Good Morning and welcome to the day we never thought would come!

That's right, about noon today the city of Philadelphia will be awash in emotion as the World Series champion Phillies make their ride down Broad Street to the stadiums.
It's sure to be pretty amazing. If you can't get there, make sure you see it somehow (TV or Internet coverage. There will be a link on delcotimes.com).
While it will be a lot of fun and probably a little stressful, there is one downside to the event.
That would be the pressure schools are putting on students this morning. Most schools in the county have said they expect students to attend like any other day. That's all great and all. There's nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong is the pressure the students had to endure Thursday. I know of one elementary school (which, by the way, is having a Halloween parade of its own today) where the teachers drummed into the students it would be bad to miss a day to attend the Phillies parade.
Some even went so far to say: 'Don't forget, the Halloween parade only comes once a year."
Yeah, well, a championship parade only comes once every 25 years or so. If a parent decides to keep their child out of school to attend the parade, then that's where it ends. If on Monday the school officials give students any kind of trouble for missing Friday, they should be held accountable.
Of course school is important, but there's also life experience. The students don't always get that while preparing for PSSAs week after week.
By the way, lest we forget, today is also Halloween. So, to get ready for the show later tonight, listen to this:


After all the candy's been eaten, check out:


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Good Morning and welcome to a World Championship town!

Yeah, it probably hasn't sunk in yet. The Phillies are the World Series champions. It was actually a team in red pinstripes celebrating on the field. It was actually Phillies fans crowding the streets.
Speaking of taking to the streets, the sights and sounds in Delaware County Wednesday night was amazing. You would have thought it was New Year's Eve or something.
People were yelling on the streets. Car horns were blaring. There was yelling. Firecrackers. Flags. More yelling. Dancing.
Most importantly, even though it will probably burn the rest of the nation, it was civil. I'm sure there were a few knuckleheads out there causing trouble, but, driving around Delco, it was just a celebration. There were no fights. There was no looting. It was just a bunch of smiling faces.
Moments after the final out, the streets of Drexel Hill were alive with people screaming and yelling and hitting the horns. There were children of all ages dancing in the streets.
Taking a ride down MacDade Blvd. saw even more celebrations. The police were keeping everybody in line and making sure traffic could flow peacefully.
The most amazing thing, though, is, after waiting 28 years and watching countless hours of useless baseball, it was all right about 9:58 p.m. Wednesday.
Now, people can't say they've never seen a championship. Thanks to Monday's terrible storm, it enabled some as young as 3-years old to experience the excitement.
Sure, say 3 and 6-year olds and even 9-year olds can't fully understand what's going on, but they will. Here's hoping they don't have to wait another 28 years.

Kalas Last Call from meech.one on Vimeo.

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Good Morning and welcome back to (still) the longest World Series game in history!

Another great big thanks to baseball and Fox for making us wait to see the end of Game 5. Great job, Joe, Timmy, Bud and the rest of you.
You know, it is kind of annoying to have to wait like this, but there is a big silver lining in the delay.
Now, for the first time in 100 years or so, younger fans will actually be able to watch the end of the game.
Thanks again to Fox and baseball, the World Series is now a late night, adult event. In the middle (end?) of October, school is in full force. To keep younger fans up past the first pitch is tempting a fate worse than hell the next morning.
Children are now under so much pressure at school they need as much sleep as possible. That means they can never watch the World Series (or NBA Finals, NCAA Championship or any big event). They have rely on replays and parents.
Tonight, though, with just a few innings to play, it won't be so late.
Now, the Phillies have to do their part and win so we can all celebrate.
So, let's get ready to dance in the street.


Hey, if the Phillies lose, this will kill the time:


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Good morning and today we are all seeing things in red colored glasses!

The Phillies exciting weekend was topped off Sunday night with a show of power that means Tampa Bay would be better served just leaving now than being embarrassed in Game 5 tonight.
So, since we now know the World Series title is going to be the Phillies this week (most likely tonight, but, if not, than later this week), that means there's going to be a Philadelphia parade not scene since the sock-hop 80s.
To enjoy said parade is going to take a little planning. For instance, since we've had to wait 28 years for another baseball title, history says we have to enjoy this one to the fullest.
Also, since all schools now require parents to call in when their children will be absent, there has to be some good excuses.
So, here's a few helpful hints. One word of caution, this is for fun only, don't even try to use these for school (work?) the day of the parade. They won't work and, well, just don't do it.
Anyway, here's the script:
1. Sorry, my child has red fever and can't make school today.
2. Um, I have to take my student to the city for some college prep.
3. Hello, my student was up all night and needs today to rest.
4. Good morning, that Rise and Shine column is so good I need to keep my student home to read it a couple of times.
5. Hello. We are having car trouble and can't get our student to school on time. He/she may miss the day.
6. Yes. Um. My student ... OK, we are going to the parade. YEAH PHILLIES! (Well, honesty counts for something, right).
So, there are a few to mull over.
With a couple of days before Halloween, here are a few more:


Can't stop tapping your feet? This will do it:


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Good Morning as we wait a whole day for the Phillies/Dodgers Game 5!

It's probably a good idea for the Phillies to finish off the Dodgers tonight in Los Angeles. You never want to give a team any kind of life when you have a chance to finish off a series.
Still, it would be kind of sweet to see the clinching game at home Friday night. The final games of the 1980 World Series and 1993 NLCS were both home games. The celebration, unlike those in other cities, was quite civil. There were a few bad apples out there, but at least the city wasn't burned down or cars overturned.
You know, in the grand scheme of things, a bunch of millionaires winning a professional sports title doesn't mean a whole lot, but it does make you feel a little happy to watch your favorite team get it done.
It's a pretty good escape, especially for those of us who had to sit through years of Von Hayes, Wally Ritchie, Todd Zielle and countless other players who just made the summer boring.
So, it's nice to enjoy the ride while it lasts.
By the way, here's how Broad and Locust looked the night the Phillies finished off the Braves to reach the 1993 World Series:


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Good Morning red-eyed Phillies fans and those of us who gave up in the seventh inning!

So, after watching the Phillies for all these years, you can get a feeling about a game. Sure, the players change and all, but the uniform stays the same.
There are games where things just keep going wrong. The Phillies don't get a key hit, they make a boneheaded play in the field, they bring in Chad Durbin.
So, when the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS Monday night, it was time for bed.
Hey, I was dozing off anyway, so, like somebody smarter than me said Monday morning: "Tonight's game doesn't really mean anything. Why don't you go to bed early and get some rest?"
Sure, sounds like a plan.
So, even though I was going to ignore the sound advice, it was in the back of my mind when Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth and Chase Utley went down without a fight in the seventh inning.
OK, if the Phillies big guys can't get it done, it's going to be a loss and a tied series.
By the time Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs (MATT 'freakin' STAIRS!) sent the ball into the California night, a soft pillow had me snoring. (Well, I don't snore but that's an argument for another day).
Well, I guess it's better I didn't stay up or, faithful readers, this would be about oranges or pears or something.
Expect that Thursday.
So, since it looks like the Phillies may be actually headed to the World Series, here's a blast from the past:


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Good Morning weekend warriors!
Wasn't it nice for the Phillies and Dodgers to play a two-and-a-half hour game?
For the first time in 25 years, I was actually able to sit down in front of the television and watch a Phillies playoff game.
Yeah, yeah, they were in the playoffs in 1993, but, in a former life, I was able to work the games, so I didn't get the pleasure of listening to these national announcers.
Now, the Phillies announcers, especially Chris Wheeler, get a lot of flack, but, after watching the Fox broadcast Thursday night, I missed the banter.
Here are some observations:
n One of the best parts of postseason baseball is watching as the players are introduced to the fans. They are announced, run out one-by-one and tip their caps. It might be corny, but they used to show this on television all the time. So, when 8 p.m. rolled around Thursday, we got some goofy Fox talking heads trying to be funny. Hey, this isn't 'America's Got (no) Talent.' Mark Grace was a good player for the Cubs, but he has no real insight on this series. Get rid of the useless pregame show and give us the warmups.
n Is it just me or is Tim McCarver not aging nicely. How about this separated at birth:

n The usual Viagra commercials don't shock any more. We've seen them all for years and, well, whatever. Scarier was the Craig T. Nelson Poltergeist/Direct TV deal. Where McCarver is one thing, Nelson appears to have had some work done. By the way, is it just me or is this commercial in bad taste. After all, Poltergeist star Heather O'Roarke is DEAD!
n It's amazing how the national announcers change sides as the game goes along. When the Dodgers were winning, Joe Buck was gushing about Joe Torre and the job he's done. When the Phillies took the lead and eventually won, Buck was falling over himself to praise the Phils. How about calling it down the middle? What happened to that? Joe Buck you are no Jack Back nor are you a poor man's Howard Cosell. Just call the game.
n Who the heck is Ken Rosenthal? This guy was a dugout reporter for Fox. After seeing his one report then post-game interview with Pat Burrell I think Hollywood has found its star for a 'Robocop' remake.
Here's the video:

Phillies power past Dodgers

Here's Robocop:


So, Go Phillies and if you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good (Chilly) Morning out there in the dark!

Yeah, it's kind of cold out there this morning. I was actually able to see my breath heading out today. Bring back the summer. It's supposed to get chilly in October, but I, for one, am not quite ready yet. Is it too much to ask for one more 80 degree day?
Anyway, forget the weather, we have meaningful baseball being played in mid October for the first in what, 15 years.
Thankfully the Dodgers won the other NLDS and get to come to town to play the Phillies. The Phillies have been around since 1883 and this will be only the seventh time the franchise has been to this level of playoffs. (OK, the League Championship Series didn't begin until 1969, but why split hairs.)
Of those seven times, this will be the fourth time the Phillies are playing the Dodgers.
Now, it's not like there's been a lot of fun times playing the Dodgers in the playoffs. Remember 1977 when Danny Ozark should have taken Greg Luzinski out of the game in the ninth. He didn't, Luzinski booted a ball and the Phillies lost.
How about 1978? Garry Maddux made maybe three errors his whole baseball life, but dropped a fly ball then watched another go through his legs as the Dodgers clinched the series.
Sure, there was a victory over L.A. in 1983, but that team was less 'Phillies' and more hangers on. They were led by Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Pete Rose, three key members of the 1970s 'Big Red Machine' in Cincinnati. Even getting beaten by the Orioles in the World Series didn't seem that bad.
So, now we have the Dodgers again. At least this time if history repeats itself we won't have to see Tommy Lasorda dancing around.
Or will we...


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Good Morning Phillies fans, debate watchers and all those in between!

Now that the Phillies got over the playoff hump and won Game 1 of the NLDS Wednesday, Game 2 seems to be forgotten. Sure, the Brewers have their best pitcher going, but, while he's been pretty good the last two years, he doesn't have the best history. Just win Game 2 and relax for the weekend.
Speaking of relaxing, tonight's vice presidential debate should at least offer some light moments.
Not much is expected from Republican Sarah Palin and, truth be told, not much should be expected. She hasn't so far shown any reason to be in the position except for a humorous convention speech. Then again, it's not like Democrat Joe Biden is the best speaker in the world.
So, why not just enjoy it for the political 'America's Got Talent' that it is (the presidential debates are more like 'American Idol'). If nothing else, it should be a reason for some comedy.
So, let's meet the candidates:


and...



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Good Morning Wall Street watchers and the rest of us who have to work every day!

So the bail out plan failed in the House yesterday. There will undoubtedly be another plan some time this week. It will probably end up passing in some form. Be sure, though, none of that money will help us who are in the hole every day trying to dig out.
By the way, maybe John McCain should have stayed in Washington instead of going to that debate Friday night. It couldn't hurt his poll numbers.
Enough about bail outs, though, there are more important things on the horizon.
Like the Phillies playoffs.
Sitting watching the end of Saturday's game when the Phillies beat the Nationals to clinch the N.L. East sent the memory part of the brain in motion.
It's been 30 years since the Phillies have repeated as division champs. The years between 1978 and 2008 have been mostly lean. Sure, there was the World Series championship in 1980, by then we were tainted. We expected the Phillies to win. When they reached the playoffs in 1980 after finishing out of the money in 1979, there wasn't the same sense of dread as in 1977 or 1978. We had Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton. Sure, it was a heart-wrenching series against the Astros. Once over that hill, though, the World Series was a forgone conclusion.
There was the 1983 and 1993 run to the World Series, but those teams really were winning with smoke and mirrors. Sure, we would take a title, but, looking back, it would have been a miracle.
I was 9-years old when the Phillies first made the playoffs in 1976. I remember getting caught up in baseball for the first time. I remember jumping around when the Phillies clinched the division and were going into the playoffs.
Flash to this year and I saw the same look on another 9-year old boy. Much like the children of the 70s, the young ones of today are seeing a Phillies team that can win. They are expected to win.
Sure, history shows the tide will turn, but now is the time to join the ride. I'm glad I can come along.


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Good Morning everybody from Marcus Hook to Monterey (and everybody in between)!

There is a trading deadline in Major League Baseball today. To some, it's a national holiday, to most it's just a shrug of the shoulders.
Since the Phillies have never really made a big deal at the deadline, it's understandable why there isn't much interest in multi-millionaires leaving one team for another. The Phillies are always happy with what they have and sit on the sidelines watching other teams improve for a chance to win a championship.
Seriously, though, do you blame Phillies ownership when you really think. They are packing the stadium nightly and selling a ton of hats, shirts, whatever. Winning a championship won't sell more tickets. Winning a championship might sell more hats and T-shirts, but that money is shared among teams.
So, be happy, Phillies fans, to watch a team every night. Just don't worry about taking a vacation day for a parade in October.

Speaking of parades, apparently they are shutting down a part of Center City this afternoon to celebrate the Philadelphia Soul's Arena Football League championship. Which, of course, got me thinking: Aren't there enough parades already?
We have the Mummers, Easter Columbus Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other parades in between.
Actually, maybe we need more parades. After all, there is a parade on the highways every day. How about adding a marching band to the morning and afternoon rush? Why don't we follow all those Aqua PA construction vehicles around with a car full of clowns?
How about a weekly Saturday morning parade? I'm sure U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7) would be interested.
Let's shut down Baltimore Pike in Springfield every afternoon for a home-from-school parade.
Or, there could be this:


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GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Well, it was a busy weekend. There was the NCAA Tournament to watch and the Phillies are gearing up for the season.
First, though, did you see the video of Barak Obama and Sen. Casey eating breakfast in a State College diner? Has anybody looked more out of place than Casey at a diner? I'm willing to bet, with the exception of campaigning, the good Sen. hides his eyes when driving past a diner.

Took in the Phillies-Blue Jays preseason game Saturday afternoon. It was cold, it was windy and the game was pointless, but, hey, the special $5 tickets made it worthwhile.
Since major pro sports have outpriced a family of five, we haven't make a visit to Citizen's Bank Park for a couple of years. Think about it, for five tickets, drinks, nachos and maybe some popcorn, you're looking at about a $200 day/night.
While that might be worth it if the games were interesting to a 3- or 5-year old, that's just not happening. So, watching three innings and then heading to the Phanatic playground is fun for the children, paying all that money for three innings and a playground isn't worth it for parents.
Besides, a quick trip down 95 to Wilmington for a Blue Rocks game is much more fun. It's family friendly and the games are pretty good. Oh yeah, parking's free.
So, I did find it interesting veggie dogs were also $1 during dollar dog days. That's a nice touch.
Here's a tip as well, check out the veggie crab cake at Planet Hoagie. It's really good.
Sure, the Phillies won last year, but how about this:


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