I had watched the Phillies win the World Series on TV when I was 10 years old -- in fact, one of the games fell on my birthday. My parents had let me stay up late and watch the game. When Tug McGraw struck out the final batter to win Game 6 and the World Series, I was going out of my mind with glee, jumping up and down and just going as bananas as a 10-year-old can.

Last night -- actually being at the park to experience it live and in person -- blew that experience as a 10-year-old out of the water.



I went with yumemitai because her mom didn't want to go back to see the game finish.... but that's another story only fit for yumemitai to tell if she so chooses.

Anyway, we got to the park about 6:30, and you could already feel the excitement in the air, but the fans were still pretty chilled out. Around 8:00, that changed, and you could feel the energy level and the electricity ramp up, and by the time the game resumed with the Phillies coming to bat in the bottom of the 6th, everyone was cranked up and cheering. My voice was already shot by the end of the sixth inning. LOL

With the roller coaster ride the Phillies taking the lead in the 6th, the Rays tying the game in the 7th on a home run, then the Phillies retaking the lead in the bottom of the 7th, the crowd just got more and more juiced. When Lidge struck out the last batter, and when the crowd went crazy with joy, I had never experienced anything louder in my life. The atmosphere of the whole night was just incredible.

We ended up staying at the park for about two hours after the game was over, just soaking in and enjoying the moment. 25 years without a major championship, and 28 years for the Phillies, that moment was extra sweet.

I'm still amped up over last night, 17 hours later!

Thank you again, yumemitai, for inviting me. To share last night with one of my favorite people in the world just made it extra special.