In a shocking and unprecedented turn of events, Philadelphia Phillies President David Montgomery announced at a press conference today that the team would be withdrawing from the National League Championship Series immediately in favor of National League Central champion Chicago Cubs.

"It was a difficult decision, and I know the guys are disappointed, but it's really in the best interests of baseball," Montgomery stated.  "We know that the Phillies can only stand in the way of better storylines this fall."

Addressing their decision to cede their LCS berth to the Cubs, who were swept out of the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montgomery explained that the best-of-five format was "patently unfair" to the Cubs, who had the best record in the league, and that the best-of-seven LCS would provide a better opportunty for the Cubs team to "show what they're made of."

"Yeah, I know, our fans are disappointed," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.  "But, uh, we'd hate to know that we deprived fans around the world the opportunity to see the Cubs win the Series, or Manny playing the Red Sox.  We'd just be ruining everything."

Charley Steiner on XM Home Plate applauded the move, stating that Cubs/Red Sox or Dodgers/Red Sox "are the matchups that everyone really wants to see."  Commissioner Bud Selig and FOX Sports executives are expected to announce their support for the Phillies withdrawal as well.

Since Montgomery made his announcement, speculation has run rampant that the Tampa Bay Rays would similiarly withdraw from the American League Championship Series in favor of the New York Yankees.  A press conference has yet to be announced at this time.