Commentary: Win
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, October 27, 2008 12:46 PM | Comments: 55
Posts
So here we are, October 27, potentially the final game of the 2008 campaign for the Phillies. And what a campaign — with a win, they’ll be the king of the baseball world. World Champions. Wow.
This hasn’t sunken in. Not yet. And it won’t sink in immediately if they win. It may take a couple days. It’s gone so fast, and yet so slow. I can remember sitting on my front lawn, laptop and beer at my side, watching the Phils play the Braves in a mid-summer Turner Field contest. Felt like yesterday.
Now we’re here. Right here. An entire city awaits, ready to explode if the score favors the Phils. I can’t even imagine the scene tonight, if it happens.
If it happens.
Ah, the old doubt, the old worry. Hey, there’s still a game to be played.
At this point, there’s so much to write, but my thought balloons pop and my words come out garbled and messy. This is a completely new feeling. A new feeling for practically all of us. It’s exciting, and it’s nerve-wracking, and it’s antsy, and it’s out-of-body. But it’s real. It’s all real. The impact this team has had on us is real, and it’s greater than most things we encounter each and every day. That’s why we’re so passionate. That’s why we care.
If it ends tonight, I’ll cry. I know it. I’ll cry with unbridled, unchained happiness, and I’ll cry to my dad, who took me to over 100 games between the Vet and the Bank. I’ll cry to my brothers, who spilled blood over this team along with me. I’ll cry to my friends, who doubted and questioned and cheered with me too. At some point, though, I’ll cry sadness. I don’t want this to end.
I don’t mean the series. No, no, let’s win tonight. But I’m going to miss this team, this 2008 team. They’ve won me over completely. I care. I absolutely care. When the feeling starts to sink in and the realization rings true, I’ll feel sad that this team may not be the same team next year.
And that’s why this team has to win it, and tonight, here in Philly. For Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins, guys who truly deserve the win after their careers have faded. For the younger guys and foundation guys, who played their rears off down the stretch.
But mainly for two guys. For Pat Burrell, who may be playing his final game as a member of the Phillies tonight. One of the franchise greats, and one of the all-around great guys, he truly deserves this. And here. He bleeds Philly the way we bleed Philly.
And for Jamie Moyer. Of course. Who knows if he returns next year, but heck, if I’m Moyer and this ends tonight, I end it here. I go out on top, parading down Broad Street with my hometown team. Full circle. If that’s the case, boy, what a beautiful career. And what a beautiful man.
If it happens.
They have a game to play tonight. And to a man, they should play the best baseball of their lives tonight. Leave it all out there. Take it from the start. Rip it apart, streak away. Win it for Charlie. Win it for us. Win it for Philly. Win it for you.
Just win.
Posts: 0 dan
Tim that was beautiful. They’ll win it, I know it. And I’m sure you won’t be the only one crying. I’ll see you all on Broad Street. Go Phils.
Posted: 12:52 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark T
As much as the Rocky stuff kind of gets old from so much use, this reminds me of when Adrienne told him to win while she was in the hospital. I too will be sad to see the ride end. After all, how often do we get to see this? I can tell I will be emotionally conflicted, but what could be sweeter than seeing the Phillies break the 25 year streak for us? Myers said that throwing a bullpen session on Sunday he heard fans at the end of the Eagles game cheering for the Phils. What an amazing turn of events. I am just in awe.
Posted: 12:52 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Paul
It would be so sweet if they can win tonight, and have Burrel have a big game too.
Posted: 12:55 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 One Phillies Fan I Can Respect » A Couple Things » A couple things about politics, sports, travel, and other stuff.
[...] Tim Malcolm over at Phillies Nation: If it ends tonight, I’ll cry. I know it. I’ll cry with unbridled, unchained happiness, and I’ll cry to my dad, who took me to over 100 games between the Vet and the Bank. I’ll cry to my brothers, who spilled blood over this team along with me. I’ll cry to my friends, who doubted and questioned and cheered with me too. At some point, though, I’ll cry sadness. I don’t want this to end. [...]
Posted: 01:00 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
know matter what we say or talk about, we are not going to change the outcome of the game tonight or the series in general. So i am going to ask this question with all the confidence if the world that the Phillies will do this.
When will the parade be? i need to know b/c i have class and would have to drive 20 some hours to get to philly.
Posted: 01:01 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
Well, I’m checking the weather right now and it doesn’t look too good for tonight. UGH. Cmon!! And it’s gonna be cold, really cold out there tonight. Rain stay away, this is our night dammit!
A possible parade could happen tomorrow (though I think that would be unlikely). Wednesday or perhaps Friday to get everyone for the weekend. Who knows? We need to win today if we want a parade down Broad St. I’m not comfortable going to Tropicana Field (again!) for 1 or 2 more games. Lets wrap this up!
Posted: 01:11 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
2 days later, but on a weekday… so wednesday, friday, or monday ***I THINK***
Posted: 01:13 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 kurt
fantastic preview, highlighting a fantastic baseball-season-worth of blog posts. i agree with mark that the following video pairs well with your post. if this doesn’t make your eyes start to well up, i don’t know what will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTihNTFNOcc
Posted: 01:13 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 CZ
I’m driving down from NYC after work for no other reason then to put myself in position to experience the greatest party I have ever been a part of! I can’t wait!
Posted: 01:13 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 erik
to add to brett’s talking about the eagles game, i was one of those screaming fans in the linc. they posted a message on the big screen which essentially said”due to the phillies world series game and the who concert, after the game please exit the parking lot as soon as possible, good luck phillies”. for a split second we booed(as true philly fans do) for being told to leave ASAP. then, as if by magic, the ENTIRE stadium erupted with “lets go phillies”. i almost cried at that instant, seeing how much this team has done so far for this city. it says a lot when i would say about 10,000 birds fans were wearing phillies jerseys(me included sporting my cream colored number 26). the only bitter part for me and i am sure a bunch of others at the birds game was leaving the promised land because we did not have tickets to the phils game. i almost felt like i was being disloyal. but then i realized, my body might have left, but my heart had stayed and is still beating strong in south philly
Posted: 01:15 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
Last night, when it sunk in that we have one to go with Cole on the mound, the first thing that I thought about was Charlie. He’s from West Virginia. He’s known Philadelphia for four years. Half of those, we were pretty hard on him. All things said, this man should have more allegiance to Cleveland or some unknown city in Japan.
Then I was thinking about how he placed our team’s cap in his mother’s casket. He cares so much for his team, our team, and bringing a championship to this city that he placed our Fightin’ Phils logo in his mother’s casket. I hope he understands how much that means to so many of us.
Win this one for Charlie.
Posted: 02:00 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 T
Tim you’ve covered this team from point A to Z, from every angle, all year long, and did it with pure class. If there’s anyone who deserves this championship, it’s you my man.
Posted: 02:09 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Michael S
Quit possibly the best post ever.
Tim that was awesome, I practically cried thinking about crying later tonight with my own Dad.
I can’t wait
Posted: 02:13 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Josh
Erik, I know exactly what you mean. I was also in that crowd at the linc, and I hung around afterwards for a couple of hours in the parking lot. It was so hard to get on a northbound subway train while I watched two others pull in full of Phils fans heading for the game. At least I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to game 3, so I was able to see a small part of this wonderful weekend. I hope Cole pitches the best game of his career tonight, he absolutely deserves to win the clincher after the season he’s had.
Posted: 02:13 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Very poignant and touching analogy……I will say this for whoever wrote this story.Days like this reflects for when your father looked at you when you were born (for most of you guys the mid 80′s)when Michael Jack and Frank McGraw danced on the field of the old Vet in 1980 They looked at you and as a fan of your team,hoped you would be just as happy and celebrate like he did.Now if tonight is a victor,he’ll look back and reflect and remember that day.22 years ago tonight,I saw Jesse Orosco fling his glove high into a cold Queens night and celebrate our title in 86…but I tell you now what I experienced then…..There are simply no words.
Posted: 02:18 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Scott
This is just awesome. I’m starting to cry reading about somebody else crying at Tim crying. Only thing better would be if they showed the last 5 minutes of Field of Dreams after the game tonight, CBP would turn into the world’s largest therapy session with 40,000 grown men bawling their eyes out.
Just goes to show how much we all bond through Philly sports, and sharing a moment like this with your friends and family after waiting SO SO SO LONG is just beyond words.
Is it 8:29pm yet?
Posted: 02:19 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 JLG
Tim – great read…and spoke so true to how so many of us feel! I was at the game last night and the pure energy, excitement and just Philly Fever was so amazing to witness. People can say all they want about Philly fans, but we love our sports and we are loving this moment. I didnt know that about Charlie placing the cap into the casket and that brought me to tears…he seems like such a genuine man and i so hope he and this 2008 team win it tonight at home!!
Posted: 02:21 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Joephilly
I got misty eyed reading that. Lets win this for Charlie and his mother, Johnny Marz, Vuk, Tug, Pope, and all the phillies fans who spent their entire lives waiting for another win. Lets Do It! GO PHILS!!!!
Posted: 02:27 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt B
Hey everyone! I am trying to get a group together in Northern VA/DC to watch them (hopefully) close it out!
There is a place in Arlington, VA called Crystal City Sports Pub. I went there last Wed for Game 1 and there was a nice contigent of about 20 Phillie fans. They had the surround on for us and TONS of great tv’s. We took over the entire left side of the 3rd floor bar. Who’s in!?!?! It is PERFECT! Let’s triple the amount and do it again!
Here is the website and address:
http://www.ccsportspub.com/Directions.html
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 23rd St South
Arlington, VA 22202
Let’s get it done tonight!!! Come out all you Northern VA Phillie Nationers!!!
Who’s in?!
Posted: 02:31 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Very well put, Tim.
I still can’t believe the position we’re in. It still hasn’t sunk in.
Posted: 02:39 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
Two pieces of literature have made me cry in my lifetime
.
1. Thomas Paine’s Summer Patriot entry in Common Sense circa 1774.
2. Tim Malcolm’s ‘Win’ commentary est. W-Day (like V-Day, and VJ-Day, but Now, 10.27.08 is forever known as Win Day)
Posted: 02:42 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
I’m in shock all day and can’t focus on anything else. Parade on Friday would be a cool way to get Halloween started!!
Posted: 02:43 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
So Rob, I guess THESE are “The Times That Try Men’s (and Womens!) Souls”!!!!!!
Posted: 02:45 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Craig
Count on Cole, you know you can.
World champion Phillies. Enjoy it fellas!
Posted: 02:49 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
Yeah man. It’s like how we stated. It’s a quiet storm that was brewing and now that it is unleashed , you can’t stop it.
Screw George the III and the (We still play like the Devil) Rays.
Posted: 02:50 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Ari
Someone who is going to the game tonight, please, please, PLEASE make the following sign:
Eva Longoria:
2 hit shows, 1 movie, 1 golden globe
Evan Longoria:
0-16, 9K, 1 error
Feel free to embellish (maybe use pictures instead of names for greater visual appeal, maybe just make up baseball stats for Eva, it’s totally up to you).
You could also just go for something simplistic:
Eva > Evan
0-16, 9K, 1 error
Posted: 02:52 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 MA Phanatic
I haven’t been able to do anything at work all day….i can’t wait for tonight..
Tim…just plain ol well written. Nicely done.
Posted: 02:53 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
I love it Rob. Absolutely priceless analogy!!!! Where else but on this site!!
Posted: 02:54 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt
Tim,
I want to thank you (and whoever else is responsible) for running this site. I think I’ve probably missed less than 5 games this year, and I always turn to your site in the morning. The past 2 months have been a wild ride, one that I will never forget. I am 24 years old, and I have watched every playoff game with my father, with the exception of 2 (the loss to the Brewers and the loss to the Dodgers).
Needless to say, I will be watching the game with him hoping to witness something I’ve never seen before. I am hoping to finally experience the thing I have only heard him tell me stories about: a Philadelphia championship!!
With a win, 25 (24 for me) years of misery will end, and I will attend the parade with the people I grew up watching this team with: my two brothers (who are attempting to get leave from the military), my mom, my fiancee, my friends, and of course, my dad!!!
Posted: 02:55 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 MP
Very well put. I’m tearing up just reading this. I can’t think about anything else. I got two hours of sleep last night and I was basically dreaming of a championship. If this is over tonight, I know I’ll cry along with everyone else gathered at Frankford and Cottman tonight.
Tim, could not agree more about this team. I’ve connected with this team in way I haven’t with a Phillies team in awhile. I liked last year’s team, but as soon as this season started it felt different. This team was different. It breaks my heart to think some of these guys won’t be in red pin stripes, most of all Pat. I hope he has a huge night tonight. He has to – not just for him, but for us. I look at this team and want them to be the guys that come back to throw out the first pitches and whatnot and and tell my kids about my beloved 2008 Phillies and what they meant to me, us, and this city. I know tonight’s the night. This season has been amazing and so much fun to watch. I too have been waiting to share this moment with my dad – who I finally took to a World Series game on my 23rd birthday on Saturday, which will be one of the greatest days of my life for sure. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I cannot believe we are one win away. Can anoyone believe this is really happening? I mean, REALLY HAPPENING?
See everyone either at Frankford and Cottman, at a party 28 years in the making, and at the parade!!
Posted: 02:55 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg F.
I cried reading this.
Posted: 02:56 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Mazinman
I was lucky enough to go to the game yesterday and what an experience it was. I have never felt myself part of such an intense group happiness as I did at that moment. For that one period of time everything was right with the world.
I will, sadly, be at work for the first half of the game tonight and it will take the full amount of my profesionalism to concentrate on working on not whats going on in the game. Once I get out, however, its party time. I honestly cannot say how I will react when that final out comes. I’ve never experienced something like this before.
All I know is that, for the first time ever as a Phillies fan, I am feeling real optimistic tonight. Hamels pitching, the offence getting hot, an energetic and happy crowd going nuts all night. No way we lose. I just feel it.
Posted: 03:00 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Not in a million years did I think that we would be on the door step of being WORLD CHAMPIONS this year… but I always knew deep in my mind that they “COULD” do it, that they had a great amount of talent… the pitching has been great all year, and has continued into the postseason.. the role players have stepped up when the key guys were down.. everything about this team, shouts TEAM! … they play for each other, they play for Charlie, and they play for us..
Tonight, I hope and pray that we all get to celebrate one of the things that would mean the world to us… watching the Phillies attempt to win the World Series, in front of the MOST PASSIONATE FANS IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS!!
Best of luck tonight boys!!
Posted: 03:09 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike P
Well said Tim.
The core of this team will be one of the memorable ones, I remember Schmidt, Bull, Carlton, Maddox, Tug, Bowa, Rose, Boone and the 80 team. Williams, Kruk, Schilling, Dykstra and Daulton are another. Hopefully many of this year’s team will remain – maybe the Phillies will actually put together a string of winning incarnations – something we’re not really used to. As much as I hate to see this end, I’m OK with it because I know I’ll never forget it. Probably the most memorable of all of them for me and I feel like a kid on Christmas eve waiting for tonight’s game to start.
On a side note to Erik – I was at the linc yesterday too – I booed when the announcement was made – the boos (mine at least) were directed at the Eagles organization – it was a real shame that the only mention of the Phillies was the request to the fans to leave quickly – it said “Good luck Phillies” on the screen at the end of the announcement and the PA announcer didn’t even read that part of the message. There should have been some recognition of the Phillies other than that pathetic announcement. The Phillies cheer that followed was the fans doing what the Eagles should have done.
Posted: 03:16 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 T Marty
so funny, before i even read the commentary i was going to say i’ve been teary eyed since last night. put on WIP this morning and they had me balling during work. So emotional, and then reading this, my sentiments exactly. so glad this site exists and there are others just as passionate as my wife, brother, father and i.
Posted: 03:16 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chase Mutley
Seriously, the Rocky clip NEEDS to be in this post!
Posted: 03:19 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 BigDaddy
Tim, fantastic post today. You hit all the aspects of the biggest game of recent Phillies history (maybe all time). I’ve been following the Phillies for 50 years and raise 2 huge fans as well. I truly appreciate your words and know how much it will mean to this city.
Posted: 03:25 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 MP
I love how most of us are in tears at work. Seriously, I love it. This town is gonna implode tonight.
Posted: 03:30 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I would absolutely argue to say tonight is the biggest game in Phillies history.
Posted: 03:32 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
Next to the Phillies, American history is my deal. Thomas Paine is like my Cole Hamels.
Posted: 03:36 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Josh Baltimore
is there ANYONE in the Baltimore/Howard County area watching the game? The Green Turtle in Columbia is a GREAT place to watch the game. it is not a Phillies bar, BUT it is a huge place with tons of TV’s. What else is there to watch tonight anyway (who wants to watch Peyton anyway??).
GREEN TURTLE IN COLUMBIA MD. EMAIL ME HSOJ1006@AOL.COM IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A GROUP TONIGHT.
Posted: 03:36 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
Best thing for this city in a long long time. Maybe some deep wounds can partially be healed with this (not just from sports teams’ failures, but crime, police officers being killed, economic problems, etc., etc., …..THE REAL IMPORTANT STUFF!!)
Posted: 03:39 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck
And Charlie Manuel is like George Washington……TONIGHT WE CROSS THE DELAWARE AND HEAD FOR BATTLE………AND VICTORY!!!!
Posted: 03:43 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 MP
Tim – have to agree. I don’ know how many of you feel this way, but if this were any other team I really wouldn’t care about a championship or a parade. I would be a little more excited if it were the Flyers. But the other teams, yeah I would be happy but it wouldn’t do anything for me. For this to be my first championship and this 2008 Phillies team – wow, this is one of the most incredible times of my life.
Posted: 03:45 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ (Go Joe Bombton!)
Fight Phillies fight, on the road to World Series victory
Fight Phillies fight, hit a longball, 2 and probably 3
Pitch them low, hit ‘em high and watch those Rays hitters cry
Fight Phillies fight for a riot in downtown Philly!
…Can’t think what the inspiration for that was.
Posted: 03:50 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Lem1183
For the DC/ MD fans…
Me and some of the Philly loyal are going to Union Jacks in Bethesda, MD. We went last week for Game 1 and they had the game and audio on a whole bunch of TVs. The only thing I wish is to hear the final out by Harry Kalas tonight.
I cried as well reading all of these posts. Cole is going to pitch the best game of his life and Pat the Bat is so due.
I already talked to my boss about taking off for the parade and got approved. See everyone on Broad Street! Go Phillies!
Posted: 04:01 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 T Marty
i sent this page to my wife, and she Fwd it to a contractor she deals with in Boston, this is what he had to say:
I am So sincerely impressed. I guess that says it all. Passion is the
right word. No other way to describe it. Wow I am really touched. It
almost brought me to tears. You guys are a different breed. What great
fans. You will win it, and both you guys and the team deserve it. Thanks
for sharing that with me
Posted: 04:30 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 DC
This was beautiful
are there any philly fans in boston?
Posted: 04:38 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 T Marty
i don’t think so, but i guess some don’t hate on philly.
Posted: 04:40 PM on October 27, 2008
Posts: 0 DC
there are some eagles bars up here but no phillies. I just want to be around some fans for the last out tonight
Posted: 04:46 PM on October 27, 2008