Phinally

28 years ago, on October 21, 1980, the Phillies won the World Series.   I was 12 years-old at the time, and I still remember sitting on the blue recliner at home, watching Tug McGraw strike out Willie Wilson to clinch the team’s first championship since their founding in 1883.  That was game 6.  My dad took me to a playoff game against the Astros that year, and to Game 1 of the World Series, a Phillies win over the Royals.

After many losing seasons, two unsuccessful trips to the World Series, and a first round exit from the playoffs last year, the Phillies returned to the playoffs this year.  The Phils had a fantastic finish to the regular season, overtaking the New York Mets and clinching the division title on the second-to-last day of the regular season.

I was fortunate enough to get 3 tickets to the first game of the first round of the Division Series, against the Milwaukee Brewers.  My dad, brother and I drove down, and in a light drizzle, watched the Phils beat the Brewers.

From that point on, Elizabeth and I watched every game and every stressful pitch together.  The Phillies went on to take the best of 5 series, 3 games to 1.  They then proceeded to take 4 out of 5 games from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and advance to the World Series.

Thanks to Vanessa, we got 2 tickets to Game 4 of the World Series.  I’ve uploaded photos from the game, including a photo with our good friend Bob, who was also at the game.  The Phillies won 10-2, putting themselves one win away from their first title in 28 years and with their ace on the mound for the next game.  Elizabeth also went on a Phillies shopping spree, buying all sorts of attire.

A rabid city would have to wait, as Game 5 was suspended by rain after 5 1/2 innings.  The game was controversial, as the Phillies had to pitch and play defense in the top of the 6th, with a slick ball, a driving rain, and pools of water all over the field.  Many players on both teams called it the worst conditions they had every played in.  The Rays tied it, getting a run on two plays that the Phillies might have made in normal weather.  After the Rays tied it, the game was suspended before the Rays had to pitch and field in similar conditions in the bottom half of the inning.  But this was Philly, where nothing comes easy.

Ultimately, due to weather, the game did not resume for two more nights.  The game resumed on Wednesday the 29th.  The 3 1/2 innings to be played would be a mad sprint to the finish.  The Phillies got one run in the 6th to take the lead, only to have the Rays tie it again the next inning.  The Rays almost took the lead, but Phils’ second basemen Chase Utley gunned down the go-ahead run at the plate.  In the 7th, the Phillies took the lead for good, thanks in large part to a double off the wall by Pat Burrell, the longest-tenured Phillie in what might have been his last at-bat ever with the team.  The game ultimately ended with Brad Lidge on the mound, striking out Eric Hinske to send the crowd and the city into a state of euphoria.

On Friday, October 31st, the city of Philadelphia had a massive parade unlike anything I’ve ever seen.  Early estimates are 2 million people on the parade route, although I’m not sure how anyone could ever get an accurate count.  Here are some photos from Philly.com:

Tags: baseball, Dad Kline, Elizabeth, Matt, Phillies