This scene, moments after Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske and the Phillies won the World Series, still makes me breathless. The postseason is made up of moments. Here are some that come immediately to mind:
The fabulous double play, from a diving Rollins to Chase Utley to Ryan Howard, which clinched the NL East for the Phillies on September 27.
Cole Hamels, brilliant in game 1 of the NLDS and throughout the postseason, going 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA. That first game set the tone for postseason play.
Brett Myers' amazing at-bats vs. C.C. Sabathia in the NLDS, then against the Dodgers in game 2 of the NLCS.
Jimmy's lead-off homers.
Shane Victorino's grand slam off Sabathia, his tying 2-run homer vs. the Dodgers, and the way he handled the headhunting Hiroki Kuroda.
Matt Stairs' moonshot in that same game, which gave the Phillies the lead.
Pat Burrell's two homers in the clinching NLDS game and his booming double in Game 5, part 2, of the World Series.
Utley and Howard going back to back in Game 4.
Joe Blanton's great pitching in Game 4 + his improbable home run.
Jamie Moyer's outstanding pitching in Game 3.
Any number of superb defensive plays by Rollins, Utley, Victorino, and company. Though the umpire missed the call, Moyer's glove toss and Howard's barehand catch on a Carl Crawford bunt, was spectacular. Chase Utley's pumpfake to first and throw home to nail Jason Bartlett was amazing.
Clutch hits by Ruiz, Jenkins, Dobbs, Werth, and Feliz. Thanks to two of them, Eric Bruntlett scored the winning run in Games 3 and 5 of the WS.
Ruiz's slow roller to third which scored Bruntlett in the bottom of the 9th in Game 3.
All of Game 5, part 2, which started at full tilt and was thrilling from start to finish.
The tandem of Carlos Ruiz and Brad Lidge. Ruiz caught the pop-up that ended the NLCS and pocketed the ball, to give it later to Lidge. He also caught the final strike on Hinske and tried to give it to Lidge, who insisted he keep it. In the end, they gave it to Charlie Manuel.
The crowd chanting Charlie, Charlie, Charlie after the NL East clinching game and at the end of the World Series.
The death of Charlie Manuel's mother, then of Shane Victorino's grandmother.
How the Phillies pitching staff stifled their competition, especially in the World Series. Ryan Madson was excellent. J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, and Scott Eyre were clutch. The scouts gave them a plan and they executed. In the WS, the bullpen had a 0.73 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched.
Brad Lidge, who went 41 for 41 in the regular season, then 7 for 7 in postseason. Yes, a perfect season. Best of all, he was the right man in the right place. He took to Philadelphia and Philadelphia took to him.
The way that the players seemed genuinely overwhelmed and even humbled by the outpouring of love shown them last Friday during the parade and celebration ceremony.
Chase Utley, keeping it short and sweet. Which I am unable to do.
