J.P. Howell
J.P. Howell isn't known for overpowering stuff, but he's made a name for himself as a key member of the Rays bullpen.
More »
Carlos Ruiz
With his walk-off hit in Game 3 of the World Series, Carlos Ruiz added his name to the growing list of celebrated Panamanian ballplayers.
More »
Chad Bradford
Rays reliever Chad Bradford's unorthodox submarine delivery is fitting for a player whose journey to the Majors was anything but typical.
More »
Brett Myers
After being demoted to the Minor Leagues, a rejuvenated and more mature Brett Myers has shown the ability to learn from his mistakes.
More »
Fernando Perez
Most big leaguers appear destined for athletic glory at an early age, but Fernando Perez also showed plenty of academic promise as a youth.
More »
Clay Condrey
Middle reliever Clay Condrey may have taken the road less travelled to the Majors, but he achieved postseason glory with the Phillies.
More »
Rocco Baldelli
Often sidelined but never beaten, Rocco Baldelli has battled back from the brink of retirement to play a key role in the Rays' historic run.
More »
Chris Coste
Longtime Minor Leaguer Chris Coste helped the Phillies act out what turned out to be a storybook ending to their 2008 campaign.
More »
Dioner Navarro
With pain comes perspective for Rays All-Star catcher Dioner Navarro, who draws strength from his family of survivors.
More »
Ryan Madson
Ryan Madson is all business as a shutdown reliever, but old friends say he's still the same fun-loving guy from back in the day.
More »
Andy Sonnanstine
Andy Sonnanstine is a key member of the Rays rotation, but the people of his hometown feel he is ideally suited for an even bigger role.
More »
Jayson Werth
Although he comes from a family of pro ballplayers, Jayson Werth has had to fight to make a name for himself in the big leagues.
More »
Akinori Iwamura
Anything but the typical blue-collar tale, Akinori Iwamura's story is one of great distances traveled and greater blessings appreciated.
More »
Joe Blanton
Phillies right-hander Joe Blanton is battle-tested on and off the diamond after helping his mother overcome breast cancer.
More »
Carl Crawford
The Rays' longest-tenured player is a symbol of perseverance in the Hollywood-style story of the ballclub's ascension.
More »
Pat Burrell
Former Phillies slugger Pat Burrell and Elvis -- his English bulldog -- harbor many fond memories of their time in the City of Brotherly Love.
More »
Joe Maddon
While his fame grows with each passing day, Joe Maddon stayed true to his blue-collar roots on his way to the 2008 World Series.
More »
Charlie Manuel
One of 11 siblings, family man Charlie Manuel lived out his mother's final wish with a victory in the 2008 World Series.
More »
B.J. Upton
Following the footsteps of his atheltic father, "Bossman Junior" Upton lived up to his name during the 2008 postseason.
More »
David Montgomery
Despite all his years of MLB experience, Phillies owner David Montgomery remains tied to his roots as a true fan of the game.
More »
1978 Traces
Phils second baseman Chase Utley is among several 2008 World Series participants born when the disco trend was in high gear.
More »
1979 Traces
Ryan Howard is one of several 2008 postseason heroes who joined the human race in the same year "Alien" was released.
More »
1980 Traces
The Phillies captured their first World Series title in the same year "The Miracle on Ice" transpired at the Lake Placid Winter Games.
More »
1981 Traces
Right-hander James Shields and outfielder Carl Crawford were born in the same year "Pac-Man" became an overnight arcade sensation.
More »
1982 Traces
Phillies reliever J.A. Happ is the lone 2008 World Series participant born in the same year audiences learned to "phone home."
More »
1983 Traces
Young guns Cole Hamels and Matt Garza are among the 2008 World Series figures who made 1983 a "Thriller" of a year.
More »
1984 Traces
Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir and B.J. Upton highlight the blossoming talents who were "Born in the U.S.A." in 1984.
More »
1985 Traces
In the spirit of "Back to the Future," a visit to 1985 reveals the cultural forces at work in the year Evan Longoria was born.
More »
Paul C. Smith
Former MLB.com Rays beat writer Paul Smith was surely smiling down on the 2008 World Series from baseball heaven.
More »
John Marzano
Former Major League catcher, studio analyst and Phillies fan John Marzano is fondly remembered by the MLB.com family.
More »
Matt Garza
The pressure of an ALCS Game 7 start would overwhelm many pitchers, but not 24-year-old Rays righty Matt Garza.
More »
Bill Giles
Phillies chairman Bill Giles inherited the baseball gene from his father, Warren, and is passing it along to his family.
More »
James Shields
"Big Game James" Shields learned to rise to the occasion with an assist from his cousin, Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand.
More »
Cole Hamels
Phillies ace Cole Hamels battled back from a broken left arm on his way to 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player honors.
More »
David Price
The first overall pick in the 2007 Draft, the Rays' David Price has always had the ability to excel on baseball's biggest stage.
More »
Jamie Moyer
Among baseball's true humanitarians, veteran lefty Jamie Moyer empowers youth through his Seattle-based foundation.
More »
Evan Longoria
Five years ago, no D-I college baseball program wanted Evan Longoria; today, he is one of baseball's brightest young stars.
More »
Chase Utley
After choosing college over the pros, late-blooming All-Star Chase Utley has been taking Major League pitchers to school.
More »
Jason Bartlett
Though he was never a highly touted prospect, Jason Bartlett has worked his way into an indispensable role with the Rays.
More »
Ryan Howard
Though he's cemented himself as a big-time big league slugger, the Phillies' Ryan Howard is the smallest man in his immediate family.
More »
Grant Balfour
From Australia to Tampa Bay, fiery Rays setup man Grant Balfour has made an improbable journey to the 2008 postseason.
More »
Harry Kalas
Philadelphia Phillies legend Harry Kalas' Hall of Fame broadcasting talents extend far beyond the baseball diamond.
More »
Don Zimmer
The Rays' Don Zimmer has seen it all as a player, a manager, a coach and an advisor during his 60 years in professional baseball.
More »
Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins' passion for baseball comes from his parents, while his other love, music, was fueled by rap legend MC Hammer.
More »
Dan Wheeler
One of several Rhode Islanders who participated in the 2008 postseason, Dan Wheeler played a big role in Tampa Bay's pennant run.
More »
Matt Stairs
After playing for 11 different teams in his 16-year big league career, Matt Stairs finally won his first World Series championship.
More »
Carlos Pena
While Carlos Pena has made a name for himself with the Rays, he appreciates the dominant dynamics of baseball in the Northeast.
More »
Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge's success in the Majors is helping Notre Dame become known as more than just a football and basketball school.
More »
Scott Kazmir
From an early age, Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir clearly had the stuff to follow in the footsteps of other Texan fireballers.
More »
Shane Victorino
One of only 35 Hawaiians to have played in the bigs, Shane Victorino chose baseball bats over surfboards at an early age.
More »
Stuart Sternberg
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg has helped turn a young underdog franchise into one of Major League Baseball's top forces.
More »
Fightin' Phils
From first-base coach Davey Lopes to the late Tug McGraw, the tightly knit Phillies family has done its part to "Stand Up To Cancer."
More »
Fighting Cancer
Like millions around the world, several members of the Rays have been affected by the struggles and heartaches of cancer.
More »
Sox sock cancer
Pitcher Jon Lester and third baseman Mike Lowell are among Boston's cancer survivors who inspire Red Sox Nation.
More »
True Survivors
Cancer has touched every level of the Dodgers, from Joe Torre to Derek Lowe to ticket operations manager Desiree Sanchez.
More »
Durham Traces
B.J. Upton and James Shields are only now drawing national attention, but they are familiar faces to the fans of the Rays' Triple-A club.
More »
Reading Traces
The Phils' 2008 World Series team was stocked with players who honed their craft while with the organization's Double-A affiliate.
More »
Montgomery Traces
Although the Biscuits haven't been around for long, the Double-A team has created a groundswell of Rays fandom in Alabama.
More »
Lakewood Traces
Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels are among the Phillies who developed their skills at the northeast post of the South Atlantic League.
More »
Hudson Valley Traces
Rookie third baseman Evan Longoria is one of the many talented Rays who wowed the fans during his stop at Class A Hudson Valley.
More »
Rhode Island Traces
The nation's smallest state has delivered some big-time Major League talent like Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli.
More »
Mid-Atlantic Traces
Though the Nats and O's didn't qualify for the 2008 postseason, the Mid-Atlantic region was well represented in October play.
More »
Los Angeles Traces
With year-round sunshine, parks aplenty and a rich baseball history, the Southland is a proven ground for grooming big league talent.
More »
Bay Area Traces
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins headlines a long list of Bay Area natives who shined on baseball's biggest stage in 2008.
More »
Pacific NW Traces
Red Sox players Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie are among a slew of big league stars from the Pacific Northwest.
More »
Arizona Traces
Managers Terry Francona and Joe Maddon are among the 2008 postseason participants who honed their baseball chops in Arizona.
More »
San Diego Traces
America's "Baseball Factory" continues to produce top-flight Major League talent like Phillies ace left-hander Cole Hamels.
More »
Houston Traces
Why did Houston care about October baseball in 2008? Because 14 baseball figures involved in the World Series have ties to the city.
More »
Tampa Bay Rays
The American League champs emerged as lovable underdogs in 2008, garnering support from many Major League players.
More »
Kevin Youkilis
The Red Sox's truest "dirt dog," versatile infielder Kevin Youkilis fits seamlessly into the blue-collar Boston baseball mold.
More »
Theo Epstein
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has stayed true to his roots, successfully living out his childhood dream in his own backyard.
More »
Dustin Pedroia
Making a very good habit of defying the odds, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia speaks loudly and carries a big stick.
More »
Jonathan Papelbon
Baseball is a family affair for Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, whose younger brothers hope to follow in his footsteps.
More »
Tom Werner
A native New Yorker, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner is a son of the game, as his love for baseball was cultivated by his father.
More »
Jacoby Ellsbury
Growing up in Oregon, Jacoby Ellsbury learned a sense of humility and a sense of pride in his Navajo roots from his family.
More »
J.D. Drew
Born in a small town in Georgia, J.D. Drew and brothers Tim and Stephen became the only sibling trio to be drafted in the first round.
More »
Coco Crisp
Growing up with a boxing father and a track-and-field mother, Boston's Coco Crisp was destined for athletic success.
More »
Manny Delcarmen
Boston gave Manny Delcarmen Sr. a life outside of baseball, and it was Boston that would give the younger Manny a life within it.
More »
Nomar Garciaparra
Veteran Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra and his wife, U.S. soccer legend Mia Hamm, form a winning team.
More »
Andre Ethier
More than just an emerging star on the baseball diamond, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier moonlights as a food critic.
More »
Greg Maddux
Las Vegas resident Greg Maddux has many things in common with his older brother Mike other than the game of baseball.
More »
Vin Scully
As the longtime voice of the Dodgers, broadcaster Vin Scully has seen more than his share of historic baseball moments.
More »
Russell Martin
Russell Martin Sr. taught his son more than just the game of baseball while raising the future All-Star catcher in Montreal.
More »
Manny Ramirez
Before Manny Ramirez was "being Manny" in Boston and L.A., he was Manny being a high school baseball phenom in Manhattan.
More »
Joe Torre
L.A. manager Joe Torre grew up in New York rooting against the Yankees and Dodgers while cheering for the Giants.
More »
