Inquirer staff writer Kristen Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:

Bob Czenszak of Downingtown used to be a Mets fan.

That was until last year, when he bought his kids a Phillies' partial-season ticket plan. He was hooked, he said, looking out onto the field where Phillies players and brass gathered in a wild, ecstatic celebration.
From his perch in the stands above right field, he said he was where he should have been.

"It's unbelievable," Czensak, 55, said. "It's a dream come true, to be here for this."

On the field, general manager Ruben Amaro took the microphone.

"I love my hometown and I love my hometown fans," Amaro said.

Czenszak said the game was a thing of beauty, from start to finish.

"It was so sweet to see Lidge come in and finish it off," he said. "Charlie had faith in him, even after the season he had. Lights out!"

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Inquirer staff writer Allison Steele reports:

A sea of people has filled the Frankford-Cottman intersection, with girls climbing on guys' shoulders and flashing.

A man has managed to climb a stoplight and is riding it like a mechanical bull.

Other guys are tearing their shirts off and crowdsurfing.

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Inquirer staff writer Jeff Gammage reports from Citizens Bank Park:

At 11:50 p.m. fireworks shot into the sky over Citizens Bank Park, setting off a mad, screaming, cheering celebration from a couple of thousand fans gathered outside the Third Base Gate.

“Remember Harry Kalas,” one fan shouted. People climbed onto the Mike Schmidt statue and onto nearby lightpoles.

A beer can flew through the air, spillilng foam as it went. Police set up a security barrier outside the stadium exits. A line of officers stood between the gates and the crowd of fans. On 11th Street, more than a dozen motorcycle officers waited. Parts of Pattison Avenue were closed off. The only moving cars were those of police officers, their red-and-blue lights flashing. Thousands of fans spilled out of the stadium, onto the street, waving their arms, hugging one another, clapping, exalting in the Phillies’ second straight National League championship.

“I just wanted to come outside to see the reaction with all the people,” said Joe Hennessy, 29, of Collingdale, who had his 60-year-old son Zander atop his shoulders.

“We were here last year, it’s a tradition for me and him.“

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Inquirer staff writer Kristen Graham reports from Citizens Bank Park:
 
As a third-out fly ball into Shane Victorino's glove to declare the Phillies National League champs, Sandi Gallagher of Northeast Philadelphia threw her arms around her daughter and held on tight.

"Yes!" Gallagher shouted.  Around her, fans in Section 202 snapped photos, wiped away tears, and pumped fists into the air.

As fireworks lit up the sky over Citizens Bank Park, Gallagher beamed.  She was at Veterans Stadium exactly 29 years ago for a World Series win.

"This is doubly sweet," said Gallagher, 57.

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Inquirer staff writer Allison Steele reports:

The poles were greased around Frankford and Cottman Avenues too.

People are taking paper and trying to wipe the grease off.

It doesn't seem to be working though, and no one is climbing poles.

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Inquirer staff writer Allison Steele reports:

The air on Frankford and Cottman ave was smoky from fireworks being launched into the air.

A police helicopter hovered overhead and the crowd poured out onto the street as the sound of the song "High Hopes" flooded out from the bars.

A man marched down the center of Frankford Avenue, waving a large Phillies flag like a soldier in a parade. Women danced in the street outside the bars, screaming and hugging.

85-year-old Betty Taylor marched down Frankford avenue, crashing two pot lids together in celebration.

"I don't believe it!" She said. "I love it! I love all this excitement. I've been a Phillies fan my whole life."

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Inquirer staff writer Allison Steele reports:

For many patrons of Leneghan's III on Frankford Avenue., the celebration was well underway by the top of the 8th.

The air in the dim, narrow room smelled of beer and sweat, and jersey-clad fans pounded the wooden bar with each strikeout.

The bar exploded with the final out, firecrackers went off in the street outside.

John Grisillo offered high-fives to everyone around him, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"This is it!" Grisillo, 24, yelled. "We've got it this year, next year...bring it on, Yankees, bring it on!"

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Inquirer staff writer Allison Steele reports:

At Frankford and Cottman avenues in the Northeast, cars drove by honking horns even before the start of the 6th inning, and fans talked on cell phones and clapped as they roamed from bar to bar. Outside the Cog Tavern on Frankford Avenue, a man jumped into another man's arms and wrapped his legs around his friend's torso, screaming, "How's anything gonna mess up my mood tonight?"

Inside, the Cog was packed shoulder to shoulder with people decked out in phillies gear. The mood was celebratory; patrons crushed beer cans and took shots, high-fiving each other over bargoers' heads and breaking into spontaneous chants of "Let's go, Phillies!"

"We want the Yankees," said Chris Benoit, 23. "I think everyone in this city agrees with me- we don't want nothing to do with the Angels. Win or lose, we want the Yanks."

Erin Maguire, 24, watched the game from the corner of the bar with her twin sister, Bree. Both booed heartily with the rest of the bar as Manny Ramirez stepped up to bat.

"Last season made the Phillies more confident this season," Erin Maguire said. "They went in this year knowing they were winners, and knowing they could be patient."

"And now they're bringing in players who are working so well with the team," Bree Maguire added.

The bar erupted in cheers as Ramirez got out at 1st, and the barwide chanting gave way to "F--- you, Manny!"
 

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 Inquirer staff writer Kristen Graham writes from Citizens Bank Park:

Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.