The deal for Smoltz, who has played the last two decades for the Atlanta Braves, is reportedly worth at least $5.5 million. Smoltz is coming off of shoulder surgery but the contract could give him as much as $10 million more in bonuses. For the Red Sox, Smoltz could be useful both in the bullpen or as a starter once he returns to the field — which is expected to be in May.

Baldelli is an interesting story. About this time last season, there were worries that his career could be over due to a mitochondrial disorder. He was able to fight his way back to the field and had a decent season last year with the Rays. This offseason, additional tests showed that Baldelli didn’t have a mitochondrial disorder and instead had channelopathy — a less severe illness. Considering that the mitochondrial disorder was thought to be life threatening, this new diagnosis was a big relief for Baldelli.

In Beantown, Baldelli would likely begin the year as the team’s fourth outfielder. But if he could once again reach the vast potential that made him one of the most sought after baseball prospects a few years ago, he could go down as one of the best free agents signings of this offseason.

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Philadelphia hadn’t seen a champion since the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers. The wait can now end as the Philadelphia Phillies captured the 2008 World Series by beating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

This wacky Game 5 had actually started on Monday night. But after bad weather suspended the game until Tuesday and then suspended it again until Wednesday, the two teams were finally able to get back on the field.

With the score tied at 2-2 as the game started, the Phillies struck first in the 6th. Geoff Jenkins doubled and then scored on a Jayson Werth single. Tampa Bay struck right back when Rocco Baldelli hit a solo shot to tie the game a three apiece.

The go ahead run was scored in the 7th inning by the Phillies. Pat Burrell hit a double off the wall and then scored on a Pedro Feliz hit to make the score 4-3. No team would score another run as Brad Lidge saved the game and win the World Series for the Phillies. Lidge, it should be noted, ended the season 48-for-48 in save opportunities.

Cole Hamels was named the MVP of the 2008 World Series as the city of Philadelphia finally felt the championship glory once again.

Phillies fans weren’t bashful in their celebration of the 2008 World Series championship.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

The Phillies did it!

What does it feel like to be a World Series champion? Ask the Philadelphia Phillies, who on Wednesday took home the 2008 World Series title. These Phillies are now the champions of baseball for the year of 2008 and no one can take that away from them.

Ryan Howard has now established himself in history.

You can see Phillies World Series celebration videos here:

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

In the video, it is difficult to see what the Red Sox fans did to get tasered. We’ll assume that it was a justified tasering and not just a Tampa Bay Rays officer showing which team he roots for.

On the field, the Rays tasered the Red Sox by a final score of 9-1 to go up two games to one in the best of seven series. The Rays were led by their four players who hit home runs: BJ Upton, Evan Longoria, Rocco Baldelli and Carlos Pena. Matt Garza was very solid on the mound, giving up only one earned run in six innings while striking out five batters.

Here is the Red Sox fans tasered video:

Post from: Knuckle Curve