Fightin' Phils

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Phildelphia is currently in a five game playoff series with the Milwaukee Brewers and last night I was lucky enough to attend said game. I've never been to a playoff game in any sport, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was sure it would be different from the regular season, but how different.

The place was loud, really loud. We stood up almost the entirety of each half inning that the Phillies were on the offense. Fans were into it, there was this unfamiliar buzz of excitement. Everyone at the park was there to watch playoff baseball; nobody just happened to show up, was hanging out, or attending a company ecent. Every one of those 46,000+ screaming, clapping, towel waving fans. Intense.

The highlight of the event was definitely the bottom of the second inning when the Phillies scored all five of their runs. CC (Cy Young) Sabathia was pitching for the third time on three days rest. He's a big strong pitcher, but he looked tired. I worry that he is on the verge of throwing his career away, at the very least his next big contract. I suppose that's really the Yankees problem now, isn't it?

That's not even what was important. What's important was Brett Myers' at bat. Brett Myers, a pitcher who came into the game batting a shade over .100, set the series' (maybe even the whole playoff's) momentum without even mustering a hit. He held off one of the most dominant pitchers in the game to a nine pitch at bat. Myers fouled ball after ball off before taking his base for a two out walk and set the table for Shane Victorino's grand slam. It was insane, with each ball CC threw the crowd grew louder and louder. Screaming, taunting CC names, high-fiving every miss pitched ball. I've never seen so much excitement off of a ball, I'm not even sure if I have ever been to a game where fans cheared that loudly for a home run. I was totally engrossed in it.

I find it funny how things will shake down. You'll see replay after replay of Shane Vitorino hitting that grand slam and putting the Phil's ahead 5-1. Hey, it was a great home run, but I think Myers had the better at bat. The at bat that will never make it to the box score, sports center, or youtube. Unless you were there, you probably will never know it happened. Yet, I feel that was the turning point.

It was an incredible game. I loved every minute of it, but it only left me wanting more. This game lead me to a realization I had driving home last night. I cannot wait until the day I am watching the Orioles compete in a playoff series of their own.