Journals

          A Preface, or Warning: The following is a running transcript of my thoughts on the 2008 World Series as the events transpire.  I am a lifelong Phillies fan.               Celebration or Despair - I'll let you know depending on how the Phillies fare.  Game 1 tonight in Tampa Bay - Cole Hamels, our Ace, on the mound.  I want to have faith.  If the Phillies win the World Series, 25 years of futility, frustration, and despair will be over.  At this moment, I can't predict what will happen if such a momentous victory should occur. Stay tuned.  By the way, the wood I have chosen as the theme symbolizes the Philly bats that are going to crush the ball out of Tropicana Park .            As I write this, the excitement of the Phillies first World Series win in 15 years has already faded.  No time to revel in last night's victory when the team is a dismal 1-21 with runners in scoring position.  In fact, last night's game should never have been as close as it was.  Hamels pitched like all Philly fans believed he would, and yet we still only won by a lonely run.  Besides Utley's 2-run shot in the first during last night's affair, the wooden bats of the Fightin' Phils were rather silent.            Here it is now in the 4th inning of game 2, the Phillies are trailing 4-0 and showing little signs of being able to mount a comeback.  I hope I'm wrong though, for my faith is waning already.  Think I'm fickle?  The Philadelphia faithful are some of the most easily disillusioned fans in all of sports.  Such emotional ups and downs are to be expected, however, from a hard-fought 7 game series.  I'll return soon for another update.     http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3661922&sportCat=mlb&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1             For anyone who is interested and paying attention to this monumental sporting event, which moves to Philadelphia tonight, check out this article by ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski on the ageless wonder Jamie Moyer.  The guy is so old he was a senior in high school the last time the Phillies won (28 years ago).  And I'm starting to realize perhaps I should have titled this journal, 23 Years of Pain Rooting for Philly Sports.        Well, it's almost over.  As the rain continues to fall on a cold night, our Ace Hamels is on the mound once again.  This time for the possible series clinching win.  At 4-0 so far this postseason, my faith is strong.  Game 2 did not get rained out as I originally anticipated, in fact, we won in a 9th inning nail-biter.  After spending the weekend in Philadelphia to witness the pandemonium firsthand, I have to say I am spent.  One too many shots for each home run the Phils hit in game 4, two coming from the suddenly awakened bat of Ryan Howard.  If they win, however, celebration will ensue.         I just heard the announcer say the conditions are quickly worsening, which is actually a good thing considering the Phillies are leading 2-1.  For those who are not tuned into the sports world, the Philadelphia Phillies now lead the series three games to one, and have a chance to capture just their second championship in history, at home in front of a frenzied crowd no less.  A loss tonight would be a golden opportunity squandered.  Anyone who knows anything about true fandom understands where I'm coming from here.  This championship starved city has been craving a world title in anyone of the four sports for the last 25 years.  I feel I am repeating myself and for that I am sorry.  My mind sometimes regurgitates itself when it gets excited.  The sorry Rays pitcher has started off the 5th inning with back-to-back walks and promptly been pulled.  While his night is over, I have a good feeling that mine, along with legions of Phillies fans everywhere is just beginning.  Stay with me though.  I'll be back to let you know how it turns out.           No celebration last night.  And likely none tonight either.  The game gave way to the rain, only after the Rays were able to tie it in the top of 6th.  Philly fans are surely brewing up conspiracy theories at this moment.  If you listened to the media though, you would think Tampa Bay actually won last night's game.  All they can do is sing the praises of Upton and Longoria, while taking shots at John Kruk (member of the losing '93 squad), the only one on ESPN's World Series coverage who is still picking the Phils.  If you didn't know any better, you'd think the Rays had morphed into Barack Obama and were headed for a landslide victory.  Thankfully, however, this is not the 2008 election, and although media bias is as forgotten as last year, there is still a game to be played.  Whether it be tonight or tomorrow will ultimately be decided by the weather.  When the game does get underway again, what it boils down to is a 3 inning game pitched by relievers.  It may go into extras, but that would favor the Phils, who have the far superior bullpen.  If there is one thing that gives me faith more than anything, it is Brad Lidge and the Philadelphia bullpen.           Our World Series victory lap will have to wait at least one more night.  The conclusion to game 5 will hopefully go off tomorrow night, and as always, I will be watching, ready to do the same.        The Philadelphia Phillies have just won the 2008 World Series.   I need to write that so that my mind might come to the realization I am not dreaming, but merely in a stunned state of shock.  For the first time in my nearly 24 years on this earth, I have witnessed a Philadelphia sports team capture a world championship.  It has been a spectactularly elusive moment, and for just such a reason, a magnificently sweet one, sweeter than I ever could have imagined.  I must admit though, it is strange the reaction my body is having.  Close to dazed, my less than jubilant celebration is clearly not what I originally thought it would be.  When you have grown to love a roudy crowd of unloveable losers (in the city of brotherly love no less), and become an adopted son of their luckless, hardscrabble existence, it is hard to finally fit your head with the hat of a World Series Championship.  But I must say, I am satisfied in a way I never thought I would.  No longer bitterly stung by the taste of defeat, but not cocky in the confidence of victory; finally, I can rest assured in the rich feeling of blessed peace knowing my favorite team has achieved the pinnacle of success in their sport.  By the way, anyone else think it's always Sunny in Philadelphia?