The Phillies

It's hard not to get swept up into the Phillies mania that has taken over this city. Last year, no one in Philadelphia could really believe that the Phillies had made it to the playoff- let alone win it. This year, they are in it for the second time. AND they are playing against the behemoth baseball money machine called the Yankees. Phillies has this homegrown feel to it that the Yankees don't to me, which inclines me to be attached to them. But really, in this day and age, no professional sports team is very "homegrown"- players are traded or moved around depending on skill and money, not necessarily because of any connection to the local community. Also, it makes for a bit of fun rivalry between me and my dad, who is an avid Yankees fan since he moved to America.

It is interesting being in a town where there is a lot of city attention and pride put into their local sports team. Local business and homes are decorated to celebrate the Phillies. A house in the neighborhood rented a bunch of stadium benches, pitched a gazebo/tent, and set up their huge plasma screen TV on the sidewalk every night so that they can watch the Phillies play with their friends and neighbors. Talk about the Phillies seem almost everywhere- and it is all happy, hopeful, excited talk (though after losing the past three games in a row, I am not sure how hopeful it is any more). In other cities I have lived in, it is much easier to not connect to the sports excitment. This is the first time I've ever cared that much about following the games. J and I have been watching or following each game closely- either at the local pub, on the radio, or on our neighbor's outdoor TV.

I hope they win the few games- it will be nice to have an exciting World Series.