Joel Sherman

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Rays players celebrate after their 4-3 season-saving victory in 12 innings over the Brewers in Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 27, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Fla. ZUMAPRESS.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Let’s not ignore the Rays. They had the tenacity to extend this baseball season. And that is a public service with no idea when the next one might begin because of labor issues that will soon close down the sport for months (and months).

But there were the Brewers. So close. They could touch it. They could taste the champagne. They needed three outs to win their first championship ever and they got none of them in the bottom of the 12th.

Instead, an error by third baseman Joey Ortiz to begin the frame opened the door, and what followed were four straight singles, the last of which was a walk-off chopper by pinch hitter Ben Williamson. The Rays won 4-3 in a game that began Oct. 27, ended Oct.…