The Fall Classic is upon us again, and while Major League Baseball may not be entirely overjoyed by the ratings potential of a not so classic Rays-Phillies matchup, this year’s World Series at least brings us the second consecutive potential for a Cinderella story.

I am among many who never believed the Tampa Bay Rays would make it to the playoffs, let alone win the toughest division in baseball, knock off the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS and make it to the World Series.

American League manager of the year in waiting Joe Maddon of the Rays offered his young and talented, but inexperienced players a simple but seemingly impossible formula for success at the beginning of spring training: “9 equals 8.”

His point was that nine players, playing smart and hard every nine innings, would make the Rays one of eight teams in the playoffs.

Maddon further elaborated that the team could win 27 more games than the previous season, a 96-win pace that would get them into the playoffs, if it got nine more victories out of its bullpen, nine from its fielders and nine from the lineup.

The Rays ended up winning 97, tied for second most in the majors, and took the AL East pennant. In the playoffs, they only kicked it into a higher gear, pounding out 16 homeruns against Boston pitching.

Here are 10 reasons why Tampa Bay needs to win the 2008 World Series:

1. The Cinderella story

The story won’t be complete without winning the series. The Rays will be forgotten by next October, if not sooner, if they don’t close the deal. Just ask the Colorado Rockies. Does anybody remember the Colorado Rockies?

2. Accomplishing the impossible

The Rays had to hold off the Yankees and the Red Sox all season just to make it this far. No other team has done that for 14 years. Beating the Phillies should be a cakewalk after that, at least you would think.

3. A new team name

Before the season, Tampa Bay changed their name, dropping the word “devil” and ostensibly becoming less evil sounding. Like every other move the Rays have made this season, this appears to have inexplicably paid off as well. They’re also now the only MLB team with an ambiguous name. Their uniforms feature the rays of the sun on the front and a manta ray on the sleeve. That has to mean something, although I’m not sure what.

4. The “rayhawk”

The all-the-rage hairstyle that is getting some children kicked out of school along with “9 equals 8” is just the type of rallying device that propelled the Boston Red Sox to victory in 2003 when the team shaved their heads in solidarity and rallied around Kevin Millar’s cry of “Cowboy up!”

5. The bandwagon jumpers.

Even by midseason, the Rays were averaging about 14,000 fans per game at Tropicana Field. It wasn’t until mid-August that those numbers started steadily climbing. If they don’t win, many of those currently riding the bandwagon in Tampa and elsewhere will jump right off again.

6. Free pizza in Denver.

Yes, if you happen to be in Denver and the Rays win the series, drop by Johnny’s New York Pizza and Pasta for a free pizza. Owner John Keiley, a New York Mets fan, placed a sign in the front window of the restaurant that reads, “Get rid of the devil and good things happen … Free pizza if Tampa Bay wins the World Series.”

7. Momentum vs. inertia.

The Rays are riding high after their seven-game ALCS victory. While the Phillies may be well rested after making short work of the Brewers and the Dodgers in the first two rounds of the playoffs, sometimes cruising to victory and having to wait while other teams duke it out can have negative side effects. The Rays carry plenty of momentum into the series and have themselves had two days to recover.

8. Payroll and the future.

The Rays have to win while they still have their talented, young players. With a payroll of roughly $44 million, the second lowest in the majors, several teams that need not be named pay two or three players more than the entire Rays roster. Unless they managed to bring in a significant amount of added revenue thanks to this season’s successes and intend to put that into payroll, they’re likely to lose, or be forced to sell off many of the players that got them this far. Think 1997 Florida Marlins.

9. Joe Maddon.

See above. He had a sensational year, taking a team of young players most people outside of Tampa had never heard of, and molding them into winners. He is the manager of the year, hands down. He wears the rayhawk, too. And at 54, it’s a daring but successful look that compliments his cool glasses.

10. Good timing.

The Rays are playing the best baseball they’ve played all year at just the right time.

Mirror writer Erik Wander can be reached via e-mail at ewander@kodiakdailymirror.com.