WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!

The drought is over!

In their 126th season, the Philadelphia Phillies have won only the second title in the franchise’s history. Ending the weirdest, most bizarre World Series game ever, Brad Lidge threw three hellacious, unhittable sliders and struck out Eric Hinske, ending the World Series and Philadelphia’s 25 year championship drought. I’m thrilled for Charlie Manuel and for 45-year-old Jamie Moyer, who grew up in the Philly suburbs and who played hookey from high school to attend the 1980 victory parade. But most of all, I am thrilled for the long-suffering fans of Philadelphia and for Harry Kalas, who finally got to call another world championship, 28 years later.

There was a certain symmetry to it: 08 is the analog of 80. Lidge ended this World Series just as Tug McGraw ended the 1980 Series–with a strikeout and then bedlam. Lidge wears number 54, while Tug McGraw wore number 45. And Lidge did it with just a little bit of Tug there with him. The night of the first game in Philadelphia, Tug’s son, singer Tim McGraw, brought out the first ball and surreptitiously sprinkled some of his father’s ashes on the pitching mound. Somewhere, Tugger’s Irish eyes are twinkling today. And Richie Ashburn is smiling down on his adopted city. And so is John Vukovich, the long-time third base coach and Phillies fixture, who died of brain cancer in March 2007.

The 100 season (4 sports, 25 seasons) drought is finally over!

Congratulations to my Phillies and congratulations to Philadelphia. Savor every moment.