Letting It Sink In
The Phillies have won the World Series.
Letting It Sink In
Todd Zolecki
Did that really happen?
Did that really happen?
It did. Brad Lidge really threw that 0-2 slider to Eric Hinske at 9:58 p.m. last night at Citizens Bank Park, and Hinske really swung and missed to beat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series, 4-3. The Phillies really are World Series champions.
Believe it.
Savor it.
Un-freaking-believable.
Phil Sheridan asks you to cherish the moments that made this postseason so unforgettable. That would be a smart thing to do because everybody in Philadelphia knows how rare moments like this are. It had been 25 years since Philly enjoyed its last sports championship. It had been 28 since Tug McGraw bounced off the mound at Veterans Stadium.
So enjoy it.
Oh, yeah, parade at noon tomorrow.
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Bob Ford writes that in perhaps his final at-bat with the Phillies, Pat Burrell came through with the biggest hit of his life.
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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Bill Lyon writes.
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John Gonzalez kisses Negadelphia good bye. Gonzalez, Ford and Sheridan wonder where the 2008 Phillies rank among the most beloved teams in city history.
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Jim Salisbury takes us Inside the Game.
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How about Geoff Jenkins? He hadn't had a hit since Sept. 28. He had been hitless in three postseason at-bats. But then he ripped a double to right-center field to leadoff the bottom of the sixth inning. ... Chase Utley made a hell of a defensive play in the seventh inning. ... You can be perfect. Just ask Lidge. ... Cole Hamels is World Series MVP. ... Frank Fitzpatrick isn't happy about the alcohol policy at the ballpark because it makes people act like, well, idiots. On that note, it's a shame that some idiots had to light fires and loot a luggage store in Center City. It's too bad morons in the Northeast were throwing beers at police. Unfortunately, people outside of Philly see that stuff on TV and think we're barbarians. ... Fitzpatrick surveys the scene from the stands. ... Joe Maddon some questionable pitching decisions last night. ... Some fans had a brutal night with tickets.
Congrats to the Phillies! Way to put Philadelphia back on the championship map! This area is so crazed, I can't even find a paper in any local outlets to pick up. If anyone has an extra Daily News or Inquirer, let me know! I'd love to get my hands on one to save for memories... especially the "We Win!" daily news— keith1995- I’m lucky enough to witness the two world championships. But this one felt different. I just became a fan in 1979 and in the blink of an eye we were champions in 1980. I celebrated with the rest of the city. Went to the streets and came home with the sun. Yesterday, I just stayed home, watching the celebration on the Streets and the interviews on Comcast Sporstnet, how Michael Barkann and Mitch Williams interviewed almost every member of the club one by one, including Charlie Manuel. And I celebrated with them. But I knew it was different when I noticed I had tears in my eyes. THIS TIME I FELT MORE LIKE A CHAMPION! Congratulations to the Phillies, the city and to all of us in this blog who never quit being fans.— EL Zorro
- So how come we can never win back to back world series, its not fair for us............. just kidding, this is awesome, 24 hours until the parade.— timm2
- Was it just me or was that a super-intense 3 innings? On offense, the two big doubles by forgotten hero Jenkins and struggling Burrell, the bloop hit by Werth (in the middle of everything) and the winning hit by clutch Feliz (remember, he had a big RBI in Game 4 before it got blown open) provided several explosions of joy. But then the relievers provided several heart-in-mouth moments: Madson struggled badly for the first time since August (think he was a little nervous?), giving up two loud hits; Iwamura *nearly* got the go-ahead hit (that's the type of ball that has gotten by Utley many times on the backhand side this year); Utley alertly threw home and Ruiz handled the one-bounce throw to get Bartlett (great presence of mind by Utley, and how popular is Ruiz going to be now?); Romero gave up the hit to Crawford and then Manuel left him in to face Upton (who was fearful that Upton might pop one there?); and of course the single and steal in the 9th, followed by Zobrist's screaming line drive. In the end, it was entirely appropriate that Tampa's final three at-bats were tension-filled, because nothing came easily for this team (or this city) -- they earned every win they got. And nothing could be a more fitting end to the season and the championship than a swing-and-miss on a disappearing Lidge slider. Congratulations Phillies and their fans!— Statman
Just released by MLB: New York (NY) 11:50EST- Major League Baseball announced officially this morning that the position of "2008 World Champions of Baseball" has been filled by the PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES. All other teams previously interested in this position are thanked for their participation and are encouraged to try again in the future. The selection process will begin again in Spring 2009. Until then, have a nice winter.— bobby- Bobby, ready to start arguing about next year's team? I still can't believe it. What a game. It must be the longest game ever played in baseball--lasted 47+ hours— jeff gross
- As far as I can see, there are no arguments over next year's lineup... STAND PAT! LOL (Here's a trivia question for ya: What pitcher holds the record for longest time between pitches in the same World Series game?)— bobby
- Zo, Thank you for amazing coverage all Year. You've made an amazing season poetic every single day! After the parade, take some time off, man! You've earned it!— Frank Lloyd Wrong
- Frank Fitzpatrick, drinking beer instead of buying a book at the stadium.. You really captured the pulse of the idiot fans.. A true championship celebration, drinking too much beer. What a travesty people drinking..The players were celebrating with alcohol also a disgrace.. Stick to highschool Fitzy..Or better yet, have a cold one .....Congrats to the fans,they were awesome. Phillies '2008 World Series Champions....— pat h
- Tom Hanks in a League of Their Own on baseball..."the hard is what makes it great". And for Philly fans, what could be more true? What a season. Got home from park about 1:15, stayed up watching Comcast, SportsCenter, tape of game. The started downloading and sorting thru the 200 plus pictures wife,daughters and I took of game 5, parts 1&2. Wewnt searching for papers around 4 a.m., couldn't wait for my Inqy to be delivered. Caught guy on truck at a WAWA, said he's never been so loaded in his 20 years as a driver and there were about 15 other people waiting with me. I mean, how whacked are we...LOL? The game, nobody sat in seats, it was really stoked from players warming up thru when security chased us all out of stadium. The parade will be sooooooooooooo sweet. Finally, a big thanks you to Zo, the blog from Zo Zone to this has been a daily connection that has become a daily must read ritual. For the regulars, it has been a great time debating and discussing our favorite team. They earned it, we earned it, the city deserves it. Hard to believe Harry.— jimmymack
- answer bobby: Grant Balfour as for next year, back for sure are Ruiz, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Feliz, Werth, Victorino, Jenkins, Dobbs,Hammels, Myers,Blanton, Lidge, Madson, Romero, Eyre and Durbin. Players we want back but may not be back: Burrell, Moyers. Players who we love but who we may not have room for Coste, Stairs, Brunlett, Happ, Kendrick. Players who will not be back: Condrey, Taguchi, Seanez. Rookies likely to make team: Marson and possibly Golson if Charlie is looking for a project. To be found in off season: Replacement for Pat the Bat if he leaves, 5th outfielder, replacement for Brunlett. Spring training roster fights: 4th and 5th starter, middle reliever. Thoughts??— jeff gross
- Jeff: My thoughts are this... You misread my meaning. It's WAY too soon to even be thinking of next year, much less debating it! Enjoy today and tomorrow!— bobby
- By the way: Todd, great job selecting the photos and great job by the Inqy photogs! These pics are way better than the ones I'm seeing on USAToday, etc. Must be the local eye!— bobby
Congratulations to the Phillies, their fans and all of the loyal bloggers from far and wide! It was great to see Pat Burrell get the big hit it what may have been his last at bat as a Phillie. Eagles are next!— RAS- I guess Joe Banner will really be complaining now about the lack of Eagle coverage. Too bad, so sad.— jimmymack
