L ong-suffering Philadelphia fans were ready to celebrate Their city had not won a professional sports title since 1983 25 years earlier But their base ball team the Phillies was one victory away from defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series As the teams took the field on October 27 2008 for Game 5 of the Series Philadelphia fans believed their team was only a few hours away from clinch ing the title and sending the city into a frenzy And when the Phillies scored two runs in the first inning the elusive championship seemed to be within reach But then it started to rain A light rain began early in the game It only got worse By the sixth inning Tampa Bay had tied the score at 2 2 and the field was so covered with pud dles that the teams could not Catcher Carlos Ruiz left and relief pitcher Brad Lidge celebrate after Catcher Carlos Ruiz left and relief pitcher Brad Lidge celebrate after Philadelphia beat Tampa Bay 4 3 in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series The Philadelphia beat Tampa Bay 4 3 in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series The Phillies earned their second Series title ever Phillies earned their second Series title ever t THE LONG WAIT 5
Clutch Performer Clutch Performer Clutch Performer h f bl Chase Utley has already established Chase Utley has already established himself as perhaps the greatest himself as perhaps the greatest second baseman in Phillies history second baseman in Phillies history second baseman in Phillies history second baseman in Phillies history Through 2013 he had hit 217 home Through 2013 he had hit 217 home runs and driven in 808 runs But runs and driven in 808 runs But it was his abili y to p rform in big it was his ability to perform in big it was his ability to perform in big b games that really endeared him games that really endeared him to Phillies fans Utley hit a two-run to Phillies fans Utley hit a two-run homer in Game 1 in the 2008 World homer in Game 1 in the 2008 World Series to give the team a lead it Series to give the team a lead it never lost And in the 2009 World never lost And in the 2009 World never lost And in the 2009 World Series which the Phillies lost in six Series which the Phillies lost in six games he tied a record with a total games he tied a record with a total of five home runs gainst the New of five home runs against the New of five home runs against the New York Yankees York Yankees York Yankees continue Umpires stopped the game Phillies fans had reason to wonder Was the rain a bad omen Would the Phillies win Or would the Rays come back and steal the Series away Many players were frustrated that the game had even been started Heavy rain had been forecast For nearly two days the rain continued delaying the game further 6 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES On October 29 the rain finally stopped and the game resumed The Phillies imme diately scored in the bottom of the sixth inning to go ahead 3 2 Tampa Bay answered with a run in the seventh But the Phillies came right back when outfielder Pat Burrell who had worn a Phillies uniform longer than any player at the time doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh One out later third baseman Pedro Feliz hit a run-scoring single to put the Phillies back on top As they entered the ninth inning with that slim 4 3 lead the Phillies turned the game over to their best relief pitcher Brad Lidge Lidge had been per fect all year when the game was on the line Every time Lidge had been brought in to save the game he had succeeded 47 times in all Now he needed one more save
The Phillies Jayson Werth left and Chase Utley congratulate each other after they scored during Game 5 of the 2008 World Series left the game Lidge retired Evan Longo ria on a pop-up but gave up a single to Dioner Navarro Navarro for pinch-runner Fernando Perez who stole second base Lidge then got a break when Ben Zobrist’s line drive was caught by right fielder Jayson Werth Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske a veteran hitter and a home-run Home-Run Howard Home-Run Howard Home-Run Howard Home-Run Howard Ryan Howard became the Phillie Ryan Howard became the Phillies Ryan Howard became the Phillies first baseman midway through the first baseman midway through the first baseman midway through the 2005 season and hit well enough to 22005 season and hit well enough to 2005 season and hit well enough to be named the National League NL be named the National League NL be named the National League NL Rookie of the Year The next year Rookie of the Year The next year Rookie of the Year The next year he belted 58 home runs and won an he belted 58 home runs and won an he belted 58 home runs and won an even bigger honor Most Valuable even bigger honor Most Valuable even bigger honor Most Valuable even bigger honor Most Valuable Player MVP of the league Every Player MVP of the league Every Player MVP of the league Every y yyear from 2006 to 2009 Howard hit year from 2006 to 2009 Howard hit at least 45 home runs He had 31 at least 45 home runs He had 31 at least 45 home runs He had 31 in 2010 and 33 in 2011 No one in in 2010 and 33 in 2011 No one in in 2010 and 33 in 2011 No one in bbaseball history reached 200 career baseball history reached 200 career homers faster than Howard homers faster than Howard homers faster than Howard y THE LONG WAIT 7
