Darek Braunecker didn’t place his right hand on a bible and take an oath, but he spoke clearly and sincerely. “We’re not going to be making an announcement during the fourth game of the World Series,” he said.

It was exactly one year ago, during the fourth game of the World Series, that Scott Boras or one of his aides leaked word that Boras client Alex Rodriguez was opting out of his contract with the Yankees. That unpopular episode was what Braunecker alluded to with his recent remark.

Braunecker is the agent for A.J. Burnett, the enigmatic Toronto pitcher, who has until 15 days after the end of the World Series to decide if he wants to opt out of his 5-year, $55 million contract with the Blue Jays.

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Boston, Sept. 8-Red Sox defeat Rays, 3-0, and cut Rays’ lead over them to half a game.
St. Petersburg, Fla., Sept. 15-Red Sox thrash Rays, 13-5, and slice Rays’ lead over them to two percentage points.
St. Petersburg, Fla., Sept. 18-Twins beat Rays, 11-8, and reduce their American League East lead to a game and a half.
St. Petersburg, Fla., Oct. 10-Red Sox trim Rays, 2-0, and take 1-0 lead in American League Championship Series.
St. Petersburg, Fla., Oct. 22-Phillies edge Rays, 3-2, and take 1-0 lead in World Series.

Phillies, beware. The Rays are working the Pattern again and have you right where they want you.

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The Rays thrashed, mauled, pummeled, wrecked and in the end, squeaked past the Red Sox. Bring on the Phillies.

This World Series will be one of those first-ever meetings between the two combatants. The Phillies and the Rays have never played each other in October because this is the first October in which the Rays have played, and the World Series, which begins Wednesday night, will be the first in which the Rays will play.

Why, though, are the Rays still playing? Why are they in the World Series? All right, they are there because they beat the Red Sox four games to three, thwarting another incredible Red Sox comeback.

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