The Critical Moment

The Philadelphia Phillies were 3-1 up in the best-of-seven World Series against Tampa Bay Rays and tied 2-2 in game five, when the weather brought a halt to proceedings in the middle of the sixth inning. Rain sheeted through the Phillies' roofless Citizen Bank Park and the pitchers' mound had to be shored up with cat litter. Ignoring the rulebook, the MLB suspended the game - a World Series first - until the weather improved. After a two-day delay, the teams traded runs before Pedro Feliz drove in the run that put the Phillies 4-3 ahead and Brad Lidge's relief pitching took them to a first title in 28 years.

Bud Selig, MLB commissioner We obviously monitored the weather all day. We were told about 7.45pm that it would only be a tenth of an inch of rain. I had a nagging fear; the forecasts had changed so much.

Charlie Manuel, Phillies coach Sometimes, when it's real cold, the ball is hard to grip, and it's kind of slippery.

Jonny Gould, Five's baseball presenter The Phillies had their pitching ace, Cole Hamels, on the mound. But he couldn't get any grip and had to hold on to the ball as hard as he could - his whole armory was gone, he was just throwing fastballs.

Chase Utley, Phillies second baseman It was in bad shape. It was not playable.

Rick Sutcliffe, US TV commentator Every pitch, every out, every play, is magnified in a situation like this.

Gould If the game had been called off during the sixth inning, the Phillies, 2-1 up, would have won, under the rules.

Carl Crawford, Rays left fielder We thought it was over.

Selig I would not have allowed a World Series to end this way.

Gould The Rays got a run to draw level and the game was postponed.

David Montgomery, Phillies president We've waited this long, what's another 48 hours?

Jimmy Rollins, Phillies shortstop Charlie does a great job in keeping us mentally prepared. Though we had a day and a half off, we all went home, with the game still playing in our minds. We never sat down. We had that attitude.

Gould The Rays had a man on second base at the bottom of the ninth. But Brad Lidge maintained his perfect record of saves.

Brad Lidge, Phillies relief pitcher I just did everything I could to take [my regular-season success] into the post-season. This is the greatest moment of my life.