John Suder

“We’re the team to beat.” - Jimmy Rollins, prior to the 2007 season.

In just a few hours, the Phillies will play in their first post-season game since 1993.

That’s FOURTEEN years.

I’ve been a long-suffering Philly sports fan, and I recall those glory days of ‘93. I had my partial season tickets and was dating a girl who was equally (if not more) enthusiastic about baseball. The guys on the team were people you could relate to: Kruk, Dykstra, Morandini, Incaviglia, Daulton, Eisenreich. Mitch Williams, Terry Mulholland, Curt Schilling, Tommy Greene, Danny Jackson…these guys weren’t supposed to be that good. They’d win a game, go back to the clubhouse and drink a few beers and say “How the f__k did we do that?”. It was a great ride, and I got to see my first World Series.
This year..well, after 14 years I really didn’t expect much, especially after the lousy start to the season. I admired Jimmy Rollins leadership in the clubhouse, but they had their usual pitching woes (remember Freddy Garcia?) and I thought by the Summer Uncle Charlie would be gone. But – we kept winning games and the Mets choked…and in the usual Philadelphia-underdog fashion, it came right down to the wire, the last game of the season. (I think the Phillies were in 1st place only 1 day this season…)
Sadly, due to my pessimism/superstition my friends and I did not opt in for post-season tickets and will be watching from the comforts of home, instead of at the ballpark. I hope they go far, because the Eagles aren’t giving me much to look forward to…