One more. Just one more.
Unlike some of the folks who read this, I have actually seen “my team” win a championship. I was 10 years old in 1980 when the Phillies won their only World Series. While I didn’t see all of the last game (it was past my bedtime) my parents were sure to wake me up for the last inning. So I actually saw Tug McGraw strike out Willie Wilson for the final out and all the pandemonium that followed.
The thing is, I’m not sure I really appreciated it at the time. I had really only been paying attention for about 5 seasons, so I had no perspective. As far as I was concerned, the Phillies were always good, this was just the time that they won those two series after the regular season ended. When that final out was recorded I remember my father shouting gleefully like I had never really heard before. I didn’t quite get it then. I get it now.
So much has happened to the Phillies since then, most of it bad. Trading away Ryne Sandberg and Julio Franco. Looking miserable in the ‘83 Series against the Orioles. Ron Jones blowing out his knees repeatedly. Juan Samuel never taking that extra step into the great player we hoped he could be. The 13 losing seasons in 14 years. The lightning in a bottle year leading to Joe $%&*( Carter. The awful late 90s years with the Fabulous Throwing Marks and Danny Tartabull being the big pickups. Then the years of close but not quite, being unable to finish the deal in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Finally the spectacular September of last year, only to be swept out of the postseason. Sure there were some great moments, but there was far more heartache.
Now with one more win comes the payoff. It’s there for the taking. C’mon guys, get it done.