You can take the Devil out of your name, but you can't take the Devil out of baseball.

This is how we're all getting to watch Philadelphia play Tampa Bay in the World Series, which starts sometime this week. Maybe it's today.

I don't have a problem with Philadelphia, a long, proud franchise with devout fans, name players and a throwback stadium.

I'm bummed about Tampa, a team that plays in a concrete blob in front of blue, empty seats, reaching the Series.

And, we were all so close to an amazing Series -- Manny vs. the Red Sox. East Coast vs. Left Coast. A rematch of the 1916 Series, which included Babe Ruth.

Even Philly against the Red Sox would have been entertaining, a rematch of the 1915 Series, which included Babe Ruth.

So close.

But, the Devil got involved and so we have Tampa, a team called the Devil Rays up until this year, playing in its first World Series.

The franchise figured "Devil" kept it from winning, and that looks to be the case. The year Tampa took "Devil" out of its name, it's in the Series.

This is the confusing part of the Series. Was baseball better off with the "Devil" in Tampa? There are more than a few TV executives pondering this very question today, awaiting those overnight ratings from Game 1.

If I tune in, the first thing I'll be looking for is fans in the upper deck at Tropicana Field. The Rays couldn't even attract a crowd until Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. They don't deserve to be in the Series because of their lack of fans.

So, here it is. The Devil is punishing baseball fans, maybe for a list of things like keeping Barry Bonds out of a lineup, or keeping Roger Clemens out of a lineup just for getting a few injections of B-12.

Or is it just about getting run out of Tampa's name?

"I'm not welcome? Well, watch this -- I'll help Tampa get to the World Series!

"A called third strike here, an error there. Yup, Tropicana Field gonna go big time. People will buy World Series tickets for below face value just so the team can fill the upper deck."

That's The Devil at work.

Couldn't Roger and Barry have just ... played for the Yankees for a season so that Tampa could have its first winning season, rather than trip to the Series? The Yankees already play in pinstripes.

Philly and Tampa.

I've got a feeling the Series is going to the Rays, because even without "Devil," they've got The Devil on their side and it's an election year. That's a powerful combo.

Sports Editor Cliff Pfenning: 447-4070 or cliff.pfenning@helenair.com.