The World Series may have gone the other way, with the Yankees out top, but no Phillies fans should be feeling too disappointed or upset today.
Sure, celebrating another title, doing what so few teams have done in the modern era in going back to back, would have been amazing. Another walk down Broad Street on a 53º November day while folks in every other baseball town sat at work or school? Nothing better. It didn't happen though, not this season. But there's still plenty to celebrate. For the second year in a row, our town's squad was one of the best in baseball, and all indications are that the same will be true in the coming seasons.
The Phillies have completely changed their identity in this sport—no longer a laughingstock, big market team with a small market mindset. The organization has new life. PHL is something other clubs don't want to see on their calendars. The fans have pride we haven't known in my lifetime. And, importantly, at least to us, the players on this team are truly men worth cheering for. Even in defeat, this team showed tremendous character, and for a long regular season and great playoff run, they gave us that one thing we want most from watching baseball—FUN.
Phanatic, originally uploaded by Mark ~ JerseyStyle Photography.
This team is simply a lot of fun. Even through one of the most difficult losses we've ever endured—and I'm not talking about last night—the Phillies found a way to make this season into a winning run that helped continue to build it's legacy.
We'll be following up with some memories of this outstanding season, mostly positives, but also some moments that were maybe not as great. For now though, just a reminder that there's nothing to be angry or jaded about today. Right, Harry? I know you have to be proud.
originally uploaded by lefty516.
There are those who will take this opportunity to pour on blame for players, coaches, execs, concession stand employees, janitors, whomever else... But you won't find that hater noise here. We're one thing today, and that is proud.
We'd be remiss not to congratulate the Yankees. They may not be our kind of team, but they just played one hell of a series after what had to have been an amazing season for their fans. We probably talked a lot of **** at various times, be it about money, PEDs, whatever else, but in the end, they were part of a very entertaining series that had to have been good for the sport. Some may say it's detrimental for the richest team to win it by buying players, but the Yankees did a whole lot more than simply write checks this year. They've been overpaying for talent to no avail for as long as I can remember, and it wasn't successful (at least not in the ultimate sense) over the past decade.
But, at least once in a while, a series between two towering giants is just what the sport needs. Then next year the Phils can face off against some upstart from a smaller, but still great, baseball town. Woulda been nice to beat the Bombers... Maybe a rematch next year, because they sure aren't going to just fade away.
Really though, don't lose sight of how great this run has been, starting a few seasons back, hitting the first major high note in 2008, staying up there through 2009, and nothing but signs that 2010 will be amazing too. The core is still intact, thanks to some wise moves by the front office. Ruben Amaro Jr has some work to do in the off-season to get us back to #1, but we have tremendous confidence in him after the moves he made to keep the Phils in contention, just two games short of winning it all again.
We can't lose sight of how rare that is, not after what we've seen in our lifetimes.
We couldn't be more thankful to the Phils players right now. It's been so much fun to watch you at the Park, from home, listen to the radio broadcasts with a beer in the back yard, talk about games at the bar, at work, at school, while traveling and seeing those red hats everywhere.
Even after a loss last night and in the Series, it still feels absolutely amazing to be a Phillies fan.
Thanks also go out to the Phillies fans who read and support this site. Our whole goal here is to interact with our fellow fans and learn more about the teams, players, and sports through that constant interaction. So, thanks, and keep the comments and emails coming.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/11/no...
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November 06, 2009
