What This Means To You

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, November 01, 2008 06:00 AM

Note: I’d like you all to share what this world championship means to you. I’ll leave this up for a while, so you all can contribute if you’d like. This is a special time for all of us, so I feel it merits this sort of treatment. I’ll share what this championship means to me, first. Of course, it’s about fathers and sons:

***

At 5:25 p.m. Monday, I was sitting at my desk at work, preparing for game five of the World Series by listening to the same pseudo playlist I’ve created through my iPod. Always at the top: “Life in Technicolor” by Coldplay. A gorgeous, soaring song, it evokes breaking through, breaking out, then running in unison, together.

As the song began, I stopped, and I thought about my earliest baseball memories.

I remember sitting on the third base line at the 600 level of Veterans Stadium, peering straight ahead and seeing a sign that read: “Mike Schmidt * 548 * We love you.” It was an August Saturday evening in 1990, and I was keeping score — as I always had. The Phillies beat the Giants. Terry Mulholland threw a no hitter that day. My dad sat next to me.

***

My dad took me to my first Phillies game, a 1985 game where Juan Samuel knocked a game-winning home run. He took me to many more games after that. I must’ve attended a dozen Phils games a year in my childhood, or at least I think. Between the Vet, the art museum, the Rand McNally store at Liberty Place and South Street, my dad shuttled me everywhere in my youth. I spent every Saturday with my dad, and cherished every one of those outings.

What amazes me most about these outings is my dad didn’t really have the sufficient cash to satisfy my budding child brain. My family was decidedly middle class, a two-parent, four-child, dog and cat collection in a Port Richmond row home. Dad drove to New Brunswick, N.J., each day to work. I anticipated him walking through the door at 6 p.m. every single day, and he never, ever arrived late.

But we had little cash for the weekends, and yet my dad took me everywhere, and to countless Phillies games. There I exercised my knowledge of the game, learned aspects like the infield fly rule and the squeeze play. There I gained a love for a bumbling bunch of guys in red and white. The Phils stunk, but I watched.

***

“Life in Technicolor” continued, and I thought about standing at the right field foul line, waving my little brother’s hat at Ricky Botallico. He signed it. I thought about my older brother yelling, “Hey, Mr. Lankford!” at a chatty Lankford on the field. The slugger tossed a ball to my brother.

I thought about watching home runs sail into the orange, yellow and brown seats of the Vet. I thought about Gregg Jeffries knocking a double into the corner. I thought about ‘371′ and the laughing Braves logo in the outfield. I thought about the yellow Bell Atlantic sign below Fan-a-vision. I thought about seeing Curt Schilling strike out almost 20 Yankees, Butch Huskey slaughtering a ball into the 600 level, Steve Carlton waving to the crowd as ‘32′ retired to the black wall, Mariano Duncan hitting a grand slam on Mother’s Day, Darren Daulton hitting a grand slam against the Fish. And for every memory, there was Dad, sitting next to me.

I thought about the 1993 team. I thought about how my dad bought us all tickets to game three of the World Series — my birthday. Now I wonder how he paid for those. And I thought about how even before Joe Carter stepped to the plate, I ran to my room, threw myself on my bed and covered my head with my pillow. I didn’t need to see it.

And before I thought I would, I cried.

***

Like most families coming of age in the 1990s, my mom and dad found their way out of wedded bliss. The details are unnecessary, but the result is two distinct relationships. With my mom, it’s more personal, more confessional — women, life prospects, friends. With Dad, it’s the three of the material things I enjoy most: Alcohol, music, sports — mainly, the Phillies.

Like most fathers, it’s difficult to talk about some things with my dad. I don’t share much of the women/life prospects/friends conversation with him, but there has never been a time when I couldn’t pick up my phone, call him and say, “So … those Phils …”

Obviously, I’ve grown into much more of a devoted fan than he. Now he asks me for the latest news, and he picks my brain for opinions. And now I buy the tickets and take him to games. I’ll drive from Connecticut to take him to a game. I’ll always make that drive.

This year I drove home for games three and four. I had no tickets — all I wanted to do was watch the games with dad, to share our greatest shared passion in its most important moments. With my dad and my brothers, we pushed through until the beginning of game three, then cheered wildly as the Phils put away the Rays. And game four — while a little more tense — felt like a soothing of the soul. The Phils were up three games to one. My dad and I slapped hands, yelled, smiled. This was how it was supposed to happen. We always had our Phillies,

***

Monday I was at work, tired from the long drive home that morning, excited and tense for game five. You know the tale by now — the rains dampened our spirits and delayed our celebration. Turns out I wasn’t quite ready. Turns out sitting in a loud bar with football and hockey surrounding me, it wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t appropriate yet.

Two nights later I sat on my couch. I watched the game intently — right leg shaking, eyes glued, hair itching, arms tired — just as I had watched the majority of the 175 games before it. And I was all alone in my quiet Connecticut home — well, except for the myriad phone calls during the evening. After each half inning I picked up the phone, dialed Dad, and comforted him. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’m stressed here.” “Don’t worry, Dad,” I told him. “We’re winning this.”

Before the bottom of the seventh, and after the Rays knotted the score again, I called him.

“This doesn’t look good.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. Burrell’s leading off, and I know it, he’s gonna do something. He’s gonna hit something big here.”

“I hope you’re right,” he retorted, searching for something more positive.

Then Burrell stepped in. On the 1-1 count, he launched a ball that should’ve left the yard. I was thinking home run — in fact, I was thinking home run since the close of game four. But it knocked the rail, inches from the crowd. Burrell doubled. A few batters later, his double became the fourth and winning run of the game. And as soon as Burrell stopped at second, my dad called:

“I can’t believe you called that!”

We were winning the game. We were going to be champions.

***

When Brad Lidge unfurled the final slider that dispatched Eric Hinske, I leaped, shrieked and frantically dialed the phone. At some point, Dad answered. I was in mid-shriek.

“Congratulations,” he said calmly, assuredly. “We’re world champions.”

He never sounded so calm. While I giggled and teared and screamed like a 4-year-old girl, Dad was calm as the sea, silent as the crowds that we were part of at the Vet. Both of us, though, in our own ways, were overjoyed. Simply overjoyed.

After making an initial round of calls, I called Dad back.

“I just want to thank you,” I said, beginning to tear. “I want to thank you for taking me to Phillies games. And for ingraining this team in my head, and making me a fan. And for always being there.”

Dad brushed it off. “Awww, that’s okay,” as if being a Phillies fan was like living under an albatross.

Not anymore.

***

Why do we do it? Why do we cheer? Why do we applaud? Why do we devote our money, our time, our social lives, our abilities to something as trivial and simple as the game of baseball? Why do we write a thousand blog posts — which I’ve done since Nov. 1, 2007 — about a baseball team? Why do we schedule trips based on where our favorite team will be playing baseball?

I have no idea.

I can’t reveal the mystery behind that, because I just don’t know. I outgrew video games, and I outgrew professional wrestling, and the piano, and soda, and tap dancing. I outgrew sandboxes and skyline drawing, gum chewing and walking in circles. But I’ve never outgrown baseball.

But I know part of the reason is my dad. It connects us like nothing else. That applies for most men or women who love baseball — at some point in their lives, their fathers or mothers showed them a baseball game. The act of sitting next to your child at a baseball game is an act of many things: respect, demonstration, admiration, appreciation, tradition, and most of all, friendship. Baseball turns fathers and sons into friends. It turns us into equals.

And as I look back once more on those hundreds of games I’ve attended, and all those jumbled memories that comprised a chunk of my childhood, I know that I spent every one of those seconds as a friend to whomever I was with. Especially Dad. We could always come to the Vet, or Citizens Bank Park, and be friends. Just friends. And Wednesday night I spent the greatest moment of my still very young life with my friend, returning the favor as best I could, finally realizing what this was all for.

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52 Responses to “What This Means To You”

VA Steve Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:33 am
This one was sweet, better than 1980 and seemed to come out of nowhere. Like many Philadelphia sports fans, are faith and devotion is constantly tested. There were times this season, many times that I thought this team did not have it. However, this season was different.

For me, it started with my first ever visit to Clearwater, on St. Patrick’s day too. Excitement was in the air, green jerseys and caps. The second largest attendance to ever witness a Phillies spring season game, and best of all a victory.

As a displaced Philly fan living in Northern Virginia, I still follow out sports teams with a passion. Thanks to Direc TV MLB package and participation in a Washington National season ticket plan, I am able to see almost all Phillies games. This included 5 games in DC, of which the Phillies won 4. This also included two trips to CBP, first against the Red Sox (not so good, Kyle Kendrick got pounded early), and then against the Dodgers in late August, during the series we swept. Arguably, this series was the beginning of the turnaround and the march to our World Championship.

Yes, I had doubts many times this season, but that game (against future hall of famer Greg Maddux) was different. I started feeling like this team perhaps could do something special. The intensity continued to grow in September, and I was left with disappointment once again as we could not beat the Nationals on labor day.

My faith and loyalty tested constantly, I was not about to give up. Why change at this point. September was a blur, reminisient of the pervious September, as we climed first in the wild card standings, then in the division standings in clinching our second consecutive NL east crown. I have to admit, when we clinched on that Sunday in 2007, I cried. Finally, we had done it, after so many years. Then, 1-2-3 done. Wow, I thought, what just happened.

On to October baseball in 2008, admitingly I was scared that this was going to happen again against the surging Brewers. Fortunately, the Phillies would have nothing of the sort. Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Shane Victorino and others were saying, nope, just not gonna happen. Unfortunatley the first two games started late afternoon, so I was subjected to catching all the action on my computer at work and through frequent text messages with other fanatics. Confidence began to grow.

I could see it in the players, in their actions. They could not be intimidated, they didn’t flinch. In past years, first inning of game one, Brett falling apart, I would have said here we go again, we are done. Not in 2008. This team wanted it, I thought to myself. We are going to make a run.

On to the Dodgers series, and I truly need to say, for the first time in my life, I was confident. Looking at this team, how relaxed they were, I lost my doubts. I really felt we were going onto the WS, and regardless of who we were to play, I said to myself, “bring ‘em on.”
When Matt Stairs hit that titanic HR in LA, it sealed the deal for me. This team was special. After 25 years, we would have our parade.

The WS, in many ways, was anti-climatic. Just a matter of team. Game 1, Cole in command, a W. Game 2, thought we had a chance, no victory, but we split the series and were right where we needed to be. Game 3, I knew it was Moyer’s time. I knew he would. Fate was with us. I predicted a quality start, that is what he gave us, and then some. My confidence grew. Onto game 4 and Blanton, what can you say. Couldn’t tell if Joe was Cy Young or Babe Ruth, or perhaps both. Wow, no stopping us now.

Game 5, stretched over 3 days, was a fitting conclusion to a Philadelphia sports fan. Only we can understand. In no other city, for no other team would the fans understand. Keep us hanging, keep us waiting, so close yet so far. My stomach in knots, not because I doubted victory, but only because I HAD TO WAIT. But, confidence remained. Onto the sixth inning, a thing of beauty, Geoff Jenkins crushes a double. Again, no doubt in my mind, that sealed the deal, only a matter of time until we get our celebration.

Due to technology, being so far yet so close, texting furiously with other fans in Delaware and Jersey, watching on my 42 inch LCD, I was there. If not physically, no doubt in spirit. I was standing along with the fans, pacing, heart racing. No doubt. TIVO was recording every minute of it. Lidge enters and I wasn’t even worried that this time, he would end his streak. No doubts. The only time I became a bit worried is out #2, the liner to Werth. Hit hard, looked like it was sinking fast, but into the glove. Onto the celebration………………

Thanks Phillies. Thanks to every player who made a contribution to this team. Thanks for your efforts. Thanks to the fans, the owners, the commitment. 2008 will always be a fantastic year, a special year. WORLD CHAMPIONS, how sweet does that sound.
Greg V. Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:33 am
I was 3 months old when the Phillies won the 1980 World Series. My mom insisted that I watch it and held me on her lap as Tug threw his final pitch. Who would have thought that it would be 28 years until I saw it again? As a young kid, every Sunday, the family went to my grandparents’ house. Both were devout Phillies fans and I would watch the games every Sunday over the years. I saw many players come and go. Some teams would be great (1993), others would be terrible (2000). But I always cheered them on. Sometimes I’d be full of anger. Other times I’d be full of joy. But nothing will ever come close to how I cheered on Wednesday night! I cried. Both my grandparents are gone and would have loved this win. I felt I had to represent my family and friends who could not go to the parade by making a trek over there, among the chaos. It as a special moment and one that I will never forget!
Rob Cowie Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:33 am
Nation,

I still can’t believe the Phillies won the World Series. From the stories my grandparents told me about 1950, 1964, 1977 and having the 1993 season destroy my childhood, I wrote this team off at during the first Clinton administration.

What 2008 has taught me is that I know what it feels like to climb the mountain top. Top live, day in and out, the trials and tribulations of watching a World Series winning ball club.

When my grandparents talked of 1980, I shrugged them off believing that the one successful team of the past doesn’t trump the futile ones of the past century.

But, I can imagine it now. 10 years from now when my apparent future children and I are sitting at the ballpark. Ill probably explain the game to them the same way my grandparents explained it to me while we sat at the Vet on Sunday afternoons. And those children of mine while snicker at the mentions of 2008 the same why I did at 1980.

But, through the negativity built the foundation of phaith. For every Tom Herr there was Scott Rolen. For every Ron Gant there was Pat Burrell. For that slob Mark Lewis came Chase Utley. And, that bum Steve Jeltz. His memory erased by Jimmy Rollins.

Once a generation a team will come together to bridge the generations of Phillies baseball, and its fans, toward one ultimate goal. While 2008 may never be repeated for a long, long time, their stories will never get old. Their lessons will always ring true and they will be the beacon of hope for my children who will think “why not us?”

Nation. Thank you for your time. We love you all.

Regards,
Rob Cowie
Mike Miller Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:01 am
Wow guys- so incredibly well written!
And the funny thing is, everything you guys wrote- I could have wrote as well. There is no doubt this was a team of destiny- and yet there is no doubt to me that this team will be back next year, and around for a long time to come!
I have felt, lived, cheered screamed and cried with my dad- just the the rest of Philly Nation. I’m in the military, and have spent the last 23 years in places other than the east coast where I grew up. Finally, I got to move back here in April. And little did I know what a wonderful summer of baseball I had to look forward to. I have been a rabid Phillie fan since I could breath…I mean truly bleed Philly red- and it was tough being away for all those years. But it all came flooding back stronger than ever…a team- a year of destiny. What an awesome ride. AWESOME! The last few days have been a blur- but I’ve been soaking it in with true, sheer delight. I think the rest of the nation has seen that there is nothing that can even closely resemble Philly Nation- it is truly amazing.
Thank you Phillies- from the bottom of my heart. World _____ing Champions!!!!
bigbobster Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:07 am
When I was 16, the Phils won the World Series. I was obsessed with the Phils in 1980. They had to overcome a lot that year, especially a hot Montreal team. The 2008 team is different, and in many ways, more thrilling for me. That’s because this team proves to the Major League how an organization should win: start with a farm system that develops a core of smart players. The Phils were built on a homegrown core of players, which means better chemistry, which translates on the field as guys picking up each other. And as Jimmy Rollins has been preaching, that builds positive attitude and loyalty from fans. Gillick then went and got other smart players with the same attitude. Just look at the Mets and Yanks down the stretch to see how a lack of chemistry impacts the win column. 40 years of free agency cannot change this fact. The Phils did more than win a championship for this great city. They sent a reminder to other organizations on how it’s done.
Derek Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:14 am
When I was 8 my dad took me to the Vet for the World Series against the Blue Jays. It was the happiest night of my life. My mom and grandma still tell the story, how when i got home they asked me how it was and I talked about it for like 10 minutes straight with a huge smile on my face. And at the end of that I said, “O but we lost.” And as we all know we lost that series.
My dad died a couple of years ago in a car accident, and I think about him everyday. Especially everytime that i watch a Phillies, Eagles or Flyers game.
This world series win is theraputic for me. It’s like something that has been coming (for me at least) for 15 years! And it makes me just think about that night at the Vet with my dad and how happy that time was for me, and how happy my dad would be right now. Thank you Phillies! World ****ing Champions!
DAVID HARRIS JR Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:18 am
THIS MEANS ALOT TO ME WHEN THE PHILLIES WON IN 1980 I WAS 9 YEARS OLD AND NOW THAT IAM 37 ITS A WONDERFULL THING TO HAVE WIN ANOTHER WORLD TILLE . I CANT PUT INTO WORDS .
Elizabeth Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:19 am
My love of the Phillies and baseball is inextricably linked to my love of my dad. The first memories I have go back to doubleheaders at Connie Mack Stadium, then of course the years at the Vet all the way up until my dad died in January of 2001. He never saw the baseball palace that is CBP, and of course couldn’t cheer with me for the 2008 Phillies (WORLD F-cking Champions, BTW!), but I think of him every time I watch my Phils. When Tim McGraw sprinkled Tug’s ashes on the mound, I cried for my dad as well as for Tug-but I think both of them are watching their Phillies this year.
A toast to absent friends and family who taught us to love this team and this game, and, for those of you like Tim, who still have those people in their lives, cherish every moment-you will remember it the rest of your lives!
Kevin Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:21 am
I took my first day off of a new job just for the parade. that right there deserves some credit in my eyes. i know i am not that old to feel the previous 28 seasons of agonizing pain but as youg as i may be, I will always remember this. Let’s Go Phillies!!!!!!!!
MSM Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:51 am
This was very well written and touched me, like I’m sure it has many others. In the past week I’ve been thinking of all the people in my life that I shared baseball and the Phillies with. This especially includes my grandparents and my father. Rather than them introducing it to me, I picked up the sport in 1985-I remember vividly watching my first game on TV of the Astros playing the Phillies at the Astrodome, of watching Schmidt face Nolan Ryan. My first game was opening day in 1986, and we went to Sunday games throughout the late 80s and early 90s.

I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to Game 5, and standing there watching Lidge face Hinske I looked at the sky and I swear, time stood still for those moments and thought of all those people I noted above, because they have all passed away since then. With that final strike out I think I felt, and so many of us felt resolution of all those who have left before this team could win again.

I know I cried, laughed, screamed and yelled until 2 am the other night and then did some more of it yesterday at the parade and into CBP (lucky to get a ticket to that too). It will be 3 days of wonder and memory I won’t soon forget.
Justin Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:58 am
Great Stuff….

All I have to say is….

“Is this heaven?”
“No it’s Iowa.”
SJ Mike Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
I can only describe this experience as a wave of pure unadulterated joy.

I was giddy. I was crying. I still can’t believe it. There’s a part of me that thinks it won’t sink in until the season rolls around next April and I’m sitting in Citizens Bank Park and watching the 2008 banner wave in the wind.
Greg Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am
No matter what, when, or where…I periodically stop myself for a second, collect my thoughts and think, “We’re World Series Champs”. Its going to be a sweet off-season.
Phil Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Tim, you continue to top yourself everytime. That was seriously beautiful, man. You write with such emotions. You write exactly what you feel, and I love it. It reminds me a bit of Kerouac without the drugs and better grammar. haha I hope that isn’t offensive. I am a bit jealous because I do not have this to share with my father like you, but I do with my grandfather who did this all for me as a kid. I still call him all the time to say how about those Phils. I still haven’t called him after the World Series. He’s been busy working and I’ve been busy celebrating. I’m gonna give him a call tonight or tomorrow sometime. It is great to have that family member whether it be your mom, dad, older brother, whomever to share the great experience of baseball with. I hope to one day show my son the ways of baseball because baseball is one of the greatest things in my life and he should experience it as well.
mikemike Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I can tell you want it meant to me three hours of cleaning up the mess that the city didn’t do. 2600 block of 12 is a mess and nutter could care less. I Love being at the parade, but today reality set in the streets are a mess and no city workers to help.
Greg F. Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
This one is for the Dads.

I was seven years old growing up in tiny Hartley, Delaware when my father piled my brothers and I in the family car and headed north to the big city of Philadelphia. It was 1964 and I can scarcely recall the event, only hazy memories of the steel gray industrial landscape of North Philadelphia and then, Connie Mack Stadium.

More bleak gray and soot, but soon we made our way to the concourse, and then, suddenly, the world changed. Out of the desolate gray emerged a shimmering diamond of green and sky blue. Phillies players like Richie Allen and Tony Taylor, resplendent in their red pinstripes, warmed up on the field, their white uniforms in contrast to the emerald green.

Later I would discover that my Dad had pitched for his college baseball team and even entertained dreams of trying out for the Phillies. He so admired Robin Roberts, even writing the Phils ace a letter. Roberts responded, and my Dad saved the letter all those years.

Fast forward to season tickets at the Vet. Living and diying with those Phils teams of the 70’s, Schmitty, Carlton. The Bull. My Dad and I sat in the Vet on a Friday night in 1972 when Lefty won his 15th straight game. My Dad passed in 2007, so he wasn’t around to enjoy this. He admired Jimmy Rollins so much. He would talk about him with such pride.

Now it’s time time to pass this tradition on to the next generation. I’ve taken my son to the Bank four times now. His first game was a 2005 day game vs. the Dodgers, which the Phitin’s lost, 1-0. But we made it to Fireworks night this year, and celebrated a last inning victory against the DBacks. Never saw my son so happy.

This World Series triumph is dedicated to all the Dads, who gave us moments we could never foresee and will never forget.
NateB Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I’ve always loved the Phillies, and I’m so happy to see them as champions! This is all about happiness and love.
Scott Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I’ve always wondered what this would feel like. I’m almost 35 and never appreciated a championship despite a lifetime of caring intensely about all 4 local teams, but especially the Phils. Would a championship somehow diminish my passion? Would I look at an 0-16 Eagles team and say, “Who cares? I have my title.”? But I don’t think that is going to be the case at all.

What this means to me is that for all the loses, all the heartache, all the agony of pouring emotion into a cause that has yielded no dividends at all, now we have something to show for it. Caring DOES yield dividends. What you give, ultimately, is what you get. So as long as the passion is still there, we will enjoy future championships just as much.

I was genuinely surprised by my reaction on Wednesday night. I’m always the first guy to celebrate by wildly running around the room. But not Wednesday. As Hinske stood up there 0-2, I started to hyperventilate and thought, “My God. This is it.” All I saw of the last pitch was Hinske swinging and missing, and that was it. I slumped off my chair, hit the floor and started crying for 10 minutes straight. All the pain, all the caring, all the investment, all the agita, was for THIS MOMENT, and was released in one long gush. I’ve never felt such euphoria, and probably never will again – not to this degree.

And to do it with this team – guys you pull for, guys you care about, guys with distinct personalities but all of whom you genuinely root for, just made it all the more special. No Barry Bonds on this team. No Manny Ramirez on this team. These are guys who we can allow to represent us and do so with pride.

This is why we care. And it’s better than I thought it would be.

PS – Wonder what Cubs fans think about all this?
grrrumpy miner Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
2008 season has come and gone and the Phillies have won so I tip my Mets cap to the Phans and the Phillies as the better team won.That said;congratulations;now the hunters have now become the HUNTED.It doesn’t matter now what numbers that Rollins,Howard,Hamels,etc…..now they have bulls-eyes on their back.I read that Bill Madden piece last week in the NY Daily News with Pat Gillick backhandedly thanking the Mets for every teams “hatred” for them.Now,do teams want to beat a team where players do showboating who haven’t won anything…..OR do you want to beat the champion.Yes I know that all teams want to win regardless but be careful because all,and I do mean ALL teams will be gunning for the Phils with guns blazing…..just remember the last 8 seasons we have had different champion every season so the odds are stacked against a repeat performance.Once again congrats,now the hunters have become the HUNTED.
grrrumpy miner Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
None of us know what 2009 has in store,but with this added motivation…….next season all teams start with the magic #163 and 0-0 records.The Phils win will motivate the Mets,Marlins,Braves,and Nationals to want to knock down the Phillies.All I know is….I want to see a stoic,quiet,no showboating,and show no emotion look to my Amazins as well as a business like feel to them,and let what they do on the field speak for itself.
phillyhater Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I would love nothing more than to punch j-ro right between the eyes, knock him to the floor, and then proceed to beat his face in with my steel toed boot, and then see how much shyt he can talk when he is unconcious. And then when he is lying there in a pool of his own blood, struggling to breathe, i would piss all over his face and leave him there for dead. F@CK YOU JIMMY ROLLINS. Do you have that much of an inferior complex where right after you win it all, all you can think about is talking shyt about my Mets? And your hero M. Williams…”this is what happens when you shut up and play”? Oh really Mitch, I thought what happens is you give up a world series ending meatball for Joe Carter. The Phillies talk more shyt than anyone, and he has the nerve to say that in front of a national audience? Ohhhh, our players like to celebrate when we acomplish something, but we dont sit there and talk shyt to the opposing team when we win like a 5th grader on the playground or something.
grrrumpy miner Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hater….I have been an Amazins fan since the early 70’s and hate everyone that my team faces…however,I was always taught to respect a champion.Face it,reality says that they were the better team and have a title to show for it.As much as I hate Rollins all around and for what he spewed out of his mouth (which he is known for) he has the right to his day in the sun.Just hope in 2009 the Amazins will make him eat those words.
SJ Mike Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Phillyhater, reread your comment. If there is anybody with some kind of complex, it is you personally for your demented and violent fantasy.
AKP Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
wow. what a great post. there are million memories going through my head right now. i think my first memory of going to a phillies game was back in 1984. i am the first generation son of immigrants and my dad probably didnt care the first thing about going to a phillies game but took us b/c someone gave him the tix and i really wanted to go. we sat in the 500 section behind home plate at the vet. i still remember it clearly. over the years, we came to follow the phillies together and went to many more games together.

for me the most painful memory of these phillies is that of the 1993 team which i am sure is painful for everyone else as well. i still remember going to my room many times after dinner that season and listening to the home games on the radio. i cried at the end just like a lot of other people.

for me this win is so sweet. it feels like i have been redeemed. all those games i sat in the seats w/my dad who took me b/c i wanted to go. God i hope this feeling never goes away. and i hope i will have the right words to describe it when my kids ask me what it felt like. and i will do my best to let them know its ok to be the fan of a losing team b/c someday they will win it all and the joy they will feel on that day will be indescribable. thanks dad.

btw, this is hands down one of the best sites on the internet.
ActuallyChilled Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
WInning a world champion is great, because it gives you the opportunity to see the players in their ultimate forms of comfort, which rubs off on the city as well.

Chase Utley’s controversial statement has projected him to rockstar status.

These guys will stand the test of time as one of the most talented teams in all of baseball:

From Ace Cole to the perfect Pen, age defying pitching, comeback players, MVP hitting and defense – with balanced speed and immense power – lead leading players- and some all-time best pinch hitting from Dobbs, Stairs, and Jenkins…

It is funny how mass euphoria took the Rays as seriously as they did coming into the series. Yes, they have tons of talent, but let’s get real. I predicted Phillies in 5 on this board for a reason:

This is the golden team of Philadelphia, at its due, ready to mow over any opponent with steadfast perseverance.

Enjoy it brothers.
T Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
+1 to everyone.
Chase Mutley Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I’ve followed baseball since I was about 10 years old but was teamless for most of that time. I grew up in North Jersey and was about 8 years old when the Mets won the World Series which had my area in a baseball frenzy. My grandfather, a real baseball guy, was a Cardinals fan but more importantly, a fan of the sport, and he did his best to see that I didn’t look up to a bunch of coke addicted, cracked out, alcoholic, adulterers that were the ‘86 Mets (put that in your “stay classy, Philly” pipe and smoke it). He came back from a vacation to Clearwater the next year with a baseball autographed by Mike Schmidt and sort of a quiet push to follow the Phillies before the Mets.

Fast forward until about 10 years ago when I first met the woman who would become my wife. As fate would have it, she was the biggest Mike Schmidt fan I had ever met and it was one of those stars align moments thinking about the personalized, good luck baseball I had at home from the best third-baseman to ever play the game.

We moved to Philadelphia together a few years later and despite those futile years with the Phillies, went to games regularly and followed this team with much dedication (and many dollars) right up until this Championship.

When I think about what this Championship means to me, I think about the clinching game of the division last year. After years and years of close-but-no-cigar seasons, standing there with a million towels waving, knowing that you were surrounded by 45,000 friends, knowing the Mets had already lost, watching Brett Myers strike out Willy Mo Pena, turning to my wife and launching her into the air. We got over the hurdle and into the playoffs. I felt so privileged to be there, to be able to share it with her and with all of you.

I’ve said it many times on here but I wanted this Championship in April, not just for myself and my adopted city but because you felt like Pat Burrell and Jaime Moyer and Charlie Manuel were your friends — and we wanted it for them. These weren’t the superstars. No Vitamin Water deals. No video game covers. These were the people just like me and you that have just as many downs as they have ups. Ridiculed and boo’d as much as they were celebrated and cheered. I wanted it so we could all have the chance to thank them in front of the entire country, for making baseball in Philadelphia exciting again and giving us all a distraction from everything else in our lives. How could you not fall in love with this current team?!

After the parade we watched the rally in a bar in the Museum Area. When Chase Utley proudly shouted “WORLD F*CKING CHAMPIONS” and the entire place erupted, hugs and high-fives, it hit home right there and then.

Philadelphia: WORLD F*CKING CHAMPIONS.
Philly Phan in the Air Force Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I would like to take this time to reflect on years of heartache and headache. Think back to your days as kid in the Del-Val…going to the Vet for $4 in the 700 level and sneaking in some hoagies and ‘Sips and watching the Phil’s hoping for one day you get what you experienced last night. In ‘93 I was there, I remember I dad had a bumb knee after surgery from torn ligaments, and stood in line with a folding chair in hand and scored tickets to games 3 and 5, I got game 3 a loss and my brother got game 5 a win, then all of us watched on TV as Mitch Williams gave up that homer that was forever singed into our Phillies memory bank. Then came the next 15 years of ups and downs, but mostly downs, but we all stuck by, we watched the away games on TV and we attended the home games we could get too. Managers, players came and went, but the fans stuck by.
We had same good times in the Vet, but we needed something new, in 2004 CBP opened up and there was a vibe in Philly, 04 was a wining year along with ‘05 and 06, but not enough win the division or get the Wild Card, but that changed in ‘07, but we all know what happened there. 2008 had a special feeling, I had the oppurtunity to attend spring training games and practices in Clearwater, and introduce my son, Ethan to the same team that I grew up with, the only problem was we were in Florida and the Phils, well…..they were in FL a few times a year and as a 2 and 3 year old he went with me on road trips to Miami to watch the boy’s play, when I went home on leave I would take to CBP to watch them there, and last night I had him up watching our Boy’s win it all and we enjoyed it greatly…..hell, we were dancing around the living room acting like two 3 year-olds and went I put him to bed I asked him, who was the Champs and he replied the Phillies, I asked whose Phillies? and he replied our Phillies…..To everyone reading this, please enjoy this Championship, if I was in the Del-Val I would have been on Broad Street yesterday, with my son. I can’t believe we have finally did it.
Congrats Philadelphia Phillies–2008 World Champions.
Julie Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Tim, that was a really touching story. Great post. It’s amazing how sports are so filled with emotions…from happy to sad to angry to content to ecstatic. It’s no wonder that it’s these emotions that keep us attached to sports unlike those other fads.

We are truly blessed if we can share these emotions with others, especially our family members. Obviously, some people share emotions more than others. I believe that its the ups and downs of the Phillies that give a chance for even the most emotionally devoid people to share emotions with others. If we’re lucky, the emotions shared regarding the game carry on to foster better relationships in other aspects of life.

To me, the Phils have always been a way of sharing emotions with my family. Sometimes nothing needs to be said, but we all can feel it….that feeling of impending doom when Ruiz was up mid-season with a runner on 1st and 1 out, that feeling of cautious optimism with bases loaded and bottom of the 9th in Game 3, and now that feeling of total happiness and satisfaction. Winning this championship is just another end of the spectrum than I’m used to feeling, and it’s so great to be able to share this happiness with people I’m close to (and even people I’m not as close to).
Gavin Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Fantsatic Post Tim. I too relate very much to your story.

My dad grew up in Wilmington, but we lived in VA as I grew up. He took me to my first ever game in 1980 when I was 6. I dont remember much, but we sat in right center behind a red post. The game was late in the year. Bake McBride hit a HR to win the game or give the Phils the lead late against MTL. All I remember was looking up at the Panavision and seeing a potato opening up and it said, “Baked Tater.” I was hooked. I dont actually remember the Phils winning the WS, but i remember my dad yelling and screaming.

We traveled from VA to Philly every year to see a Phillies series. We’d stay with an old buddy of his who is a firefighter in North Philly. I saw alot of big hits. Ozzie Virgil with a game winning HR, Charlie Hayes with a walkoff to beat the Braves and put the Phils in 1st, Von Hayes hit a walkoff on Fathers day and on the way home we heard that the Phils traded Samuel to the Mets and got Roger McDowell and Dykstra.

I spent 75% of my nights listening to Harry and Whitey on a static interrupted feed on 1210 WCAU. My dad and I would sit out on our back porch and listen. he would explain the game to me. He taught me the game and a love of the Phillies.

When I was 14 my dad and I traveled to Clearwater to see the Phils for a week. Possibly the best week of my life. I got to meet Mike Schmidt in Lakeland before BP and got his autograph. An old woman beside me got one too and she said, “Who’s Mike Smith?”

I was in college in 93. That summer we saw a series where 2 grand slams were hit. Morandini and Dutch went deep. The Phils swept. I traveled from college in SC to VA watch the Phils play the Braves in the NLCs for a few games. Dykstra’s bomb in the 9th? sticks out the most………My parents told me they were getting divorced right after the WS and Joe Carters bomb. Life was about to change as I knew it.

I continued to go see a series every year with my Dad. He moved back to Wilmington and got remarried. We saw Scott Rolen’s 2nd game. We were there when Robert Person hit 2 HR’s in a game. We saw Estrada when a game with a bomb. We went to Cooperstown and saw his hero and my hero inducted on the same day.

We went to a series the last year of the VEt and have a picture from our last game together there.

We still go see a series every year…..except this year. My wife gave me a trip to see the Phillies in ST for Christmas this year. I took the whole family down there and my dad flew down too.F inacial issues kept us from our tradition during the season. I’m amazed by it. No matter what we always did it. Ironic I guess.

We talk on the phone when we can. I have a 3 year old boy and a 6 year old girl, a busy job, and a life in SC. He’s retired and in Wilmington. Whne we do talk, its almost exclusivley about the Phillies. I’ve never been to a Phillies game without my dad.

This leads me to my last point. When the Phils clinched my mom calls me. Says that a friend of hers who is a big wig in a company and lives in South Jersey has a few tix to Game 3. No joke……the seats are 9 rows back behind 1st base. Its on the weekend, so I could drive up…..they were 100% free……it was perfect except for one thing. They didn’t ahve a ticket for my dad. My heart sunk. I felt like I was going to htorw up. What should I do. I’m a 34 year old man with alot of repsonsibilities and I actually cried over the decision. I called them back and said I couldn’t go without my dad. If they could get an extra ticket I’d love to go, but of course they could not.

I couldnt have my first ever game w/o my dad be the WS. He’s the reason I love them and I have a sickness for them.

In the end, he was the first I called after they won. The actual first thing i did was run upstairs and wake up my 3 year old son, dragged him out of bed to show him. He cried becuase I scared him to death. I cried b/c the Phils were the champs. My dad and I cried together and I told him that I thank god that they won it while we could celebrate together.

He never knew I had tix to Game 3. I dont think I’ll ever tell him, b/c he’ll be mad. He’ll tell me I should have taken them. Maybe he’d be right, but there’s no way I could do that to him.

Thank you Tim for the best site on the net and Thank You Phils for giving me great memories from 1980-2008. Not just the last K by Lidge.
mikemike Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Amaro get G. M. job over Arbuckle wonder why.
Wheezy Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I have been a Phillies fan since Little League days in the early 1960s, including listening to By Saam on a transitor radio as I fell asleep. I was a young yuppie professional in 1980 and involved in too many life/work issues to realy, really enjoy the moment. For example, I did not take the time to participate in the parade after the Phillies won our first and only (at that time) championship.

Now I am semi-retired, with the maturity of age and a much better life/work balance. I was able to go to 5 post-season games this year, including 2 LCS games with my son,, plus games 5a and 5b of the World Series. That maturity I just mentioned? Totally lost it when Matt Stairs hit his home as my son and I danced in our family room. Lost it even more as I yelled my lungs out and cried Wed night when Brad Lidge turned the lights out on TB. And this time, I would not miss the parade!
D. Young Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Boo Hoo – you people got me all choked up. Get a life people.
Rob Cowie Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 9:46 pm
D young, same post all day. I enjoy your tenacity while we constantly delete your ass.
Joel Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Fellow Fans,

These are tremendous stories and thanks for sharing them. Hell reading many of them bring a tear of nostalgia and happiness.

Any words I can muster could never compare to the scripts upon these pages but I was 10 years old when the Phillies won in 1980. I was a fan because everyone in the family was and I realy never understood the passion until I became older. I grew into the Phillies more and more with each passing season until I shared the same passion for the game and the team.

Unfortunately, I probably have only seen less than 5 games in person (2 at the Vet and 2 at CBP) but I watched every game or listened on the radio if I was at work.

I am still in la la land regarding the win this year. I stayed optimistic at every turn no matter what people said. I knew somehow in my heart of hearts that they would go all the way.

My dad smiles and chuckles at me now because I went from the litle boy watching and not understanding ti the man who acts like a screaming maniac whenever something does not go our way when I am watching. I have come fully into the passion and I am so proud of the boys this year.

Thanks again for all the wonderful posts.
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Vitamin water and video game covers? Is it me….or wasn’t there a Phillie (Ryan Howard) on a video game cover as well as a Subway spokesman? Most high profile players do promos to make money……PLUS,David Wright was given a piece of the business that was worth 5 Million,than Coca-Cola bought it….Now its worth 100 Million.Not a bad investment if you don’t mind my saying so.
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
WHOOPS! I made an 80 million dollar mistake.I just researched the David Wright/Vitamin Water deal….He was given .05% share of the business and got 20 million after the coke sale.Overall it was a great deal.I guess I should do more research and most people would have been fired over an 80 million dollar mistake,but hell its not my money.
chase mutley Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
miner, if you read what I wrote correctly I was speaking of three particular people — all fan favorites, two of which are now FAs and I wanted to see have their day in the sun.

this is why I find you so difficult here at times. you want everyone to love you as the “reasonable mets fan” but you love to split hairs any chance you can and get your digs in.
PRP Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
All in all, I can finally put that 1993 Joe Carter historic heartbreak home run to rest and finally forgive Mitch Williams. That home run was tough on a 12y/o die hard phillies phan who had a wiffle ball bat named “Dutch”. This is the 5th best thing to happen to me in my life, the other 4 were booze, babes, soap and water lol j/k.

Go Phillies!!!!!!!
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 am
Chase……I got caught up in that story on the Mike Schmidt ball and how you met your wife (believe me that was a touching story,and I met my wife at a karaoke night not comparing the 2…no comparison but equally special and memorable) getting off the subject,I did re-read your blog. As of coming in here,I come in here for the love of the game and good conversation,but I am a Mets fan and do stand by my team win or lose as you rooted for the Phils after you got that autographed ball win or lose.Making digs?No its called a rivalry.I do respect what the Phils did this year and they deserve to be that and will forever be the Champs of 2008.I was always taught to respect a champion years ago….However you want to call it,the hunters have become the hunted.I come in this chat because a lot of the people here I respect whether you are a Phillies fan or a Mets fan,whatever.I can never call a place like Metsblog home for thats where your vengeful and illiterate trolls hang out.As of being a Mets fan on a Phillies page,I have no problem talking baseball,do you Chase?I don,t come in here for respect….I lile earning it.
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 am
I like earning respect as Well…..typo b4
soapy Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:30 am
Wow Tim, I’ve been waiting for the title to finally hit and the tears to flow, but it took this article to make me cry. I love this site and check daily, and I have to say you speak for me totally when your write as a Phils fan.

I am 22 and have been going to Phils games as long as I can remember. I have to thank my dad personally for taking me to all those mid to late 90s games where I was part of the JR. Phillies club, and he would wait with me up to two hours for autographs of the nobodies such as Wes Chamberlain, Toby Borland and Kevin Jordan.

As I grew older it was “cooler” for me to just to games with my buddies. I’ve been to over 100 games mostly because of dad, but it killed me that I never invited him to go with us in high school.

After graduating from college, I decided to stay in NY and work up there (it was brutal with Mets fans talking trash, but it has been joyous the past week). I decided to go home for the final weekend of play and get tickets for the game. As much as I thought of my friends, there was no one else I wanted to go with besides my father. Through my cousin we upgrated to Hall of Fame club, and after the clinching double play I never felt a more heartfelt hug then from my father.

Throughout the playoffs, like most coversations, all we discussed was the Phillies. My life totally revolved around the team, whereas his love of the team only grew from mine. When the Phillies won, I was with my best friend and not my father, and as happy as I was, I wish my father was there. Afte hugging my best friend, then heading to Cottman and Frankford, then hugging and high-fiving total stangers, I came home to find my father, still awake way past his bed time, waiting for me. It was the first time in my life that he actually kissed me on the cheek–then I knew this win was as much a part of me as was him. I love my father and appreciate all he does for me, and without him I wouldn’t be a Phils fans

Tim, thank you so much for expressing what I couldn’t for the past 7+years about our fathers. It couldn’t have been said any better. I’m so happy that all of us, you, me, our fathers, and all fans, can enjoy this amazing moment. Keep up the good work kid.
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 am
Most of the bloggers on this page have very different stories,but the more different the memories are towards a Mets fan,the more Its the same.My first game was Opening Day at Shea April 13,1982 Phils vs Mets and the Match-Up was Carlton vs Jones.Seeing 2 (Should be 3) Hall of Famers in Rose,Schmidt and Carlton was worth it for me and should be for any baseball fan.Mets did win BTW 5-2 with Dave Kingman’s 3 run shot.Before XM and satellite came about….I got 1210 (WOGL than WPHT) after the sun went down and listened every now and than,and 1090 WBAL for the Orioles as well when the Mets weren’t playing…I listened to the games not only to get a different prespective,but for the love of the game.Thats whats so great about baseball…eventho this is relatively a budding rivalry,we may root for different teams,but as baseball fans,we are one in the same.
Paul Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I remember Mulholland’s no hitter too. Should have been a perfect game if Hayes doesn’t make that error. Though he certainly made up for it on the final out.
Chase Mutley Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Miner, like I’ve said on many occasions, I appreciate your insight and I appreciate that you’re a decent guy; we all know how childish rival teams’ fans can be on the internet (this goes for both Phillies, Mets and the fans of the other 28 teams). It’s just that this is a Phillies blog and for a lack of a better word, you’re a guest. If you want to dispute baseball facts or opinions or give us the opposing fan’s insight that’s fine but on more than a few instances, you use the fact that people here like you to make backhanded comments about the Phils. Like coming in 5 minutes before Game 1 of the WS and saying you’re rooting for the Rays. No s**t you’re rooting for the Rays. Did you need to point it out? I get that it’s a rivalry but if you want to separate yourself from the obnoxious trolls, if you have nothing positive to contribute, don’t.

I’m well aware of my team’s players and their endorsements; from Jimmy and Nike to Chase and Vaseline (what was he thinking?!?!) to Carlos Ruiz’s hot-dog eating local car dealership commercials. My comment was that the players on the team that don’t have the big sponsorships, that don’t have the top-selling jerseys, but, who have meant a lot to this team are the players that I was happy to see get the WS win. Contrary to popular blog-o-sphere belief, us Phils fans aren’t thinking about the Mets 24/7 and not every comment made on here is in reference to them.
Chuck Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Chase M…..glad you took the time to point out to Miner that he IS a guest on this blog…..albeit one that we can tolerate,not some blithering, obnoxious idiot that does nothing but spew forth anger and venom towards not only the Phillies and their fans, but humaniity in general.
To Miner……might I say that Chase M is correct….you are a guest, but a welcome one who’s baseball insight and respect for other teams and champions is refreshing to read and respond to. It should be a very interesting off season as both the Phillies and Mets jockey for position in what has become an extremely crazy and fun rivalry. My money says that the Phillies will come out on top once again but, as we all know, stranger things have happened in the world of sports and who knows…….
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I don’t mind being a guest in here…thats good enough to be welcomed……As for picking the Rays,It was more because I wanted the Met higherarchy to see not only how bad that Kazmir trade was and could have put the Mets in an equal situation the Phils were in.I always admit when I am wrong (and always hate being wrong) so I admit I was wrong and tip my cap to the victor.I actually meant no disrespect towards anyone in here,but draw your own conclusion.
SJ Mike Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Since everyone is kind of getting on “what the Mets think of the Phillies” right now, check out this quote from David Wright from Newsday.

He doesn’t like us too much right now.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spmets025908843nov02,0,5380929.story
Grrrumpy Miner Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Chuck,we all know crazy things happen in sports and have no idea what next season has in store….If Ruben Amaro keeps this team intact and does a couple of improvements,the Phils will be a worthy adversary towards any team and have the confidence that they can beat anybody.Thats what made teams like the Yankees from 95 til 07 and the Braves from the early 90 braves til about 3 years ago a success.However I can’t lie to you when it comes to the 2009,a lot of teams will be gunning for you because the Phils have something 29 other teams want,the hardware.As for J-Roll,he was wright….it doesn’t take just one guy,it takes a team to win a championship.
clktwr14 Says:
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
To the Phi;s Nation,

Here is my story of what the Phillies winning the World Series, I was four in 1980, and many things I have forgotten in those years following but I do remember being at my Grandmother’s house watching the Phils play the Cubs in the first ever night game in Wrigley on her birthday that year of 1988, well fast-forward to 2002, I was 26 years old and I lost probably one of the biggest Phillies fans in my life my aunt, she and my mother are twins and it didn’t matter if the Phils were in the basement or competing they both followed every pitch and every out, and in her honor for the Final Innings at the Vet our whole family gathered, and I purchased my mother and father the Sunday package for 2004 at the Bank, and she took my aunt’s picture with her to every game she attended that year and then 2006 I lost my Grandmother, last year on her birthday of 2007 I went to her grave and asked for her to help them win, and this year whenever I went to the game at Bank I made sure to have a picture of both my Aunt and Grandmother with me.

The Phillies winning the World Series means that I know my Aunt and Grandmother are smiling down from ultimate baseball park and enjoying the view, even though they are watching the great ones like Ashburn , Tugger, Vuck, Klein,and Double XX and all of the past Phillies play the game still.
NJ Says:
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
It’s amazing how at feels to have the monkey off your back, it’s going to be great watching this team next season without the constant feeling of under-achievement and under-appreciation hanging over the team.

I’m not from the US and my first real memory of baseball was a shutout loss at the Vet to Atlanta in 2001 though I’ve never been able to track down which game it was, anyway I remember well how bad this team was in the early years under Bowa and the mediocrity that followed. I may not be a 20 year fan but I’ve lived through the highes and lows of these past years and being able to experience a championship run like the one we’ve just had is an experience like no other in sport.

Win or loose from hereout, what this means is the Phillies have made us proud to pull on that Jersey with your favourite player on the back with the satisfaction of what it means to be a fan of a winning team. Most of all whats so exciting is we can now look to the guys on the roster and some great prospects we have in the wings and feel they have every reason to succeed whereas before there was always a reason to fail.
DAVID HARRIS JR Says:
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
2 GET THE MONKEY OFF ARE BACKS IS GREAT THING. GOOD 4 THE CITY .IT PUTS US IN THE NATIONAL SPOT LIGHT AND IT IS A WONDERFULL FEELING AND I CANT EVEN PUT INTO WORDS RIGHT NOW.

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Charlie Manuel - $3 million
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Francisco Rosario - $395,000
Mike Zagurski - $392,500
Fabio Castro - $383,000
J.D. Durbin - $380,000
Anderson Garcia - $380,000
Scott Mathieson - $380,000
J.A. Happ - $380,000
Yoel Hernandez - $380,000
Scott Mathieson - $380,000
Chris Roberson - $380,000
Brian Sanches - $380,000
Zach Segovia - $380,000
Matt Smith - $380,000
Joe Thurston - $380,000

Phillies Contracts and Salaries

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