Feeling Philadelphia

OF COURSE I pay attention to my Phillies. Of course. I get scores texted to me, so I know how they did last night. I go to games when I can (such as I did a few weeks ago while in Philly, and such as I did last September when I drove all the way to Houston to see them). But I stopped paying attention to NL East division standings months ago when the Phils were 10 games back. Why focus on that, I thought? There's no way they'll make the division this year, might as well focus on the wild card. And for some time now they've been two-ish games back from the wild card spot.

So when my best friend from Philly calls me in the middle of the work day very excited about the Phils sweep of the Mets in dramatic style, and tells me they're only two games back, I share in his excitement, and go about my day. But really, I didn't share nearly enough in his excitement, because I thought he meant they were two back from the wild card. Not news, I thought. After all, I pay attention, or so I thought. But oh how under-appreciative I was. Oh how ridiculous was my poor attempt at joy.

It did come, the joy. And not too much later.

When I finally sat down and took a good, attentive look at the standings, I was shocked. SHOCKED I tell you. The Phils ARE only two games back. FROM THE DIVISION (freakin) TITLE. At that moment, I literally jumped out of my seat with overdue and uncontainable excitement. Seriously, you should have seen it. You would have been embarrassed for me, because I wasn't at all.

I mean, COME ON. There's a whole month left in the season, and they could... COULD actually do it. For the first time in a long time, they could win the division. It is seriously and actually and realistically in reach. Wow.

I know, I can't believe it either. But I am so bloody excited about it (gotta make up for my initial reaction). There is certainly the possibility of a let down, which the Phils do well, but remember... I didn't expect this much progress at all. Not even a little. I would have been happy with a strong second place division finish, and overjoyed with a good run at the wild card, much less actually getting the wild card. And so to win the division? That's above and beyond. That's legendary for a typically underachieving team like my Phils.


Okay, boys. You now have my full attention. I'm watching. And I'm paying attention to everything. Just keep playing your hearts out, and you'll get me every time. If nothing else, thanks for the effort. You've earned every kudo I have to give.