[RBI Magazine-Philadelphia] Bases were loaded with 1 out in the top of the ninth. The score 4-3, Phillies lead, as Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate and delivered a hard sharp ground ball to Phillies short-stop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins slid on his knees and willingly fell forward as he flipped the ball towards Chase Utley hovering over second. Utley elevated himself above the bag to avoid the slide and threw the ball across his chest.
When the ball hit Ryan Howard’s glove across the diamond, the Philadelphia crowd erupted like a volcano that has been dormant for years. Fireworks exploded from the outer perimeter of Citizen’s Bank Park while 45,000 fans plus threw rally towels, cup holders and those rather tasty buckets of Chickies & Petes crab fries were also tossed into the late September sky as the Phillies repeat of Division champions became a reality.
When the game began, Phillies fans had already heard about the performance of Johan Santana up in New York, shutting out the Florida Marlins 2-0. The Phillies knew however, that it was time to take care of their own business. Jamie Moyer took the mound and allowed only 1 run and 6 hits over six innings. Moyer earned his 246th win tying Joe McGinnity for 47th on the all-time career win list. When 45 year old Moyer was removed from the game in the sixth, 45,000 fans rose to their feet applauding their season long hero. Jamie finished the season 22-11 after 33 starts.
The game progressed with a few scary moments. In the eight, pitcher Ryan Madson delivered the ball with runners on second and third with no outs. Washington National Lastings Milledge slapped the ball to shallow center. Rollins had a great jump on the ball and made an incredible grab over his right shoulder. However in the process, center fielder Shane Victorino also had a great start at the ball and collided with Rollins after the grab was made. Victorino tried to avoid Rollins by sliding on his back but made heavy contact with Rollins near the shin area. Victorino fell to the ground favoring his left leg but still remained in the game.
As the night continued, Citizen’s Bank Park was nothing short of electric. Not a single fan sat. Rally towels waved continuously between every pitch. The beer vendors that circulated throughout the stands all unoticabley stopped their alcohol distribution to take part in the last few innings. What was taking place on the field seemed to be better than looking for that next beer. Hard to believe! Pedro Feliz stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eight and delivered a key base knock with 1 out. Victorino followed using his Gap gift card as he launced a bullet into the left-center gap. Feliz scored the insurance RBI that lifted the Phils 4-2 over the Nats. The stage was now set. Three outs. National League East Champions.
The ninth inning followed producing ups-and-downs of the century for Phillies fans. The first out did come easy, but after the Nationals loaded the bases, Phillies fans began to expect the worst. However, the waving of rally towels and the roar from the crowd never ceased except when Zimmerman connected with the infamous 2-2 pitch. You could have heard a pin drop as the ball appeared to be in slow motion, traveling from Rollins to Utley and then finally floating to Ryan Howard completing the succesful 6-4-3 double play to win the NL East!
At the games conclusion not a single fan left the stadium. Jimmy Rollins expressed his appreciation to his teammates and the fans of Philadelphia. When Ryan Howard took the mic the chant of “MVP” echoed throughout the entire stadium. Pedro Feliz rode a bicycle around the warning track thanking the fans for being a huge part of the Phillies success this season. Champagne rained inside the Phillies clubhouse and the celebration of the Phillies season began all across the city of Brotherly Love.
The Bike cop got in trouble for letting him ride the bike.