It was one game.
And it was a first.
The opening game of the divisional series between the Tampa Bay Devil*Rays and the Chicago White Sox turned into the Rays' first-ever playoff win.
The Rays used the regular season formula of solid pitching, sound defense and timely hitting to down the White Sox 6-4 at sold-out Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
The team continued its penchant for overlooking its lack of experience and poise in big games. As they have so frequently during the regular season, the team played with poise, professionalism and toughness.
Evan Longoria personified the Rays ability to deliver on potential by swatting homers in his first two playoff at-bats, in the process drawing comparisons to Alex Rodriguez's relative inability to deliver big at the plate during post-season. Ouch, if you're Rodriguez.
Naturally there's no guarantee of continued playoff success this season. The Rays could lose their next three in a row and settle for one win in the playoffs. But a win is a win, and this one's history.
Here's to an even more glorious team history in 2008.
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