johnvano.com: Phanatic Ponderings

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies--I started rooting for you the minute the Red Sox were eliminated. Ever since the Mike Schmidt era I've had a soft spot in my heart for the Phillies... I loved the 1993 team with Dykstra, Daulton, Schilling, and Kruk... and remember watching them play the World Series in my father's hospital room while he was passing stones.

I enjoyed FOX's celebration montage after the game tonight--showing every available camera angle as Eric Hinske struck out to end the game. It was great fun to watch the reaction of the player, coach, or management type... and to see them run kamikaze style for another body to touch. Amazing how we humans crave human contact in moments like that. It looks funny to see a pile of grown men in long johns, laying on top of each other on the field. But I guess a high-five would be sooo understated.

It's also funny how the first interview after a major sports championship is usually with "The Jesus Christ Guy"--this time it was Phillies' closer, Brad Lidge, a perfect 48-for-48 in save situations this year (including playoffs). I love to see people give testimony to their faith like that... and to watch the broadcasters skip past the comment.

Though I grew to "hate" the Rays late in this season, I think that Rays manager Joe Maddon is a mad genius--and I enjoyed watching him work. I also get a kick out of Chad Bradford's amazing sidearm delivery. I loved Dan Quisenberry for the same reason.

Best of all, the game ended at 10:00 in the east--someone please start a petition to have all playoff games start at 6:30 so we can get to bed at a decent hour.

And aren't we all relieved that the Rays tied Monday's game before the rain got so heavy things had to be suspended? What a travesty for the Phillies to walk off the field, wait out the rain, and get a championship handed to them without the drama. This offseason we need a rule change regarding rain games in the postseason. Let's make them go nine every time.