Inquirer From the Source

Monday, Nov 23, 1:55 AM

Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH

TEXT SIZE: A A A A

Monday, November 2, 2009

Pressure's all on the Yankees

Inquirer staff writer Kristen A. Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

By rights, Don Williams shouldn't even be a Phillies fan. He lives in Columbia, Md.

But his friend, a Philadelphian, won him over to the Phillies' camp. So did the team's heart, he said.

Oh, yeah. And there's one more thing.

"I hate New York. I hate the Yankees."

In the right field bleachers tonight, Williams, 39, stood watching the Phillies tack on runs against the Yankees. He clapped. He shouted. He cheered.

"Going back to New York, all the pressure's on the Yankees," said Williams. "Phillies have the advantage."

Williams believes the Phillies take the series to seven games. And beyond that?

"Who knows what'll happen?" Williams said.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 10:51 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monday, November 2, 2009

A certain swagger

Inquirer staff writer Michael Vitez reports from Citizens Bank Park:

As the Phillies padded their lead, making a Game 5 victory look more and more likely, a certain swagger was seen among the fans in the stands.

Kevin Harkness, 21, of Chester, waited to return to his seat with a plate full of sliders and chips. He was as confident as could be with a 6-1 lead.

"This is over," Harkness said. "The Series is going to seven. I'm sure of it."

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 9:37 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monday, November 2, 2009

Phanatic says: we're going to win!

Inquirer staff writer Kristen A. Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

Emily Smith, a teacher who lives in South Philadelphia, is a die-hard Phillies fan.

There was no doubt about that tonight. Smith stood behind Section 105, a Miller Lite in her hand, dressed from head to toe as the Phillie Phanatic - a thoroughly convincing hat, pillowy green body costume and Phillies jersey with "Phanatic" on the back that took Smith and her mother about 20 hours to construct.

Her dream is to meet the Phillie Phanatic. And no, she doesn't mind posing for your photo.

"I've been asked for pictures outside, in the bathroom, everywhere," said Smith, 23.

After Chase Utley smacked a three-run home run to give the Phillies a 3-1 lead, she was so happy she didn't even mind people coming up to her and touching her red costume tail feathers. (They sit above her actual tail feathers, she explained.)

"Random strangers are coming up and rubbing me for luck," Smith said.

Her prediction?

"With Cliff Lee on the mound, Phillies win," said Smith.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 8:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monday, November 2, 2009

Yankees have bucks, Phillies have heart

Inquirer staff writer Kristen A. Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

The way Jackie Andrietta and Tim Ruby figured, the Phillies have the edge going into Game 5 of the World Series.

"Philadelphia's a tougher team," Andrietta, 24, of Collegeville, said.

"The Yankees are more talented, but the Phillies are more spirited," said her boyfriend Ruby, 28, also of Collegeville.

The Yankees have the blank-check payroll, but the Phillies have moxie, Ruby said.

"You can never count them out," said Andrietta.

The two made two signs, which they waved wildly. "Riding our Way to Another Championship on the Chooch Train," one side read. "The House that Howard Built," said the other side.

The couple said the Howard sign was a nod to the Yankees.

"We did it just to annoy New York," said Ruby.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 7:47 PM Permalink | 3 comments

Monday, November 2, 2009

Sonny's prediction: 20 to 1

Inquirer staff writer Michael Vitez reports from Citizens Bank Park:

Sonny Durkin, 3, of Bensalem, on his way to his first World Series game, shared none of the angst of everyone else taking the Broad Street subway down to the ballpark.

The little boy in Phillies hat and Ryan Howard shirt knew the number of every Phillies player, and was planning on sitting on his father's lap for what he was sure was going to be a phillies victory.

"Who's going to win, Sonny?" his father, Mickey Durkin asked

"Phillies," shouted the boy.

"What's the score going to be?" his dad followed up.

"20 to 1," said the boy.

Fans on the train liked his optimism, and would gladly settle for 10 to 1.

The boy has moxie. He told his fellow passengers, "I'm going to be a baseball player," and his dad said he was so passionate at age 3 that the Bensalem T-Ball league waved the four-year old age limit eligibility rule, and let him play.

He went to Yankee Stadium this summer with his father when the Phillies played there. When the New York faithful were booing the Philies, he turned to them -- following his dad's prompting -- and said, "You gotta problem?"

Its hard to shut up Yankee fans, but this little Phillie fan sure did.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 7:18 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monday, November 2, 2009

Very superstitious

Inquirer staff writer Michael Vitez writes from Citizens Bank Park:

For the superstitious among us -- and I am -- there are many elements we can blame for the Phillies' dire straits.

First, our own Michael Smerconish on Sunday in the Inquirer stated a victory was a given, and started lecturing the city on how to improve the parade.

And in this morning's Inquirer, on the last page of the A-section, is an advertisement from Macy's selling 2009 Phillies World Series Champions t-shirts! I think somebody slapped down the wrong ad, but still bad, bad karma.

Yet I am hopeful.

This is the city of Rocky Balboa. And as I was heading into the ballpark tonight, I saw a beautiful red sky to the west. Could it be, Red Sky at Night, Phillies Delight? We shall see.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 6:59 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Monday, November 2, 2009

Election eve poll: Dead heat in Jersey

Inquirer staff writer Cynthia Burton reports:

New Jersey's gubernatorial race remains locked in a dead heat between Democratic Gov. Corzine and Republican Christopher J. Christie, according to the latest poll released today.

The Quinnipiac University poll of 1,533 likely voters put Christie at 42 percent and Corzine at 40 percent with independent Chris Daggett getting 12 percent. The poll taken between Oct. 27 and yesterday has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Read today's Inquirer story on the race here.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 8:55 AM Permalink | 18 comments

Monday, November 2, 2009

The mood: morose

Inquirer staff writer Kristen A. Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

Stunned, sobered, Phillies fans walked out of Citizens Bank Park.

When Pedro Feliz tied the game at 4 with an eighth inning home run, the subdued sellout crowd went wild. People danced, cheered, screamed.

Then Brad Lidge's nightmare ninth, and the mood went back to morose. The Phillies are down 3-1, one game from elimination, and even the most optimistic of fans is having a tough time holding on to hope.

"Ouch!" one man yelled as he made his way to the exit.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 12:00 AM Permalink | 11 comments

Sunday, November 1, 2009

High hopes, for Harry

Inquirer staff writer Kristen A. Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

As the game worked its way into the late innings, and Pedro Feliz smacked a home run to tie the game at 4 in the eighth, a group of fans said they absolutely believe the Phillies can win this game, and take the Series.

"I never give up," said Lynn Dotzman of Northeast Philadelphia. "Not until the very last out of the very last game."

Her friend Kathi Harlacker of Vineland began to sing: "We've got hiiiiigh hopes, we've got hiiiiiigh hopes..."

"We'll do it for Harry," said Dotzman of the late, beloved Phillies broadcaster, Harry Kalas.

Dotzman was at her first World Series game ever, and she was resolutely positive even when it looked like the Phillies might not be able to muster a comeback.

"Don't sit next to her - she screams too loud," said Bill Dotzman, Lynn's husband.

"Never give up!" Lynn Dotzman said again. It was her mantra.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 11:21 PM Permalink | 1 comment

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Smokin' Joe and the Phanatic

Inquirer staff writer Jeff Gammage reports from Citizens Bank Park:

Smokin' Joe Frazier is at the ballpark tonight. He served as a surprise referee, taking the field to count out a Yankees-cap-wearing boxer - "The Bronx Bomber" - who took on the Phillie Phanatic in a golden gloves bout.

Or at least, the Phanatic was wearing golden gloves.

The Phanatic delivered a knockout punch to the Bomber.

Frazier took off his black cowboy hat and bowed to the crowd, drawing an enormous cheer.

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.

Posted by Inquirer Online Desk @ 10:43 PM Permalink | Post a comment