World Series 2009: A Rematch - 59 Years in the Making

It all begins here. Photo by Randy Stern

A lot of us may not know what the term "Whiz Kids" refers to. However, if you're an honest-to-God Philadelphia Phillies fan, you have to - it's part of your history.

The "Whiz Kids" are the 1950 Phils, National League Champions. Before the 1980 World Series, Phillies fans always looked back at that year (and the 1964 Phillies - that almost won the NL) as "the last time" they had any great success. That was until 1980, then 1993 and last year.

Why bring up the "Whiz Kids?" Looking back 59 years ago, the Phils faced the New York Yankees - one of the greatest ball clubs of all time. The Phils looked pretty lucky to win the NL that season, while the Yanks were the dominant paradigm of baseball after World War II. In the end, Joe DiMaggio and Company swept the young Phils in four games. The memories of 1950 still lingered for a long time in and around the City of Brotherly Love.

The defending World Champions are far from the "Whiz Kids" of 1950. And, these Yanks are far from the great Pinstripe dynasties of the late 1930s through the early 1960s. Yet, these two teams, representing their respective leagues, are set for a meeting unlike any World Series held this decade - that is, if you simply set aside the 2004 Curse-killing Boston Red Sox triumph.

Welcome to the Liberty Series! It's a Bell facing off against a Statue - a rematch that waited 59 years to settle!

The problem I have with this match-up is how even these two teams are. One may have an edge over the other team, but that edge is cancelled out for another advantage - and so forth. It is Yankees power against a balanced Phillies attack at bat featuring consistent base hitting, speed and power. It is the Phillies starters and first line bullpen against core Yankees starting pitching. It's Brad Lidge against Mariano Rivera. It's Jimmy Rollins matching up against Derek Jeter - or, Ryan Howard and Mark Teixeira? Or, how about Jayson Werth against Johnny Damon?

I can go on. It's just hard to pinpoint an actual advantage for either team to show a clear winner and the number of games it will take for that winner to be crowned. After all, the Phillies aren't facing a debutant team, such as the Tampa Bay Rays. They've simply met their match in the Yanks.

The key to the Series has to do with how the Phils play in the first games in the Bronx. In turn, it will be how the Yankees play in South Philly. A win in the other's home ballpark may provide a roadmap for the rest of the series. It will be interesting how the Phillies' extra rest will affect their play ay Yankee Stadium against a fresher Pinstripe squad. Believe me when I say this will be a six-to-seven game series - instead of four-game one 59 years ago when these two teams last met for the championship.

On Wednesday evening on FOX, it begins in the Bronx. A new Cathedral sees its first Fall Classic unlike the many series played across the street in the old one. If you love irony, then you must love the pitching match-up between two former teammates: Cliff Lee for the Phillies and C.C. Sabathia for the Yanks. How's that for honoring Eric Wedge's legacy in Cleveland in light of hiring announcement of Manny Acta at the Tribe's helm prior to the start of Game 6 of the ALCS?

History and irony aside - let the Fall Classic begin!