The Phillies improbable run to the World Series is based on talent, self belief and an undeniable ability to work and not worry about outcomes. Even when they lost tough games this season that would seemingly spiral them into the depths of defeat they bounced back, “flushed it” and went about work the next game.
Then came the playoffs.
In the Wild Card round game one in St Louis when they trailed 2-0 going into the ninth inning and the top of the order struggling my son Nolan sent me a text “They can still win this game”. With one out in the inning a single and two walks loaded the bases, Alec Bohm was hit by a pitch to force in a run and then Jean Segura singled to score two more - three more runs later crossed en route to a 6-3 come from behind win - started against a closer ( Ryan Helsley ) that had been dominate all season for the Cardinals.
That’s when I also truly started to believe and began my “never a doubt” slogan.
Game two was dominated by pitching and a Bryce Harper tater in a 2-0 win as Aaron Nola went 6 2/3 followed by Alvarado/Dominguez/Eflin to eliminate St Louis.
In the NLDS I was actually very confident the boys could beat Atlanta - they’ve always played them tough. Game One saw Harper and Castellanos get three hits apiece and seven pitchers hold off the Braves in a 7-6 win. The fellas were shut out in game two 3-0 but in typical “Work - Don’t Worry” fashion they rebounded in a big way by winning the next two games in Philly when the fans showed out in top voice and support to eliminate Atlanta by counts of 9-1 and 8-3.
San Diego was next up - Zack Wheeler dominated game one with seven scoreless innings and Seranthony and Jose finished out the 2-0 win fueled by bombs by Bryce and Schwarber with Kyle’s going further than any baseball has ever traveled to right field in the Padres stadium. A loss in game two was “flushed” - no worries - just work the next day.
A second playoff series return home to Philly resulted in three more opportunities for the fans to show their vocal dominance - a three game sweep by counts of 4-2, 10-6 and 4-3 with a majestic home run by Bryce Harper in the 8th inning of the fifth game to propel the Phillies to the World Series.
So - down by five after two frames in WS game one vs the Astros on the road - you got it - no worries - just a six run comeback with the last run scoring in the top of the 10th on a bomb by JT - never a doubt.
Houston took game two so the boys flushed it knowing the next three were in Philly and you fans showed up and showed out again last night in a 7-0 where the boys hit five bombs and Ranger was Ranger ( the one we’ve seen grow up from his minor league days ). Never a doubt. I was distinctly impressed by how the fans continued to stay in the game from first pitch to last - never wavered in loudness or intuitive support - that was really cool and impressive.
Two more to go Topper - it’s within reach but let’s not get to far ahead just yet.
Work - Don’t Worry - never a doubt - show up and show out - and we will be dancing on our own - just sayin 🤓
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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