The Good Phight: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Want to help build SB Nation? We're hiring! Bar-right-arrows

spread the word

World Series Game Five Recap: Forever

Meltingface_tiny by dajafi on

When a team wins a championship, they pass out of the moment and into the ages. 

Everything takes on a glow: the great players, their greatest moments. This year came with so many of them that we'll never forget--from the mad rally late against the Nationals to record their first win of the season, ending with a Jayson Werth walkoff walk, to the last evil Brad Lidge slider on a frigid October night: the freeze-frame shot that will stay with us forever. 

Tonight was for redemptions large and small. Geoff Jenkins, in the last at-bat of a lamentable season, smashed a double off the top of the wall to bring a stadium back to life after two days of suspended animation. After Jimmy Rollins--whose face tonight bore the determination to end the team's 28-year title drought--bunted him over, Jayson Werth, another player looking to redeem himself after some series mistakes, knocked him in with a bloop fly to shallow center as Citizens Bank Park went nuts. 

After the Rays tied it in the 7th--and nearly went ahead but for a spectacular play at the plate turned by Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz--Pat Burrell, already redeemed from disappointing years earlier in his career, came up in the 8th looking for one hit in a World Series which he'd started 0-for-13. In perhaps his last at-bat with the team, Burrell blasted a double to left-center as the crowd roared again. Two batters later, pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett--one of the more unlikely World Series heroes--scored what turned out to be his second game-winning run of the Series, driven in by yet another redeemed player, Pedro Feliz. 

J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge finished the job, Romero inducing a double-play ball from B.J. Upton to short-circuit a potential Tampa rally in the 8th. And Lidge, showing his filthy stuff, put the last touch on one of the greatest relief ace seasons ever with a scoreless ninth that ended when he struck out Eric Hinske, and started a Philadelphia party a quarter-century in the making. Cole Hamels, 4-0 in five postseason starts, is the World Series Most Valuable Player. 

Perhaps the ultimate redemption is that of manager Charlie Manuel. Initially pilloried as an inarticulate fool who couldn't even call a double-switch, the 64 year-old West Virginia native proved himself an exceptional leader of men--and a canny late-game strategist whose every move paid off tonight. Good on you, Charlie. And thank you. 

On behalf of my Good Phight compatriots, thank you for taking this incredible journey with us. We're deeply honored that you chose to spend this unforgettable night, this unforgettable season, with us. 

0 recs | Comment 106 comments | Digg!

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Oakland A's fan here

congratuations to the Philadelphia Phillies, 2008 Worls Champions!!! The team richly deserved this — and so do Phillie fans (love how they booed Bud Selig!!!)

by OaklandSi on Oct 29, 2008 10:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Not ashamed to admit there were some tears in the Camels household. And one absolutely terrified dog.

CELEBRATE!!!!!!

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 29, 2008 10:27 PM EDT   0 recs

me, I made my 5-year-old cry with my whooping, and the dog barking her head off. A kind of bliss at 40 markedly different than that at 13.

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 29, 2008 10:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Congratulations on your team's victory Ladies and Gentlemen.

I’m glad the Rays were able to give you guys some fun to watch. I throughly enjoyed watching this series, even if the team I pulled for didn’t come out on top. I admit that I underestimated your team, and am more than happy to eat my fair share of crow. The Phillies were the better team and deserved the championship.

by kericr on Oct 29, 2008 10:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Thank you, you’re going to have a great team to cheer for for quite a long time. Anytime your guys can top the Red Sox and Yankees is OK by me.

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 29, 2008 10:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I have to admit, slaying the invincible Red Sox machine is not a bad consellation prize.

It’s really hard to be dissapointed about the loss this year for me because the Rays completely blew away their expectations. This will certainly hurt more if it happens again next year.

by kericr on Oct 29, 2008 10:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks for your part in making the FOX beancounters rethink their MLB contract.

Someday….

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 29, 2008 10:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks for this site. I find blogging and watching a tremendous way to handle my nervous energy, and I appreciate that it’s moderated well.

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 29, 2008 10:28 PM EDT   0 recs

+1

I found this site when I was looking for a place to whine about the 10,000 losses. I found an articulate, smart site with great contributors and writers, and it has enriched my baseball experience immeasurably.

I couldn’t tell an OPS+ from black ops (or gritty white ops) before I came here. Thanks, thanks, thanks. And thanks Phils for the Series win.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Oct 29, 2008 10:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks. It’s funny, we all have stories like that. I think we all do this partly because we love baseball, we love the Phillies and because we love when people are open minded to see things from a new angle. Appreciation like this is all the thanks I need.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 10:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Amen to that

I love baseball. I love the Phillies. I have learned so much about baseball just reading your articles. Most of us can be open minded about anything other than the fact that the Phillies are the best team in the world!!!!

by PhoenixPhilly on Oct 30, 2008 12:37 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow … I guess all that stuff about Cole Hamels really is true.

by Jay on Oct 29, 2008 10:31 PM EDT   0 recs

I take back that proposed Sabathia-Myers trade talk. For now.

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 29, 2008 10:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What I can see clearly is your son, twenty years from now at age 25, talking about how his first memory of the Phillies is being woken up because his ordinarily soberish Dad was running around screaming like a maniac.

by Jay on Oct 29, 2008 11:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m just hoping I’m not under any kind of legal injunction to pay for the therapy….

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 30, 2008 12:07 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Congrats to the Phillies and the Phillies fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your team and fans have been a joy to watch!!!! The Phillies are my second fave team after the Rockies and I have really enjoyed seeing them triumph against another wonderful team in the Rays!!! Live it up for all it’s worth, because you all deserve it!!! And don’t forget this ones for Cholly!!!!!!!

Re-sign Everyday Atty!

by AtkinsandTulofan on Oct 29, 2008 10:35 PM EDT   0 recs

dajafi

Did you actually manage to sit down at a computer and write that after the game ended? If so, I tip my cap to you, sir.

FUYIufdiosa;t4ekfmka;rgoif

by phatj on Oct 29, 2008 10:38 PM EDT   0 recs

I’m kind of joyously stunned right now.

I can write coherently enough. But when relatives called, I’ve been more like WREWOHIJOIJRBLEAAHHWEWON!!!!!

by dajafi on Oct 29, 2008 10:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for not banning me yet :)

by jemagee on Oct 29, 2008 10:41 PM EDT   0 recs

Rofl, I guess I can ban myself.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 10:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Charlie Manuel answering a question

“Don’t take this in a cocky way, but I already knew how good I was”

People have GOT to get off this guys back, accent or no, he’s a funny and smart dude I think

by jemagee on Oct 29, 2008 10:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Charlie was awesome in his press conference. Almost seemed more pissed off… maybe because he was answering questions instead of celebrating. The one really classy answer he gave was to the Japanese reporter, about Taguchi.

He’s a genuinely good guy, and we’re lucky to have him.

by dajafi on Oct 29, 2008 10:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

manuel

was really rolling the dice well tonight. I have always hated the bunt to 3rd base when you have a good hitter at the plate. It’s a low percentage move to give away an out to get a guy to 3rd base. but tonight it worked twice. Amazing!!

Every move he made was a winner, and every move by Maddon was a loser. Even the Utley-Howard lineup issue didn’t hurt him with a little thanks to Maddon

by djmarco on Oct 30, 2008 5:45 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Rollins said after the game he would have bunted even if Cholly didn’t call for it. I’m glad that we won by manufacturing runs … you know something the experts said we couldn’t do.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Oct 30, 2008 9:07 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey

When did cole hamels stop saying you know?

by jemagee on Oct 29, 2008 10:42 PM EDT   0 recs

When he realized he could just squint his eyes and we’d all know without him saying it.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 10:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

nice

I do know, Cole. I really do.

by dajafi on Oct 29, 2008 10:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Believe it or not

you were the first people I thought of as I watched the final out of the game.

Congrats to all of you Phans and all of Philadelphia tonight.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Oct 29, 2008 10:46 PM EDT   0 recs

I believe it.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 10:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ecstatic

I go back too long with these guys, but character is key. The gleam of determination of the team, the unexpected double by Jenkins, the amazing (and intentional) play by Utley to get the runner at home, the continued dominance of Lidge, Charlie’s underappreciated startegic moves, the great post game interviews with Rollkins, Moyer, Hamels, Howard (all so articulate in comparison to many teams). Peter Gammons has real class on ESPN, but the FOX team is just disgusting. And, to conclude, I did not start out disliking the Rays, but Joe Maddon has changed all that. What a classless shit in his postgame interview. It’s one thing to praise your team in defeat and talk about the future, but it’s absolutely another not to give credit to the winners. Eat me Joe! 2008 Phillies you are an amazing and inspiring story. I love you.

by suffering on Oct 29, 2008 10:49 PM EDT   0 recs

Um…I know we’re all supposed to be celebrating and all – but wha?

by jemagee on Oct 29, 2008 11:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

trivia questions

easy: when was the last WS to have been won at home?

hard: when was the last WS to have been clinched earlier than 10:05 p.m. local time?

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 29, 2008 10:57 PM EDT   0 recs

i feel all warm

what a terrific feeling on a such a hold freaking night.

what a game.

and what a blog! I’m at college, and my roommates don’t care shit about sports, and Phillies fans exist, but are scarce. I was almost wondering how I’d feel about them winning, being so far away….but the internets helps me feel a much bigger connection to all this, and I am so incredibly appreciative.

by bugbear on Oct 29, 2008 11:00 PM EDT   0 recs

Lidge purposefully lose the All-Star game so we could win it at home.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 11:08 PM EDT   0 recs

It is pretty amazing to consider the amazing confluence of events that led to the greatness of this day. Freakin unreal.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Oct 29, 2008 11:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lidge a compelling nominee for MVP.

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 30, 2008 12:03 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, easy girls eeverywhere…

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 29, 2008 11:12 PM EDT   0 recs

bonfires on Broad Street

Just south of City Hall. Small bonfires and lots of multi-thousand fan gatherings in the street.

A surprisingly old-looking Bill Cosby on the FOX affiliate asking in a pre-taped PSA segment what this sort of behavior has to do with being world champions? (fortunately he answers: nothing, Go Phillies!) thank goodness he did, as I’m too cold and drunk to have figured it out for myself.

by Wet Luzinski on Oct 30, 2008 12:10 AM EDT   0 recs

That’s awesome. Wish I could be there for it. Not that this isn’t great anywhere, doing almost anything.

by dajafi on Oct 30, 2008 12:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fuck Bill Cosby. Grumpy, victim-blaming, misogynist hag. You can’t knock me off this cloud right now.

by FuquaManuel on Oct 30, 2008 12:33 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

just got back

Just got back from driving into center city after the game. Was walking up Broadstreet, high-fiving everyone I saw. The place is crazy, but I didn’t think things were out of control. Very jubelant, but I didn’t see any fires. Worst things I saw were lots of broken beer bottles and random people pissing in the streets. Good times!

by heyelander on Oct 30, 2008 1:37 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Center city was popping!!! OH MY GOD!!! WE WON THE WORLD FUCKING SERIES!!!! People hanging from street lamps, standing on moving tractor trailer trucks, fireworks on broad street, smiles all around, high fives, breasts, alcohol, weed, uprooting trees, pandemonium.

It was like Watts except everyone was happy and it was a multi-racial crowd. Happiest moment of my baseball watching life.

I love this team. I love you all. Thanks for an awesome season everyone.

by FuquaManuel on Oct 30, 2008 12:30 AM EDT   0 recs

Sounds like Fantasy Fest in Key West.

Well, at least the part about breasts.

by boteman on Oct 30, 2008 12:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It was very multiracial and harmonious. There are a lot of people who believe that the local black community doesn’t care about baseball and doesn’t support the Phillies. Last night gave the lie to that.

I didn’t see any breasts, but I probably didn’t stay long enough.

by taco pal on Oct 30, 2008 11:18 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Very true

I biked home from the game via Broad Street and it was incredibly multi-racial.

by David S. Cohen on Oct 30, 2008 11:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

quick favor.

can everyone rep this thread over on minorleagueball.com

you don’t need to weigh in if you don’t want to, but i want that thread at the top of the board for the next 2 weeks.

When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating.

by variablesdont on Oct 30, 2008 12:54 AM EDT   0 recs

You’re a damned fool if you want that thread on top. You make an ass of yourself, you’re an embarrassment.

by Jay on Oct 30, 2008 10:55 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That thread is lowering property values on SBN.

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 30, 2008 11:04 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 11:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

So proud

It made me so proud to be part of the 45,000+ who were booing Bud Selig. No one deserves it more.

by David S. Cohen on Oct 30, 2008 11:27 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+45000

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 11:27 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m not ashamed to say that I was there too, and was booing just as loudly as everyone else.

by Alex Falzone on Oct 30, 2008 11:56 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That part I have no problem with. All fans boo the commish, especially this one, and Phillies fans had a legitimate gripe.

by Jay on Oct 30, 2008 12:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously, I think bud is actually WORSE than the idiot running the NHL

by jemagee on Oct 30, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

YYYYEEEEESSSSS

oh man oh man oh man oh man I can FINALLY forget about the Bruce Ruffin/Rick Schu era..CONGRATS TO ALL! We deserve this.

When in doubt, veer left....

by philly420pdxhilo on Oct 30, 2008 1:10 AM EDT   0 recs

Who the hell remembered the ruffin/schu area before you mentioned it – less herb fella, less herb

by jemagee on Oct 30, 2008 8:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Schu

Who can forget the guy who actually displaced Mike Schmidt to first base for a season or so?

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 31, 2008 9:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks

Just wanted to thank everyone who posts here. I’ve dropped a line or two, but mostly just lurked. I’ve had a blast reading game threads the day after games. Reliving the game with you all living and dieing on every pitch. Great stuff, thanks for sharing this wonderful season with me!

by heyelander on Oct 30, 2008 1:39 AM EDT   0 recs

i love

i love you good phight

Huge Tiny Mistake

by pacino on Oct 30, 2008 1:48 AM EDT   0 recs

I cannot believe it...

I’ll see you fellas at the parade!!!!!!!!

by ajay on Oct 30, 2008 1:49 AM EDT   0 recs

From a Cubs fan...

Congratulations.

Hey… maybe someday we can understand what it feels like!!!

pfffffffffffffffffffff

Lidge is a beast.

by EJThunder on Oct 30, 2008 2:24 AM EDT   0 recs

Oh My God

I could not believe we won. This doesn’t happen to us. We are World CHAMPIONS…I will treasure this forever.

by ajay on Oct 30, 2008 2:26 AM EDT   0 recs

Congratulations, Phillies fans!

by walkoff baltimore chop on Oct 30, 2008 4:29 AM EDT   0 recs

If the Phillies win a championship....

and no one is watching it, does anyone care?

by SmrtGuy82 on Oct 30, 2008 7:15 AM EDT   0 recs

haters leave now!!!

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 30, 2008 8:13 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

go fucking die

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 8:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

obviously you were to be here…dbag

by Clyde Simmons on Oct 30, 2008 10:46 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

We can tell you’re weeping so don’t try to act all nonchalant.

by taco pal on Oct 30, 2008 11:12 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, all the fans who wish that their team had won this championship.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 30, 2008 11:36 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Congratulations, Phillies!

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Oct 30, 2008 8:16 AM EDT   0 recs

Congrats to all my fellow Phils fans!! I am still on such an emotional roller coaster that I shed tears finally this morning in my car on the way to work. I cannot wait for the parade tomorrow. I walked in to work this morning and my boss said…“I guess you won’t be working tomorrow.” I never ask for a day off and he didn’t wait for me to bother asking!!! CONGRATS TO ALL OF US REAL FANS AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT JUST JOINED US!!!!

by schrifty on Oct 30, 2008 8:25 AM EDT   0 recs

until today I haven’t shown up to work still drunk in like 8 years

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 8:28 AM EDT   0 recs

until today I haven’t known a championship …. ever.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Oct 30, 2008 9:17 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Whodie, the last one i “knew” was when I was one year and 4 months old… I love everyone right now… nothing can ruin today

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 9:40 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wasn’t quite 3 years old in 1980 so I have no recollection of that. My family was indifferent to basketball so 1983 meant nothing. This is TRULY AWESOME.

A few years ago, who would’ve thought the PHILLIES would end the drought?

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Oct 30, 2008 9:45 AM EDT   0 recs

ME! ;P

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Oct 30, 2008 9:49 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not I… It seemed as if the Eagles were our hope… Even earlier this year it looked like the Flyers might write their place in history…

"When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys - there's no better feeling than to have that done." - Matt Stairs 10/13/08

Gold... Pure Gold...

by foos05 on Oct 30, 2008 9:58 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I never thought it would be the Phillies. and that sucked. it would’ve been so anti-climactic and disappointing if it had been the Flyers—I don’t watch hockey. Basketball is the 4th sport in Philly. Eagles would’ve been close, but I’ve been to only 1 regular season game in my life.

Phillies=PERFECT. and I still can’t believe it.

by bugbear on Oct 30, 2008 11:48 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs