After years of waiting through tumultuous times that rarely produced a winner, Phillies fans finally have something to smile about. So many terrible teams later and 15 years removed from their last trip to the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies are back.
Drink it down again Philly, it always goes down smooth.
There is now hope for the championship-starved town that fills the pot with emotion 365 days a year but rarely is rewarded with a positive outcome. Those days might finally be over.
In Wednesday night’s 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Fightin’s faithful didn’t have to wait long to get pumped. Jimmy Rollins, the “table setter” for this Phillies lineup, led off the game with a home run, only seven pitches into Game Five of the NLCS.
He started the party early, and the Phils never looked back. Whenever you can shake the nerves and stress of a clinching game right off the bat, it makes everything that much easier. Credit J-Roll with an incredible opening at-bat that really helped loosen the team up from the get go.
In my keys to Game Five, Rollins was the driving force to a win. He needed to come out early and make his mark, and he did just that.
As for the rest of the team, everyone seemed to come up big in their own way. Cole Hamels pitched a beauty once again, proving to all that he IS the big-game pitcher that the Phillies believed he was when they drafted him in 2002. He went seven innings, giving up just one run on a long ball to Manny Ramirez, while striking out five.
Hamels, the NLCS MVP, shut down the Dodgers in both games, and by doing so will now get to pitch in Game One of the World Series.
The lineup also came through in a big way. Another key to the victory was Ryan Howard, who showed his presence by smacking three hits and knocking in a big run in the two-run third inning. Howard had been MIA for the better part of the playoffs, and while struggling with the stick, he continued to stink with the leather as well.
Last night was different, as he put together a strong outing that will silence the critics and hopefully give him some confidence going into the World Series. A home run in the next round would be nice, too.
Pat Burrell had an RBI in the third and Shane Victorino reached base three times Wednesday night. Chase Utley didn’t have success with the bat, but reached base twice and scored two runs. He also continued to play the field well, turning two double plays and making another great diving catch. The big players stepped in and took control when they needed to, showing their veteran leadership.
Brad Lidge took his place on the mound in the ninth where he has been lights out, and he didn’t disappoint. Lidge closed the door on the Dodgers, and as the team emptied the dugout after the final out, all of the Phillies demons were erased. All of the futility, the losing, the horror of so many missed opportunities will be put away for a few more days.
The man who kept the ship sailing throughout a crazy up and down season was Charlie Manuel. Even with some tumult of his own, Manuel kept his head held high and led the team to the Promised Land.
As a player’s manager, Manuel meshed with the team and treated each like a son, something that can’t be said about many other major-league managers. By taking a personal approach to each man on that roster, Manuel made it feel like the Phillies were a family. His importance cannot be overlooked.
The Phillies have a very strong team, the key word being team. They genuinely care about each other and play as a team. Perhaps later today we will find out the Phillies opponent for the World Series, which starts on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
So forget about the 10,000 losses, the futility, and the downright garbage teams that have been part of our town for 125 years.
It’s time to enjoy the World Series.
And win or lose, the Phillies have given this city something to feel good about.
And that doesn’t happen very often.
Go Phils.
15 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rory Davis 8 months ago
Good stuff Patrick..You're back at the perfect time!
Congrats on the WS berth..You guys played like possessed monsters!
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Patrick Gallen 8 months ago
Thanks Rory, it was nice to see it as a fan. And as a writer its good to have stuff to write about finally, with the Phils. Im worried about the WS though, going to be very tough. But hey, nobody gave the Phillies much of a chance to win. Just never know.
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Bob Warja 8 months ago
No, Patrick, they are not. In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Dodgers have been granted 3 extra wins and they are now tied. They go for a world series "play-in" game tomorrow in LA....
Good article and congrats to your Phillies. I wish it were my Cubs, but at least you showed us how to beat the Dodgers.
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Patrick Gallen 8 months ago
Haha, thanks Bob for the sarcasm. I would feel bad for the City of Chicago if they hadnt had 6 titles from the Bulls a decade ago. Thanks for the read. Believe me, I was just as surprised as the rest when they pretty easily beat this Dodgers team. Incredible.
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Ron Glover 8 months ago
I would say the moment that turned this whole thing around for the Phils and Charlie Manuel was the night he and Howard Eskin almost came to blows in the middle of the 2007 season.
Everyone looks at Charlie as this country bumpkin and Eskin took it too far and CM was ready for whatever.
From that point on Charlie had the respect of the media and the players already knew they had a manager worth playing for.
Gotta feel good for Charlie.
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Patrick Gallen 8 months ago
Yea definitely Ron, and especially after everything he has gone through recently. A great father figure and coach. I bashed him earlier in the year because he kept taking out Burrell and he would make goofy changes from time to time with the double switch, but if the players like you, thats the key. I say good for him.
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Scott Sanford 8 months ago
Since the Yankees aren't in the postseason this year I might be able to give the Phillies some love. Especially if they face the sinking Red Sox. Not looking likely though!
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Patrick Gallen 8 months ago
Hey, hop on the bandwagon Scott. I mean, obviously you cant root for a divisional foe, so the 2 AL teams are out. Come aboard, there's room.
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Christian Karcole 8 months ago
Hey Patrick. Nice article here. Doing some good coverage on the playoffs. Good too since I got busy just at the time you were able to start writing again.
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Bob Cunningham 8 months ago
we've been waiting too long to lose now!
Boston? Tampa? doesn't matter.
Philadelphia Phillies: 2008 World Series Champs
how nice would that be??
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Patrick Gallen 8 months ago
Bob, that title definitely looks nice next to the Phils. But historically they dont play well against the AL. THey are going to have a tough time against anyone. But they wont stop Fightin'
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Bob Cunningham 8 months ago
yeah they do.
i think boston has more talent than tampa, so id rather play tampa. i think the phils are good enough to cool down that hot streak they're on. you can only ride momentum so long. Hamels is on fire, Lidge is still perfect in the end. and we've got a hit parade STILL goin on.
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Jim Sheridan 8 months ago
Awesome article 5 Stars. I just did an article on the 1980 World Series, check it out if you get a chance. Great Job
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Shane H. 8 months ago
very good article but since I use to reside in NY (Yankee fan for life) and now Miami, I can't find myself rooting for your team. All about the grapefruit connection here and will have to root for the Rays b/c they WILL beat Boston. And yes, I can be a Yankee fan and root for the Rays b/c they are taking down the Sox and that's what really matters
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L.J. Burgess 8 months ago
Oh you fair weather fans...
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