The Phillies Win

So this is a few days late.  But the Philadelphia Phillies won the world series and the 2008 World Champions of Baseball.  And to celebrate, Charlie Manuel, the Phils manager sported this hat.

So I was unfortunately in Boulder, Colorado for the final game.  At least I wasn't on a plane.  But I saw it all and it was great. I wish I was with my sister or Dad to celebrate but none-the-less, I cheered with myself.  

I have to admit that tears welled in my eyes during the post game.  I had a huge grin on my face, so tears, and I was really happy.  It doesn't seem real.  I can't believe this team, the one team I follow religiously actually did it.  As a Philly Phan, you are naturally skeptical.  And they proved me wrong. I was optimistic as possible but it was hard to really believe.  But I've seen these guys for a many years.  I've been to spring training for 6 years, except this year.  I saw Chase Utley when he wasn't quite ready to ready to play in the bigs. I remember seeing Pat the Bat, come of age. I remember Ryan Howard kick Jim Thome out of town.  

Those were some great times in Jack Russell stadium in St. Pete.  And those were some great times with my dad.  

Baseball is a serious commitment. 162 games.  For the Phillies, it was 176 games to win it all.  And it was great.  

The Family at the Phillies game (Martyn is wearing the wrong hat).

In Memory of Joanne Cwikla

It has been a week now that my dear friend Emily's mother passed away. Joanne Cwikla was an extraordinary woman who raised three remarkable daughters. I spent a few hours with Emily and I marvel at her strength, her vulnerability, and her love. I have many fond memories of the Cwikla family but most of all, I remember the Birthday Bear singing and Joanne with her wonderful smiling all through the song. May the spirit of Joanne live forever in her daughters and granddaughter.

Baseball with Dad

There is something about going to baseball games that bonds my dad and I together. We've been to countless number of games in my lifetime. From the one's in the Yankee stadium corporate box seats to the March sunshine in Florida's Spring Training. Baseball has been a bond that my father and I have shared for quite a while, perhaps for as long as I can remember. Like many father/son relationships, sports, and namely baseball, has allowed the father/son relationship to be uncomplicated. Despite the squabbles of my father's and my relationship over the years, we've almost always have found time to catch a game.

One of the many reasons baseball works with my dad and I is that we can talk about almost anything baseball related throughout the entire game. Or we can just sit an enjoy the green grass, the deep brown dirt, and the marvel of a round ball, a round bat, and the intense struggle control those two things, that make up the game. Last night, the three hour game seemed like a flash. I can not recall the conversations we had specifically but we talked almost the entire game. I guess I really appreciate the time that my dad and I can spend together. I appreciate the fun little facts that we tell each other. There is an enormous history of my father's youth that is encompassed in baseball and an enormous history of my youth in baseball of which my dad was all apart of. I am quite lucky in that regards.

I remember when I was a little squirt in Pee Wee ball and made that unassisted Triple Play, my baseball claim to fame. I remember my dad and I almost fighting everyday when I was 13 and he was coaching my team. Yet that was one of my best years of playing. I remember the first spring training when it was just my dad and I in Florida, watching games and soaking in the sun. I have a lot of good memories of my time with my dad with baseball and hopefully more to come.

Fam

Me and Jenn

Left to right, Martyn (future Brother), Jenn (sister), Ali (practically my sister).

Joan (mom)

Dave (Dad)

Emily (friend for as long as my memory serves me)

So this is the family. I love them all.