In the first ever World Series delayed by rain, there is no wonder that the game ended a quarter-century championship drought in the city of brotherly love.
The Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series since 1980 over the Tampa Bay Rays and brought the city of Philadelphia its first championship since 1983, when the 76ers won an NBA title.
Even though the Phillies had a long break waiting for their opponent, they did not slow down one bit. In the first inning of game one, Chase Utley hit a 2-run home run. In the fourth inning Carlos Ruiz got an RBI on a fielder choice and that was plenty for World Series MVP Cole Hamels.
In game two many thought the momentum had changed with the Rays winning 4-2, but the Phillies were heading back home for three games and split the series tied 1-1.
Game three was 91 minutes late to start. The Phils got out to an early 4-1 lead, but the Rays battled back and the game was tied 4-4 going into the ninth. In the bottom of the inning the Phils had the bases loaded and no one out. Ruiz hit an infield single to win the game at 1:47 a.m.
Game four was no contest. The Phillies dominated the game winning 10-2 behind Ryan Howard’s two homers and five RBI and Joe Blanton’s blast in the fifth.
Game five was technically the longest game in World Series history, lasting almost 50 hours due to a rain delay. The first six innings were played Monday Oct. 27 and the last three were played on Wednesday.
The Phillies took a 4-3 lead into the ninth and Brad Lidge came in to close it out and complete his perfectly saved season.
In 2007 the Phillies became the losingest team in the history of professional sports with 10,000 total loses.
The 2008 Phillies got into the playoffs under the radar. The Mets collapse for the second year in a row was the big story at the end of the season.
In the first round of the playoffs they faced the red-hot Brewers, but they cooled them off winning the series in four games.
In the NLCS they faced the new look Dodgers with Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez. The Phils showed their dominance winning in five games.
Then came the World Series against the Rays riding the momentum of their magical season. With the high-powered offense and the stellar pitching of the Phillies there was no answer for the Rays.
The Phillies went to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1993 when Joe Carter of the Blue Jays hit a walk off series ending home run.
For the past two and a half decades, Philadelphia has been more known for great sandwiches and the fictional hero Rocky Balboa. Now the Phillies have brought back actual credibility to their great city.
The city of brotherly love is certainly back to their loving ways. With this championship, it ends 25 years of bitterness in Philly.
