It was getting to the point where I thought it would never happen. It was an absolute truth. A Philadelphia team winning a championship was no more likely than me waking up tomorrow to find that the rules of gravity no longer applied. This sense of inevitable failure and impending doom was so entrenched in my psyche that when Brad Lidge began to throw his final disappearing slider of the season, all I was thinking was “he’s going to get a hit, tie the game, and we are going to have to go back to Tampa and lose 2.” I was convinced, convinced that it would happen. I mean, why wouldn’t I be? It’s never gone the other way. 100% of the teams I’ve rooted for have fallen short of a title. 100%. Those are pretty good statistical odds, right? With 25 years of data to back it up, not exactly a small sample size.
But then, something very very strange happened. Hinske missed…he missed? HE MISSED! I’m not sure I’ve ever screamed so loud in my life. All the pain from the past exited my body is one loud howl. Joe Carter’s home run, the Desi Relaford/Rico Brogna era, the tease in 2001, running in place despite high profile acquisitions of Thome, Wagner and Millwood, blowing leads in ‘05 and ‘06 and laying an egg in the ‘07 NLDS. Hoping every March that this would be the team, that this would be the year that it was our turn. All gone. All gone because the Phillies are World Champions. THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, THESE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, OUR PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!
I think a lot was lifted from a lot of people yesterday. Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets, and hundreds of thousands will tomorrow. I went to the Sports Authority tonight to try to get a shirt, and people had been waiting in line for an hour and a half, with no merchandise left in the store, hoping the delivery truck would arrive soon. It’s like the whole city was terrified it was too deep into a nightmare it couldn’t escape and would never end, and then suddenly, with the biting break of a slider, it woke up.
And it was the Phillies! The Eagles had seemed like the best bet in recent years, and the Sixers, though down, had the most successful history and track record. But it was the Phillies, my favorite team, the team most famous for it’s 10,000 losses, that not only won, but rolled to a title. Since the Wild Card era, only 3 teams have won the World Series while losing 1 game or less in each series. The 1999 Yankees, the 2005 White Sox and the 2008 Phillies.
Schmidt, Lefty, Tugger, Moses, Julius…welcome Utley, Rollins, Hamels, Howard and Lidge. It’s a small club here in Philly, but one that will always pump through the veins of this city. This 2008 Phillies team will always hold a special piece for me, as they were the ones that exercised my psyche. I’m not sure I’ll know what to do in an off-season when we aren’t trying to make moves to get us to the top, but other teams are making moves to try to get to us. But I can’t wait to find out, and maybe maybe I’ll even do so with a little optimism.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Pete, well said!!!! Curious, in a little while, to see how the organization approaches next year and ,as you said, how the other teams go “after” us. I hope the Eagles are taking notes.
So far the Flyers have won 4 in a row!! Maybe the Sixers can recover now that the “curse” is over. The Eagles are starting to play a little better and Westbrook is back! Maybe somethings could turn for the best!
Pete, another great job, well written to express the joy AND the frustration of being a Phillies phan. I too have felt the “why me” of all my teams coming up short. Hell, I live in Buffalo and follow the Bills (4 STRAIGHT SUPER BOWL LOSES!!!! Please, you have no idea!!!). Yet, this was different, I had memories of Tug jumping off the mound arms raised in victory. Although I could feel my heartbeating through my chest this entire playoff season, I still felt WE were “the Team of DESTINY” this year. I told Bridget that when Blanton “went yard” I was sure this was the year. Blanton’s HR by no means made the rest of the Series any less nerve wrecking, BUT I felt somehow, someway, even if it went seven games (and Rocco’s HR), we would pull it off!!! I had tears in my eyes when we beat the Dodgers and was on my knees with Brad after he thrown his best slider of the season. I am envious of you “young folks” (you, Bridget, Dannie, etc.) today as you go to the parade today, but Phillies Phans from around the wourld will be with you in spirit (TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES FOR US).
Bridget was out shopping at 5:00 a.m. to “add to my collection” and my collection goes back to a 1956 NY Giants Yearbook I got in the Polo Grounds. I will cherish this World Series forever, and will gladly make room for the additions to the “trophy room”.
The Phillies run to the title was made all the more special sharing it with my daughter and Dannie and feeling remotely connected to Philadelphia by our heartfelt coverage of the action. Thanks so much to you for your efforts.
WE ARE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!! and that is forever! And the Phillies did it with class. Every interview I saw “the boys” where humble and thankful of teammates, management and “Charlie”. Enjoy, celebrate and be proud!
Now lets see what we can do with the Notre Dame Football Team!
Tom T.
“maybe I’ll even do so with a little optimism”
Don’t make me laugh.
I was home in Philly for the last world series win in 1980. I moved to Florida in 1982. I MISS PHILADELPHIA!!!! The greatest fans in the world!
Did you know that Cole Hamels was on Letterman two days ago? He did the “Top Ten Things That Went Through Cole Hamels’ Mind After Winning The World Series”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXAhOlh8sIM
“The 2008 World F*&king Champions”– Utley.
Couldn’t have said it better myself (in my head)!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOroBj13eE