A New Day in Philly

When the morning dawned on Philadelphia today, everything had changed.

The city was painted red instead of green and the specter of 25 years of heartbreak and futility had finally gone.

The Phillies are World Champions. It’s just fun to print those words. The Philadelphia Phillies are champions of the world.

Last night was less a baseball game than it was a religious experience for some. An exorcism. A redemption. The last World Series title was in ’80, this one was ’08. The pitcher on the mound, Tug McGraw, wore number 45. Brad Lidge wears 54, and after Tim McGraw scattered some of his father’s ashes on the mound at Citizens Bank Park, it seemed like Tug was standing right beside Lights Out Lidge. Ya gotta believe, right?

Jamie Moyer skipped school over at Souderton Area High School to go to the parade in 1980. In 2008, he may close his career by being part of one.

It all has a beautiful symmetry to it.

Grown men cried last night. Years of frustration and emotional baggage were thrown by the wayside. Time will tell if the Phillies’ World Championship will usher in a new era of Philadelphia sports; an era that will see more patience with our athletes, an appreciation for the teams we see compete, and a marked decrease of boos.

Like we said, time will tell.

Regardless, there is certainly a new feeling in the air in Philly today, one of catharsis. The gentle release of being able to exhale after 25 years. And the realization of how much fun it will be to stick it to Mets fans.

Oh, and we almost forgot, Joe Blanton has hit more home runs in the World Series than Alex Rodriguez. That’s also fun to type.

What a decade! The Red Sox, White Sox, and now Phillies have ended generations of misery, we may just have a black President, and somewhere there’s an 8-year-old kid who’s never seen the Yankees win a title in his lifetime.

So bask in it, Philly. Bathe in the glory. This could just be the beginning for us, the Era of Good Feelings. And even if it’s not, have a few beers and go to that parade tomorrow and cheer for the home team like you’ve never cheered before.

Image Credit: LuvataciousSkull