Instant Reaction: Phils To World Series!

(Gonna try to do this more often. Send some instant reactions to major sporting events)

Well, talk about heartbreak for Joe Torre once again. The Fightin' Phils are back in the World Series for the first time since 1993. Mad props to them too. Winning in 5 games can be tough considering you have to play 3 games on the road but their pitching staff stepped up in this game.

You have to feel good for Charlie Manuel, the Phillies manager. Just days ago, his mother dies. he is scheduled to attend her wake tomorrow and bury her Friday. But before all that sadness, he gets all this joy in watching his team take control of the clinching game early and win the NL pennant. Plus, now baseball is off of his mind and he can concentrate on his family since the first World Series game isn't until next Wednesday. Good for Charlie. Was a class act in Cleveland and a class act in Philly as well.

And you have to be impressed with how the Phillies won this series. Cole Hamels deserved the MVP trophy for his amazing starts. Brad Lidge closing the door on the Dodgers when he came into the game. And when the starting pitching and bullpen couldn't hold the lead, the bats in Game 4 did the trick, hitting 2 two-run homers to take a lead in the 8th inning that they wouldn't give up.

It's a great moment for a championship-starved city too. They haven't won a championship since 1983 when the Sixers did it. And yeah, they haven't done it yet but with a week of rest and to reset that rotation, you have to like their chances against either the Rays or Red Sox. Oh, and did anyone else hope Brett Myers stays away from the booze tonight? Or if he doesn't, just hope his wife or any woman is near him all night?

As for the Dodgers, I feel bad for Joe Torre (hope he doesn't get fired for this). I don't feel bad though for the city of Los Angeles. They always seem to win so seeing them lose felt great. Plus, it's good to see that those huge free agent moves like Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake don't translate into World Series rings. This team was lucky to be in a division that stunk and somehow beat the Cubs in the Division Series. They'll be lucky to sign Manny back.

Now all the attention moves to the Rays-Red Sox series and hopefully, it will end tomorrow too. But until the first pitch at Fenway, let's give some credit to the Phillies. From being counted out of the NL East race by some in September to NL Champs.