It happened. My God, it actually happened.
I'm kind of at a loss for words. I don't know what to do now.
There's a line at the end of The Princess Bride, when they're leaving the castle, where Inigo Montoya says that he's been in the revenge business so long, he doesn't know what to do with himself now that he's slain Count Rugen.
The Phillies just slew their six-fingered man.
For a generation, no major team in Philadelphia had won anything. Anything.
We were so desperate for a winner, we claimed racehorses as our own. Not even Smarty Jones could end the drought.
But now...
I walked outside this morning, in the crisp October air, and the weight on my shoulders is gone. The tension, released.
So this is how Yankees fans have felt 26 times. Nice. I like it.
Last night, I got to live a dream. I watched one of my teams—MY teams—win a championship.
I woke the kids, just as my father did for me in 1980. I brought my 4-year-old daughter down in the bottom of the eighth. My one-year-old son I fetched at the start of the ninth.
C.J. was none too pleased to be woken up. Sorry, sweetie. You'll thank me later.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Sean clung to my shoulder for a little while as he slowly regained consciousness. He didn't really appreciate what was going on, but he saw that Daddy was happy. And figured he should be, too.
They then both went to my wife, C.J. still pretty out of it. Sean, tired but smiling broadly. Something good was going on.
My neighbor and friend joined us, although I warned him going in that if it looked bad, I was throwing him out.
There we were, three outs to go.
Then two.
Then one.
There I sat at the edge of my seat, disbelief in my eyes, hands to my face in an attempt prevent hyperventilation. Even as I write this, my pulse quickens and fingers still tingle.
And then... something wicked this way comes. The eloquent line from Shakespeare's Macbeth, now the perfect description of the brutal slider delivered by the Phillies' Brad Lidge. The same wicked slider that Lidge relied on all season long, buries itself deep into Carlos Ruiz's glove.
Perfection.
Lidge was perfect all season, going 47-for-47 in save opportunities. The Phillies were perfect at home in this postseason, 7-for-7.
And the scene that ensued was the perfect ending for this wild ride that this team—and this town—has been on.
Forever burned into our collective memories now is the sight of Lidge falling to his knees, met by Ruiz, and then bulldozed to the ground by Ryan Howard.
It joins the ranks of our beloved Tug McGraw striking out Willie Wilson, leaping in the air, then hosting Mike Schmidt in the air in celebration.
And there on the screen it unfolded. Together with my children, WE celebrated.
Tomorrow is Halloween, and there will be parade down Broad Street. But the typical costumes reserved for Philly parades won't be feathers sported by Mummers. Instead, those riding the floats will be wearing shirts that read, "2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies."
And they won't be pretending to be champions. They are champions.
Finally.
My father and brother will be there. But my place is with my kids, patrolling the neighborhood here in Tennessee, wearing our own costumes, and saying, "Trick or Treat."
It pains me to miss the party, but I got my treat last night.
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2 months ago
we....won?? what? I'm not sure how to react...except...WOOOOOOOOOOO
2 months ago
Big deal. Going 28 years without a championship? That's nothing.
Just goes to show how all Philadelphia team fans are. Been to your city and I love it, I love the history.
from 2 months ago
Dear Greg,
Normally I'd point out how much of idiot you are, but not today. Today is for my city, my team, my family, and my friends who are feeling something you could never possibly understand.
Sincerely,
Me, Fan of the 2008 World Series Champions
from 2 months ago
I'm with Chris here. No need to post a comment like that Greg, but today I don't care. Today, WE are World Champs.
from 2 months ago
I'm not saying you shouldn't be happy about winning because you should. All I'm saying is, when you look at teams like the Cubs and Giants, among others, your 28 year stretch is nothing.
from 2 months ago
Greg, did it hurt, watching the Giants blow a 5-0 lead in the 7th inning of Game 6 of the 2002 World Series? Are you still emotionally distraught about this?
from 2 months ago
Yes, actually...
2 months ago
5 STARS Jim, I was at game 6 in 1980, and this may be better, I understand it now. Like you Im a long way from there right now, but the feeling is awesome. When the game ended last night, I think I just stood up and raised my arms in the air. I wish I could be back home to celebrate. Thanks for a great article. I wrote about the game in 80, check it out if you have time. Jim
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/69666-world-series-memories
from 2 months ago
Thanks, Jim! Feels weird celebrating in a vacuum, for sure!! Loved your story about 1980. I'm quite jealous!!! :)
2 months ago
Good Stuff, J Mac. I made my daughter watch the top of the ninth because it was so historic. (Also, I could count on her to get the best picture of me doing my Danny Jackson imitation...I didn't like that shirt anyhow!)...I watched or listened or tacked on web (afternoon games) and saw 3 games at CBP this season and this was really a fun team to watch. People who are not from Philly or switch teams every 5 years will never get it! When your parents watch every game and their parents listened to most games, you get it! Here' to them as well!! Cheers!! Phinally!!
2 months ago
Thanks, Tim! Your Danny Jackson comment made me smile! I was driving my wife nuts this season, watching the Phils any time they were on national TV or playing Braves or Cubs and could get it on DirecTV. What a fun team. I wrote much earlier in the season that this club just had a different feeling to it that was tough to put your finger on. Guess we now know why!!
2 months ago
Everyone wants to be associated with a winner, but not everyone is a fan. When you have been a faithful through the non-winning seasons, there is a content pride from within that only a TRUE fan can appreciate. It pushes you past how you may feel about the city, its population, the questionable ethics of certain players, or even the pathetic efforts of humiliation in past seasons.
I became a Braves fan long before their 1995 World Championship season. I have sat in a half-empty Fulton County Stadium AND in sold-out postseason games at Turner Field. I loved doing both.
You are a true fan, so enjoy the victory; you have earned it.
A word of caution: savor the feeling of championship. You never know how long it will be before you taste it again. And when it eventually wears off of the shallow band-wagonners, you can recount history and enjoy it once again.
The Philadelphia Phillies- Major League Baseball's Best Team in 2008.
from 2 months ago
Well said, Abner. I know too well these don't come around very often. Philly fans take a lot of heat for booing (and other stuff), but I've long said that booing doesn't mean you're not a fan or don't care for the team. The opposite of love is not hate, it's apathy. And apathy is a term that will never apply to Philly fans. I still can't believe we won!!!
2 months ago
This feeling is amazing. I can't believe it took this long for me to experience a championship victory by one of the Philadelphia sports teams. Even though it took so long, it was well worth the wait. I feel that's part of the reason why this victory feels so sweet.
Maybe we can start something up like the Patriots or Spurs? I don't want to get too ahead of myself though haha. Another solid article Jim.
2 months ago
I love the Princess Bride comparison
from 2 months ago
One of my favorite movies of all time. Sooo many good lines to quote.
2 months ago
Amazing!!!! STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT
from 2 months ago
I know, right??? Still sinking in here, too. But there's a big grin on my face!
2 months ago
No one can appreciate this as much as we who've gone through 98 seasons of futility. This feels GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Phillies, thank you......
2 months ago
Congrats Philly fans! Enjoy every minute of it. It's the best feeling in the world!
2 months ago
World Champs! Has a nice ring to it! I remember running around the streets when the Flyers won their Stanley Cups in the 70's, when the 76ers won, and when the Phillies won in 1980. This is the best feeling of them all because it has been a long time for our city to celebrate a championship!
Way to go Phillies!
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