Devil) Rays.

Who would have ever thought that the Tampa Bay Rays would be in the World Series? I know I certainly didn’t. I was banking on a Tigers-Cubs match up (Along with most other baseball fans). Once again, baseball proved me wrong. I had no idea that a team led by Joe Maddon and the young veterans of the Tampa Bay Rays, like Carl Crawford and James Shields, would lead a group of youthful peers to the World Series. It truly shows me that you don’t need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a payroll to make a World Series appearance. This Major League Baseball season showed that the hardest working teams, like the Rays, reap the rewards.

What really went through my mind when I saw the Rays battle in the World Series and challenge for number one was the similarities between the Rays and the Boston Celtics. Yes, Celtics fans, you, like Tampa Bay Rays fans, went through the pain and suffering of supporting absolutely terrible teams. In recent years, watching either of these teams has been like watching a rated R movie; there have been many cringe-worthy moments when you just have to shield your eyes.

As you know, it all came together for both the Celtics and Rays in their most recent season. The Boston Celtics, with their “Big Three,” were able to successfully dominate the NBA and win the World Championship. The Tampa Bay Rays were able to make it to the World Series. Although the Rays did not win the World Series, both the Boston Celtics and the Tampa Bay Rays went from rock bottom to the top in the matter of one season.

After the Rays remarkable success, I believe that their season put a new perspective on sports. The question all major league teams, players, and fans in all sports should be asking is “If the Rays can make it to the World Series on a small payroll, then why not us?” A simple question like that can provoke new energy and drive into teams, players and fans. Maybe even the New York Yankees can learn from the Rays’ blueprint. Maybe if the Yankees looked at the Rays and what they have accomplished, they would stop behaving like Vegas gamblers chasing their losses.

I can certainly say now that the Tampa Bay Rays have revolutionized the belief that turning a team around takes time. All teams from all sports have been given new life. There is now fresh hope, even in Kansas City.