Thursday, October 22, 2009

The un-Philly Phillies

Lovable losers?

City of Brotherly choke artists?

El Foldo-ville?

Not anymore.

Phillies 10, Dodgers 4.

After stopping eveyrone's hearts Monday night with a cardiac comeback win, the Phillies methodically bludgeoned the Dodgers into submission Wednesday night to capture their second straight National League crown and head back to the World Series.

And here's the funny thing. No one is surprised. When the Dodgers got a homer in the first to stake themselves to a 1-0 win, they never batted an eye. Did anyone not expect them to fire right back? Didn't think so. In the bottom of the inning, Jayson Werth offered a classic touche by crushing a VIcente Padilla into the right-field seats, and the party was on.

These Phillies team just might be the un-Philly team. We are used to being teased by our sports heroes. We are used to being sweet-talked by our idols right to the door of the boudoir, then having it slammed in our face.

It was a perpetual case of unrequited love.

We endured more than 25 years of championship drought. We once were entralled by those guys wearing skates and orange sweaters as they hoisted two Stanley Cups. But that was a generation ago, and they have not scaled the mountain since. The Sixers took us to the mountaintop in 1983, but have wandered in the wilderness since. Then there is the ultimate tease, our beloved Iggles. For the past 11 years, they have been good. Actually very good. Just not good enough. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have done a lot of things. But they have not won a championship.

Which brings us to the pinstripes, and this particular band of Phillies.

They are something we simply are unaccustomed to. They are money. From Charlie Manuel, to Ryan Howard to JImmy Rollins, they come up big when the chips are on the table.

Last year they ended our championship drought. They must love the taste of champagne. Because this year they're back for more.

The Phillies are the first team to win back-to-back National League pennants in a decade. And they're not done.

They now await the winner of the Yankees-Angels ALCS and a date in the World Series, starting next Wednesday.

Don't bet against them.

In maybe the most un-Philly feeling imaginable, they aren't just happy to be there.

They expect to win. Like I said. Money.

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