Phillies Win World Series

As a child I began a lifetime of rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies. It was my earliest team rooting interest and remains the deepest. Last night, the Philadelphia Philles won the 2008 World Series. They had only won one previous World Series title back in 1980. This championship brings me great joy and satisfaction.

I wasn't around for the 1915 or 1950 World Series teams. I assume they were One Year Wonders. The 1964 team was that way, as was the 1993 team. The 1980 team had made the playoffs for three straight years from 1975 through 1977, always losing in the playoffs. The 1979 Pirates beat them out of the division, but the 1980 team finally won. The 1983 World Series team was an aging version of the same team. Essentially, the 1980 team winning the World Series was something they should have done earlier. It was sort of like the recent string of successful years in Atlanta, but only one World Series title to show for it.

This World Series title is different. This year's Phillies are not a One Year Wonder or a Team of Destiny, but rather, they are a good hard working team that fought their way through adversity and underdoggedness to win. This is a good feeling team that is better than it's unassembled parts. I think it's an attitude of family and hard work, fathered by Manager, Charlie Manuel, to make this team a winner. When Pat Burrell ran slow or struck out, or when Ryan Howard struck out or made an error in the field, we knew it had not occured because the player did not care. We knew they passionately cared about this team and about winning. We saw that determination in the many come from behind victories over the past few years. We also saw it this year with the amazing unblemished record of winning with a lead going into the 9th inning. This team is special and worthy of our love. They may never win another World Series, but we will always appreciate this one.