Will today be the day?
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Will today be the day?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
For the definition of the word "buzz," simply walk around the city today. I took a cab from my apartment in Northern Liberties to meet the Inquirer's John Gonzalez in Rittenhouse for a ride to the stadium, and there was already an electricity in the air. Everyone was talking Phillies. The newspaper racks were completely sold out. We got to the park today and as I got out of Gonzo's Ford Escape I overheard a conversation between a 20-something Phillies fan and another Phillies fan.
"My kids are going to be dead before this happens again," the 20-something said.
Nothing like a little perspective five hours before the game.
In 1980, I was negative-two years old, so it is safe to say this is the biggest Philadelphia sports event I've ever covered. There have been some pretty disturbing reports today about some of the behavior toward Rays fans and family members. I can only hope everyone in this city keeps in mind that the eyes (and lenses, an notepads) of the country will be on them tonight. Win or lose, I'd encourage everyone to try to act with a modicum of class. Chanting "Eva, Eva" when Evan Longoria is at-bat is good. Pouring beer on his family's head is bad.
That said, the reaction to last night's win has been fascinating. I have yet to meet a single person in this city that thinks the Phillies are going to lose tonight, which is remarkable. This town isn't known for its optimism.
But there is a game to be played. And while it sets up perfectly for the Phillies -- in 1980, ace lefty Steve Carlton was on the mound; tonight, ace lefty Cole Hamels is on the mound -- Game 5 will not be a walk-over. There was little doubt in my mind prior to Game 4 that the Phillies would handle Andy Sonnanstine. But Scott Kazmir is not Andy Sonnanstine. When he is on, he is really on. Game 6 would feature James Shields. Game 7 would feature Matt Garza. So it isn't over, by any means.
There isn't a whole lot of X's and O's that needs to be covered right now. The Phillies need to give Hamels an early lead. If that happens, he will be very tough to beat. But strange things happen in October. The temperature is expected to be in the 40's tonight. I'm sitting in the press box right now and the wind is howling out to right field. From what I understand, the wind is supposed to die down. The Phillies have two of the best left-handed power hitters in the game. But the Rays have some good ones as well. Hamels has been known to give up a home run or two. I find it hard to believe Carlos Pena will continue to be a non-factor. But we'll see.
The red 1980 pennant in dead center has sat alone since Citizens Bank Park opened. Perhaps tonight will be the night it finally finds a mate.
When would a potential parade be? And, when would they make an official announcement?— PhillyPride86- they wont announce parade plans until its official, but the buzz is that it will be wednesday. look for work production to be LOW that day. GET IT DONE PHILS!!!— bl303784
- As has been said repeatedly, don't say the P****** please. Please. Anthony G said it best: don't offend the baseball gods. Anything can happen. Optomistic? Yes. But not until the 27th out is in the books.— randy_w
- I was born in September of 1983. Never in my life has a Philadelphia sports team won anything. If this actualy happens, some of the major foundations upon which my psyche has been built will be destroyed. I won't be from Losertown anymore. I can't help but wonder whether I could be a confident, optimistic, nice person come tomorrow. Innumerable heartbreaks arising from being a Philly sports fan have certainly taken a toll on my psyche. Could they all be wiped by one event? Will part of me miss always being a loser? I think I'm getting too deep for a sports blog.— severthetoe
- I agree with you, Dave. I thought Jimmy and Ryan sounded pretty confident on that podium last night. I sure hope they aren't counting chickens yet. There is still a game to win, against a determined team, with a #3 and #4 hitter who could always break out and the Road Runner's speed on the basepaths. All we need is for Ryan to be dreaming of a ring and misplay a hit ball! Our guys need to be focused, not only Cole but the defense behind him, the bullpen, and the offense. Ryan won't see anything to hit tonight. Kazmir's a good pitcher we barely scored against last outing. Cole regularly gives up 2 runs, the bullpen has been known to give up a run or two in the past. WE NEED TO EXECUTE and get those 27 outs before we can count on a victory tonight. You know that if the Rays pull one off against Hamels, they'll have a huge burst of confidence going back home. I just hope Charlie is managing to keep the players in their normal state of "relaxed focus" tonight. There is still at least one game (hopefully only one) to be played, one victory to fight for. It's been a battle the whole series, w/the possible exception of last night, and will be a battle again tonight. As Shane said in the LCS, keep the foot on the pedal and finish it off. Just make sure you're locked in in terms of focus, Phils. I don't think I'll breathe easy until that last out is made! But I'll be cheering like mad!— gbrettfan
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- Scooter..... buy a clue.— Jason - Altoona, PA
- I feel like the set up looks good for the Phillies to win tonight but don't discount that the Rays are a good team. It's no time to assume that this is in the bag. I won't be surprised if they don't win tonight. I think it's highly unlikely that the Rays can beat the Phils 3 in a row. But it's no big deal if they lose tonight. Sometimes when a team is down 3-1, they actually relax a bit because they almost assume it's over and they have nothing to lose. And sometimes a team can tighten up when they're a game away. It would be very helpful if the Phils get an early lead. It's really been almost unbelievable up to this point. I think that the Rays may have been getting comfort from the fact that everyone was saying that once we got to the 3rd and 4th pitcher, they'd have a big advantage. The fact that Moyer pitched what he called the best game of his career and it looks like Blanton did the same. When he hit the home run, the Rays must have been thought that fate was against them. Mentally, I think the Rays really need to catch some breaks to believe they can turn this around. I haven't quite caught up to the fact that the Phillies may actually win the World Series. It's gone so well for them. What makes it even better is that this team is a great bunch of guys. And what a great thing to happen to Pat the Bat! So far...one word: Awesome!!!!!!! I join in with the plea for Phillies fans to show the world what a cool bunch of people live in this city. You don't need to be tearing down traffic lights, trashing cars or standing on the roofs of buses. That's not what this should be about. Show some love everyone!— MikeP
- Tonight is the last game of the World Series, so enjoy it. I hope the fans celebrate, have the best times, but lets show the rest of the sports world we are not what they have labeled us to be. No riots, No fires, No scenes of thugsout of control. Just the good people of Philly showing the world how to celebrate. WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— Wally 24
- To answer the question, I think so. I have been quite pessimistic about it in the last few years, but this season, I've been quite the opposite. And that's saying something lol. GO PHILLIES!!!! Let the papers write whatever they want to. They will anyway. Whatever. I do hope that the few very ignorant "fans" that happen to live in this city and the outskirts of this city, would just take their drunk behinds home and sleep it off. There's celebration, and then there's insanity. Let's hope that overall, things will go well. GO PHILLIES! WE LUV IT!!!!!!!!— PhillyGold
- Pena and Longoria have no patience and no common sense. If Maddon/3 base coach told Pena to bunt (down the right side???), they should be dismissed. If I had made that call yesterday in my 11 year old's fall ball game, I would have caught holy hell from parents. An amazing horrible call, which will only exacerbate their struggle at the plate. This was a huge sign of where the two teams heads are...Go Phils.— bigredmachinefan
