The 2008 World Series may have been one of the lowest rated of all time. It may have been one of the worst World Series in the eyes of some fans.
If you ask any Philadelphia fan, there is no doubt in my mind they will tell you it was the best World Series they have ever witnessed.
After 25 years of championship frustration, the city of Philadelphia finally has something to cheer about.
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in the second part of Game Five to become 2008 World Series Champions. Call it a drought. Call it a curse. No matter what it was, it's finally over.
The Phillies' organization needed this. Ever since they became a franchise in 1883, the team had made five World Series appearances, with only one championship coming in 1980.
The fans needed this. For most of them, the last time they celebrated a championship was 25 years ago when the 76ers swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals.
For other fans, they weren't even born the last time the city celebrated a championship, including myself.
This is by far one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. When Brad Lidge threw that final strike for the final out in the ninth inning and dropped to his knees with arms raised to the sky, tears of joy came to my eyes.
Before last night, I never knew the feeling of one of my teams winning a championship. There have been so many teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs and the New England Patriots, whose fans I have envied over the years. The look on their faces when their teams were winning year after year.
I would sit there and think if I could just experience the feeling of ONE
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2 months ago
AHAHAHAAHA WOOOOOO WE HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP IN PHILLY!!!!
from 2 months ago
It's about time! Words can't describe how happy I am right now haha.
2 months ago
Congrats Dan! That is awesome man! It's been a long time since I've experienced a championship as well.
My baseball team, the Tigers, were in the series in 06 but lost to the Cards. Last time they won, I was 3 years old in 1984.
My football team, the Lions, haven't won since 1957 and haven't even been to a Super Bowl.
My basketball team, the Magic, last went to the big dance in 1994, getting swept by the Rockets.
I've had a little better luck in college with my Michigan Wolverines winning a National Championship in 1997, but that still has been a while ago.
Anyways, we just keep being a loyal fan with the hopes that our loyalty will eventually be rewarded. Yours was last night! Enjoy it brother!
I also think that it's a shame that the series was so low rated because it was a really good series. Most of the games were hard fought and close. Good pitching on both sides. Very nice. There was drama with Hinske homering in his first World Series at bat for Tampa, the rain shortened game, and that phenomenal play by Utley.
I've come to four conclusions from this series....
1. Chase Utley is awesome
2. The Rays are going to be good for a long time with all that young talent
3. Bud Selig is an idiot
4. David Price is scary good
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments Scott! I remember that walk-off home run the Tigers had in 06 to advance to the World Series. I was rooting for you guys but I think you guys should be solid next season. The Tigers are great on paper, they should have been a lot better than they were this year.
This really ended up being a great series. I think the experience the Rays gained this season will help them out even more next season. And you're right about Price, that kid can throw and I think he's got a great future ahead of him in Tampa.
The championship drought will come to an end for you soon hopefully. Thanks again for the comments!
from 2 months ago
Yeah, it will come down to how our pitching staff responds next season. We had a lot of injuries and poor performance. Also our bullpen will need to stay healthy and we need to add a closer. I think Rogers will be gone and hopefully Robertson won't be in the rotation. Ideally, If D-Train can get his control back, he can be good for us. If not, I'd like to see us sign one free agent pitcher like Rich Harden or maybe even trade for Peavy. Then we need to sign Kerry Wood to close and round out the rotation with:
Verlander
Bonderman
Freddy Garcia
Dontrelle Willis
Armando Gallaraga
Whoever doesn't make the cut can join the pen.
I think we'll be good going forward but Sheffield has got to go and we need an everyday LF and a Catcher. Maybe Guillen can go play left and put Inge at 3B, then sign a FA catcher to platoon with the young guy, Dusty Ryan.
2 months ago
Eric Blanton is not a person, or at least not a Philadephia Phillie.
from 2 months ago
I really don't know why I wrote Eric when I know it's Joe haha. Thanks for that Dave!
2 months ago
Awesome, 5 star POTD
from 2 months ago
Thanks a lot Jim! I appreciate it.
2 months ago
I love the Phillies. What else more do I have to say?
from 2 months ago
I love the Phillies and always will. We've been waiting along time for this. We deserve it.
2 months ago
Dan-
Great article and congratulations..I'm envious to say the least...You sum up the feelings of the younger generation and how it feels to win a championship....I can only hope and pray to one day feel what you're feeling today.
You've been great all year long, and just because the season is over, I don't want you to mail it in. You're a solid writer and I'd love to read your stuff in the off-season as well.
Once again, CONGRATS.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Rory, I appreciate it! I'm glad that you enjoy the readings, that means a lot to me. Don't worry, I'll still be writing even if it is the off-season. Thanks again!
2 months ago
PHINALLY BABY!!!!!!!!!! NO WE CAN CALL OUT CITY CHAMPIONS!!! WHEN HINSKE WAVED AT THAT FINAL AND FATAL SLIDER.....MY HEART ABOUT LEAPED OUT OF MY CHEST.......THIS IS THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.....GREAT ARTICLE DAN. CONGRATS PHILLIES!!!! EAGLES, FLYERS, SIXERS.......TAKE NOTES.
from 2 months ago
There were certain times during the game that I thought my heart stopped, I'm not going to lie. What a great win for the city of Philadelphia. Thanks for the comments Orlando, I appreciate it!
2 months ago
Nice piece, Dan, well written. I wish I knew the feeling. You won't get any empathy from me over 28 years - we've been waiting 100! Congrats on the Phils.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments Bob. And I know I shouldn't get any empathy from you, I can't even compare to what the Cubs have been through!
2 months ago
I'm not a Phillies fan and i was cheering for the Rays during the series. I will say though that any, (Peter Gammons included) to suggest this is the worst WS ever is unfair and not true. It was awkward with the delay, but it you can't control the weather. As far as ratings, who really cares. Real fans will watch anyway, but if MLB wants to appeal to more people it should start games earlier. Anyway that's my rant. I tip my hat to the Phillies-not many people would of picked them at the beginning of this year. Congrats.
from 2 months ago
I did see what Peter Gammons wrote and I disagreed with everything he said. The best apart about this series was the fact that you had two teams who nobody really expected to be in this type of position. It doesn't matter what everybody else thinks, the important thing is what the folks of Philadelphia and Tampa Bay thought.
As far as your Rays go, I have nothing but respect for them. To make the transition from one of the bottom teams in the league to winning the AL is flat out unbelievable. You guys have a solid young squad that will be scary next year now that they have all this playoff experience under their belts. Thanks again Marcus for the feedback!
from 2 months ago
I thought that it was an outstanding world series and I've seen 53 of them.
2 months ago
I grew up watching the Phillies. I watched it when we only had 3 channels and mostly with my dad on a saturday and sunday if it were televised.I live in Michigan now and my heart is still in philly no matter what. I am sooooo thrilled that they won the series, All of the team players cooperated very professionally and in unison with one another.My sister wants me to come down to groove on the parade but short on notice. In turn will have to watch it via TV. The only thing I can say I am disappointed about is I didn't get to see any live coverage just slide shows. I would have love to had witnessed live the party and celebrations after the game. Thats all/
Thanks
Terri from Philly
from 2 months ago
Your the bomb terri,You said it all
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the feedback Terri! It's amazing how many stories I have heard about families and baseball. I love taking the time to watch baseball games with my brother and dad.
I understand where you're coming from about attending the parade. One of the hardest things about going to school out in Dayton is that I'm 10 hours away from Philadelphia. As much fun as it sounds to get home real quick to go to the parade, it's just too much.
Thanks again!
2 months ago
Congratulations to Philidelphhia from the upper Northwest! What a finish!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Aaron! I appreciate it!
2 months ago
Great article, Dan. I was going to write one myself, but now I guess there's no point. I'd only be repeating everything that you said. I was only 6 years old when they last won the World Series, and I've been waiting 28 years for this. I love this team!!!! I only have two minor quibbles with your article:
1) You said that Manuel's mother passed away during the NLCS against the Brewers. The Brewers series was the NLDS, not the NLCS.
2)You said the Phillies have lost 100 straight seasons? What does that mean?
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the feedback Rick! I appreciate your comments. It's been a long wait for a lot of people, I'm just glad we finally have something to celebrate!
And thanks for catching that grammatical error about the NLDS, I always mix them up for some reason. And the comment about 100 straight seasons was about the city of Philadelphia in general. After the Sixers were knocked out of the playoffs last season, Sports Illustrated wrote an article about the city of Philadelphia becoming the first city with four major sports teams (Sixers, Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies) to go 100 straight combined seasons without a championship. Sorry for the confusion.
2 months ago
I'm 49 and have 18 year old twin sons. This is the first time we've ever had the experience of winning together. It feels good and right and wonderful and thrilling. What a great game last night, the most exciting 3 innings I've ever watched. The curse is over baby! Phillies - World Champions! Doesn't that sound fantastic.......
from 2 months ago
It sure does sound good Craig. I can't wait to tell my kids some day the story about the Phillies breaking the 25 year old curse for the city of Philadelphia! My heart kept stopping during the top of the 9th when Lidge was closing the game out. World Champions is a phrase I will never get sick of! Thanks for the comments!
2 months ago
We did it Dan, we did it!
Great job with this BTW, you're doing a great job lately.
WE DID IT!
from 2 months ago
We finally broke the curse! I finally know what it's like to win a championship.
Thanks for the comments by the way. Coming from a top writer such as yourself means a lot to me. I love writing for bleacherreport!
Too bad I'm unable to make the parade tomorrow. If you're going, enjoy!
2008 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
from 2 months ago
Yes, I managed to scounger out a few tickets to the ceremony inside the ballpark tomorrow...I couldn't get them for free like everyone else. I had to pay, but oh well. Still gonna be a blast.
2 months ago
My emotions:
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
from 2 months ago
Coudln't agree with you more my friend!
2 months ago
I almost cried, I was so happy.
We needed this. And we got it.
from 2 months ago
Tears came to my eyes, I won't deny it.
We needed this soooo bad. Few days later and it still feels soooo good.
2 months ago
Yeah Babeee!
I was 26 years old the first time, 54 this time, I can't wait for another one...you guys take it from here...
from 2 months ago
and Peter Gammons can kiss my a$#...
from 2 months ago
Peter Gammons has no idea what he's talking about. This World Series was amazing, I don't care what anybody says.
2 months ago
Great job Dan. As a Braves fan and a National League fan, it was fun to see it back in the N.L. and especially the N.L. East... don't get too comfortable Philly fans... Atlanta is coming to get you now! Great read Dan.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Kyle, I appreciate it. I'm glad the N.L. is getting the respect it deserves. I can't wait for next season, the N.L. East has a ton of talent and I think there will be a lot of good competition!
2 months ago
great article man, I still can't believe it happened. I'm probably gonna write a couple of posts about winning it all but I don't even know where to start. None of our misery in the past matters anymore, except for the fact it made the month of October that much sweeter. I don't know if we'll ever have another run like that again so cherish it.
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