In 2008, Maddon guided the Rays to their first American League Eastern Division Title. He led a team of young players that won a division title over the heavily favored New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Maddon's team recorded the franchise's first playoff series victory in the 2008 American League Division Series (ALDS) vs. the Chicago White Sox by 3–1 and a 4-games-to-3 triumph over the rival Boston Red Sox in the 2008 American League Championship Series (ALCS). This was the first World Series appearance for the Rays, in which Tampa Bay held home-field advantage against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies won the World Series in five games. Maddon won the American League Manager of the Year Award. He also received the Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award.