after 28 LONG years the Phillies have finally brought a World Series Championship back to the city of brotherly love. They broke the curse of William Penn and beat the formidable Rays of Tampa Bay.
I remember the 80 championship against the Royals - the Phillies won that series 4-2. I was 14 years old and in 10th grade. I distinctly remember watching one game while at the skating rink (must have been on a Friday) and I remember the parade. The early 80s were a decent time in Philly for sports team - in 1980 the Flyers, Phillies, 76ers and Eagles all made it to the championship game (only the Phillies won) and in 83 the Sixers won the last major championship in Philly.
Right after the 83 championship a building was built in downtown that was higher than the William Penn statue and the drought began! 1993 the Phillies made it to the WS and lost when Mitch "wild thing" Williams gave up a game winning homer to Joe Carter - I still have bad feelings toward Wild Thing to this day (I did see a "I forgive Mitch" sign last night)
It was a crazy World Series but the Phillies proved to be the best team and won some great games. I am very thankful for not having to go back to Tampa to play more games. It is going to be a crazy couple days in Philly and I see that they are rioting in the streets already - hopefully common sense will prevail and no one will get hurt and just have fun. Highly unlikely - PA fans are known for over the top celebrations - PSU fans rioted after beating OSU this weekend and it was a regular season game. However, I am sure absenteeism rates are up all over Philly and the surrounding areas today - enjoy it!
Who would have thought the heroes would have been - Goeff Jenkins who had not had a hit in over a month, or Pat Burrell who in his last at bat as a Phillie hit a double and his pinch runner came around to score the winning run - or Pedro Feliz who is a defensive specialist who had the key RBI. However, the play of the game had to be turned in by their best player - Chase Utley - ground ball in the hole - fake the throw to first and nail the runner at the plate - saved the game and won the world series - remarkable!
To the Tampa fans who gave me the finger, cursed my Mom, told me to go cry in my beer, and generally were not too polite - GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR - come by and see the trophy any time - it resides in Philly
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