It's Hard to Believe the Phillies are World Champs

The Philadelphia Phillies are finally World Champions again after 28 years. It's still hard to believe. The team I grew up watching. The team that finished in last place so many times. The team of misfits that made it to the World Series in 1993 and lost. All the baseball games watched on channel 17 and then channel 29. Finally they did it.

Not living in the area has made it hard to follow the team for the past several years. I will admit that at times I pretty much forgot about them. But seeing them play well over the past couple of years has been nice. And watching them play really well in this postseason brought back a lot of memories for me. Memories of my childhood. The first time my dad took us to a baseball game at old Veterans Stadium. All the years we went to games and most of the stadium was empty b/c the team was no good. What made it difficult for the city was that none of the teams could finish the deal. If any of the city's teams had a winning season, they would make to the playoffs and then lose. We all became really cynical about sports in the city and still are today. Maybe that cynicism will never go away. But for this one moment we dont have any excuses, no one to blame, and we dont have to be angry b/c one of these teams, the Phillies, won the whole thing.

I'm sure it would have been out of this world to be in Philly during this baseball season, especially during the playoffs. To be surrounded by millions of other people who feel the same way you do about a sports team. I have seen my teams (PSU, UNC) win before but never felt the feeling of relief that have been feeling this week. Relief for a city that has been let down so many times and hadnt had a champion in so long. Relief b/c now for just one day everyone can let their guard down, let it go, and enjoy the moment. Relief b/c maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of a winning trend for the city. I saw the victory parade today and couldnt help but feel happy for the 1 million+ people who showed up.

So this is what it feels like.