In my print column this morning I wrote about the “thrill of victory,” and the agony of trying to figure out how to cover it.

I was referring to the idea that as the editor of the newspaper and a huge sports fan, I often find my joy in reveling in the success of our Philly sports teams tempered by questions about how we would go about covering these big stories.

But yesterday I found myself dealing with another similar emotion.

Again with apologies to Jim McKay, you can call it “thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” I actually glanced at my watch. It was 4:03. Phillies win; Eagles lose.

Both the Phillies and Eagles were, for some as yet unexplained reason, playing at 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

The Phils were facing the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. They needed to win to avoid coming home for a pivotal Game 5, and the daunting prospect of facing Brewers’ ace CC Sabathia with a full four days rest.

The Eagles were at the Linc for a crucial NFC East contest. They had lost two very winnable games and stood with a thoroughly mediocre 2-2 record. It was early to call a game a “must-win” situation, but it was close.

The Phillies delivered the goods. They got an excellent outing from No. 4 starter Joe Blanton, who mowed down the Brewers for six innings before giving way to the bullpen. Jimmy Rollins set the pace with a homer to open the game. Pat Burrell, who did not have a hit in the series, hit two homers. Brad Lidge did his normal thing, slamming the door to seal the deal.

So far so good.

Unfortunately the Eagles were playing at the same time. This one did not go nearly as well. After racing to a 14-0 lead, the Eagles watched the Redskins storm back to win, 23-17.

Andy Reid is once again talking about having to “put players in a better position to make plays.”

Go ahead, paint the town red. The Phillies are going to the NLCS. They open at Citizens Bank Park Thursday night against the Dodgers.

If you’re an Eagles fan, you’ll have to settle for being green with envy.

This team suddenly looks an awful lot like last year’s edition. Remember the Birds were all full of themselves because they managed to win their last three games last year, despite having been eliminated from the playoffs.

After a decent start this year, they have now lost a crucial game to the Cowboys, blown another key contest to the Bears, then got manhandled by the Redskins yesterday.

Mike Schmidt used to describe playing in this town as “the thrill of victory, and the agony of reading about it in the newspaper the next day.”

The Phillies provided the thrills, the Eagles the chills.

The Eagles – and their fans - now will have to stew in still another galling loss until 4:15 next Sunday. That’s when they tangle with the 49ers.

And that one might actually be a “must-win” game.

For now, every game is a must-win for the Phils. That’s what happens when you’re in the playoffs.

Remember the playoffs, Eagles fans?