Phillies' Brad Lidge Quiets the Cowbells

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!, CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! went the obnoxious cowbells.

SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH! said Brad "Lights Out" Lidge as he quieted the raucous crowd at Tropicana Field by continuing his season of perfection with yet another save.

Cole Hamels went another seven innings of near flawless pitching in the postseason, allowing two runs or fewer. Ryan Madson set up Lidge with another great eighth inning, finding his niche on this team that just keeps riding the Cole Train and the rest of the bullpen. 

On a night when the Phightin' Phils stranded 11 runners (causing many area fans including myself to scream profanities and throw things), their hurlers bailed them out yet again.  Pitching has been a thorn in the side of this franchise for years, especially the bullpen.  They are finally quieting all their critics—and deservedly so.

Many have stuck their nose up at this series, saying, "Who cares about the Rays and the Phils?" 

I know that being a Philly suburbs guy I'm a little biased, but I agree with some that this could be one helluva series. 

If last night was a preview, the opinions of the minority might ring true.  The Rays have come out of nowhere this year, after exorcising the "Devil" from their name.  It's a Cinderella story for the ages. 

Guess what, Rays fans?  The clock struck midnight last night, and Brad Lidge closed the door.

I have absolutely no ill feelings toward the Rays.  I normally don't pay that much attention to the American League teams.  When I do, it's to check up on the Cleveland Indians.

No, I'm not a poseur; I was born there.  I can't stand fans that are poseurs and adopt a team just because they are good. I moved to this area when I was only three, so I have naturally followed the Phils ever since I can remember.  

I don't want to take anything away from the accomplishments of the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Phils have a story too.  It's a typical Philadelphia story: one mired in years of frustration, overpaid players, running into hotter teams at the wrong time, bad ownership or managerial decisions, and sometimes just bad luck.

Maybe, just maybe, that luck is changing.  Maybe the tide has turned in our favor, and the city of Philadelphia that has been starving for a championship from one of the four major sports teams since 1983 will finally drink from the cup of champions again. 

Who cares that Tampa is favored?  We don't. 

We relish (no pun intended) the underdog role.  This is a blue collar town with hardcore, passionate fans who worship their sports teams like no other town could possibly hope. 

Just ask Mitch Williams, our star closer who gave up the home run to Joe Carter in the '93 World Series.  He got over it, and so did we.  He understands the Philly fans and adores us as we adore him. 

Is it destiny? The years are reversed '80 to '08.  The 1980 Phils beat a Kansas City Royals team that was an expansion team in its 11th year.  Isn't this the 11th year of the Rays? 

I was 14 when the Phils won their only championship in their 125-year history.  My daughter is 14 now. 

Are the stars aligning, or will the curse of Billy Penn haunt us once again?  Only time will tell.  One thing is sure, the Rays can be beat at home.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!, CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO PHILS!

- The Grog