It really happened, the outakes

The city celebrated its long-awaited World Champions today - the World fucking Champions, according to Chase Utley, reprieving his All-Star potty mouth.

We didn't go because both of our jobs have already been flexible with us throughout the playoffs, but I kept the game on mute in the office. It seemed that every time I looked up, Pat Burrell and his bulldog Elvis were on screen. (Pat's wife Michelle Fonseca was there, too.)

When I sent Christine an e-mail saying the Phanatic was starting the parade, she asked me not to give her updates so she could be surprised when she watched our recording of the parade. It was killing me, but I refrained, even when I saw Elvis riding in a horse-drawn beer truck.

It seemed like fun, but these massive gatherings aren't my cup of tea - especially getting to and from the event. But it gives us the opportunity to take one more look back at Wednesday. Here are some of the photos that didn't quite make the cut for our Game 5 recap.

Fans hung the unofficial motto "Why Can't Us?" behind home plate like a war flag. I liked it because it reminded me of Curt Schilling's "Why Not Us?" in 2004. I love that T-shirt - thanks Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump.


In case the field didn't get enough water on Monday and Tuesday, the grounds crew on Wednesday hosed it down again. Actually, they watered before Monday's game, too, in the light rain.


Pat Burrell was practicing his celebratory pose before the game started. Or maybe he was just warming up on a cold night.


I don't think I stressed how cold it was at the park this week. Our feet were feeling dangerously numb by the end of Wednesday. The relievers took coffee out to the bullpen. A bat boy followed later with a caterer's giant coffee urn.


Remember the Rays reliever who taunted us before the game resumed? Well, those relievers had a long, lonely, cold walk back to the clubhouse after the game.


The Phanatic was the first to wave the 2008 banner signifying the championship.


Cole Hamels got his MVP trophy. He's just the fifth player to win the LCS and World Series MVP.


After the game, the players' kids ran all over the field, and there were tons of family photos. I like this shot of Jamie Moyer and the fam.


J.C. Romero is interviewed wearing the red Phillies hat. I'm not certain of this story because I only caught half the radio interview, but some fan claims this was his hat that the players began passing around. We don't have a picture, but Charlie Manuel wore it as well.


Mitch Williams was long ago forgiven by the fans, but he got his official pardon on Wednesday. It read: "Mitch you're off the hook."


Other than Pat Burrell, no Phillies' family piques more curiosity than Jayson Werth's, at least on our blog.


Walking out, Christine wanted to see if they updated the All-Star markers for the 2008 season. They haven't. But we looked at the managers' section and realized for the first time that Charlie Manuel gets to manage the team next year. I wonder if he'll pick Pat Burrell if he leaves Philadelphia but stays in the National League.


Outside the ballpark, we saw the sax guy in the straw hat for the last time. He makes Christine happy. See you next year, sax guy.


[Elvis photo credit: Yong Kim, Philadelphia Inquirer]

It really happened

It still seems surreal. We sat in bitter cold for two nights and watched with our own eyes as the Phillies clinched the World Series, but it's still hard to believe it's all over.

I'm sure tonight or tomorrow, Christine will flip on Comcast and be disappointed there's no game. She appreciates what the Phillies have done, but whether a season ends in bitter disappointment or the ultimate win we saw Wednesday, she'll soon be pining for spring training. She just likes watching the game. Meantime, we can still soak in what has just transpired.

Here's the scene from the last game of the year, played on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29. Phils 4, Rays 3, ending the series 4-1 for the 2008 World Champion Phillies.

Parking lot: We arrived way too early, although I guess it's never too early to get to the park for a World Series clincher. We sat in the car and ate sandwiches we brought along. A guy parked next to us and started bickering with a parking lot attendant. It seems he didn't want to pay for parking again. I didn't like having to pony up another $25, but we park at an unofficial lot that doesn't give receipts.

Pre-game inside the park: We walked around a bit, soaking in the fans revving up for the frenzied three innings. We saw Mitch Williams and Michael Barkan doing a pregame show. After they were done, Mitch posed for pictures with the fans.

The Build-A-Bear shop stocked Rays uniforms for the bears. What parent would do that to their child? On Monday, Christine high-fived a guy in a bear costume when we passed the store.

The Phillies apparently weren't planning for four home games. All of the World Series cookies and cupcakes from Monday night were sold out.

When we got to our seats, there was a cute little kid in front of us who decorated a paper towel roll that said "Phillies Rule" on one side and "Slay the Rays" on the other. He gave me high-fives during the game. The dolt sitting next to us on Monday who didn't know Shane Victorino's nickname asked me, "Do we bat first tonight?" How do these people get tickets? And how could you go the last 48 hours without getting it drilled in your head where the game left off?

The Phanatic whipped up an already feverish crowd into near-mayhem. Christine said only he could get such a reaction in Philly. But one of the Rays relievers then taunted the fans by raising his arms, almost suggesting, "Is that the best you got?"

It was like waving raw meat in front of a tiger cage. I don't know which reliever it was, but I'm sure that was the last little bit of fun he had that night.

Before the game started, Dorcus Whigham sang God Bless America. I like her performances. The crowd wanted the usual slow version, but she kept it upbeat, which was a good thing to keep the crowd's spirits high. Between this and Monday's National Anthem, I've never heard so much patriotic singing along.

Game on: With the crowd roaring, waving towels and shaking the stands, the much anticipated chess match between Charlie Manuel and Joe Maddon began with Geoff Jenkins doubling off Grant Balfour. There's never been so much excitement over a leadoff double.

Jenkins went to third on a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice bunt and scored on a Jayson Werth single. That's all they got, but the game felt over.

In the 7th, after striking out Dioner Navarro, Ryan Madson was tattooed by Rocco Baldelli, tying the game at three and costing Cole Hamels his fifth win in the playoffs. I wasn't concerned, but Christine blamed me for flashing the "eight more outs" sign. The Rays gave another scare, but Chase Utley ended the inning by duping a throw to first then throwing out Jason Bartlett at home. This might have been the play of the game.

In the bottom of the 7th, Pat Burrell led off. I've stuck up for him a lot this season, but said no more if he didn't come through with a hit. But I was confident and he ended up nearly homering, but he would up with a double. Eric Bruntlett came out to pinch-run, probably ending Pat the Bat's Philly days. Bruntlett advanced on a groundout and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz.

In the 8th, J.C. Romero had a relatively quiet inning, aided by a double play. David Price escaped harm in his half, setting the stage for Brad Lidge to do it for the soldiers one last time in a perfect season. Everyone notes that his only loss this year was in the All-Star game. I'm not saying he threw that game in July, but there were more World Series games in Philly than Tampa - including the home clincher.

Lidge got Evan "Eva" Longoria to pop out before Navarro singled. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez stole second, putting some doubt in the crowd. I got a little worried when Ben Zobrist hit one to right, but it hung up for Werth to catch. Up next: Eric Hinske, who had already homered earlier in the series. And I feared him throughout the series because he was a Red Sox last year. But he struck out, and Lidge dropped to his knees, shouting something he couldn't remember as Ryan Howard and his mates pummeled him into the ground.

Post-game: National TV ruins everything. Last year, when the Phillies clinched the NL East on the last day of the season, there was pure emotion as they celebrated with their fans.


Tuesday was a bit more orchestrated. Fireworks shot. A banner, rolled up all through the game, unfurled down the batter's eye. The Phanatic wove a 2008 banner, which the players grabbed to do a victory lap around the field.


Then everything was put on hold so Fox could do its official post-game. Bud Selig was drowned out in boos. Cholly got the loudest cheers. World Series MVP Cole Hamels, who's about to cash in after these playoffs, got a sweet 2010 Camaro that Carlos Ruiz probably could have used more.


I noticed one of the cops standing in the outfield threw someone's rally towel back into the stands. Then I saw more towels being thrown at the cop. He was rubbing them in the dirt for people to have a nice souvenir. Very nice gesture by one of Philly's finest.


The crowd was loud and supportive without incident. The only rioting came from the Phillies digging up home plate and the pitcher's rubber, which Jamie Moyer lugged off like a lumber jack.


Harry Kalas sang High Hopes and smacked down the Mets, CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez and his own son.


We waited and waited, but saw no sign of Pat Burrell and Elvis - the only disappointment of the night.

Today: We woke up tired but happy. I was almost deprived of one of my day-after-a-championship pleasures because the newspapers were nearly wiped at my Wawa. There were a handful of Inquirers and just one Daily News, but it was overlooked by people in front of me because it had fallen apart. I pieced it together for Christine. Joe Wolf’s Vertical Jump has some of the celebratory covers along with some of the ones from Tampa.

Future: The parade is scheduled for Friday, and the stories about how the Phillies are built for the future have run. Just once, I'd like to see someone write that a newly crowned champion is going to fall apart next year. But I think the Phillies are in good shape for next year. The biggest challenges will be replacing Pat Burrell, fortifying the pitching and figuring out how to keep the money-hungry youngsters (Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard) happy.

This team went 24-6 down the stretch, losing just one game in each round of the playoffs. I've told Christine many times she has no idea – even with the suspended Game 5 – how easy it's been for her during the playoffs.

Each of us has been incredibly lucky the past few years. Our teams have won three of the last five championships – two of which ended long droughts. In person, we've seen the last game at the Vet, last year's division clincher and this year's World Series clincher. We'll never have a run like this again.

We probably won't renew our Sunday plan. It was great fun, but we expect other commitments next year. But we know there will be no way to top the baseball we've witnessed. We'll savor it a bit more, but pretty soon we have to get working on SoxandPhils 2009: World Series or bust.

We have some outtake photos that we'll post tomorrow or during the weekend. And Christine will pen some final thoughts on the season as well.

Phils win! Phils win! Phils win!

We still can't believe we were in the park to witness the coronation of the 2008 World Champion Phillies.

We will post our pictures and thoughts from the conclusion of Game 5 tonight as our lives resume normalcy - except for the fact that the Phillies are now synonymous with winning and can no longer be treated as a second-class franchise in this city.

Let's try this again

The Phillies stand nine outs away from a World Championship - providing they score one more run than the Rays over 4 1/2 innings tonight. I feel less certain about their chances now that Cole Hamels is out of the game, but find me a Phillies fan who wouldn't sign up for this scenario seven weeks ago before the Brewers series.

Before we conclude Game 5 tonight, here's a look back at the wet, wild and weird first half of it from Monday.

We sat out in right field. We couldn't see the pitch count or a large portion of Jayson Werth's territory. But we were in the park for the potential clincher. For the first time in more than a decade, I didn't attempt to keep score or take notes - there was no way with the rain and wind and all the layers of clothes I wore.

The crowd was loud at points, but definitely muted a bit because of the weather. A friend just asked me about the awe and spectacle of being at the World Series, and I had to shrug a bit. It was more just trying to survive the weather than soaking in the atmosphere.

What a weird feeling for what is probably Pat Burrell's last home game in Philadelphia. He's still hitless in the series. The night belonged to Cole Hamels. He survived the slop, giving up two runs (one was very cheap) on a walk, five hits and three strikeouts in six innings. And even though we couldn't see the pitch count, we knew he would have pitched more if the game didn't end after six innings. We were surprised to later learn his count was only at 75. And, there is no way he would give up that second run in the 6th if the field were dry.

I'm still concerned about the offense. They had Scott Kazmir on the ropes but could only muster the two first inning runs on Shane Victorino's bases loaded single. Tonight, they need to come out angry and prove to the world that they are champions no matter what is thrown their way.

The Phillies relievers, pictured here walking out to the bullpen Monday even though they wouldn't be needed for a couple of days, should be well-rested and able to get the nine outs. Game starts at 8:37 after Barack Obama's talk; the partying should start about 9:48.

Observations from the stands: For the World Series, a lot of people were clueless about the game. I'd expect it in the rich seats, but not in our section. The guy next to us cheered for the Hawaiian Thunder. His lady friend had to correct him. He was also taken aback that there were so many umpires on the field. There was another stupid comment behind us, but I forget the details. ... Brad Lidge got his Delivery Man of the Year Award. ... John Oates, filling in for the ill Daryl Hall, sang the National Anthem, one of the better renditions of the playoffs. ... Jim Bunning threw out the first pitch. ... Will they have such festivities before the resumption of the game?

We saw one of our favorites, Doug Glanville, deliver the game ball. I took it as an omen, like the fact the game was played on the same date the Red Sox clinched the 2004 World Series. ... The ballpark's coffee wasn't as bad as I expected. They also served chili, soup, cupcakes and cookies. We were too wet and too cold to try them.

Peeves: I think we weathered the weather pretty well. We had layers and ponchos, but our gloves and coat sleeves got soaked. When we were walking in the concourse, I removed my gloves and kept squeezing water out of my hands as if they were a sponge. ... It's hard to pee with numb hands and three layers of pants. ... Walking into the stadium, we smelled the food from the large tents Major League Baseball set up for VIP post-game parties. Walking out, we heard a band playing inside. Who the hell can party after what had happened? ... We're not calling for Bud Selig's head, like many are, but we just wish he had called the game at a fair point - not when the Rays had an extra half inning to take a lead because of the sloppy field.

Enjoy the conclusion of Game 5 - finally a playoff game that should end in prime time. We'll check back Thursday night to hopefully post a picture of Burrell, Elvis and a trophy.

Game on?

We fully expected to see Pat Burrell and his bulldog Elivs taking a victory lap last night. We may have been over-confident in the Phils chances to wrap it up, but we acknowledged there was the tiniest chance the Rays would somehow bring the series back to Tampa.

To paraphrase another rain-soaked fan in the concourse after the suspension was officially announced: We did not think we would leave a World Series game without knowing who won.

We stuck it out and understand weather throws life some curve balls. But the game should have been called before the Rays tied it up on a mess of a field. That's unfair.

But we'll get them tonight. Or tomorrow. Or whenever this weather breaks.

Christine thinks all the rain we've experienced at the park this year is because I angered the baseball gods by saying we never leave games early. I think last night happened because I kept saying things were falling into place way too easily for the Phillies this postseason.

More details on the first half of our experience at Game 5 to come later. But posting, and thus our normal routines, will be as up in the air as the schedule for the rest of the series.

History?

In 2004, four years ago on this date, I was working a late shift the night the Red Sox clinched. I raced through the two-lane highways of the Pinelands to get home to watch the final inning by myself.

In 2007, the final game droned on and Christine had to go to bed, so I watched the clincher in the basement by myself.

If the Phillies clinch tonight, I'll be among 45,000+ who will be going berserk. The one for whom I most want the Phillies to win will be standing next to me waving her rally towel and snapping pictures for the blog.

I hope she comes home happy.

Obviously, we do not expect to be home at a reasonable time for a post-game blogging. We'll catch y'all on Tuesday.

Almost there

Oh. My. God. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. We're going to Game 5 of the World Series. The Phillies are leading 3-1. I never thought I would be at the ballpark to see the Phillies try to clinch the World Series. How am I supposed to concentrate at work tomorrow? Oh my god.

Tonight was the game we've been waiting for - the Phillies finally found their bats, trouncing the Rays 10-2.

Before the game, I thought Pat Burrell was due for a big game. Oops: He went 0-3, but he did have the game-winning RBI by walking with the bases loaded in the first inning.

In the 5th, Christine looked at Joe Blanton in the batter's box and said, "Come on, hit a home run, you've got some chunk to hit one out."

She's creepy sometimes.

Besides hitting his first career home run, Blanton gave the Phillies a good outing, getting into the 7th inning. The game wasn't as breezy as the 10-2 score indicated - the Phils scored four in the 8th to cement the blowout. Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins had three hits. Howard, with two homers tonight and three in the last two games, looks to be back.

Hopefully they saved some bullets for Game 5.

I can't believe all of this.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Two more to go

We woke up tired but excited this morning. Christine is still sleeping as I write this, but she'll be up soon and I think I can speak for her on this one, after the Phillies crazy 5-4 Game 3 win that ended in the bottom of the 9th with a bases-loaded little dribbler to third. {Actually, I was awake when Greg was writing this. I lounged in bed for a bit, watching game highlights again on Comcast SportsNet. And maybe some 90210.}

I'll spare the details because I'm sure this game will be rehashed to death even though it's the all-important week eight of the NFL season.

Before Mitch Williams said it on the post-game show, and before the Phillies locked up this tenuous, rain-delayed, Saturday-into-Sunday game, I said that if the Phillies won Games 3 and 4, there's no way they'll lose Game 5 with Cole Hamels.

Before 2003, the Red Sox teams were always burdened by the pressure to end the drought. We see that burden with the Cubs. But the 2008 Phillies don't treat it like a burden; they see it as a responsibility to bring one home for the fans. And if they have the opportunity to win in front of their fans, they won't mess around with it.

So in some ways, the season rests with Joe Blanton tonight. Scary thought until Christine reminded me that they Phillies haven't lost in his two postseason starts. If that trend continues, there's a good chance we can watch a clincher Monday without having to hear Tim McCarver and Joe Buck prattle on about 24, marvel over Joe Maddon's hat and spew incorrect information, such as Citizens Bank Park is a homer haven, Carlos Ruiz is from Venezuela and how Carl Crawford's speed ignited the Rays two-run rally in the 7th when it was clear to everyone except the deaf and blind umpire that he should have been called out.

We'd also miss Harry Kalas' call, but I'm sure in a city starved for a championship, they might play that two or three million times in the offseason.

So it's up to Blanton: Win and this thing's probably done in five; lose and it becomes a three-game set for all the marbles.

By the way, have I mentioned my love for Verizon FIOS? It couldn't work miracles when TBS crapped out for the beginning of Game 6 in the ALCS, but at least it's not screwing up working broadcasts.

I did manage to catch nearly all the game. When the Rays switched pitchers in the 8th, I dozed during the commercial break and missed Chase Utley's strikeout and Jayson Werth stealing second and then getting picked off. I was up after that. Christine says she struggled around this time, but her displeasure with Utley's strikeout snapped her out of it.

Important update! 10:34 a.m.: I found the fishy song that was used to introduce the Rays! It's called Fishy Fishy Fishy by Sandi and Stevie. Here's a short clip. It's still undetermined whether this was played by the Fox broadcast or if this was played at the ballpark.

[Photo credit: Philadelphia Inquirer]

Rain delay

When the Red Sox were eliminated, I thought that at least the World Series games would end earlier. That probably won't be the case tonight. Rain pushed back the starting time of the first World Series game played in Philadelphia since 1993 an hour and a half.

With first pitch scheduled for 10 p.m., I'm not even going to pretend I'll be in any shape to post even the skimpiest blog entry after it ends. I hope I can stay awake for the whole game - I was worried about that even before I knew it would be delayed because I didn't sleep well last night and had a very eventful day.

In pregame notes, Christine loved the fish song they played when the Rays were introduced. We'd like to include the lyrics, but we can't find them.

Off to watch Jamie Moyer's first World Series start.

State of the Series

It seems odd not to have a game to watch tonight. You'd think I'd have plenty to say, given the opportunity to write without having to rush a post to get to bed after a game that ended at 11:30 p.m. or midnight. But I don't have much to say. Last night's loss against the Rays gave me the blahs.

I know I said I'd take a split down in Tampa. I still mean that, but I don't like what I've seen from the Phillies offense. Yes, it's possible that all those guys left on base could turn into runs scored in droves. But it's also possible the Phillies are in a phunk, or the week off did cool them down. Or, maybe they're just not equipped to beat American League teams.

{I can't believe that theory. The Rays are not the better team. I honestly believe things will turn around at home.}

Whatever the cause, they better snap out of it tomorrow. I love Jamie Moyer. He's earned Tim Wakefield status - an honor I haven't even bestowed on Curt Schilling - where he won't get ripped. Yet I do worry whether he's got enough craft to win one or two more games this year. The Phillies are still favored to win this Series, but that will change big time if they're down 2-1 Sunday morning.

And, I don't think Christine's nerves could handle trailing in a playoff series. She could barely stand when the Phillies lost games in the first two rounds, cutting their leads to 2-1. Remembering that, however, makes her reaction to this tied series pretty good. Go Phils!

Five-game World Series starts Saturday

Good news: We're going to a World Series game! Eric Bruntlett hit a home run moments after I questioned why Charlie Manuel would purposely put him anywhere near a bat. Carlos Ruiz looked like a hitter, and Ryan Howard may have snapped out of his funk. And despite a batch of bad umpiring that seemed tilted heavily against the Phillies, they managed to stay in the game despite the 4-2 loss to the Rays in Game 2.

Bad news: Jayson Werth's error in the 1st probably led to two early runs. It would have been a completely different game if he fielded the single cleanly. Even with Werth's error, Brett Myers hung in there and had a decent outing. Despite nine hits and four walks, the offense still isn't clicking - 11 men left on base.

So we head back to Philadelphia all tied up. I would have signed up for a split in Tampa coming into the series. A win tonight probably would have pretty much ended the Rays' hope, but it's now a five-game set and the Phillies have home-field advantage.

More bad news: Christine handled herself well in Game 1, but tonight it was back to the whining sky-is-falling demeanor she usually employs for Phillies playoff games.

Much needed off day (for us) tomorrow.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

It's Cole Hamels' world, we're just living in it

I was concerned about the week-long layoff for the Phillies (I still am), but I thought that Cole Hamels could shut down the Rays in Game 1, allowing some time for the offense to kick off the rust.

He did that tonight. Phillies 3, Rays 2.

Chase Utley didn't look rusty in the 1st with a two-run homer. Cole didn't relinquish the lead, giving up two runs on two walks and five hits over seven innings.

Other than Utley, the big bats looked rusty: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell went 0-12 with seven strikeouts and left 10 men on base.

Scott Kazmir pitched well tonight, so it was a great night for Mets fans - they were reminded of one of their franchise's worst trades and the Phillies took another step toward a championship.

We're beat. Game 2 is later tonight.

Oh yeah, Christine watched the game very well. There was some whining, but not as painful as I feared given some of her reaction to tough spots in the early rounds.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

World Series Eve

By the time I was in 8th grade or so, I was an all-out Phillies fan. I knew my baseball, and I loved my team. So I was thrilled a few years later when the Phillies put together their magical 1993 season. The crazy players, the crazy games - I was all over it, and I watched and read everything I could about the Phils.

Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking back to that year and the postseason. But I don't remember much about the playoffs. There was Lenny Dykstra's big Game 5 against the Braves, and I remember the clinching of the NLCS. Curt Schillng's masterful Game 5 of the World Series after the heartbreak of Game 4.

And, of course, I remember Game 6. I was babysitting that Saturday night, and I managed to get the younger girl to bed after watching Aladdin on video tape. But the 11-year-old boy cajoled me into letting him stay up late and watch the game. I justified it to myself by thinking, "His parents will understand. Who am I to deny this poor child a chance to see the Phillies tie up the World Series?"

All was well, until, well, you know the story. The night ended as I tried to put on a cheery, "Come on, it's time for bed or your parents will kill me." I don't think he cared about the outcome of the game; he was probably just psyched that he conned the sitter into letting him stay up until almost midnight. Meanwhile, I just wanted him to go to his room because I had a lump the size of a baseball in my throat and I didn't want him to see me cry.

Until now, the Phillies haven't done any better. I've had fun times with the team since 1993, watching great and awful players, great and awful games. At the start of every season, I'm convinced that this will be the year for my team. Last year, when they finally broke the playoff drought, the tide started to turn.

Jimmy Rollins has made it clear recently: He's tired of hearing about 1980. He's tired of hearing about 1993. Citizens Bank Park belongs to this new legion of players and fans. It's time for a change, and his team, the one led by Chase Utley and Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard and Brad Lidge, castoffs, baseball lifers and a wonderful country bumpkin manager, is going to bring that change and write a new chapter in the long history of this franchise. And I can't wait for it. This one I will remember.

But I'm not sure if it has truly hit me yet. The Phillies - my Phillies - are playing in the World Series. Against the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays, of all teams. And even more, I'm going to watch a World Series game. And even more than that, it's possible that I might even be there in person to see the Phillies win the World Series. (I'm hoping I don't hold it against them if the sweep and win in four games. Memo to the Phillies: Feel free to have a blowout around Game 3 or 4, so I can go to my game and you can win in front of me, OK?)

The Rays have had a great run. I had been cheering them on, but starting tomorrow, it's time to put an end to it. The Devil Rays may have stunk since their inception, but the team, the fans and the city haven't suffered. We have. And now it's time for the Phillies to win.

In 1990, only 10 years after the Phillies won their only championship, one of my grandfathers died. Years later, when my Grandmom was going through some things he had packed away, she found and gave to me two mementos from the World Series. One is a copy of the Philadelphia Inquirer, meticulously wrapped in plastic wrap to preserve it, from the day after the victory. I've always wanted to open it to read the coverage but refrained. I feel like I should preserve it as well. The other is the shot glass seen above. I hope I can start to build a little collection and buy a companion 2008 version soon.

So, for the final prediction of the year, the one that matters:

Phillies vs. Rays: Phillies, no doubt.

[Phils in seven, but I don't have a strong feeling.]

Let the copycatting begin

Sports writers and executives aren't the most original people out there, and when a team wins, others try to copy its success. Last week, before the Phillies clinched the pennant, there was already one columnist advocating for the Yankees to sign retiring Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick as an adviser. Why? I thought everything was just peachy in the Bronx.

That made me wonder, though. What if the Phillies win four more games in 2008? What else will other teams rip off in attempt to be the 2009 World Champions? Here's what copycatting GMs might do in the off-season:

-Scour the minor leagues for an old journeyman catcher who can write.

-Spend $10 million on a human strikeout machine.

-Urge their star player to rescue puppies and endorse Vaseline and Tastykakes. There's a joke in there somewhere.

-Beg their team leader to loaf on the base paths and show up late.

-Assemble a bench with the league's best pinch-hitter and a bunch of scrubs so nondescript you don't even remember they're on the team. Make your only utility infielder a late-innings outfield defense replacement, hire the most irrelevant Japanese player you can find and somebody who looks like a famous quarterback.

-Tell your enigmatic left fielder to get a bulldog. I'm thinking Manny Ramirez on this one. (By the way, why didn't we notice this tidbit last week, that Pat Burrell brought a picture of Elvis to Milwaukee and Los Angeles?)

-Scout Hawaii for a scrappy player.

-Scout senior citizen softball leagues for a lefty who can eat innings.

-Find an ace who seems to be soft and whiny.

-Demote your No. 2 starter for a few weeks and hope he comes back pitching like a No. 1 or hitting well enough to try a Rick Ankiel position switch.

-Trade for an irrelevant fat guy to round out the rotation.

-Acquire Adam Eaton. All right, that won't help you, but I'm tired of having him around.

-Find a closer who is deemed scarred by a noteworthy home run even though his numbers really haven't declined. (Actually, not a bad idea.)

-Round out the bullpen with a bunch of cast-offs who somehow get the job done. (Again, not a bad idea.)

-Finally, to guarantee success, find an idiot to blog about your team, linking it with an unrelated team just because his wife also likes baseball but roots for a different team.

Red Sox post-mortem: It was a good year. If they lost Game 5, I would have been disappointed, but I was pleased that they sucked it up and went out nobly to a good, young, exciting team that I hope loses to the Phillies.

This year, we said good riddance to Manny and hello to Jason Bay. We saw the emergence of Jon Lester and probably the end of Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin and Jason Varitek.

We were depleted by injuries down the stretch. We came close, but didn't get the job done. Once I figure out how the Phillies will beat the Rays, I'll get to work on bringing the trophy back to the Red Sox in 2009.

PhilsandRays: While I like the fact this World Series features a team that hasn't won in 28 years against one that's only been around for a decade, the Rays and Phillies don't have a lot of tradition to go on. Look at the all-time roster of 21 players who played for both teams.

C-Pete LaForest
1B-Russell Branyan
2B-Marlon Anderson
3B-Tomas Perez
SS-Kevin Stocker
LF-Julio Franco
CF-Midre Cummings
RF-Travis Lee
DH-Randall Simon

Bench-Alex Gonzalez

SP-Cory Lidle
SP-Dennis Springer
SP-Paul Abbott
SP-Julio Santana
SP-Carlos Reyes

CL-Roberto Hernandez
Lefty setup-Norm Charlton
Righty setup-Rick White
RP-Scott Aldred
RP-Trever Miller

I guess I should have cheated and counted Bobby Abreu.

[Photo credit: Boston Globe]

There will be a SoxandPhils World Series

We just have to wait until 2009. But it will be a clash of the 2007 and 2008 champions.

Meantime, we have this little 2008 World Series to get through.

Four days after the Phillies clinched the National League title, they finally know who they will face this week: It will be a PhilsandRays World Series.

That's right, a thrilling seven-game American League Championship Series ended with the better team winning. The Red Sox ran out of pixie dust and, for the first time since 2003, found themselves unable to win a seven-game playoff series.

Jon Lester pitched well, but Matt Garza was better. He dominated a Red Sox team that had several quality at-bats but couldn't score. Rays 3, Red Sox 1. Series: Rays 4, Red Sox 3.

So now the Phillies pit their 28-year championship drought against a team that's only been around for a decade. I think the teams are equally pitted; each one is talented and having a magical season.

Historically, the Phillies haven't fared well against the Rays. Their all-time record against the Rays (then known as the Devil Rays) is 5-10. They haven't faced each other since 2006 after playing each year from 1998 to 2001.

There aren't many connections between the two franchises. Only 21 players have played for each team. The notables include Travis Lee, Kevin Stocker, Roberto Hernandez and Cory Lidle.

We have two days to delve into the history and stats before Game 1 in Tampa on Wednesday. I'm already sick of the cowbell. Christine is confident because the Rays celebrated tonight as if they won it all. I think it's going to be a tough series, but I'll hope with Christine that the Phillies end it in five. That has nothing to do with the fact we have tickets to Game 5 (if it's necessary).

Go Phils!

[Photo credit: Getty Images]

One coin flip away

A week ago, the SoxandPhils championship face-off seemed tantalizingly close. But after the Rays took three in a row, and nearly a fourth, it seemed like the World Series would go on without the Sox.

But tonight they lived to play another game, beating the Rays 4-2 behind a not masterful but sturdy Josh Beckett and some clutch hitting including Jason Varitek's first hit of the series - his first home run in a month, which gave the Sox the lead for good in the 6th.

Tomorrow it's Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza for the right to face the Phillies. The Rays have the talent and the home-field advantage; the Sox have the momentum and the experience.

Once again, it's a coin flip. If it comes up in favor of the Red Sox, I'll be wondering if I have the guts to wear my colors into Philadelphia for Game 5 of the World Series, and Christine will be glad that most of the nation will be pulling for the Phillies, not just taking cheap shots at the city's fans. {I'm highly advising Greg to leave the hat behind. He may root for the Red Sox, but I'd still like him to return home safely.}

Oh, and TBS better not have any more technical difficulties for Game 7. I'd like to see the whole game.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Another long night

What's that about the best-laid plans?

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, so we had mapped out our plans for this evening. After work, meet at the pet store, buy a new fish tank and table to replace the one that was ruined by the leaking water, stop at the grocery store, come home to build the table and then start refilling the fish tank.

But then we were both held up at work, so we were running later than we wanted to. Greg just opened up the box to start putting together the table, and he was missing some random little plastic peg. The pet store is closed, and this was the only table in the store in this style anyway. So now he's off to Home Depot to search for a comparable little peg so he can make the table so we can fill the fish tank and return the fish to their home.

Despite less than ideal conditions, they appear to be doing swimmingly. Even the guy who might have had a broken spine. Good thing Greg isn't superstitious; otherwise, they might have to stay in the bucket until the ALCS is over.

Meanwhile, back in baseball land, things seem relatively quiet. The Phillies had a practice day, and everyone is concerned how they will react on Wednesday night after nearly a week off. They've just won 20 out of 25 games; the last thing they need is a six-day vacation to kill that momentum. Here's hoping they stay focused and sharp over the next few days. Personally, I'm going crazy already with no Phillies to watch. I miss 'em when they're not playing.

The Red Sox flew back to Tampa to finish up their series this weekend. Will the magic from Thursday night spill over into Saturday? After that comeback, it's a toss-up. Greg's official opinion: Whoever wins Game 6 wins the series.

Barring any other aquatic emergencies, Greg will be back tomorrow to detail the big game.

What a night

With the Red Sox facing elimination and trailing 7-0 in the 7th, I was pre-writing my gracious concession post to the Tampa Rays. Christine, not overly interested in the game, went downstairs to feed our fish. The tank was leaking.

So while my boys suddenly remembered how to play like champions - scoring seven runs in the 7th and 8th innings - I was trying to caulk my tank. After that didn't work, I was bailing water and setting up a temporary aquarium in a bucket. Why isn't every Wal-Mart open 24 hours a day?

Fish are taken care of - except the one whose spine I think I broke scooping him out with a net. I hope they can last in the bucket until I get home tomorrow with a new tank.

Meantime, I'm going to watch the Sox continue their comeback and salvage the SoxandPhils World Series.

12:17 a.m. update: We're going to Tampa. Sox and fish still swimming.

Four wins away

Playing with purpose, the Phillies put the Dodgers out of their misery 5-1 to win the National League Championship in five games.

We here at SoxandPhils are at a loss for words - just quiet satisfaction.

NLCS MVP Cole Hamels will never again be called anything less than an ace on this blog.

Now that the World Series-bound Phillies took care of their business, the Red Sox comeback begins tomorrow.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Mixed emotions

Last year, when the Red Sox were down 3-1 to the Indians, I wasn't confident of victory, but I knew they could do it.

This year, however, they don't look like they belong on the field with the Rays. Imagine that - the little doodles are on the verge of going to the World Series.

The feeling is not as bad as when I conceded the 2004 American League Championship Series when they were down 3-0 to the Yankees. I'm not conceding to the Rays yet, but there is a similar numb feeling.

The Rays appear younger, healthier, hungrier and better. But the Red Sox still have the heart of a champion, so the Rays would be best served to finish off the job on Thursday because we have Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester ready to go. Yeah, I know, not exactly Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez of '04 or Beckett, Curt and Dice-K last year.

If you don't know the gory details by now, the Red Sox lost 13-4 tonight and trail the Rays 3-1. Tim Wakefield and Manny Delcarmen each gave up five runs - Wake lasted two and two-thirds of an inning, Delcarmen just one-third.

What the F???: What's worse, that Sweet Caroline would still be played with the Red Sox trailing by 11 runs in an absolutely critical playoff game or that the fans would still be singing along? I think the latter. What the hell ever happened to the spirited Red Sox fans I fell in love with in the 1980s? The die-hard Fenway Faithful have been a disgrace - booing the team, leaving early and now singing Neil Diamond as the Red Sox dig themselves deeper and deeper.

The faltering Red Sox took away some of the high I've been on after the Phillies dramatic Game 4 win on Monday, taking a 3-1 lead over the Dodgers.

When it felt like the Dodgers were going to win it and tie the series, Christine couldn't watch. She missed seeing Chase Utley's great double play, Shane Victorino's clutch home run to tie it in the 8th, followed shortly by Matt Stairs' two-run pinch-hit home run that will go down in Philly lore because of its significance and his post-game comment.

She started watching again to see Brad Lidge's first more than three-out save of the year. Of course, in Philly fashion, Carlos Ruiz had to let a third strike get by him in the 8th to prolong the drama of that inning.

This town is abuzz. It's like everyone suddenly woke up and realized there's a baseball team and that the .500 Eagles are not the only game in town. It should be interesting to see what happens should the Phillies advance to the World Series.

I've already cautioned Christine that should the Phillies and Rays meet in the next round, it will be more of a series than she's seen so far. Meantime, I'm still rooting for Cole Hamels to wrap it up tomorrow to give the Phillies the edge over a surely exhausted Red Sox team who just had a dramatic three-game comeback against the Rays.

[Photo credits: Boston Globe (Wakefield), Associated Press (Victorino)]

Got 'em right where we want 'em

I was about to go with the "I'm never going on a road trip again during the playoffs because the Red Sox are losing the American League Championship Series" theme for tonight's entry, but then I remembered something. Two things, actually.

This team was down 0-3 in the 2004 ALCS and 1-3 in last year's league championship round.

Never mind today's 9-1 trouncing by the Rays, who won the last two games and lead the series 2-1. These Red Sox, of the champion era, play best when they're down and given their last rites.

Or, perhaps, the Rays are just a better team this year. If so, I'll tip my hat and wish them luck and a loss against the Phillies, or luck and a win against the Dodgers. But until then, this series isn't over.

Although it was a bit frustrating to see Jon Lester get knocked around, David Ortiz continue to struggle and the entire offense make Matt Garza look the pre-2008 playoff version of Josh Beckett.

Tim Wakefield, who hasn't pitched in three weeks, will try to even the series up tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have the late game tonight. They had tied it 3-3 in the 6th when Ryan Howard scored on a wild pitch, but Chad Durbin, who has been in Christine's doghouse lately, allowed a leadoff home run to Casey Blake in the bottom of the inning. Scott Eyre relieved him, but Howard threw the ball away on a Rafael Furcal bunt, allowing another run to score. The Dodgers are up 5-3, and they're still threatening to add more. The Phillies still pain my wife, who wants me to finish this entry before L.A. scores again.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

It's a series now

The Dodgers woke up tonight to try to avert the sweep and keep alive the odds that we will be attending a Game 7 on Saturday. If it comes to that, Jamie Moyer has to snap out of this playoff slump he's been in.

J-Moy was in the showers by the 2nd inning after giving up six runs in one and a third innings. He's now the only Phillies pitcher with a loss in these playoffs. Coming into postseason, I had more confidence in him than any other Phillies pitcher, including ace Cole Hamels. Now it's a toss-up between him and Josh Beckett who I'm most concerned with for the next six to 16 games.

Moyer was outpitched tonight by Hiroki Kuroda, who made the Phillies bats look like they did before Friday's little explosion. He gave up two runs in seven-plus, and the Phillies managed only one hit before the 7th.

There was also some extracurricular activity tonight. Russell Martin was hit in the knee in the 1st inning and then objected to being thrown inside in a subsequent at-bat. When Shane Victorino saw a pitch over his head, he jawed back at Kuroda and told him to throw at his midsection, not his head. After Victorino grounded out in the 3rd, the benches emptied and a Manny Ramirez-led skirmish ensued. In the 7th, Russell Martin was hit again, this time by Chad Durbin. But the umpires evidently didn't think it was intentional, and Durbs was allowed to stay in the game.

Dodgers lead 7-2 in the 8th. I'm not giving up, but the Phillies don't look like they have it tonight. Tomorrow's going to be another early morning for the drive back to Jersey so we can get home in time for the doubleheader - Red Sox in the afternoon, Phils at night.

The morning after

I bailed on the game around 12:15 a.m. with the score 8-8 heading to the bottom of the 9th. I woke up five hours later and saw they lost 9-8.

Remind me again why Mike Timlin was activated for this round? Couldn't we figure out a way to manipulate the rules to get Eric Gagne on the roster? Probably lost in the ugliness of the game is the good job by the bullpen (Timlin excluded).

Before Timlin gave up a run on three walks in two-thirds of an inning, five Red Sox relievers gave up no runs with three hits, no walks and four strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings.

That came after Josh Beckett's gave up eight earned on nine hits and a walk in four and one-third innings.

My thoughts from last night still stand. I'm not concerned about losing Game 2 - it's now a five-game series with home-field advantage in Boston. But I'm very worried about forging ahead with this version of Beckett.

Fewer worries, and hopefully an earlier ending, for tonight's game as Jamie Moyer leads the Phillies into Los Angeles. A win will pretty much lock up the Phillies first World Series appearance since 1993. But after 2004, I won't guarantee a series until I see players dancing on the field.

It's going to be a long night

Tonight's game sucks. And as I write this - until doing so jinxes it - the Sox are winning, 6-5 in the bottom of the 5th.

The Josh Beckett vs. Scott Kazmir matchup that looked so good on paper fizzled. Kazmir was knocked out in the 5th after 98 pitches. His relief wasn't any better. And Beckett is heading toward a similar fate.

A loss tonight wouldn't be fatal - I would have signed on for a split of the first two games. (The Sox did hold on to last night's 2-0 lead.) But it's going to be awfully hard to beat the Rays and then the Phillies with this subpar Josh Beckett on the hill.

Sorry for the incomplete post tonight. I was up before 5 a.m. today, drove about 450 miles to North Carolina and I wanted to get something up in case I conk out.

P.S. Too late about the jinxing. The Rays are now leading 7-6 and still threatening.

Slugger

With a palpable sense of Philadelphia's hunger for a championship, Brett Myers pitched like Adam Eaton tonight but hit like Chase Utley.

He gave up five runs in five innings, but he had three singles in as many at bats with two runs and three RBI. He paced an offense that finally stirred with eight runs, 11 hits and seven walks. His second hit knocked out Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley. Myers even seemed to shake his head in disbelief after his third hit.

The Phillies scored four runs each in the 2nd and 3rd innings, when they sent nine and 10 batters to the plate, respectively.

Although Myers didn't pitch well, the game wasn't as close as the 8-5 final would indicate. In the 4th, Myers struck out Rafael Furcal with two outs, but he reached base when the ball scooted by Carlos Ruiz. Russell Martin followed with a single, then Manny Ramirez hit a meaningless home run. He pointed at the fans like a jackass while he rounded the bases. Yes, I tolerated this when he was on the Red Sox, but I never liked it.

The only other real drama came in the 7th. Ryan Madson relieved J.C. Romero with a man on first. Madson gave up a single, and then Casey Blake hit a rocket to center field, scaring the crowd, but Shane Victorino made a nice grab at the wall to end the threat.

We haven't heard anything about how the sun might have affected play, but it was brutal in our eyes for the early part of the game and cast some long shadows.

We sat in the 300 level between 1st base and right field, and we were blinded and baking until the sun dipped down past the walls of the stadium. I noted that it was, in the middle of October, probably the nicest weather we've had all year.

Observations from the stands: This was our first NLCS game, and it seemed that MLB, not the Phillies, ran the show. Our usual entrance was gated off, the $10 programs were not really Phils-centric, and the scorecards sucked with really tiny boxes. I have to figure something else out if {when} we go to another game this year.

Before the game, Brad Lidge got his Comeback Player of the Year Award and Ryan Howard got his September Clutch Player of the Month award. ... A Navy Color Guard from the Willow Grove Air Station presented the colors, and Chris Sapienza sang the anthem, complete with fireworks. ... Jim Eisenreich tossed the first pitch. Announcer Dan Baker noted he had a .324 batting average as a Phillie and drove in six RBI in the 1993 World Series. Actually, it was seven. ... Lots of fans had signs for birthday boy Pat Burrell, who was also honored as a star of the game on the scoreboard. ... Phan-o-vision was in our section. The guy next to me got on the big screen. We had no interest. Kudos to that guy for buying a souvenir bat for a little kid on whom he spilled a little beer. It wasn't the guy's fault; a lady walking past him in the aisle knocked into it. ... The Phanatic overshot the crowd with the hot dog launcher, and a hot dog landed on the park's roof. Hopefully one of the fireworks guys found it. ... Petty Officer 1st Class Dorcus Whigham sang God Bless America. ... Random jerseys spotted in the crowd: Russell Martin and Sandy Koufax, Kevin Millwood, Kevin Jordan and a couple of Adam Eatons. The Eatons were two guys sitting next to each other; one wore No. 23, the other No. 00. Bizarre.

Phillies Phever rising: At times the atmosphere was disappointing, but toward the end of the game, there was no doubt this town is ready for its first winner since 1980.

Towels twirled all night, making it snow lint. Chants alternated between "Beat L.A." and "Let's Go Phillies."

It roared at the end as Lidge struggled a bit, but he never really put fear into the crowd.

I can only imagine what this place will be like if this series, or the next one, were to be clinched on home soil.

With the win, the Phillies head to California up 2-0. The series isn't over, but it couldn't have started any better for them.

It's odd, but they got two games in the books before the Red Sox and Rays played an inning.

Game 1 started tonight and, as expected, it was a tight pitcher's duel between Daisuke Matsuzaka and James Shields.

Dice-K took a no-hitter into the 7th, and the Sox lead 2-0 in the 8th. But I'm not happy they let Dice start the 8th inning. I'm going to watch the rest of the game, but I have to shut things down here because we're waking up at 5 a.m. for our trip tomorrow.