Agnew's Mind He's got a long journey ahead of him.

The Philadelphia Phillies: A Class Act

    by Mike Agnew Jr.

There are many different reasons I love the game of baseball.  The fact that anyone can play it.  The fact that it is much more relaxing to watch.  Going to the ballpark, strolling around, hearing the roar of the crowd and running back to get a look at the field to see what happened.  There are few feelings that can relate.

Last night I was watching the Phillies vs. Astros and I must admit I was not worried.  We needed one more win to lock in another NL East Pennant.  I was enjoying the game, reclined on my couch, sipping on a cold beer.  I watched the Phillies rack up run after run.  By the time we entered the 9th inning I could have not been more relaxed.  But then I started to worry.  Not because of any feeling of doubt that the fightin's would come out victorious but because I was so relaxed.  I should have been on the edge of my seat praying for strike after strike, but I wasn't. I was sitting back and watching my boys do what they do best.  Was I becoming complacent with the notion of a Phillies post-season? Did I just expect the win?  What happened to the beer-soaked Agnew standing on Broad Street screaming until he couldn't talk?

Then something happened.  Something that lit that fire back up inside me.  That feeling you get when the mets lose or someone on the Giants gets hurt.  The feeling of Mick yelling at Rocky, "Get up ROCK!" or Adrian, "There's one thing I want you to do for me.......Win."  Then that single bell tolls.....bong.  That feeling of a Mitch Williams' snot rocket right before the final pitch of NLCS Clincher in 1993.  That feeling of the spirit of Philadelphia.  That feeling that you belong to something great.  Something that will continue to impress you.  Something that makes us different from everywhere else.

Top of the 9th.  2 outs.  No men on.  Scott Eyre pitching.  He just retired the last two batters.  But what's this!  Charlie Manual walks out to the mound!  He's calling for Brade Lidge to face the last batter!  Brad Lidge...the guy who everyone is worried about...the guy who everyone thinks is washed up...the guy who peaked last year....the guy that makes everyone text their friends with "Lidge time. Hold on.", "Oh boy...", and "choke artist".    Charlie Manuel trusts HIM?  Charlie Manual TRUSTS him?  oh...

.

.

One pitch later.....

.

That's right....it was a class act in true Phillies' form.  I'm glad Charlie did it.  Basically saying, "I'm not giving up on this guy.  You got a problem with him, you got a problem with me."  I don't know about you, but I trust Charlie.  And I have had faith in Lidge. One pitch later and the game was over.

2009 National League East Champions - 3rd year in a row.

The team walking out to the HK in left field was pretty cool too.  It reminded me of that game in Colorado a couple years ago....

.

...and don't try to ruin this moment by bringing up Utley's F-Bomb from last year...don't be that guy.  That was pure emotion.  That was Danny Jackson roiding out and tearing his uniform off.  We loved it at the time.  Let's remember this instead....

.