Months ago, Cole Hamels went on New York radio and agreed with the host’s assertion that the Mets were “choke artists.” Of course, this got Mets fans whining and crying, much like they did when Jimmy Rollins said “finally, we’re the team to beat” before the 2007 season. Well, after Cole Hamels was shown the back cover of the day’s national edition of the New York Post which read “Cole War,” he tried to calm things down a bit.

“I think it kind of gets out of hand,” he said of all the Phillies-Mets rivalry chatter. “But you know what? If it spurs enough (interest) to where we get a lot more attention when we face each other, that’s fine.”

Hamels did say that he has a lot of respect for the Mets players.

“I don’t want it to be bad blood against their players and us because we respect each other,” he said. “But if it really gets the fans involved, that’s OK.

“I know that I have the Phillies fans on my side and I know I’m never going to have the Mets fans on my side. So it’s not like they’re going to cheer me when I go out there. I guess if it gets more exciting when we play, I think that’s good for baseball. I think that’s what baseball needs. It needs some good rivalries to forget about the other stuff off the field that’s been happening.”

Does he wish he never said anything at all?

“I’ll live with it, and I’ll never regret anything I say because I learn from it,” Hamels said. “It’s a situation where I can try to apologize to players because I don’t want them to be offended by it. I have a lot of respect for all the players on their team. I guess it’s just something to stir the pot. Hopefully it’ll get things going for when we compete during the season.”

He was asked if he’ll talk to the Mets players about all this when he sees them.

“Yeah, most likely,” he said. “And I think they’ll understand. They know. They know the game. We try to play it as best we can. We like to be competitive. But we’re not trying to kill each other out on the field because further down the line we might be playing with these guys. It’s not like it used to be back in the day when players could go at each other because they knew they were never going to see them because they never had the free agency or trades that they do now. I have a lot of respect for them. They’re major leaguers and they play for a big-time franchise and city.”

Who else can’t wait for May 1, when the Phils meet the Mets for the first time this season? I have my popcorn ready.

The Phillies have avoided arbitration with stud ace Cole Hamels and signed him to a three-year $20.5 million contract.

The Phils got some more signin’ to do because Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin are still eligible for arbitration.

Hamels’ deal takes care of his arbitration years and will not cut into his free agent years. He was 14-10 in 2008 with a 3.09 ERA. He had a 1.80 ERA in the playoffs and was World Series and NLCS MVP.

Phillies left-handed setup man J.C. Romero will be suspended 50 games in 2009 for taking an over-the-counter supplement that contained a banned substance. An arbitrator ruled that he was “negligent” in not knowing what was in the supplement. However, MLB and Romero agree that he did not take any performance-enhancing drugs.

“One thing I’m going to say, I’m a man and I’m accountable for my actions,” the Phillies reliever said in an attempt to tell his side to the media before MLB makes an announcement on Tuesday. “If I’m guilty of something, you know what? I will face it. But I’m not guilty, and I’m not letting people that don’t really know me judge me over something and accuse me of something that I didn’t do.”

Romero was a brilliant setup man for the Phils and very important to their championship run. He stands to lose $1.25 million in the suspension.

“If people are intimidated because Major League [Baseball] is a big organization, so be it,” Romero said. “But they are not going to make an example of me thinking that I’m just a [dumb] Puerto Rican. It’s not going to happen. It’s not the way I’m built.

“For me to keep my mouth shut? That’s not the right thing to do. If they want to bump me out of the game, so be it. What am I going to do, just sit back and take it? When I know in my heart I’m innocent? That doesn’t fly well with me and it doesn’t fly well in my house, either.”

Hopefully, Phillies fans enjoyed their World Series victory, because they will have to start their run to repeat without three valuable pieces to the puzzle. Chase Utley will be out several months following hip surgery, and Pat Burrell signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Phillies/Mets rivalry just got better. As if the two teams didn’t hate each other enough, Phillies’ World Series MVP pitcher/God Cole Hamels went on WFAN NY radio on Wednesday and labeled the New York Mets “choke artists.”

Why was he doing an interview with NY sports radio? He was pimping the Phillies World Series DVD that just came out. Mets fans must have been thrilled.

To be fair, people are taking bits and pieces out of context to make it seem worse than it really was. Did he refer to the Mets as choke artists? Yes. Was that term used in the question that was posed to him? Yes again. Should he have stirred the pot? Absolutely not. I am of the firm belief that no good comes from comments like this.

However, it does seem that the more you look into it, the more the Mets royally piss the rest of the league off. They are known as show boaters who go over the top with on-field celebrations. This is a big reason why Phillies players don’t hesitate to take shots at them when all logic says they should just shut up. In other words, the Mets irritate the Phillies and other teams to the point where they just want the world to know how much they hate them.

Hamels even made a reference to his teammate Shane Victorino, who tends to behave like the Mets do as far as celebration.

“I’m hoping I don’t hurt too many people right here with this,” Hamels said. ” … When Jose Reyes hits home runs, he points his finger up like he won the game. And he might have hit in only in the first inning or the third inning. Well, when Shane did it, he did the same exact thing. So we were [saying], ‘Hey, Shane, this doesn’t win the game. We still have a lot of game to play. Ya know, why are you trying to be like Jose Reyes?’

“And so that was kind of where it came from. … Even though you hit the big home run, you don’t need to pimp it. You just need to run around the bases and just kind of get the game started.”

Hamels was then asked by hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno if he thinks the Mets are “choke artists.”

“Last year and this year, I think we did believe that,” said Hamels. “Three years ago, we didn’t, because they smoked everybody. I really thought that was the year they were going to the World Series. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

“That’s kind of what we believe. … I think we’re always going to believe it ’til they prove us wrong.”

The hosts stopped him and asked him to repeat whether or not he thought the Mets were choke artists.

“Yeah,” he replied. “For the past two years, they’ve been choke artists.”

What do you get when a small-market team plays the Philadelphia Phillies in October? You guessed it, the worst-rated, least-watched World Series of all-time.

In the past ten years, the five best-rated World Series are 1999 (16.0), 2004 (15.8), 2001 (15.7), 1998 (14.1), and 2003 (12.8). Other than 2004 which featured the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, there is common denominator (or dominator?)…The New York Yankees.

Baseball just doesn’t spark the interest to the general public like it used to. Maybe the horrible TV schedule has something to do about it?

The 2008 World Series drew an 8.4 rating.

Philadelphia was ready to celebrate their first championship in 25 years on Monday night. The table was set with their ace on the mound and a 3-1 series lead. Then the winds and rains came, suspending not only the game, but a party and celebration only the Philadelphia faithful could host. The snow and sleet arrived on Tuesday giving the fans more time to ponder the curse of William Penn as the game was suspended for one more day. However, a town usually filled with negativity never lost their confidence in their Phillies who were about to bring them what they so desperately needed…to be called winners.

8:37 pm finally arrived on Wednesday. Rally towels that were used in the past to wipe away tears of frustration were about to be used for a different purpose…to wipe away tears of joy. So, what happened Wednesday night?

Jason Werth’s blooping single found a way to avoid Akinori Iwamura’s glove.

The fog was lifted at Soldier Field and Keith Jackson didn’t drop that pass in the end zone.

Eric Lindros kept his head up and avoided Scott Stevens’ concussion-giving hit.

Robert Horry’s last-minute three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals fell short.

Chase Utley didn’t throw to first, but nailed Jason Bartlett at home.

L.J. Smith held onto the ball while being tackled by Randall Gay in Super Bowl XXXIX.

The doctors didn’t find a small blood clot on Kimmo Timonen’s foot and a deflected puck didn’t find Braydon Coburn’s eye.

Eric Snow and Aaron Mckie didn’t have to play on broken ankles during the 2001 NBA Finals.

Ben Zobrist’s line drive found Jason Werth’s glove.

Brian Westbrook played in the 2003 NFC Championship game.

Alexander Perezhogin missed on a devastating hit that could have ended Keith Primeau’s career.

This was announced, “with the 8th pick in the 1998 NBA draft the Philadelphia 76ers select Paul Pierce from Kansas University.”

Blaine Bishop, despite losing a step, tackled Joe Jurevicius.

And the Phillies won the World Series…that’s what happened.

For one night everything that could have gone well…did, and anything that could have gone wrong…did not. For one night the past was forgotten. For one night the sports history of a city was re-written.

The Philadelphia Phillies are world champions and a city that supports their teams through thick and thin will be able to have the celebration they deserve. With the pressure off, and the Phillies to thank, don’t be surprised if the parade on Friday is followed by many more.

For those of you outside the Philadelphia area, the Phillies have one of the most legendary voices calling their games in Harry Kalas. He is a Hall of Famer and here he is closing out last night’s game (that’s Chris Wheeler in the background. He knows his stuff but is kind of a choad):

There are several important questions that have arisen regarding the exciting conclusion to Game 5 of the World Series tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

First of all, will there be a singing of the national anthem? We all know that every sporting event kicks off with “The Star Spangled Banner,” but what about when you start a game in the sixth inning?

A quick Google search didn’t turn up any results. Maybe Patti Labell mangled it enough to last for two nights.

Secondly, will there be a seventh-inning stretch? Do fans that just sat down really need a break?

The answer here is most likely yes, as someone will certainly be singing “God Bless America.” And I hate to say this, but if tonight’s performer sings like the others from this World Series, put some cotton in your ears. I’m sorry, but there must be someone out there who isn’t tone deaf and would be interested in singing on national television.

And the most important question of all? When will they stop beer sales? Typically, it’s in the seventh inning, but Peter Mucha of the Philadelphia Inquirer did some sleuthing (someone should) and found out that booze will be available until the ninth inning.

“Today is considered a new event,” Aramark spokesman David Freireich said.

Amen to that.

Monday night’s rain suspension of Game 5 was an absolute debacle. The Phillies and Rays were playing in absolutely horrific conditions for the better part of three innings before the game was finally called off after the Rays tied it at 2-2 in the top of the 6th.

Coincidence? Or was MLB absolutely shivering at the thought of having a World Series won on a rain-shortened game? We all know it’s the latter.

The game should have been stopped long before the sixth inning. Like…say…how about when a Gold Glove shortstop can’t handle a routine pop up because the wind is throwing the ball around the infield and rain is stabbing his corneas as he looks up and tries to locate the ball? Would that have been a good time to call the game?

But it is what it is. Philly, once again, can’t catch a break in any sport. Call it bad luck, call it unnecessary whining. With Hamels on the mound at home and a 3-1 lead, the city was ready to celebrate. But no, instead, they get a Wednesday night game to try to finish off the final three and half innings.

I’ve broken down several reasons why the Phillies will win this series, and several why the won’t. Let’s take a look:

Why they will win:

-The Phillies have four at-bats to the Rays’ three on Wednesday night. The game starts tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

-The Phillies bullpen has been filthy this season, and matches up better against the pen of the Rays.

-The Phillies have been finding ways to win and have proved to be the better team.

-Regardless of their production in Game 5, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria have been a waste of space for the Rays.

-With the extra day gained by the Game 5 suspension, the Phillies could have Cole Hamels ready on full rest for Game 7 if need be.

-Philadelphia is due.

Why they won’t:

-Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are too good to be this bad in the World Series. Game 5 could be proof that they’ve put their games back together and are ready to light it up.

-If the Rays finish the Phils off in Game 5, they go back to Tampa with James Shields and Matt Garza on the mound.

-David Price could give the big lefties (Utley, Howard) fits on Wednesday night and shut the Phils’ main engine down. Going back to Tampa means anything goes.

-The Rays are too good to go out 4-1 in the World Series.

-The Phillies bullpen is due for a meltdown.

And finally…

-Monday night was their night. By not locking down the win (through no fault of their own necessarily), they have opened the door and given a young, energetic Rays team life and faith that they can win. The Rays will play with a renewed confidence that will only build as they claw back into the Series.

Obama doesn’t think anyone would notice that he supported both teams?

What’s even worse is Palin’s attempt to pander to the local teams. Here are here word-for-word comments on the Rays and Red Sox. She said the SAME EXACT THING to Phillies fans. At least Obama didn’t repeat himself verbatim. Notice in this clip that she checks her notes before telling Rays fans about how they “know how to turn an underdog into a victor.” She is so stupid.

Is Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard the NL MVP? Well, there are several cases for and against him.

First, why he shouldn’t be MVP:

-Howard has 190 K’s and could very well break his own MLB record of 199 strikeouts in a season. MVP’s shouldn’t be breaking strikeout records.

-His defense at first base has gotten progressively worse. It’s clear that Howard has lost more and more confidence as the season has gone on. He struggles to field the ball cleanly and his throws tend to be off the mark.

-His batting average is terrible. He is currently hitting .249 and that’s because he has been on a tear. Meaning…his average has been awful all year.

Why he should be MVP:

-He is the clear MLB (not just NL) leader in RBI’s and HR’s. As of this posting, he has 45 HR’s and 136 RBI’s. Those numbers are dominant and there isn’t anyone terribly close to taking him over.

-Who would be ahead of him? I don’t see anyone close to his power and production numbers. Albert Pujols in St. Louis is hitting .360 with 33 bombs and 101 RBI’s, and yes, those numbers are hard to argue with. Is the high average enough to overcome the disparity in power and runs driven in? Could be.

As for those clamoring for Carlos Delgado…please. He has been incredibly hot as of late, but was so terrible earlier this season that Mets fans were calling for him to be cut. That’s right…cut.

Conclusion:

Howard has the goods to win MVP, but how much do you downgrade him for poor defense, strikeouts and bad batting average? Howard is ripping the cover off the ball right now, but Pujols’ insane .360 avg. and solid power numbers could get him the MVP nod.