YOU can understand why many precincts in Queens will ignore a World Series between the Phillies and Yankees, and why a sizeable amount of Indians fans might not want to indulge in a Game 1 featuring their last two aces, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia.
But the rest of you, America, this is your World Series:
1. Because Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez will be playing anything you can do, I can hit farther. They have been voted most likely to be pitched around in the Fall Classic.
Their October stats are Little League outrageous, and now they have the biggest stage in small parks. It could be two-city Home Run Derby.
2. Because — forgive me, Cleveland — the last two AL Cy Young winners are better than ever. Lee is 2-0 with a 0.74 ERA in the playoffs. Sabathia was so good he won the ALCS MVP over A-Rod.
In the playoffs, he is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA. He is going all Bob Gibson on us, having started on three days’ rest once in the ALCS with the potential of doing it twice more if the Series goes the distance.
3. Because Jimmy Rollins vs. Derek Jeter could have some juice. In case you have forgotten, Rollins kind of humiliated Jeter with vastly superior range for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic last spring.
The general consensus was that Rollins — not Jeter — deserved the bulk of the playing time. But the real “World” Series begins now, and we will see how two pretty self-assured players handle this showdown.
4. Because the only Mariano Rivera who ever lived is performing live in the ninth inning. Hey, we assume he will go on forever, but like Springsteen it is always wise to see Rivera’s latest tour because who knows.
How great is Rivera in the playoffs? He gave up a run in ALCS Game 6 and his postseason ERA rose all the way to 0.77. He hasn’t given up a postseason extra-base hit in his last 24 1/3 innings, dating to 2004 ALCS Game 2 when Manny Ramirez doubled in the ninth. He hasn’t given up a postseason homer since Jay Payton in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series. That is nine years, 68 1/3 innings, 258 batters and 942 pitches ago. Really, see this concert.
5. Because Brad Lidge is a don’t-miss thrill ride. He never blew a save last year and the Phillies won it all. He led the majors in blown saves (11) this year.
Now Lidge and Rivera are the only two of eight postseason closers who have not blown a save this October. Figuring out who Lidge is promises to be the best game show on TV.
6. Because when it is Pedro Martinez vs. the Yankees, turn the phone off. The great stuff is gone for Pedro, but not the showmanship. He will not be tossing Don Zimmer, but Jorge Posada is still around to be threatened and Jeter to be hit.
Pedro has enjoyed a second wind as a Phillie and will attack the Yankees with savvy, competitiveness, and adding and subtracting with more pedestrian stuff.
7. Because the defending champs are Semper Fi tough. Mystique? Aura? The Phillies come from their own small park in a tough Northeastern city. Or let’s put it this way, Chase Utley’s team backs down to no one.
8. Because Chip Carey and 28 inferior teams have been put away for winter. The best two teams will decide a champion.
9. Because who wants to miss a pie party? These teams can do the late show. The Yanks’ dramatic flair made A.J. Burnett more famous for getting whip cream-y than pitching, and as Huston Street and Jonathan Broxton can attest, the Phillies have some Freddie Krueger in them. Better make sure they are all the way dead.
10. Because it is Broad Street vs. Broadway. Maybe this doesn’t have Phils-Mets or Yanks-Red Sox . . . yet. But get back to me in seven games.
These teams engaged in a pretty darn intriguing three-game series in May. Let’s see what October/November with a parade at stake add to the rivalry.