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"This is the year," we say every April.
Baseball always seems to have that tone of optimism to it. At the end of a disappointing season, it's, "Well...there's always next year."
I've grown up on baseball. I watched it on TV before I knew what it even was. I played it from as young of an age as was possible up until the point where I could no longer really just play it for fun anymore. I went to Phillies games as far back as about '93 and '94 with my dad and his dad.
I remember walking into Veteran's Stadium and peering out at the immaculate field. It wasn't just something on TV anymore - it was real. All the sights and sounds of the game were more real than anything I had ever seen. I've been a Phillies fan since that first game.
So when I moved to Philly to start at Temple, one of the first things I thought about was how I could go see the Phils whenever I wanted to. I also had one, slightly large request: that they win a World Series while I was here to see it.
The other night, I stood watching Game 5 of the World Series in a bar in center city, packed with a legion of other faithful Phillies fans. We got to see Brad Lidge throw the final strike for the final out of the game, and of the series. We got to see a piece of Phillies history take place.
For the first time in 28 years and the first time in my life, the Phillies were champions. I physically couldn't hold back the few tears that escaped me in that moment of euphoria. I knew I wouldn't be able to.
Why? It's just a game.
I refuse to believe that's all it is. Because no matter what else is happening in my life or in the rest of the world, there's always baseball. Sure as the sun rises each morning and sets each night, baseball season will start all over again each spring, giving every team, every player, every city and every fan something new to hope for.
Philadelphia's hoping paid off this week. As I walked through the streets swarmed by fans celebrating like never before, I couldn't help but feel like the city itself was letting out a sigh of relief, itself.
I'm sure the city, just like me, still can't believe that this was the year. A year that I'll never forget.
Thanks Phillies.
Kevin Brosky can be reached at kevin.brosky@temple.edu.
