Before Game Six of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals, Philadelphia Flyers coach Fred Shero wrote on the board of the team's locker room, "Win together today and we walk together forever."
I was five months old. Cole Hamels, as my dad likes to say, wasn't even a gleam in his father's eye.
Monday, Cole Hamels has the chance to pitch himself into Philadelphia sports history.
The ace of the Phillies' staff is 4-0 this postseason, with an ERA under two. His team is 6-0 at home, leads the Tampa Bay Rays three games to one, and seeks to clinch its first World Series Championship in 28 years.
More than a generation of Phillies fans have grown up never knowing what it feels like to win a championship. In fact, most generations have grown up never knowing that sensation.
The franchise, founded in 1883, the one that just observed it's 10,000th loss, is now just 27 outs from only its second World Series title. That 1980 team is practically revered in Philadelphia, its cast of champions rolling easily off the lips of everyone from casual fans to 700-level die-hards.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Schmidt.
Carlton.
Rose.
Bowa.
Tugger.
One-hundred twenty-five years of history, and only one title to show for it. Only one team walking alone.
But now, a new cast of characters stands poised to make history of their own. A young nucleus, built over time, with key veteran additions—just like before.
Howard.
Utley.
Rollins.
Victorino.
Lidge.
Hamels.
Lesser teams over the years have wilted from the pressure of performing in Philadelphia. Just ask this year's Chicago Cubs how the weight of expectation can crush postseason aspirations.
But this team doesn't seem to mind the spotlight. In fact, it seems to relish its role, determined to claim its stake in history.
Twenty-five years have passed since any team in Philadelphia (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL) has brought home a title. A quarter century of near-misses, heartache, and despair. The 76ers were the last to do it (1983). The Eagles were the most recent to come close (2004). The Flyers have had the most chances (1985, 1987, 1997).
Over the years, we've had our supposed heroes. You know the ones that were sure to end the drought for the city and its fans. Ones that still have a place in Philly fans' hearts in one form or another:
Randall Cunningham. Eric Lindros. Curt Schilling. Donovan McNabb. Peter Forsberg. Allen Iverson. Scott Rolen. All good players in Philadelphia. None were able to bring it home.
But now...
Now a 24-year-old, left-handed ace from southern California takes the mound with a chance to make history in the biggest game of his short career, and with him go the hopes and dreams of legions of Philadelphia fans. The atmosphere will be electric, the stadium rising and falling with every pitch, every at-bat.
Twenty-five men, only 27 outs away from ending 25 years of futility.
And together they will walk forever.
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2 months ago
Jim-
Great piece here. You, and Philly as a whole, must be rockin right now. The Phils look really unstoppable and Howard is a runaway freight train as of late. I didn't see this coming, but it is what it is.
Really nice writing, and good luck tonight!
from 2 months ago
Thanks, Rory! I sooooo wish I were up in Philly right now. It's not playing nearly as big down here in Big Orange Country. It would be nice to have people to jump up and down with!! :)
2 months ago
Awesome piece here Jim. I am one of those many members from Philadelphia who have never experienced the "sensation" of actually winning a sports championship. I don't want to get too far a head of myself, but I feel like tonight is the night. All of the statistics are on our side. Cole 4-0 this postseason with an ERA under 2, Phillies 6-0 at home. I have been waiting my whole life for an opportunity such as this. Cole Hamels has the chance to help the city of Philadelphia end a long drought of heartbreaks. Go Phillies!
from 2 months ago
I know—I can't wait! CBP is going to reach critical mass. I'm glad I'm not the audio guy on the Fox broadcast tonight! He might blow out an ear drum or two!!!
2 months ago
Yo Jim, great article although I can't believe you didn't mention Von Hayes. Any article about great Phillies must have Big Von in it....I'm back in Upper Darby for the game...gonna drink some beers and shed some tears tonight...Phils in 5
from 2 months ago
Have a few for me, my friend. If it happens, I'm already trying to figure out how I can run up and partake in the festivities!! Of course, we're Phillies fans, so I'll believe it when I'm jumping around like a fool.
2 months ago
Awesome article... I remember all those lads well!
Cheers!
2 months ago
Jim,
I went to the parade in 1980 and may go again this year. My buddy wants me to go, the same one I went to in 1980, but now, I have a wife in the picture and the "budget" is low.
Anyway, I am going out to a local bar in southern New Jersey with a friend to catch what I hope is the clinching game.
That Fred Shero quote is a classic. I also like you did your homework on the years to spell out to non-Philly fans what it is like here. You can tell them this: Philly fans support their teams win or lose. Pittsburgh (baseball) can't say that. Neither can Detroit. Both got new stadiums, as did the Phils, but in those towns, the initial excitement over the new stadium did not translate into continued support, most certainly in Pittsburgh.
BTW, I have been to the PNC Park in Pittsburgh and it is nice.
Go Phillies. I think tonight is the night to close things out and bring the first championship home since 1983.
Good story.
from 2 months ago
Thanks, Scott!
2 months ago
Very well written...although I truly hope that the Rays fulfill their role in Tampa Bay history and destiny as the perennial Philly spoilers!
Now that MLB has made such a mess of this Series, I wonder how Philly will react. If Game five gets postponed until tomorrow or even Friday, is there any chance that Hamels gets put back on the mound?
I know it would be unconventional but he really didn't have to throw many pitches last night and, as you eloquently stated, he's Da Man!
from 2 months ago
Thanks, John! Philly definitely owes Tampa one (or three!). If you see this drag out a couple days, I would think they would hold Hamels out for a Game 7 start. Philly's bullpen is rested and well-equipped to jump in whenever they start the game back up. I would expect either JA Happ or Chad Durbin to start the seventh inning. The usual end-game cast (Madson, Romero, Lidge) would then come in if the Phils take a lead.
2 months ago
Hamels contract information according to mlbcontracts.blogspot:
1 year/$0.5M (2008)
Hamels contract information according to ESPN:
$500,000
Is he expected to be a free agent this winter I haven't heard his name being tossed around like CC or Texeria.
Could be interesting to see where he ends up perhaps not this offseason but sooner rather than later, Yankees Red Sox Mets Angels. Phillies won't have the money to resign him such is the state of baseball economics today. A talented lefty pitcher earns his money, look at Moyer 10 million over 2 years to throw BP fastballs. I know all my kids will be picking up their forks, golf clubs, pencils with their left hands.
Hamels is a great pitcher but unless he throws a perfect game in game 6 or 7, if he pitches again this series he won't be a legend. Philly baseball is too small market no one but Philly people care. Imagine if Joe Carter hit a walk off homerun in Game 4. I'm sure you recall Joe Carter as a Philly's fan but the common baseball fan might not know who he is because he played for Toronto. However winning the world series for a CANADIAN team via the walk off home run is the stuff of legend and will be remembered forever.
Having a good postseason (Hamels) or having a poor postseason (Pena) is not legendary unless you make one play in the 15 minutes the baseball is actually in play during a 3 hour broadcast that will be remembered forever.
As I wrote previously if Philly wins the World Series it will be just like when the White Sox won it, no one will care but their fans and it will be soon forgot. Again such is the state of baseball. This series has been doomed from the start thanks to the power of the media and the blowout victories and the rain delay and the poor calls by the umpires and Joe Buck's voice haven't helped.
Rather than claiming Hamels as an instant deity, you should be apologizing to Joe Maddon's granddaughter. Because the loyal fans who have waited so long for a championship threw mustard packet's at her. "Throwing mustard packs at my granddaughter is not very cool," Maddon said.
That's one way to say it. Another way to say it is, Philadelphia fans are dirtbags. Philadelphia fans are scumbags. Philadelphia fans eat their young.
I have nothing against the Phillies themselves. Ryan Howard is a strikeout/homerun machine. Chase Utley will help USA win the World Baseball Classic. Someone other than Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to pay Hamels $200 million to pitch for their team. Joe Blanton seemed genuine enough when discussing his homerun swing.
But the people that sit in those stands are garbage. You don't throw objects at a little girl no matter how well connected she is to the opposition.
2 months ago
Couple things:
#1 - Yes, whoever threw mustard packets at Maddon's granddaughter is a dirt-bag. That does not, however, indict the other 50-some thousand in attendance at CBP, or the millions of the rest of us that cheer hard, but don't get arrested. You want to see intimidation? Check out the way 2 Phillies fans were treated at Dodger Stadium on www.700level.com.
#3 - No pitcher has ever gone 5-0 in the playoffs. Ever. If he gets the win (which is still possible if the Phillies score in their first at bat on Wednesday), that IS historic. If the kid continues to pitch this well the rest of his career, his legend will begin with this series.
#2 - Cole Hamels is arbitration eligible. They will own him for a very long time. He won't be hitting the free agent market. That's why you haven't heard his name thrown around.
#4 - The Phillies have a good core. Hopefully, this will not be the only appearance for this group deep into the postseason. Hamels had made the playoffs both of his full seasons in the bigs.
#5 - I have two children, I am a Philly fan, and have not eaten either of them, nor do I have plans to.
#6 - Frankly, I don't care if the rest of the baseball world isn't paying attention to this series. My team is in, my team has a chance to win, for the first time in my adult life. If people in Boston, New York, LA, Chicago are bored- GOOD! I was just out in LA and the sour grapes still be spouted by the likes of Bill Plaske, et al., is ludicrous.
I believe the phrase is "Don't hate the player, hate the game."
2 months ago
Nice article, it's really a shame the game was rained out. Hamels will now get a no decision and still had a shot to go seven or eight innings and get a win. He should still go down as one of the best postseason performers in Philly sports history.
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