The Never Say Die Phils

As I sit here in my road gray Brad Lidge jersey, I can't help but think about how amazing it is to be a Phillies fan right now. We have a bunch of extremely likable homegrown talent, an incredible desire to win, and we're NEVER out of a game. We're the reigning World Series Champs, and every game is a blast to watch. Tonight absolutely served as a perfect microcosm for the entire season. We sleepwalked through the first 7.5 innings, hanging on to a slim 2-1 lead because of Cliff Lee's brilliant performance. We had numerous opportunities to lock up the game and the series, but this team never makes it easy. Instead, we went down 4-2 on some lucky bloop hits and a crazy fluke play that benefitted the Rockies. When the dust cleared, we were down 4-2 with seemingly no hope of rallying for the victory. When am I going to learn to never lose faith?

After a quick strike out, the rally came alive with a hard fought single from Jimmy Rollins, and after the fielder's choice by Victorino, Utley drew a 2 out walk. With Ryan Howard strolling to the plate swinging a hot bat, everyone watching knew what was coming. Sure enough, 4 pitches later Howard drove a ball deep to left that scored Victorino and Utley, even though Victorino almost overran the bag because he was spectating along with the rest of us as Howard's ball shot through the cold Rocky air. After Werth's clutch single, the Phils had the 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the 9th.

It wouldn't be Brad Lidge starting the frame, but his time would come soon enough. Scott Eyre took the hill, who less than 24 hours prior had rolled his ankle and was last seen writhing in pain on the infield grass. He came in and pitched well, facing 3 lefties and a switch-hitter. He got 2 of the first 3 out, before Todd Helton came to the plate. With righty Troy Tulowitzki on deck, every Phillies fan knew it was going to come down to Lidge vs. Tulo, who had battled the night before with Lidge winning the matchup. Sure enough, Helton singled to center, and Lidge entered the game to face Tulowitzki. Lidge has gone through a horrendous season, blowing 11 saves, posting record numbers (bad ones), and losing his closing job less than 12 months after completing a flawless season and capping it off with a World Series victory. The entire fan base lost faith in him, but last night, he recorded a gutsy, albeit ugly, save in a one run game. Tonight, with runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs, and the chance to send the Phillies to the NLCS vs. the Dodgers, Lidge surely felt the pressure bestowed upon him. But what a relief it must have been, because human beings rarely have such golden opportunities to redeem themselves and wipe their slates completely clean. Before the series started, I predicted that Lidge would have the opportunity to, and would rightly claim redemption for his previous 6 months' struggles. On this night, he did not disappoint, clearly overmatching Tulowitzki who looked completely baffled and confused by Lidge's assortment of pitches. After he dropped a nasty 2-2 slider, the game was over, and the Phils had booked their ticket to LA to meet the Dodgers.

It is so satisfying to see such a great human being completely down and lost, only to watch him rise through the adversity and challenges that keep him from achieving success. Tonight, Brad Lidge finished his crawl through a river of shit, and guess what, he came out clean on the other side. Celebrate this one, Brad. You deserve it.

- Kaps

Song of the Day: Fugees - Ready or Not

You Know You Have Problems When...

...your 7 year old cousin tells you, "Wow Jeff, you lost SO much hair." This comment was followed up with a "Jeff, your beard is so disgusting." Apparently, my cousin doesn't appreciate my grooming habits. I always thought the goatee took attention off of my head. When a 7 year old notices your lack of hair, maybe it's time to start looking into Bosley or one of those hair "solutions."

- Kaps

Song of the Day: Puff Daddy feat. Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes - Victory

Interesting Thought About Growing Up

I was having a conversation on instant messenger with Casey yesterday at work, because what else would I be doing while I'm at work. Besides Casey handicapping his upcoming cornhole match and sending me scandalous pictures of Big Ben, we got to talking about his vacation. Casey is driving down to Florida next week with his parents to visit his grandparents. He also told me this will probably his final trip to Florida, after he's made so many over the past 23 years. With that I got to thinking how the definition of "family" is changing drastically before my eyes. In a time not that long ago, "family" vacations meant hopping on a plane with my parents to Florida, going on week-long trips to North Carolina, or spending a long weekend at Hershey Park. At some point, rather quietly, those trips started falling off one-by-one until without even realizing it, none of those trips are left.

As I thought more about it, the cancellation of the family vacations seemed more of a microcosm of the changing definition of family. When I was growing up, I always kind of assumed that I would be a part of my parents' family one day and have my own the next. What I didn't realize, and what no one failed to mention to me is that there is a gap between leaving your childhood family and starting your own. For some people, this transition is rather quick, as they leave college with a significant other, spend lots of time with that person, and then get engaged. Even though there are a few years without a specific family, when you're close to engagement with a significant other, and you will go to family functions with them and vacation with them, you're basically family. For others, myself included, the transition from family to family takes a little bit longer, and is somewhat painful along the way.

Right now of course, I'm still basically a part of my childhood family. I live at home with my parents, and not much has changed since I was a kid except for the fact that I'm working 60 hours a week. But in the very near future, I'm going to move out on my own, and at that point, I won't really have a family. Sure, my parents will always be there for me; they're amazing people. But soon, I'm going to start the interesting process of finding my way without a family to come home to every night, Shortly after that, I'll be seeking to find/start my own.

Just another challenge that you never realize is coming until it's right in front of your face. Is there even a way to prepare for these things or to see them coming? Life man, life.

- Kaps

Song of the Day: Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind