First Down

HE SAID WHAT?

“Noise makers, air horns, laser pointers and any other irritating or distracting items are prohibited and will be confiscated.” - Official security policy of the Tampa Bay Rays, who apparently don’t consider cowbells “noise makers” or “irritating or distracting”

BEST OF THE WEEKEND IN SPORTS

World Series

The Phillies look to take full control of the series as they head back home for at least Games 3 and 4. Weather forecasts suggest Saturday’s game may be rained out, which would mean possibly moving up Cole Hamels’ next start.

NFL Week 8

The Redskins hope for an easy win against the Lions, the Eagles face the Falcons and the Cowboys look to get back on track against the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the NFC East-leading Giants have a tough test in Pittsburgh.

Chase for the Cup

It’s now Jimmie Johnson’s championship to lose, and he should be in good shape Sunday in Atlanta, where he won twice last year.

Penn State at Ohio State

If the Nittany Lions want to keep their BCS Championship hopes alive, they must get by a Buckeyes team that clearly has rebounded from its early season loss to USC.

TWT FIVE » BEST WORLD SERIES PITCHERS

1. Whitey Ford — The Yankees hurler won a record 10 games and threw a whopping 146 innings during 11 World Series between 1950 and 1964.

2. Christy Mathewson — In four World Series between 1905 and 1913, he won five games and sported an 0.97 ERA in 101 2/3 innings pitched. In the 1905 series, he threw three shutouts as the Giants topped the Athletics.

3. Bob Gibson — He won seven of his nine World Series starts and went nine innings in all of them, including clinching Game 7s in 1964 and 1967. Sported a 1.89 ERA in 81 World Series innings.

4. Mariano Rivera — The top closer in postseason history has nine saves in six World Series with an ERA of 1.16. His blown save in Game 7 of the 2001 Series is his only blemish.

5. Sandy Koufax — The Dodgers ace made seven World Series starts, winning four, and had an ERA of 0.95. In the 1965 series, he gave up just a single run in three starts and threw a complete-game three-hitter to top the Twins in Game 7.