The Official Site of Chase Utley

Thu, Oct 22nd 2009, 09:19

Phillies heading back to World Series

If there was any doubt about the Phillies’ chances in Game 5 of the NLCS, those fears were put the rest fairly quickly when Jayson Werth clubbed a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. That homer—just Werth’s second hit of the series—was all that was needed in a formal sense.

The truth is the Phillies won the NLCS to become the first team from the National League to repeat as champions since the Braves did it in 1995 and 1996 when Jimmy Rollins doubled home Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz with two outs in the ninth inning in Game 4.

Indeed, Game 5 was nothing more than a formality. Call it a dress rehearsal for the World Series that begins next Wednesday at either Yankee or Angels Stadium depending on whether or not the Yanks can finish off their series with a 3-1 advantage.

But make no mistake; the 10-4 victory in Game 5 was a pep rally and a celebration for the Phillies as they wade into unchartered waters. Not only hasn’t a National League team repeated as World Series champ since The Big Red Machine in 1975 to 1976, but also no Phillies team has been to the big series twice in a row.

Ever.

Heck, two years ago we were satisfied with just a trip to the playoffs even though it lasted just three games. We whetted our beaks and celebrated in the glory of simply winning the NL East. Sure, we wanted more, but we were realistic. There just hasn’t been a baseball dynasty in our city since Connie Mack took the A’s to the World Series three years in a row during The Depression.

No, we’re not dealing with generations of long-suffering baseball fans in Philadelphia—it’s more like a once-every-other lifetime thing around here.

“Nothing,” said NLCS MVP Ryan Howard, “is guaranteed.”

Because of that the Phillies took their time in savoring this victory. Of course there was the requisite champagne and beer spray along with the now ubiquitous post-victory cigar. But when first-timers like Raul Ibanez, Ben Francisco, Cliff Lee, and even Pedro Martinez, had a beverage poured over their head, the paused to collect the feeling and stash it away in the memory banks.

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