Touch 'Em All: Rays can erase 1964 memories

Here's a compelling reason for Phillies fans to root for Tampa Bay to catch Boston in the AL wild-card race. If the Rays accomplish the feat, they can soothe a bitter memory, a little.

The Rays were nine games back of the Red Sox heading into play on Sept. 4. No major-league team has overcome a nine-game deficit in September to claim a postseason berth.

The closest was the St. Louis Cardinals, who trailed the Phils by 81/2 games on Sept. 3, 1964, made up the ground, and went on to win the World Series, a Phils collapse that Touch 'Em All eminence grise Don McKee can recite by rote. (We'd have him do it, but we hate to see an eminence grise cry.)

The 1995 California Angels blew the largest September lead to miss out on the playoffs - 71/2 games, says STATS LLC.

Adding to Phillies fans' fun: On Sept. 6, Atlanta was also up 81/2 games for the NL wild card. But a Braves fold would benefit, ulp, the Cardinals.

Meanwhile, if the Rays and the Red Sox tie, Tampa Bay would host the playoff game on Thursday. But if the Angels (now of Los Angeles via Anaheim) also tie, the Rays have elected to play one road game instead of a home two, with the Red Sox hosting the Halos on Thursday, and that winner hosting the Rays on Friday. Got it?

Rays skipper Joe Maddon has it right: "Let's just go out and play, and see what happens."

That other Florida team is facing some changes. The best is renaming the team the Miami Marlins (more mellifluous and a restoration of the historic name used by several teams who played there).

They also get a new retractable-roof ballpark, leaving the cavernous football stadium they've endured since 1993, famed for its rain delays and empty orange seats .

"If I was to say I'm sorry to see it go, I'd be lying - big time," said the man known as Mr. Marlin, Jeff Conine.

The Fish will also have a new manager, as 80-year-old Jack McKeon is stepping down after three months at the helm.

But he's already talking comeback, taking aim at Connie Mack, who managed the Philadelphia A's until he was 87.

"I'll still be on call," McKeon said. "That would be the big motivation - to beat Connie."

McKeon's replacement may be our fave Ozzie Guillen, who was released from his contract by the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Let's hope!