Saipan World Series thoughts

Rays or Phillies? While Saipan is thousands of miles away from Tampa Bay/St. Petersberg or Philadelphia, the island’s passion remains baseball. And what better way to celebrate America’s pastime than by picking the brains of local baseball buffs about the 2008 World Series. Let the prognosticating begin!

“Tampa Bay Rays in five games. I go for the underdogs and the team that’s hungrier for the title. It’s their first time to be in the World Series and they have a bunch of young guys who are hungrier for a title and hoping to prove their worth on the team.”

[B]Mike Borja
[I]SLLB incoming president[/B][/I]

“Phillies in seven games. It has something to do with the hunger factor, the Phillies’ last trip to the World Series was in 1993. Plus, the Phillies have plenty of veteran players who are used to tough matches, unlike the Tampa Bay Rays who have a rookie-laden roster.”

[B]Jon Perez[/B] [I]Former Saipan Tribune sports reporter[/I]

“Tampa Bay in a close series. The Phillies are heavily favored in the series having players like Ryan Howard. But I have to give it to the Rays because nobody expected them to go to the World Series as most of their players are young, but they beat the odds and if the pitching and hitting are there, just like what they did against the Red Sox, they have a good chance for their first World Series title.”

[B]Jess Wabol[/B] [I]Little League coach and champion golfer[/I]

“I predict Tampa Bay will defeat Philadelphia in seven games. Why? Because they have the magic. Nobody can explain how magic works, only that it works.”

[B]Bob Coldeen[/B] [I]Baseball book author and KSPN news director[/I]

“I say Phillies in seven, because of their dynamic offense and their balance and the power arms of their bullpen.

[B]Joey dela Cruz[/B] [I]Baseball coach, homerun derby champion[/I]

“Phillies in five. I’ve been a Phillies fan ever since. It’s a great organization with great players. The manager (Charlie Manuel) almost always make good decisions and has great game plans. Defensively and offensively, they are very good.

[B]James Ada[/B] [I]CNMI District Administrator[/I]

“I’ll go for the Devil Rays. My prediction is they will win it in Game 6. There will be no sweep of course. I can predict them to win the series because they have already beaten the two strongest teams including the Red Sox. They have a young pitcher who is good.”

[B]Brian Adelbai [/B] [I]Belau Amateur Softball Association coordinator[/I]

“The Devil Rays will win it in seven games. They’re a young team. It’s their first time to make it to the World Series. They’re the hungrier team.”

[B]Derron Flores[/B] [I]Junior Jets manager[/I]

“Tampa Bay will win it. My prediction is 4-3 for the Devil Rays. They are very young. They beat the Red Sox. That’s it.”

[B]Kim Jae Young[/B] [I]SML strikeout king[/I]

“Tampa Bay will take it in six games. Upton will be the MVP of the series. They are a young team. They have the field advantage. They faced a lot of pressure and they were able to beat the Red Sox. They seem to be fearless.”

[B]Bob O’Connor[/B] [I]O’Conner, Berman, Dutts & Baner Law Firm[/I]

Phillies will have the edge. They will take it in Game 6. I will give Tampa Bay two wins and four for the Phillies. They are a well-rounded team. They have good defense. They are pitching very good and they are playing with a balance lineup. They really have the advantage.”

[B]Vinnie Sablan[/B] [I]Senior Jets manager[/I]