My co-blogger enclosed two paper dolls, of Bill and Hillary, in the Christmas packet she sent here. The two were part of a collection of politically-themed dolls she made for a San Francisco show last month called "Post-Postcards". They were immediate hits here. I had to thread each and hang them in a place of honor on the tree.Comcast ran Game 4 of the NLCS on Christmas Eve, not exactly traditional holiday fare but the only reason I would be watching TV that night. I'd forgotten the fantastic double play turned by Chase Utley, who snared a line drive for the first out, then made a stumbling dive to second to double off Rafael Furcal. A couple of innings later Andre Ethier returned the favor with a sensational catch in right field. But it was the 8th inning that was pivotal for the game and for the series. That's when Victorino tied the game at 4 on a first-pitch line drive ball into the Phillies' bullpen. After a Carlos Ruiz single, Matt ("I'm just up there trying to hit the ball as far as I can") Stairs sent a ball deep into the night to give the lead back to the Phillies. Brad Lidge made things dicey for the last out in the bottom of the frame, then sailed through the 9th. The Dodgers were done, and Game 5 two nights later finished them.
I remember that after the Phillies had lost the night before, Jimmy Rollins was asked about the series. His serious reply was to the effect that for the Dodgers to take the NLCS they would have to win four games in a row and that he was "sure there was not a person in this locker room who would let that happen." That's when I was pretty sure the Phillies were going to win the World Series. Game 4 was just as exciting the second time around. What a gift!
